Page 23 of The Hazardous Measure of Love
‘She is so utterly unlike anyone I would expect him to associate with that novelty might be the answer,’ I suggested. ‘She is undoubtedly spectacular, I am sure she is exceptional at what she does, and it might have been a relaxation from being so very respectable and orderly.’
When I had told them everything we sat and stared at the boards until James declared, ‘What we need is a list of things to do.’
When we had finished that, he shook his head. ‘It doesn’t help, after all. It is so vague.’
‘Motive, means and opportunity,’ I said, suddenly energised and ready to channel any number of Golden Age detectives. ‘We list those, then we note actions we can take.’
We ended up with a list:
The staff (individually or in any combination):
Motives: Unknown unless they were expecting significant legacies or bore secret grudges.
Opportunity: At any time. They knew victim’s habits and could just walk in on him.
Means: Kitchen knives? Pocket knives?
Action: Discover contents of the will. Check on missing knives.
Doctor Frederick Prescott:
Motive: Inheritance of the title.
Opportunity: Unless his illness is a sham or greatly exaggerated – none.
Means: Hired assassin.
Action: Establish how ill he is and proceed from there.
Mr Alexander Prescott:
Motive: Inheritance of title.
Opportunity: By own admission was in the study at the right time.
Means: Could have brought weapon with him.
Action: Discover who put the note on the table at the Palace. Could he really not have noticed the body? Experiment.
Mr Alexander Prescott’s sons (Marcus, Charles, Bertram & Adrien):
Motive: Inheritance of title (applies only to Marcus) or expectation of personal gain if father inherits (all of them).
Opportunity & Means: All familiar with house and location of study. Probably all knew about open window. Would bring weapon with them.
Action: Establish whereabouts during possible timeframe for murder.
Mr Horace Prescott & his three sons (Percy, George, Jerald):
Motive: Unknown, unless expecting significant legacies.
Opportunity & Means: All familiar with house etc.
Action: Establish whereabouts during possible timeframe for murder. Check the will.
Madame Vaillant:
Motive: Fury at being dismissed. Expectation of legacy??
