The Armchair Detective: 'The Pilot' Page 4

  TRENCH:Now, Old Tom, why doesn’t that surprise me?

  (We hear OLD TOM fold the newspaper up and then throw it on the floor.)

  TRENCH:By the way, I checked at the Station and Sergeant Strong confirmed that the inquiry, at the time of Jill’s father’s death was officially declared an accident, witnessed - along with Jenkins naturally - by the duty sergeant of the day and, surprisingly, the Chief Inspector. Something to do with a wet, slippery floor and a fall…

  OLD TOM:A tragic accident? Simply far too convenient for Jill Masterson to ever believe…

  TRENCH:But it seems that Jenkins was only guilty of greed…

  OLD TOM:Strange that the Chief Inspector was there though… Unless he was there to dismiss Sergeant Jenkins as criminal allegations would have probably been building up against him by then.

  TRENCH:Analytical deduction at its best… and I imagine you could be right.

  OLD TOM:I am right… I think…

  TRENCH:So, the Mayflower Mystery is finally over.

  OLD TOM:You did quite well, my boy. You just required a little prodding in the right direction…

  TRENCH:It’s been fun though, hasn’t it?

  OLD TOM:Oh yes, I haven’t had to think like this for a long, long time…

  TRENCH:Tell me more.

  OLD TOM:That was all in the past. I only concern myself with the present.

  TRENCH:Good for you. Well, I don’t think I’ll be calling on the Armchair Detective again, though. Goodbye Old Tom.

  OLD TOM:If you ever need my help on any other mysteries you may stumble over - you know where I am.

  TRENCH:I know where you are.

  (TRENCH gets up to leave.)

  OLD TOM:Just before you go, Trench - would you pass me my cup of tea?

  TRENCH:All right. Hey, wait a minute, there are two cups here.

  OLD TOM:Of course. One is for me… and one is for you.

  TRENCH:But that’s the first time you have offered me anything.

  OLD TOM:I know.

  (We hear the slight clatter of crockery as the teas are passed.)

  TRENCH:This tea is stone cold; do I have to drink it?

  OLD TOM:It would be rude not to.

  TRENCH:Here goes then… Ughh! This tea is dreadfully cold… but curiously pleasant.

  CLOSING MYSTERY MUSIC

  NEXT:

  The Armchair Detective and the Manor-House Mystery

  Could enigmatic aristocrat, and Sally-Anne’s current suitor, Marcus Dreadbury be somehow involved of the disappearance of his former fiancé? Trench and Old Tom investigate…

  www.thearmchairdetective.moonfruit.com