The Final Flower

Why the Alyssum flowers? They had been delibratly placed at the first two murders. The piece that didn't fit into the puzzle.

Sending on DI Lestrade to wrap up the tedious matter of arresting the circus, I retraced my steps to the flower bed where this had all began.

Burried in the park were 2 throwing knives from the first murder and a phone.

M contacted me and gave me a choice. Save either John or Irene from the pain of drowning, by forcing me to choose which one to shoot one of them. From what I gather, M had stolen both John and Irene from the company of the police and was holding them at gunpoint, weighted and bound in a swimming pool.

Using what I could deduce over the phone I maganged to locate the position they were being held and alerted the police. Foul water, echoes, the faint sound of a freight train, the lack of concen over being heard. Conclusion: The disused Surrey Aquatic Center.

I arrived in time to confront M before the poice arrived. He escaped while I pulled the unconcious and bleeding Irene Alder from the waters and returned to rescue John from the bottom of the pool. During this time I also managed to get winged by a bullet ricochet.

Lestrade arrived armed with an army of EMT's and ambulances. Which is how I ended up with another blanket for 'shock' and eight stiches in my right arm. Apparently I'm not allowed to play the violin. We'll see about that.

Case and puzzle solved.

Perhaps next time M decideds to 'burn the heart of me' It might present more of a challenge.

Act 2, Scene 1.

I am constantly intrigued by the delicate intricateness of this case. Nothing is random, each deduction is an element of the puzzle that I can't quite place together. He hasn't given me all the pieces yet.

The criminal ineptitude demonstrated by Scotland Yard forensic Officers had this case first laelled 'suicide'. It is in face cold, planned and perfectly executed murder. Lance Peterson, 56 year old, violent alcoholic. Discovered hanged inside his own house. Evidence suggests he was taken by suprise and couldn't put up a fight, as demonstrated by the light bruising aroudn his wrists from cloth restraints. Upon examining the rope used to hang him I discovered traces of silk fibre, also that the rope was powdered and it smelt of our illustrious alyssum flower.

So far I've uncovered at least three distinct individuals party to the murder. The lithe man who stalked Simon Brown, as its likely there were more than one involved in the actually stabbing. Impossible to single out individuals at this stage. The strong man that hoisted Lance Peterson and left his footprint behind. And the woman with a silk scarf who tied the knot around his neck. There is of course the fourth party that I know is involved, but I shan't go into him here.

These two cases are linked. I ask myself what motive would bring together two crimes that are different in every aspect: victim, murder weapon, killers etc. There is no apparent reason or motive as to why both men were killed in these ways. The only thing in common is the small alyssum flower. It is my belief that there is an element hidden in the past of the two victims that will justify such violent retribution.

I can but await the next piece of the puzzle.

-SH

Red Rose

No longer bored, a new case at last. With the unmistakable flair of M.
Blood splatter in the shape of a rose. I'd be flattered, if I wasn't married to my work.
A 29 year old, recently engaged electrician. Engaged by the pressed state of his collar and hemmed trousers and electrican by the callouses on his hands.
A professional killer judging by the masterful strokes and stabs that severed the major arteries. No defensive wounds, so he knew his killer.
The body carries the smell of Alyssum.
I look forward to pursuing this case.

-Sherlock