“Dad Overboard”

Intro: Brindlewood Bay is an English tourist destination with bed and breakfasts, antique shops, with a reputation for being a cozy little mecca for artists. A place where men are strictly background performers. 

Lavinia Hayes (Leslie)	Painting. Maven Move: Scarecrow.
Opal Shipton (Nathan)	Pottery/Flowers. Maven Move: Columbo
Diane Chu (Alex)	Cooking. Maven Move: Colt Seavers
Doris Bunyard (Bill)	Scrapbooking. Maven Move: MacGyver

Plot Introduction: The girls sat around the table, with the latest Masterson book to be analyzed. Interrupted by Inspector Pete Dymple knocking at the door. Him momentarily distracted by the savory smell of Diane’s dumplings. Mumbled words till he finished his fourth and wiped his chin, “As I was saying, I’ve run into a bit of a snag on my investigation of the late Albert Krause. You didn’t hear? He’s the wealthy financier pulled out of the bay 4 days ago. He and his family were vacationing on their yacht currently anchored a quarter mile from shore. The surviving Krause’s assert Albert was drunk and simply fell overboard. While I suspect foul play, I haven’t been able to turn anything up. Still waiting on the toxicology report. I’m dragging my feet with the paperwork to keep them here. I was hoping you could intercede before they weight anchor and return to Boston.”

Doris snickered at his implication this was the first time he drug his feet on paperwork. The girls excitedly closed their copies of the Masterson book, “Looks like we have a real mystery to solve. We should first visit the morgue… the fish market?! You put his body on ice at the market because the morgue freezers are broken again?!” Diane made a mental note to buy her fish elsewhere. Inspector Dymple added, “Etienne Beauregard at the market was more than happy to help out. Albert Krause actually gave Etienne the front money to start his fish market business; so, he felt he owed the man a favor in return.”

Pete Dymple could only nod and mumble at their questions as Diane fed him more dumplings and Opal pushed a tray of cookies in front of him. “So, you’re telling us his head has multiple contusions possibly during his time floating in the harbor, hit by boats. No way to prove someone hit him before he went over. You didn’t find out him missing or dead till his body discovered on shore, 4 days later. The family didn’t call the Coast Guard nor you. He was in dress pants with a buttoned shirt but no jacket or tie. They’ve been here a few weeks already. Amanda the grieving wife. Oh, just wife; not grieving. Son David and daughters Sarah and Emily. And butler Andrew. The yacht crew on shore leave. Can you get us a list to establish their alibies?”

Lavinia spoke up, “I’ve heard about Amanda in numerous charity fundraisers. She’s more into animal rights. SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Humane Societies. I could approach her along those lines. I think I actually have met David. He’s a Boston art gallery owner; a couple of my painting hang there.” The inspector cleared his throat, “David was the least sorry for his dad’s death. Not that the other family members showed much remorse. The youngest Emily was too busy with her gaming and iphone to even give me the time of day. You can find all of them aboard the yacht where they’ve stayed throughout their time here.”

Doris went to the library to do some family research while the others rode to the fish market. Diane stepped out of the car, sniffing in a lung full of the fresh catch she craved. Then gasp as Opal walked past wafting freshly applied perfume, “Sorry, I prefer the cooked odors versus the actual fish smell.” Lavinia was already snapping on rubber gloves as they were led into the fish freezer. [Meddling- 10 success] She was deeply focused on Albert’s skin lividity, looking for bruising and wounds. Checked his eyes for “signs of Petechial hemorrhaging.” [possibly indicating blunt-force trauma] Even checked his hairline where the reported lumps were. She harrumphed, “No wounds, but them putting him on ice slows the bruising and rigor-mortise. Tough to establish a time of death. [clue#1] Ooh, what’s this under his fingernail?”

Opal opened the plastic bag of his possessions, “Wedding ring, right shoe only, and wristwatch. Ooh, cracked glass and the time stopped at 8:30. Now it only tells the correct time twice a day. Maybe he cracked it when he fell overboard. Or the first boat hit him.” Diane knelt beside the body and put her hands on his chest and pushed. [clue#2] “If he was alive when he entered the water, his lungs would be water-logged. And in this freezer, frozen water expands. No swelling nor hard resistance to my pushing. No water present. He was dead before he entered the bay.”

[Meddling- 7 success with complications] Doris flipped thru the library newspaper collection, looking for articles about the Krause family. Surely there would be pictures of them out and about in town. She was about to give up the search, when she spotted the week-old charity article. [clue#3] A picture of Amanda arm-n-arm with a young naval lieutenant. The way they looked at each other… Doris pulled out her magnifying glass, “Darn it. The foreground man is blocking his nametag. I can only make out OW.”

Lavinia went into the library to retrieve Doris. “You struck out? Did you try looking in ‘Who’s Who’?” [Meddling- 13 success] Scanning animal and charity events, Lavinia soon found an article about David Krause opening a gallery in Birmingham, England. Only for it to fold within 6 months.

Back in Opal’s car, they compared notes as they drove to the harbor to catch a boat ride to the yacht. As they walked toward the pier, Lavinia noticed a sand-castle competition. “Wait, isn’t that David? Looks like he’s judging the event. Now’s a good time to re-introduce myself.” She gathered herself, before ‘accidently’ bumping into him. “Excuse me. David? David Krause? Remember me, Lavinia? Yes, I painted a couple of your Boston gallery paintings. So sorry to hear about your father. Such a tragedy.” But David wasn’t so glum, “Tragedy? He threw himself off. Suicide? I doubt it. Drunken stupor more like it. Stumbled and bumbled himself to death. The only thing he loved was his Cutty Sark Whisky. My only regret was not being rail-side to raise a toast when he went over.”

Lavinia listened as he intermixed rambling with castle judging. He paused at one such castle being eaten away by the surf, waxing philosophy and disjointed artistic nonsense. She soon understood the man was full of BS. She mentioned his recent venture collapse and offered her help. “Brexit and the economy collapse. I couldn’t get decent items to post. Could you possible provide paintings? High value items that would quickly sale. I need to generate a lot of cash, quickly. You can?! You are such a gem. Talk soon.” [Scarecrow move: clue#4] As he picked up his bag to leave, Lavinia noticed the fish left behind. A cod with a dead rat stuffed in its mouth! Did it fall out of his bag?

The yacht grew in dimensions beyond their expectations as their skiff puttered closer. It’s size and opulence overwhelming.  The butler Andrew was rail-side when they pulled up to the ladder, “Condolences? Whom should I say is calling? If you’ll wait in the sitting area.” As if they counted to ten. As if someone called “Hike.” They split up:

• Lavinia back outside inspecting the railing for signs of where Albert fell. It took awhile before she noticed a red stain on the deck. Realization a 6ftx3ft decorative carpet, just like the other 5 spaced along the railing, was missing. Should have been where the stain now is. Soaked thru blood? Did the murder(s) use it to move Albert’s bloody body? She collected a sample for later analysis.
• Doris found an interior bathroom and was drawn to its medicine cabinet like a moth to flame. Elder busybody or sleuth? Most bottles were labeled, name and prescription. Albert evidently suffered the age-old problems of heart, blood, cholesterol, and diabetes. Amanda also had her high blood pressure meds. Nothing for the kids. But there was an older unmarked bottle. Doris put one of the white pills into her pocket before continuing down the hall, where she found the master bedroom. A California king: Albert and Amanda did sleep together. No extra meds in his nightstand, but a small derringer that fit nicely in Doris’ purse. No missing left shoe under the bed nor in the closet. But she did find the missing jacket that matched the dress pants Albert was found in. [clue#5] And in the jacket pocket: a letter addressed to an attorney asking how to remove someone from a will.
• Opal descended the stairs looking for bedrooms. And was drawn to music and thrumming behind a door. That opened unto a theater room. An entire wall filled with a projected 120-inch video gaming scene. Emily sat in her gaming chair with headset, engrossed in the action. Perturbed by the interruption. A quick glance, “Who are you?” Back to the action, till pause at the shoulder tap. “Care for a cookie?” Emily was stuck between the conversation in her headset versus live conversation, “Father? He’s dead. Do you mind?! Well, I do. I’m busy. Yes, same game and group I played with the night he drunkenly fell overboard. Gossip about my brother? I know nothing about art. And I seriously doubt he does too. Loser. Which I’ll be if you don’t leave me alone!” As Opal turned to leave, she saw and retrieved a crumpled family picture from the trashcan. Dad conveniently cut out of the picture. Payback for a threat to cut her out of the will?
• Diane followed the interior signs below deck, soon finding the kitchen. No rat poison stored below the sink. Only mechanical mouse traps. The snapper kind. Not those cruel sticky pads. Diane opened the frig and was shocked to find only bottles of alcohol. “The poor rich family is starving.” Within minutes, Diane whipped up a luxury meal. And during that time, she overheard a heated argument next door. 2 women. [Clue#6] “Divorce? Do you know how expensive…”

Andrew followed the wafting scent into the kitchen. Where he was greeted by Diane handing the butler a serving tray, “Round up the family. It’s time they had something real to eat. Tell them it’s a wokless wake. Don’t just stand there with your jaw dropped. Put the food on the dining table and gather the family.” Andrew used the ship-wide intercom which got the other mavens to join the gathering. Amanda and Sarah entered from the adjoining room. Emily remained gaming while David was still ashore.

Diane offered up the wake as a charity response to their loss. Lavinia mentioned it an offering from the neighboring VFW, “In recognition of your charity work for them.” Opal added, “VFW like that naval lieutenant you were pictured with.” Amanda blushed before stiffening, “I WAS organizing another VFW event. Just like my husband to go and get himself killed and mess up my plans.” Doris questioned, “Killed? I thought you told the police suicide or accidental fall?” Amanda corrected herself, “Killed, suicide, accident. Dead is dead.” Doris corrected, “Suicide usually holds up life insurance payouts.”

It was an awkward dinner as Opal casually asked, “Where were you on the night of his drowning?” Sarah and her puffy red eyes (from crying) told of her regular evening martini, then nightcap. Seems Albert wasn’t the only drunk in the family. “I had a terrible headache and went to bed early that night.” Opal even asked the proverbial movie culprit, the butler Andrew. “I was let off around 9pm. Actually, that was my night off.” Opal didn’t let him off the hook, “So, night off. You remained aboard.” Amanda acted meek and unassuming, “Albert took care of all the family and business financing. That night I was in town, meeting with June Willoughby [town busybody] for that charity event I mentioned earlier.”

And that’s when Doris forced a burp, faking a stomach-ache, “Dear me! Excuse me as I find the lady’s room. No thanks Andrew, I can find it myself. Trust me, you do NOT want to follow in my footsteps if you know what I mean.” She easily found David’s room. [Meddling- 13] No bloodstained shoes in the closet to suggest him on deck standing over a bloodied Albert. A closet full of poor taste in clothing. "Apparently, no sense of style nor art." [clue#7] But a collection agency letter regarding a large amount of money owed. The man in serious debt! As Doris turned to leave, she kicked something. A single expensive diamond earring. That fit nicely in Doris’ purse. The intent to confront David with it when he arrived. Blackmail payoff, stealing from his mother, jewelry heist to pay his debt?

Doris returned with the excuse, “You might want to install an air freshener in that bathroom.” Amanda directed Andrew to the task, but Diane interrupted, “I need to use it to freshen up. You can clean the kitchen first.” Diane used her exit to check Andrew’s room. [Meddling- 13: clue#8] His bank statement in his nightstand recorded recent stock purchases. Over $1 million in just the last 2 months. Embezzling or insider trading?! She scanned Andrew’s list of stocks and realized he was purchasing opposing stocks. Albert’s failings would mean Andrew’s gains.

Diane returned to her chair just as Andrew returned, “Mrs. Opal, you have a phone call.” Inspector Dymple on the other end, “I need you to come to the office. I have that list of yacht crew names you asked for.”

Andrew sailed them back to shore in the yacht’s own skiff. Along the way, they saw David returning to the yacht in another skiff. Doris exhaled, “Shoot. I was hoping to ask him and the others about something I found in…[she realized Andrew was steering the skiff]… nevermind. I’ll find another time to ask him.”

While Lavinia and Diane headed back to the fish market, Opal and Doris met up with the inspector. Like a Pavlovian treat, Diane offered cookies or hard candy to the inspector when he divulged useful tidbits of information. Such as alibies for each of the yacht crewmen. And the revelation Sarah was seen in the fancy restaurant next to the fish market with a man. “Etienne next door recognized her. His name is Dennis OWens. Yes, he IS a naval lieutenant. How did you know? Sure looked like arm-candy to him; if you know what I mean.” In return, the girls told him what they had learned aboard the yacht. Doris pulled out her phone to show the picture she took of the attorney letter asking about removing someone from a will. She had to skip over the selfies she took. Mistakes in phone camera operation. Dymple had to admonish Doris for removing the earring from the scene of a crime, “You know, we can’t use it in court as it was obtained illegally. If you could put it back… Meanwhile, I’ll get the pill you found analyzed.”

Opal called Diane to relay the news about the neighboring restaurant. As Lavinia followed up on the fish market angle regarding the cod/rat find, Diane checked out the restaurant. She ran into the head chef out back on a smoke break. And introduced herself as a "recipient of 4 Michelin Stars for culinary expertise. I’d gladly offer cooking and advertising tips to help you earn more than your one star. But I need to see your reservation book to see what kind of cliental you already draw.” Michelle excitedly led her inside and introduced her to the host, Michelle. Who at first was intimidated by Diane’s air of culinary acumen. Till Diane offered advertising tips focused on customers listed in the reservation book. “Yes, I see what you mean. Our chef is all over the place with his menu choices.” [clue#9] And of course, Diane had flipped far enough back in the book to find a 6:30 reservation on the night of Albert’s death: Sarah Krause and Dennis Owens!

Meanwhile, Lavinia questioned Etienne about her fish/rat find. “Yes, typical local cod fish. Yes, rats scurry around the wharfs and market. I use both mechanical traps and poison. But not around my freezers!” Satisfied, Lavinia phoned a friend about video gaming. Who confirmed Emily Krause a well-known gamer who WAS gaming on the night and hours of Albert’s death.

GATHERING OF SUSPECTS- THEORY PHASE

Diane called Opal, “Bring the inspector along to confront the suspects aboard the yacht.”

With the Krause family gathered to include a whining Emily torn from her video game and the butler Andrew, the girls presented their case, each adding their perspective on the clues:

“Money is the root of all evil. And the fact Albert was about to remove each of you from his will, forced your hand. Albert was already planning to remove David from the will. He knew of your lack of financial responsibility. Didn’t want to turn over his life savings to another one of your failed galleries. Meanwhile, Etienne, indebted to Albert, called and reported seeing Sarah dining with young lieutenant Dennis Owens. Their love tryst well recorded. The same Owens who was playing gigolo to Amanda. Albert found out about that too. David ratted you out when Albert told him about his plans to remove him from the will. David, who had been blackmailing you, Amanda. The diamond earrings you gave him as payoff. Even Owens unknowingly got in the act by sending that cod/rat warning to David to back off. And then you too Andrew. All setup to gain on your stock portfolio when Albert’s stocks crashed. You eagerly joined in the plot. Played both parties for your own ill-gotten gains. You knew Albert had you listed in the will along with innocent Emily.”

“Amanda, the loving wife. You spiked his wine with an overdose of sleeping pills we found in the medicine cabinet. But instead of simply dying in bed for you to dump later out at sea, he staggered to the deck to puke over the railing. But he finally passed out at the railing where he dropped his glass. Vomit stuck under his fingernail was infused with the sleeping pill mixture. It wasn’t blood on the missing carpet. It was red wine stain and vomit. Infused with sleeping pills. You had to get it cleaned to remove the evidence. Except for clueless Emily at her gaming console, all of you colluded to throw him overboard at 8:30pm. His broken watch recorded that tidbit. We know he didn’t drown because his lungs were not filled with water.”

Emily finally spoke up, “Does that mean I'm the sole heir? I get to improve my gaming console?”

EPILOGUE

Diane consoled Doris, "It's my fault for not saying anything about David's pierced ears. Men's fashion today. About the only thing fashionable with that man. The diamond earring belonged to him, rather than a blackmail item. But you did get him flustered and confessing other tidbits."

The toxicology report confirmed an overdose of sleeping pills. As reported in the newspaper proclaiming Inspector Dymple solved the case singlehandedly. The Murder Mavens knew better. “Imagine the paparazzi interruptions if we were mentioned. This way we can go about our quiet lives. Which reminds me, did you see that strange gathering of folks on the beach where Albert’s body was found? Them all dressed alike in those long black robes with hoods. Hands raised up. What’s that all about?”

Doris reached into her purse to get a glue stick to work on her scrapbook. And pulled out a single diamond earring. “Oh shoot. I meant to give it to the inspector. But like he said, removed evidence. I best hold onto it. I’ll put it in the box with that little derringer I found too. And that silver fork I found in my pocket. Embarrassing to try to return them to the yacht now.” [I guess Doris is a kleptomaniac.]