“You did what! Sergeant!” Phalen said. “You idiot! I cannot believe what my ears just thought they heard! Have you lost your mind!”
“No, sir, I most certainly have not. Talk to the Chief, sir. Quintland got a call from the doctor who did the autopsy. Quintland called the Chief, who ordered the arrest of Hadrian Jannins. He works with his father, the head gardener on the estate. It was Quintland who went over your head, not me.”
“I apologize, Sergeant.”
“No problem. I knew your stogie would be burnt. I’m here delivering your automobile, sir. Rex said he thought for sure she was dead, but he got her running, somehow. He told me he’d settle with you later, but that it took him all night to fix her and that you owed him two arms and a leg.”
“Tell Rex, I appreciate his hard work. I’ll see him back at the garage and settle up.”
“Are we heading back, now?” Wields asked.
“No. I’ve got to talk to Quintland. Since when does having a medical degree qualify Quintland to run a murder investigation?”
* * * * *
“Well, Detective Archer, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have this matter wrapped up.”
“Dr. Quintland, what evidence do you have that Mr. Hadrian Jannins committed the murder? Did he confess?”
“He most certainly did not, but in my dealings with the staff, I hear rumors. It came to my attention that the unfortunate maid, Alzada, I believe they call her, and young Jannins had been, how shall I say this, on more than friendly terms. It seems that a breakup between the two occurred a short time before the murder.
So, you see, the instant Doc told me that the unfortunate girl was with child, I had only to put two and two together to make four.
Two and two are four, Detective.
Quite simple logic, really.”
“I see,” Phalen said. “So, you have no witness that can place this young man at the boathouse the day of the murder?”
“Well, no.”
“You have no one who can place him within the vicinity of that area, if not directly in the boathouse,” Phalen said.
“No.”
“No one saw the two arguing during the time leading up to the murder,” Phalen said.
“No,” said Dr. Quintland, “but Chief Amesby agrees with me that Jannins is the most likely suspect. I was so happy to see the Chief act quickly. He ordered your officers to arrest the man, removing him from the property.”
Phalen was so furious. He did not trust his mind to keep his mouth quiet.
“I’ll be getting back with you, Dr. Quintland. Good day,” Phalen said evenly and quickly turned to leave the room.
“That’s all? No thanks? Nothing to show your appreciation for all I have done for you?” Quintland said.
“Good day, Dr. Quintland,” Phalen said, leaving the doctor standing behind his desk with a look of confusion on his bland face.