Nab the Culprit

"The Museum was established in June 1753, when King George II gave his Royal Assent to the Act of Parliament," Elizabeth's voice echoed through the corridor as she was heading towards room 52 while delivering a lecture to a group of enthusiasts. It was the morning of the first working day of the British Museum after a whole month of bicentennial festivities. Entering the room, she was startled as she saw the silhouette of an old man sitting cross legged on the floor, looking at the direction where The Golden Chariot of the Oxus Treasure was supposed to have been kept.

"It's stolen," sighed William, the curator of the Museum.

Elizabeth hurried towards the Director's office and he ordered an immediate shutdown right after hearing the news. The manager called the police and gathered all the key members of the museum.

The morning of the 5th of July, 1953, was a welcomed one by the museum staff as the place was finally empty after a hectic month. The board of trustees had given them the responsibility to make sure everything was back to the way it was before all the exhibits had started.

The Director, Callum O'connor, was upset to be wasting a Sunday just to supervise the staff members. He stayed at his office the whole day preparing himself for a task that had now been due for over a month. The only time he stepped out during the afternoon was when Joseph, the manager, had called him in the Great Hall, asking for his consent to change a few arrangements.

Joseph, on the contrary, was present everywhere, at all times. It was one of his many specialties. He and William Smith made sure that everyone was doing the job perfectly, and were motivating them from time to time. William, who was nearly 60 years old, never let his age get the best of him. He was full of zeal and worked harder than anyone else.

Elizabeth and Isabella Watson were mostly seen engaging others in conversation. They were the museum's two main educators and the only female staff members. They had joined the museum post World War II. Many of the staff members looked down upon them, but their capabilities and skills were always appreciated. Jake Walker, the registrar, was one of the good ones. Beth, Bella, and Jake worked throughout the day, while conversing with each other, and cracking jokes every once in a while to lighten people's moods.

The duty had mainly fallen on Kyle Lopez, the head of maintenance of the museum. He was a serious and conserved man who was committed to his responsibilities. He wasn't much liked by the other staff members because of his reservedness and a scarred face.

"Honestly, I'd have been more shocked if everything would have turned out fine, Bobby," started inspector Henry Taylor, "a whole month of celebration and only one thing stolen. That is what's shocking."

After two long hours of questioning everyone present there, inspector Henry and Robert come to a conclusion that the case was bigger than it had seemed at first glance.

"Do you think we should be consulting a detective?" asked Mr. Williams.

"I think we should." commented Callum.

"Arthur Baker," said Robert scornfully while he and Henry stood aside, "I hate that American."

"So do I, Bobby. Bloody rat, thinks of himself as the Baker Street detective."

"You were mostly in your office, you say?" asked Baker.

"Yes," said O'Connor.

"Weren't you supposed to be supervising everything?"

" I was. I took rounds from time to time. Joseph and William were taking care of everything. That's mostly what happens on such occasions."

"Has anything unusual happened lately?" inquired Baker.

"Sir, even if it did, it is highly unlikely for anyone to have noticed it." said O'Connor cluelessly,"Everybody has been engaged in one thing or the other."

"Anyone you think could've done such a thing?"

"N...no. No, sir," hesitated O'Connor.

"You cannot be hesitating at a time like this, sir."

"Well, I think our night guards should know more about this. Although I think they don't pay much attention to the job."

"I will hear them out. Who, according to you, is the last person to visit room 52?"

"It's always the curator, sir, William Smith. He has always had a habit of checking everything before he leaves. But he.. he would never do such a thing. He has been working here for 37 years and though he has been having a hard time lately, he would never do such a thing." The statement by the manager made Baker think.

"When did you leave the museum?"

At 9:30, sir."

"Good day to you Mr Harry. The inspector tells me that you are mostly seen sleeping during your duty?"

"Not always, sir," the watchman says embarrassingly, "there are times that I doze off, but not always."

"And did you last night?" inquired Baker.

"A bit sir, yes. But I'd appreciate it if you don't tell the director about it."

Baker continues to inquire about everybody's behaviour. He asks him about John, the other night guard.

"He is crazy, sir. Talks to himself at the dead of the night. I heard him talk to some paintings last night as well."

Baker goes on and discusses if he had any suspicions towards John, or anyone else.

"Ehm, sir, our director and manager stayed till late last night. Our shift starts at 8:00 PM, and I hardly ever see the director stay in this late."

The detective further inquiries about the staff, and asks him to leave.

"You talk to paintings, I hear," said Baker

"Oh, everybody thinks of me as a crazy old man, don't they? What else do you expect me to do for my entertainment while my partner sleeps at all times?"

The conversation goes on, and John claims Harry to be too foolish to be a thief. They go on and talk about the argument that went on amongst the director, manager, and curator.

"Also, the inspectors tell me that you heard a noise in room 52 at around 11 at night?" inquired Baker.

"Yes sir, I did. I went to the room, but nothing seemed suspicious."

"Were there any footprints present in the room at that time?"

"Not that I remember, sir." answered John.

"Who was the last person to leave?"

"Well, yesterday, Mr. Williams and Mr. Smith stayed till 11:30."

"You seem to be a quiet and calm man, sir," stated Baker.

"I am," said the manager.

"Then what triggered the heated conversation amongst the 3 of you last night?"

Joseph flushed, and spilled that the director had decided to fire William because he had been asking the director to increase his salary.

"It was wrong, if you ask me. Will is a great man, and he takes care of everything. We certainly cannot lose him."

"Looks like he needed money." stated Baker.

"I know what it might look like. William has been going through a tough time, but he would never do such a thing. He is a good man."

"You were seen having an argument with him last night, sir."

"That," hesitated Joseph, "that was because I volunteered that I'd leave my job if William would be fired, and he was against my decision."

"You mind if I ask what happened in your right hand, there?"

"Oh! I cut myself with a knife in the morning."

"You lost all your four sons in the war, sir?"

"What do you mean?" asked the curator, puzzled.

"Sorry to hear that. Also, you are always the last person to leave the establishment?"

"Yes, but.."

"And, you are getting fired?"

"Yes, but what has this got to do with this case?"

"Just reminding myself of all the facts, sir." stated Baker.

The conversation goes on and Baker inquires about the argument in the director's office.

"At what time do you usually leave?" asked the detective.

"At 10:00 PM, sir. Yesterday, Mr. Williams, I, and Kyle, the head of our maintenance department, stayed till late as everything had to be checked."

The curator goes on and tells that Kyle seemed very nervous and he noticed him looking around in room 52.

"But he is a good man, even though he isn't liked by everyone around here, but it isn't his fault. Good man, good man." stated William.

"I also hear that Kyle gets everything cleaned and makes sure that not even a single strand of hair is left under his supervision?" Baker further asks.

"Yes, most certainly. There were no footprints in the room when I checked."

"I see, what time was it then?"

"Around 10:45, sir."

"What made you so nervous last night?" asked Baker.

"Nothing, sir. I had a long day, I was tired."

"I see. We found 2 pairs of footprints near the window of room 52. You might have missed a spot there, eh?" said Baker.

Kyle started sweating, and admitted that he indeed might have left a spot to clean up. This raised Baker's suspicions.

"So you don't think they were the culprit's footprints?" said Baker.

"They.. they might be.. yes. It could be possible."

They go on discussing the other details. Kyle describes the fight he witnessed in the director's office.

"It is almost laughable. I understand why Will shouldn't be fired, but volunteering to leave his job as well! I never thought Joseph would be so unwise. Actually, not only I, but everybody thinks that Joseph is the smartest man in the museum."

"You may leave," said Arthur.

Kyle gets up to leave, and feels himself feeling nervous again.

"Sir, did you find out about the footprints?" asked Kyle.

"The culprit has small feet, for sure."

"You both have unusually small feet, don't you?" jokes Baker.

Elizabeth and Isabella awkwardly smile at the situation.

"Anyway, you both claim to not have visited room 52 yesterday."

"Yes, sir," said Bella, "we did not."

"And you both left with the registrar, Jake, at 8:00 PM?" inquired Baker.

"Yes sir," says Bella.

Arthur Baker notices Elizabeth's nervousness.

"The funny thing is, a few strands of long brown hair were found in the room, like yours, with footprints of small feet near the room's window. What do you have to say about that?" asked Baker.

"There is nothing of this sort that we know about, sir" says Bella.

"There is nothing that you want to say, Elizabeth?"

Beth's tears started to roll down her cheeks and she confessed that they were indeed her footprints.

She tells them that she had to discuss something with Kyle, and she didn't want to be noticed by anyone.

Bella was left in shock, as the conversation went on.

"Everybody tells me that you are the friendly one, Jack," said Arthur.

"That's how I am, sir," smiles Jack.

"The manager speaks very highly of you," stated Baker.

"Ah! Good man, good man. The smartest and most sensible man that I know, sir. He always thinks everything thoroughly and he knows a great deal about everybody here. He always silently understands everything," said Jack.

The detective further inquiries about his relationship with other staff members.

"Yes yes, I'm very close to the two of them. Good ladies," said Jack.

"Did you know about Elizabeth's and Kyle's secret affair?" asked Baker.

Jack goes on and tells the detective that he knew everything from the start, and Bella hated Kyle, which made Beth keep it a secret from her sister.

Arthur, Henry, and Robert discussed things thoroughly over tea. Henry and Robert were sure that all the clues pointed against the curator, but the detective was lost in his deep thoughts.

"It's not the curator," said the detective

"But how?" said Henry.

"Because it is not in his nature to do something like that. Furthermore, he is being victimised." said Arthur.

"Who is it then?" asked Henry

"It is the manager," said Arthur.

"And how did you come to such a conclusion, may I ask?" asked Robert.

"First of all, no one can be as smart as everybody claims him to be; and if a person is smart, he would never put his job in jeopardy for someone else. He knew everything that was happening at the museum, Kyle's and Elizabeth's affair, Harry's sleeping habits and John's habit of talking to himself. He knew exactly who could be in a perfect victim-like situation in a scenario like this, so he victimized the curator and became the innocent one. Also, the other size of footprints were exactly his size. Joseph Williams has an unusual wound on his right hand and there was blood on the window sill. How can a right handed person cut himself on his right hand?