Patently Murder

**Patently Murder** is the 2nd episode in the series.

## Plot synopsis

DI Knight and DS Slater are called to the Cotley Motor Factory where the body of inventor David Cotley in his workshop.

 Victim and Suspects

### Victim -

David Cotley - is 60 years old and is a divorced inventor with one son. He was a member of a group of car engine enthusiasts called the petrolheads.

### Suspects -

Heather Cookham - she is the secretary of the Cotley Motor Factory.

Simon Delaney Jr - is an entrepreneur with his father Simon being one of the petrolheads.

Tony Harrow - is a good friend of David and is a petrolhead member.

June Harrow - is Tony's wife and had a part in the patent.

Graham Cotley - is the son of David who drives a motorbike and has a love of queen music.

Simon Delaney Sr - is a rival of David's in creating engine parts. He is a petrolhead member and had part in the patent.

## Armchair Detectives

The armchair detectives playing in this episode are Ellouise, Dipak and Audrey

Here are the armchair detectives prime suspects after each round:

 Round 3
 Round 4
 Accusation

As No one correctly identified the killer, no one recieved the golden magnifying trophy.

## Evidence

### Round 1 - Crime Scene

#### Video evidence -

DI Knight and DS Slater are called to the Cotley Motor Factory where the body of inventor David Cotley in his workshop. Simmons tells them that Heather Cookham (the secretary) called for an ambulance when she found a pipe running from its exhaust into the workshop and that David did from carbon monoxide poisoning in hospital. Inside the workshop, a letter is found, some paperwork, a handkerchief with the letters PH on it. A bin which David was sick and a shredder with shredded documents. The van is said to be a company vehicle.

#### Free Evidence -

The forensic report of text messages found on David's phone from Simon.

### Round 2 - Last Movements

#### Video Evidence -

The day before the murder, David is taking photos of blueprints while listening to music loudly. Simon Delaney comes into the workshop. David reveals that he doesn't have a sense of smell following a virus a few years back. Simon asks about the invention of the engine coil and his patent. Simon says his father has a business proposal for David and would want to meet the next day. Just as Simon is leaving, Tony Harrow comes in to talk about the patent and wanted to change his time.

#### Extra Evidence -

The first three pieces of evidence available to choose from in this round are: (The choice in bold was chosen by the detectives)

* **Blank Envelope**
* Patent Agreement
* Forensic report of the van

The envelope has a first class stamp on it with a camera memory card hidden with photos of blueprints on found underneath the stamp. The was a piece of paper inside with quotes of queen songs written.

### Round 3 - Police Interviews

#### Video Evidence -

##### Tony Harrow -

Tony says that he went to talk to David the day before the murder to keep the patent active as money is tight following major renovations on his house his wife June wanted and money from the patent is much needed. He says his wife spends his money a lot. He says that he doesn't know who will inherit the patent next. He tells them that he was at home the night of the murder while his wife was at bridge club.

##### Simon Delaney Sr -

He tells the officers that they usually had meetings at the workshop late at night and that he constructs engine parts. He says he wanted to see David to buy the patent off him and that he and David were rivals. He said that he would be surprised if he didn't pass on the patent to his son Graham. He says that he was at home all night and that his son was at a friend's house.

#### Extra Evidence -

The three pieces of evidence available to choose from in this round are: (The choice in bold was chosen by the detectives)

* Forensic report on the pipe
* **Patent Agreement**
* Forensic report of the van

The patent agreement states that there is 5 years left on the patent and that Simon Delaney Sr and Tony Harrow are entitled to 15% each of the profits made from the patent. David has full ownership of the patent.

### Round 4 - Dig Deeper

#### Video Evidence -

A week before the murder, David is hosting a celebration in the workshop. Heather has a go at David that the place is a tip and that a window should be opened (which doesn't work) and June agrees. Simon Sr and Simon Jr arrive late due to bus delays and Simon Sr flirts with Heather. David announces that he is retiring and he is going to let the patent drop.

Extra Evidence -

The three pieces of evidence available to choose from in this round are: (The choice in bold was chosen by the detectives)

* **Forensic report on the pipe**
* The last will and testament of David Cotley
* Forensic report of the van

The forensic report states that there were fingerprints on the middle of the pipe and silk fibres found at the ends of the pipe. The fingerprints belong to Heather.

### Round 5 - Final Clues

#### Video Evidence -

DI Knight and DS Slater arrives at Graham's house. DS Slater admires Graham's motorbike. DI Knight points out the hanged photos of Queen on the wall. They ask for his diver's licence which is Category A only as his father said cars would soon become obsolete. He said that he think all his father's work and patent will go into a trust and not to him as he doesn't want to take over the business and had no idea on what his father was working on. He said that his father could be bizarre at times using dropping the patent as an example.

DI Knight and DS Slater then interviewed Heather at the station. She said that she assumed David went home and stayed behind late to sort out the salaries for the company before she went on holiday. She removed the pipe from the van and the workshop and reversed the van which was blocking the workshop door. She said that she had known David for 25 years and said that David was going to give her a pay rise once the latest patent went through. She reveals that the keys to the van are kept above the sun visor as the van is used a lot within the company.

#### Extra Evidence.

The final two pieces of evidence available to choose from in this round are: (The choice in bold was chosen by the detectives)

* **The last will and testament of David Cotley**
* Forensic report of the van

The will states that everything will be given to Graham if David died.

#### Unseen Evidence -

The forensic report on the van showed that there was a dent in the left side of the van and that he van seat had been moved forward and the keys left in the ignition. Fingerprints of David, Heather and workers were found as well as silk fibres.

## Solution

The killer was revealed to be June Harrow.

With a degree in engineering, it was David's idea was June's idea and was offended when she was not included in receiving money for the patent. Tony told June that he had failed to change David's mind and he was going to meet Simon Jr and Sr to discuss it.

On route to bridge club, June drove to the workshop and drove the van to block the workshop door, kept the engine running and linked a pipe into the workshop pumping deadly fumes. David couldn't hear the van running as he was listening to music and couldn't smell the fumes as he has no sense of smell.

When David started to feel unwell saw the van and the pipe. He tried to escape but couldn't leaving a dent in the van door and the broken window allowed no ventilation. David shredded the blueprints.

June is the only one of the petrolheads that can drive and her small height had her move the seat forward and the fibers off her scarf were found on the pipe and the van.

## Notes

* There is seen to be a connection between SOCO Simmons and DI Knight when DS Slater jokes that they both do not have a social life.
* DS Slater points out that he would like to be called a petrol head, presuming his love of cars.