Derby Day Death

**Derby Day Death** is the 4th episode in the series.

## Plot synopsis

DI Knight and DS Slater are called to the Mortcliff Bowling Green investigating the death of a favoured bowling player who is poisoned with something allergic in the midst of a game changing bowling match against a rival team.

## Victim and Suspects

### Victim -

Patrick McMurry AKA Paddy Mac - 35 year old star bowler of the Parryvale Bowls club.

### Suspects -

Rhona Lane - A Mortcliff Bowling club volunteer

Jonas Jordan - Bowler in the 2nd team for the Parryvale bowling team

James Clarke - Bowler for the Mortcliffe bowling team

Frank Taggart - Retired Bowler for the Mortcliffe bowling team who came back for the tournament

Gillian Davies - A leading sports agent

## Armchair Detectives

The armchair detectives playing in this episode are Toria, Ashley and Laura

Here are the armchair detectives prime suspects after each round:

 Round 3
 Round 4
 Accusation

## Evidence

### Round 1 - Crime Scene

#### Video evidence -

DI Knight and DS Slater arrive at Mortcliff Bowling Green where DI Knight comments on the trophies in the case but haven't beaten rival team Parryvale in 15 years. He informs Rhona Lane to have all suspects remain at the club until they have spoken to them all/ Knight and Slater head to the scene of the crime - the Parryvale Changing Room where they meet Simmons. She tells the gentlemen that she believes the cause of death to be anaphylactic shock but to be confirmed. The victim is identified as Patrick McMurry aka Paddy Mac. It was mentioned that the groundskeeper locked the doors to the changing room after the ambulance left to not disturb evidence. They interview Jonas Jordan, who tells them he was in the toilets in the changing room when he heard Paddy come in and when he left the toilet that Paddy looked unwell, was drinking water and wanted to get fresh air. He mentions that James and Frank came out the other changing room with James administering some CPR. As he leaves, Jonas nearly forgets his bowls until Knight reminds him. Seeming upset following the death, Jonas chucks the bowls into a nearby bin.

#### Free Evidence -

The Floor plan of the Mortcliff Bowling Club. It is noticed that the Kitchen service is on the away side of the changing rooms with the the entrance of the away changing room (where the murder took place) is directly in front of the bowling green and the same side as the kitchen entrance.

### Round 2 - Last Movements

#### Video Evidence -

Twenty minutes before the murder, Frank and James are excited about how close they are to winning but realise that Paddy is on the Parryvale team and are worried. They see Paddy in the distance in a disagreement with Jonas about the time. Frank is the warmly hugged by Rhona who is a big fan of Franks and informs both that lunch is served and snacks and cold drinks are available in the changing room. In the lunch queue, Paddy cuts in front of Frank and jokingly teases the men, he then takes a look at the menu, looking angry says the food is not for him and storms off. Frank notices Gillian Davies walk past and have an unspoken exchange. James is shocked that Frank knows Gillian which Frank denies. As the men finish lunch at the pavilion, Frank goes to put the kettle on heading to the home changing room whilst Paddy and Rhona talk about if Aaron will play in the final game, Paddy mentions that Jonas is gagging to play while Rhona strokes Paddy's arm in flirtation in full sight and earshot of James who quickly interrupts, Paddy calls James jealous and walks towards the away changing room whilst James and Rhona walk towards the home side, Gillian then takes some breath spray and walks towards the away side. Later, Gillian mentions that she wants to meet with the players individually after the game before the celebrations, Paddy is then seen collapsing with Jonas quickly coming to his aid along with Gillian. Whist James is making a brew, the notices that his drink is cold, he hears the commotion and performs first aid, Frank then appears. 2 hours later, whilst the game is in full swing, Gillian informs everyone that Paddy has died and that the game is to be cancelled which upsets Rhona, Frank and James immensely

#### 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)

* **The lunch menu at the bowling club**
* The contents of the Parryvale changing room table
* The contents of the Mortcliffe changing room table

The lunch menu states that the food was prepared where nuts are present.

### Round 3 - Police Interviews

#### Video Evidence -

##### Rhona Lane -

DI Knight interviews Rhona alone. Rhona admits to preparing food and drinks for both changing rooms. She says Paddy made a request that he only have store bought food and have his drinks clearly labelled. She claims that James gave her a talking down about Paddy in the changing room, calling him arrogant and selfish which she puts down to jealously and Paddy collapsed about 10 minutes later. Rhona says that Frank was in the toilet of the changing room.

Knight and Slater visit Simmons who reveals that traces of nuts were found in Paddy's water bottle and Paddy had a nut allergy.

##### Jonas Jordan -

Slater is present for this interview with Knight. Jonas admits that he was not happy that Paddy's teammate Aaron was sneaking out to have lunch with his wife which he did frequently and that it is unprofessional and is angry that Aaron still makes first team over him and complained about it to Paddy. He says that he knew of Paddy's nut allergy but kept it secret like Paddy wanted as Paddy felt that people would think he was weak because of it and was very stubborn about what he drank and ate. Jonas senses that Slater is trying to implicate he did it, he asks for his solicitor.

#### Extra Evidence -

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

* The contents of the Parryvale changing room table
* The contents of the Mortcliffe changing room table
* **The changing room entrances and exits**

The toilet door is locked and no one is inside.

### Round 4 - Dig Deeper

#### Video Evidence -

Two weeks before at the Mortcliffe bookstore, Frank is having a book signing for his latest book. Paddy arrives and taunts Frank. Gillian is also there which makes Paddy happy and then leaves. She introduces herself to Frank. Frank tells her that he won't be playing in the tournament and tries to convince him to turn up. Meanwhile, Rhona says she wants to help Paddy and Paddy wants her to place a bet for him and promises £500 for her. She admits she has never been into a betting shop before but agrees. It is implied that Paddy could possibly throw the game for the bet. Also, Jonas says that he is willing to meet with Gillian after training. James meets Frank for the first time and is a big fan. Frank mentions how he used to smuggle in booze when he was in America and mentions it to James that it is in the book. James asks Frank to be his new partner for the tournament. Paddy then pops in and taunts Frank again which angers both Frank and James. Frank agrees to playing with James.

#### Extra Evidence -

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

* **The contents of the Parryvale changing room table**
* The contents of the Mortcliffe changing room table
* The forensics report from both changing rooms

Alongside half eaten food and crusted nuts, James towel is found.

### Round 5 - Final Clues

#### Video Evidence -

Knight and Slater pull Rhona back in for questioning regarding the bet. She admits that Paddy was betting against his own team and she says she wanted James to win but was only doing it for the money. They tell her that the bet was made void after the game was called off and she says it is not what you think. James is then called in for questioning, he denies leaving his towel in the away changing room. James denies being jealous of Paddy and says he was letting her know Paddy was manipulating her. He says have nothing to benefit from Paddy's death.

#### 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 contents of the Mortcliffe changing room table
* **The forensics report from both changing room**

Frank's DNA is found outside but not inside the toilet cubicle

#### Unseen Evidence -

The Mortcliffe changing room table sees one bottle with the cap off and a coin.

## Solution

The killer was revealed to be Frank Taggart.

Frank's intention wasn't to kill Paddy just to make him unwell to play so his win would impress Gillian and revive his lost career. Frank rigged the toilet door to look as if he were in the cubicle. Using the boiling water from the kettle, Frank submerged Paddy's water bottle to tamper with it. He placed James' towel in the away changing room to frame him in the event on an investigation. Frank had noticed that Paddy was allergic to nuts in the lunch queue and sprinkled the remains of the nuts from his lunch into Paddy's bottle and then replaced the lid with one from his changing room. He then went back and unlocked the toilet door.