Michael Prescott and the Case of the French China: Chapter 6
When Friday rolled around, Michael Prescott was ready. He had his clues ready, his accusation(s) ready, and his case file ready. All he had to do was get a pack of Lucky Strike, his lighter, and finally, his Colt .44 pistol, along with enough ammunition to ensure that no one would threaten him. He put on his coat and hat, lit the cigarette that was in his mouth, and walked out the door, intent on closing the case today. The time was 9:26 AM, Friday, October 24th. The French China had been missing for three days, nine hours exactly.
When he finally arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 10:00 AM, the French China had been missing for three days, nine hours, and 34 minutes, and Michael Prescott, Private Detective, was ready. He was greeted by Commissioner Thompson at the base of the steps heading up to the entrance, who handed him a report. “This report covers everything you asked for, including sales of a S&W 38.” Thompson told him.
“Thanks.” Michael responded.
“I know that it says this in the report, but I thought you might want to know something. On October 15th, three casings for a S&W Model 10 .38 were bought. No gun, no actual ammo, just three casings. On October 18th, a S&W Model 29 was bought, along with a single bullet. Strange.” the Commissioner told the detective as they walked up the steps and into the building at the pace of a man with a mission.
“Not to me.” Michael told him.
“You have a theory?”
“I always do. Where’s the meeting room?”
“Down this hall.” Commissioner Thompson answered and turned down a hallway.
When the two men arrived at the room, Commissioner Thompson stopped. “I’ve learned to trust you, but just so you know, I had to twist a lot of arms to make room for this meeting. I’ve got my credibility on the line.”
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, this meeting will help further the case. Everyone in that room, bar you and the guy who replicated the China, have a secret involving the case.” Michael assured him.
“Ok.” Thompson told him.
When they entered the room, a balding, muscular man with a thin goatee suddenly stepped into Michael’s path. “What is the meaning of this?” the man screamed, spittle flying everywhere. “I had no part in the theft of the Belgian China!”
“French China.” Michael corrected. “And almost everyone in this room had a role in its theft. Sit down and act like a civilized person, and I’ll explain everything.”
When Michael sat down at the head of the table, he pulled out a cigarette and his lighter, and then proceeded to light the cigarette. He then pulled out his file on the stolen China and placed it on the table, and proceeded to review it entirely.
Clues:
The China set was supposed to be in a bulletproof case.
Three bullet casings from a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver were found.
The bullets were shot at a clock, stopping it at 12:30 AM sharp.
My taxi went by the museum at 12:15 AM
Thief is fluent in German
Baraclough has a European accent
The case may have been stolen completely and replaced with another one
The China is worth $2.5 million
The China is insured at $1.1 million
The Fuerstenbergs blame Baraclough for ruining their success
Baraclough has family in Switzerland and Italy
The Fuerstenbergs are German and live in Brooklyn
A mystery man with a German-Brooklyn accent boasted about a big deal he made
The “case” was shot with a S&W Model 29
“Who stole the French China?” Mr Baraclough asked impatiently.
“Let me first ask a few questions.” Prescott replied. “Then I’ll explain everything.
Then I’ll tell you who stole the China.”
“First: on the first day of the case, I found a note in German. When I asked you if you spoke German, Mr Baraclough, you said that you didn’t. But when I met with you, you said you were from Austria, a German-speaking country.” Michael continued before Mr Baraclough could speak. “Second: The China is worth $2.5 million, so why risk destroying it when you shoot the case?”
He let the questions set in, and then proceeded to answer the second question. “You won’t risk destroying the China. Which is why you would make a replica of the case, shoot it with a single shot from a Smith and Wesson Model 29, or smash the case with a blunt weapon, which is my theory, which looks like three shots from a Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38, but there are a few things that tipped me off that it wasn’t the Model 10 or a gun, period. 1. No bullets were found. I know, I know, the clock was shot. But it was missing one key thing: black around the bullet hole. Instead, someone took a cane to the clock. 2. A Model 29 is not a quiet gun. It’s loud and will definitely be heard. So the case that we saw was a replica case.”
“You mean someone stole the entire case?” The Director asked incredulously.
“Yes.” Michael told him. “I also have a few more things. The ground around the case glinted, even in the dark. This is because of the fact that sunlight was hitting the windows, spreading small light particles everywhere. But for the ground to glint, there had to be something reflective…”
“Meaning that the thief spilled something on the ground.” Commissioner Thompson, who was starting to catch on, finished.
“Sand. Looks like dust, but glints in even low light levels.” Michael answered. “And I think I know why: to make it look like the French China was destroyed. But it’s not. I also have one other thing.” With that, he nodded to Commissioner Thompson, who in turn pulled the off the cloth that had been covering a large part of the table.
“Behold: the French China.” Michael said.
“But how? I thought Salvatore had taken it before it arrived here!” Mr. Baraclough blurted out, then turned red as he realized that he had just revealed something.
“Go on.” Michael replied smugly.
“Alright. I didn’t want to risk the China being stolen or destroyed, so I had Salvatore replace the real set, case and all, with a fake one, and then Otto went and had his son, Fredrick, ‘steal’ it and smashed the case with a hammer, and then went and smashed the clock.” he gestured at Mr Fuerstenberg, who glowered, then continued, “I when I came out of the shadows, I had just placed the note in the stand. That’s why the police never found anything. Otto, who is fluent in German, had just come back from Europe on a business trip, and was asking about the China as he knew that we would never allow it to leave the house. Salvatore is also fluent in German, so I had him tie up Thompson when we found out that you were on to us, and he thought that ‘Scarface’ was a deterring name, so he used that for a code name. Otto told his staff not to let anyone with the name of Prescott in, and that he was busy. I thought that the idea that the Fuerstenbergs and I were enemies would throw you off. His son Fredrick had boasted about the caper, and that caused problems. Is that what gave it away?” Mr Baraclough explained, looking dejected.
“One of the things. That’s why the cup you served coffee in when we met seemed familiar. And this replica looks exactly like the one that you served coffee to me with.” Prescott told them.
“Would you like me to arrest them?” Commissioner Thompson asked.
“No. They never actually stole anything, or caused any harm, and by my logic, the clock was only worth about $100, and was made about 5 years ago.” Michael told him, and was confirmed when the Director nodded.
“Ok.” Commissioner Thompson replied.
As Michael went to leave, the Director pulled him aside. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Mr Prescott. The Museum is in your debt.” the Director said.
When Michael Prescott and Commissioner Thompson arrived at Michael’s office, and had both sat down at his desk, Thompson asked a question. “Why’d you say that it was shot when it was smashed with a hammer?”
“Because I wanted to see who squirmed.” Michael told Thompson, who nodded in understanding.
“Ok. Here’s payment. And another thing: would you mind working with me again?” Thompson asked.
“Absolutely. In fact, I might not mind joining the Department.” Michael replied.
He then pulled out two cigars. Commissioner Thompson gladly accepted one, and Michael Prescott lit both, uncorked a bottle of whiskey, and the two smoked and drank, while chatting like two old friends.
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