Two Minute Mysteries

1. Just a Glaring Error- Difficulty - Easy to medium
2. A Lucky Break - Difficulty - Easy
3. Just a Taste - Difficulty - Medium
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Detective Nose had just wrapped up a case in the upper town district of Trenton and since he was in the area decided to stop by and pay his friend Dr. Dean Lamar a visit at the museum. Dr. Dean was the director in charge at the museum and had been so for the past five years. By all accounts, he was doing a fantastic job.

When Nose arrived at his friend's office, he saw that he was in the middle of looking over some résumés.

"I'm looking to hire a tour guide to help with a new ancient Chinese exhibit that's due to arrive next week" said Dr. Dean. "I expect that this exhibit will attract hundreds of visitors and to tell you the truth, I'm a little worried that I may not be able to find a suitable guide to help with the attraction."

Detective Nose decided to sit down and assist his comrade sort through the large stack of resumes. They were near the end of the pile when Dr. Dean pointed out a resume to Nose that he felt might be from a suitable candidate.

Typed on a plain sheet of white paper was the resume of a man whose name was Geoffrey Montgomery. Under his qualifications he had a few relevant jobs listed with all the required references but it wasn't the job history that caught Dr. Dean's attention. Rather, under the heading of hobbies and interests, Geoff had listed that he was very much interested in the Chinese culture and had been studying their language, alphabet, geography, religions, history, and customs for close to ten years. The resume then went on to list other desirable traits and details that would be of some benefit to the position.

"I think we may have found our candidate," said Dr. Dean. "With his previous job experience and his extensive background knowledge of the Chinese culture, I doubt I will be able to find anyone else that is more suited for the task. I think I'll give him a call and see if we can meet this afternoon."

"I'd hold off on phoning him just yet if I were you. There's something off about his resume that leads me to believe that he is not being totally honest about his qualifications."

What mistake did Geoffrey make in his resume?

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Who is Guilty

Detective Nose reported to the scene of the robbery and immediately noticed that officers were already inside the store speaking with the owner. Since they looked occupied, Nose decided to take a look around to see what evidence he could collect.

The jewellery store was located facing a quiet street, attached to a small boutique on the right. A bright red canopy stretched across the building that seemed to add a touch of a class and elegance to the neighbourhood. As the detective walked around the building, he was careful to watch his step. The sidewalk was littered with broken glass from the large display window where Nose assumed the burglar had gained entry. Around to the left side of the building was a long alleyway that stretched as far as the Detective could see. The buildings that lined the alleyway had no windows facing the left side although he could see a few small air vents. To the back of the building was a steel reinforced door, which was locked.

Nose quickly drew a rough sketch of the scene in his notepad and then hurried off inside to join the officers. Fortunately, his arrival was just in time to hear the owner's recollection of the morning events.

"I don't really have much to tell you," the owner said. "I arrived this morning, albeit a few minutes late, to open up shop for the day. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was the broken window. I took out my key and unlocked the front door. After taking a quick survey of what was missing, I phoned the police from the phone in my office. It is ironic since just last week I booked an appointment to have an alarm installed on the front door for early this morning. Our last system was outdated and was dismantled just yesterday in anticipation of installing the new alarm system."

The Detective took a quick look around and noticed many empty jewellery cases where necklaces, rings and other assorted treasures should have been and then he asked to have a private word with the police. They all stepped aside.

"He hasn't mentioned whether or not his jewellery was insured", said Nose, "but I'm willing to bet he is trying to commit insurance fraud!"

What lead Detective Nose to believe that the robbery was no more than an attempt at insurance fraud?

HINT      ANSWER

Detective Nose emerged from his car and was immediately dwarfed by the grandeur before him. All at once he felt quite small to be in the presence of one so wealthy. Inhaling a deep breath he began the large trek up the marble walkway. The house, or rather estate, was easily worth over a million dollars and the proprietor far more than that. Or at least he "was" worth far more than that. Earlier that morning Detective Nose had received a call from the daughter of the late Monsieur Cyr, although the police had deemed his death accidental, Gertrude suspected foul play.

Nose approached the door and heaved upon the large ornate door knocker. Almost immediately it opened and Nose was greeted by a tiny, shrewd looking man.

"May I Help You?"

"Yes, I'm Detective Nose. I was summoned here to investigate the death of Mr. Cyr."

"I'm sorry sir, there must be some mistake, the police have already been and gone. No such summons was issued." The man began to close the door.

"Wait, wait! It's okay Geoffrey. I called him here just after the police departed. Please, Detective come in. Would you like some refreshments?"

"If it's all the same to you I'd like to get started right away, the longer we wait the less likely I'll find anything. Miss uh..."

"Gertrude Elizabeth Beatrice Cyr. You may address me as Miss Gertrude. That will be all Geoffrey. If I have need of you I will ring."

"Yes ma'am." The aged man, sluggishly departed. Watching him leave eerily reminded Nose of a small prime ape, not at all attractive. Why was he employed here, if not to scare away any unwanted visitors. A small smirk appeared by the corners of his mouth as detective Nose mused over these thoughts. Just then Geoffrey stole a quick glance towards the outdoor pool, completely overlooked by Gertrude, but not Detective Nose.

"I'd like to begin my investigation out there, Miss Gertrude." Detective Nose motioned towards the pool.

"How perceptive of you Detective, that's where father passed away earlier this morning." Gertrude led the detective towards the enormous sliding glass doors that not only led to the backyard, but the outdoor swimming pool as well. "As you are aware the police have already been here and surveyed the scene deeming poor fathers death an accident."

Nose surveyed the scene. The pool was well crafted, roughly, twenty by twenty five feet. There was a shallow end and a deep end complete with a diving board.

"Father had always enjoyed swimming and diving in his spare time. On occasion, he would go for hours. Geoffrey found his body in the pool this morning and called the police. He had a large bump on his head and had apparently been knocked unconscious, subsequentially drowning." Gertrude's eyes began to swell and she took out a delicate white hanky to wipe away a single tear. "The police believe it was an accident. They say that he slipped on the diving board and hit his head. I have my doubts and I sincerely hope you find more than they did."

Detective Nose noticed a trail of water going from the ladder at the edge of the pool to the diving board. The quantities suggested the story Miss Gertrude had regaled him with was true, Monsieur Cyr had been diving for hours. Bending down detective Nose placed his finger in the water and tasted it.

"Miss Gertrude I believe your convictions are right, there is more to Mr. Cyr's death than meets the eye."

Why did Detective Nose suspect foul play?

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Fingerprints Quiz

Forensics Quiz

JUST A GLARING ERROR

Hint: The Chinese prefer to use symbols.

A LUCKY BREAK

Hint: Did a burglar break the window?

JUST A TASTE

Hint: It took just a taste!

ANSWERS    BACK

JUST A GLARING ERROR

Answer: Geoffrey claims that he has been studying the Chinese culture for many years. However, if that's the case, he should have known that the Chinese do not have an alphabet but rather they utilize symbols to represent words and/or ideas.

A LUCKY BREAK

Answer: Detective Nose suspects that the man used the opportunity presented by changing alarm systems to stage a burglary. His fatal error was that he broke the front window from the inside, which was evident from all the glass on the sidewalk. Had the window been broken from the outside, the glass would have been inside of the building, not on the sidewalk.

JUST A TASTE

Answer: The water that led from the pool ladder to the diving board was fresh water, not chlorinated water from the pool. Nose suspects that someone used a hose to make the trail of water so that it would look like Mr. Cyr was using the diving board.

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