The Locked Room Enigma
Detective Liam Hawkins stood in the center of the opulent study, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene. The body of millionaire philanthropist, Victor Ashton, lay sprawled on the plush carpet, a single gunshot wound to his temple. The room was locked from the inside, and the ornate key rested on the mahogany desk, untouched.
"It appears to be a suicide," remarked Officer Jenny Parks, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Hawkins shook his head. "Not quite. Notice the angle of the entry wound and the lack of gunpowder residue on Ashton's hand. This was murder."
The detective's gaze swept the room, taking in the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the antique globe, and the pristine marble fireplace. A glint of metal caught his eye near the base of the globe. Hawkins knelt down and retrieved a small, golden cufflink bearing the initials "R.A."
"Interesting," he murmured. "Ashton's brother, Richard, was the last to see him alive. They had a heated argument earlier this evening, according to the staff."
Officer Parks frowned. "But how could Richard have killed Victor if the door was locked from the inside?"
Hawkins smiled enigmatically. "The killer didn't need to enter through the door. Look at the fireplace. The soot has been disturbed, and there are scuff marks on the hearth. Our murderer came down the chimney."
He pointed to the antique globe. "Richard likely dropped his cufflink when he climbed out of the fireplace. He shot his brother, locked the door from the inside, and exited the way he came, leaving the key on the desk to suggest a suicide."
Officer Parks nodded, impressed. "But why would Richard kill his own brother?"
"Greed," Hawkins replied. "Victor recently changed his will, leaving the bulk of his fortune to charity. Richard couldn't bear the thought of losing his inheritance. He saw murder as his only option."
With the mystery solved, Detective Hawkins strode from the room, ready to confront Richard Ashton with the damning evidence. The locked room had yielded its secrets, and justice would soon be served.
