The Hanged Man by Gary Inbinder Read Free Book Online Page B

put down the cup and saucer, walked a couple of steps to the map, and peered at the highlighted areas as though he were visualizing the crime. “And what have you deduced from the evidence obtained thus far?” he asked without turning to look at Achille.
    â€œThe park is open to the public until ten on weekdays in the summer, which is around sunset in July. I believe the victim went to the park for a meeting with a person, or persons, who were known to him. The best time for the perpetrators would have been near closing; shadowy, and not many people about.
    â€œWithout a witness, we can’t establish which entrance he used, but that’s not of immediate importance. If he were familiar with the park, or had good directions, he might have used the entrance closest to the bridge. Otherwise, he probably would have entered the main gate on the Place Armand Carrel.
    â€œThe victim was a man of average height and weight. I believe his killers were either two, or perhaps three, strong individuals.”
    Féraud turned his eyes from the map to Achille. “Why two or three?”
    â€œIt would have taken a minimum of two strong individuals to subdue the victim, chloroform him and bind his wrists, carry him to the bridge, secure the rope, hoist him over the railing, and, finally, drop him. Let’s say three, for a job like that. More than three would have been risky for the perpetrators; you don’t want too many inside witnesses.”
    Féraud nodded and turned his attention back to the map. “Please continue.”
    â€œThe perpetrators used a sharp knife or razor to cut the victim’s necktie; I believe they used the same to cut the ligature binding his wrists before they dropped him.”
    â€œWhy tie him up when he was already knocked out with chloroform?”
    â€œHe might have come to and struggled. They had to work quickly and flee the scene before the gates closed.”
    â€œIs Legros looking for the ligature?”
    â€œYes. It may have fallen along the bank near a pathway. But it might have gone into the lake, in which case it’s not likely to be found.”
    â€œWhat about the motive? You said Mme Nazimova identified the victim?”
    Achille nodded. “Based on her identification, we believe the victim was Lev Dmitryevich Kadyshev, a Russian émigré. Legros, Rodin, and I questioned Kadyshev’s concierge and searched his room. We have a person of interest, Boguslavsky, another Russian émigré. We’re looking for him; if we don’t locate him soon, I want to put out an all-points bulletin to bring him in for questioning. And there’s evidence that someone broke into Kadyshev’s room through a window and removed his personal effects. The job appears to have been the work of an expert cat burglar, and considering the neatness of the room, the thief must have known what he wanted and where to look for it.
    â€œAs for motive, the note pinned to the corpse quotes a passage from the Bible in reference to Judas—his betrayal of Christ for money and subsequent suicide by hanging. Therefore, it appears the hanging was an act of revenge against an informer, which raises some troubling questions concerning the political brigade’s activities, most particularly the involvement of Rousseau.”
    Féraud looked at Achille with a tolerant frown. “Speak your mind. What’s troubling you about Rousseau and the political brigade?”
    Achille looked directly at his chief and answered firmly. “I have reason to believe Kadyshev was under surveillance. The murder was carried out in a public park, in a manner intended to send a warning. But who were they warning, and why? I might know more after I meet with Rousseau.”
    Féraud stroked his mustache meditatively, his eyes fixed on Achille. “You’ve set up a meeting with him to discuss the case?”
    â€œYes, Chief. We’re meeting at the Sainte-Chapelle