Kit Handsome and the busy day at the Big Hotel 4

The man in the penguin costume was standing outside the main door of the hotel, seemingly waiting for someone,

“If you’re here for the mayor’s ball you might have misunderstood the term ‘penguin suit,” said Kit.

The penguin said nothing, so Kit repeated his comment.

The penguin replied snappily. “I’m working!”

“So am I. DI Handsome. I’m investigating a murder at the hotel. The murder of a Mr Griffiths.”

At mention of the name the penguin suddenly started to run away, but because of the costume he barely managed more than a waddle and Kit strolled up to him.

“You won’t get far wearing that suit. You’re under arrest.”

Kit phoned Megson, who drove down to the hotel in the police car and helped Kit bundle the penguin into the back of the vehicle.

In the interview room Kit began his questions.

“Right,” said Kit. “According to your driving license you’re a Mr James Flanderson. Is that correct?”

“That’s right. And I’ve done nothing illegal. You’ve no right to hold me here.”

“Would you like to explain why you were dressed as a penguin and why a Mr Griffiths complained that you were following him, and why you were standing outside the hotel in your penguin costume the morning he died.”

“That’s easy. I was hired to dress as a penguin and follow Mr Griffths around.

“Why?”

I’ve no idea. It’s usually some petty squabble between business rivals or a jealous lover.”

“Usually?”

“It’s my business. I follow a subject around, usually dressed in a noticeable outfit. This is my first penguin.”.  

“Is it legal?”

“It’s not illegal, I run a legitimate business. It’s a free country, I can follow someone around while dressed as a penguin if I want to.”

 “Where were you last night?”

“In bed, asleep. There’s only one of me, I’m only paid the day shift, and there’s no point my following him around when he’s asleep.”

“Where precisely? Are you staying in the hotel?”

“No, my expenses don’t run to staying in hotels unfortunately. I slept in the back of my camper van.”

“Can you prove that?”

“No, but if I’d murdered him I wouldn’t be standing outside the hotel in a penguin costume waiting to be arrested.”

“So who hired you to follow Griffiths?”

“I don’t know. It was done through the website. They paid in advance, didn’t leave a name.”

“And the penguin costume? Was that your idea.”

“I offer a range of costumes, and the client chose the penguin.”

 “Right, we’re keeping you in the cells for now, while we check out your business, but we won’t keep you any longer than necessary. Megson will be in shortly for information about your business and bank details.”

“Well?” asked Megson. “Is it him?”

“I very much doubt it,” said Kit. “He’d hardly be standing in front of the hotel in a penguin costume if he was the murderer. “

“Anderson’s team has arrived. They’re at the Big Hotel.”

“I’d better get down there. You keep an eye on the duck and the penguin, we don’t need them out and about complicating things.”