The Theft at the Museum
"Do I gather your name, mister ? ", Officer Russel asked, as he pulled a pocket notebook and a pen.
"I - I am Joseph Neville. ", I replied.
"And where do you happen to work ? "
" I'm a writer. "
" This gathering was VIP. Who invited you? "
" That would be Mr. Sereny, of course. "
"And how do you know him ?"
"Oh! I met him two weeks ago at the Painting exhibition quite seventeen blocks away. That evening, we chatted away at the bar discussing our lives. He seemed pretty amused by my work and invited me over to this show. I grabbed the opportunity hoping to include some history in my new series. "
"Where were you at the time of theft ?", the officer looked at me with a grin.
"I was there - right there - beside those antique swords before the balcony. ", I said as I pointed towards the balcony.
Officer Russel looked down towards the ground as he silently mused for some time. "And you ? Who are You ? ", He asked to the person sitting beside me.
Clouds lined the sky. Certain precipitation with breaks inscribed the morning weather report. I was at the Central British Museum on a private gathering organised for the CEO of "Charnette's and Co.". Mr. Sereny, the curator of the museum, presided over the arrangements and decorations. A total of seven guests and no more, including the chief guest, were recipients of the VIP invitation. Two aside, the rest
showed up for the gathering. There were also three guards besides Mr. Sereny, his son and his secretary. Hectic followed, when exactly at 10:34 am, one of the guards noticed "The Golden Chariot" from the "Oxus treasure" collection be missing from it's park. "The Golden Chariot", is but, a small palm-sized attachment of the famous crown worn by the Ruler of South- West Britain in around 300-100 BC, that represents the carriage made of pure gold and Osage Orange wood, used by the Kings for over four generations in as many as over 200 different battles. The vehicle finally met it's demise in a war against the "Cannibal risers" in late 200 BC, and the crown was broken into fragments a century later. What remained was the replica of "The golden chariot". The amount of actual gold encapsulated in that replica, the knowledge of art and rule of the ancient times, the historic significance it carries, have accumulated to adhering its price to a whole fifty thousand Pound Sterling. If a thief auctions it on online black-market, an uprise in that amount upto double the sum will not be surprising.
"The CCTV footage is ready." One of the sub-inspectors said as he approached Officer Russel. Three cops followed the Crime scene lead officer into the A/V room right beside the hallroom. Through the minute opening under the closed window, I could see Officer Russel sitting on a chair and biting his nails as he consequently kept ordering to retrace the video every-time the clock reaches 10:34. Of all that could be gained from that view, the collectible was right there until 10:33, when within seconds passing it was gone. Meanwhile, the camera's line of sight was blocked by two guests drinking and chatting. "This guy is fast; but of all we know, he has not escaped this building.", Officer Russel murmured to himself.
He suddenly looked at his fellow cop, "Check them again."
The cops had already searched us once. This was the second time. They made us sit again in alphabetical order of first name. I was the second in the cue. When my number came, I stood up, gave up my hat, cloak and the tie to the sub-inspector. I took off my shoes and socks and turned them outwards in front of the cops, then let them swerve their hands against my underarms and thighs. The process repeated with each guest and guard. Yet again, no gain.
Except for me, Officer Russel personally conversed with one other guest who was Mr. Abraham Stylens. He says he is a businessman and great friend of Mr. Sereny. Amongst other friends he was provided with an invitation, because he was a regular visitor and can probably sell the goodwill of the curator to the CEO to invest in a business plan of Mr.Sereny's. At the time of theft, he happened to be in the washroom. Good for him, the CCTV confirms so.
"Now you two, are you siblings ? ", Officer Russel presumed his investigations with the other guests.
"Yes, sir, we are.", said one of the two men who were sitting right across me, "I am Julien Brothcaster, and this is my Younger brother, William Brothcaster. I am a literature scholar and am representing the University of Edinburgh at this gathering, and my brother happens to be my plus one."
"May I see your I-Ds? ", asked the Officer. The two men showed their ID proofs to the cops.
"And where were you at the time of theft ? "
"Oh! We were right at that corner before the balcony admiring the marvel of primeval artillery hanged against the wall. ", Julien responded.
" Oh yes, of course. You also happen to block the view of that camera in that corner, right at the time of theft.", Officer Russel showed some disappointment.
"And how long will it take to fix that thing ?", Officer Russel shouted to his team. The metal detector at the museum broke as a result of Mr. Gotharm tripping over, just before police was about to investigate. We all saw it happen, that wasn't intentional at all. Moreover, it was kind of my fault that he tripped which would not have happened had I not come in his way. Anyways, Mr. Gotharm has no reason to steal anything. He is the Chief Guest, the CEO of "Charnette's and Co." and a billionaire. Officer Russel came and sat in front of the guest of honour and continued with his investigation.
"So, you are the chief guest. Your wife and son ? "
" Oh! The're out of station and couldn't make it. "
" Okay. Now, all I got to ask you is where were you at the time of the theft ? "
" I was on the couch talking to Mr. Sereny. "
" I get that. Thanks for your cooperation. "
The officer turned to the three guards. Their names were Will, Stuarts and Jamie, as imprinted on the upper pockets of their uniform. Jamie and Stuarts were at the gate at the time of theft whereas Will was right before the Park of the chariot. In fact, he was the one who first saw it missing. Mr.Sereny claims he has full faith upon all of his guards and if they were to steal something so precious, they would have done so years ago.
Officer Russel treated the curator as equally a suspect as all of the others.
"Would you mind me asking your whereabouts at the time of -"
"Time of theft? Yes, of course." Mr. Sereny continued. "Myself, my son and my secretary Mr. Edward were at the table there, seated on the couch, as we were having a little business conversation with Mr. Gotharm. I seriously don't see any of my guests or my guards as the thief, no, certainly not. I did have little doubts on those boys sent by the university, but I don't think there is enough to mark them. I don't know how someone pulled it off, but you officer, you have to find him. My job, my career is at stake.", the man broke down.
It was five in the evening. The guests were allowed to leave with notice that no one shall leave the country until further updates on the case. Our addresses and phone numbers were taken as suspects and witnesses. Even our personal bank accounts were kept under observation to check for increment by a huge amount. I do not know how someone could pull off a crime so perfectly; I can guess the culprit was a guest who manipulated his movements, stood close by the balcony and executed his plans such that he doesn't get caught in the camera, obtain what he awaits so eagerly, place it some place no one can see or suspect, probably pressed under the cushions of the sofa, then exit the broken metal detector when instructed to do so while hiding the collectible in his cloak perhaps made the effort for the detector to be 'broken' in the first place; but that's just a thought, a debate for another episode.
_ written, edited and directed by Dibyendu Maji a.k.a. Kris.
23rd June, 2020. Last Updated 11.02.2021.
Image Credits : economiststalkart.org
Comments
Post a Comment