Shadow arrived at the gruesome scene only to hear Constable Bumlinger telling the press that it was a clear-cut case of suicide. Dan Manly, the famous baseball pitcher, was slumped over his desk—dead. A small puddle of blood had pooled near his head. Powder burns were evident on the right temple indicating he was shot at close range. Dan’s right hand, which rested on the desk, loosely held the gun that killed him. Shadow noted a suicide note which read: ‘I know I was personally responsible for losing the World Series. I can no longer live with myself. I apologize to my teammates, my fans and my family. Farewell.’ Shadow recalled that Dan’s two passions were gambling and pitching, with the latter clearly being his strength. Due to Dan’s publicized gambling losses, and the evidence at the scene, Shadow concluded that this was a case of murder. What led him to that conclusion?
Solution
Dan was shot in the right temple. The objects on the desk, as well as their proximity, all indicate that Dan was very much a left-handed person. That being the case, Shadow could not believe that Dan would have used his right hand for something as monumental as ending his life.