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Apr-25-2012 16:52

May-10-2012 09:41

I am still unclear on Ivy's submission. I understand that being a little early is too petty to disqualify on, but then that still brings up the question of her submission being more than 4 posts.

Does Ivy need to resubmit? If so, she can certainly resubmit within the 4-post limitation.

If not, is there a penalty for exceeding 4 posts? Or is that still grounds for disqualification?

To me, having more than 4 posts is not a petty issue. This issue still needs clarification.

May-10-2012 09:55

Respectfully, why don't we just leave it up to the administrator of the contest instead of nitpicking over technicalities of other peoples work? Marc is within his rights to decide what to do with each entry. Whatever he requires of Ivy, whether the word count or the actual post length is in his- and the judges- jurisdiction.
Focus all this energy on perfecting your own submission. And for cripes sake, keep it within four posts and adhere to the rules as you understand them so that the majority of this contest isn't arguing over tit-for-tat.

Happy, HAPPY sleuthing,
Molly.

May-10-2012 10:22

Dr. Carolyn Smythe didn’t like coppers. They’d barge in her office, scaring the patients away and demanding help in some gruesome case destined to be unsolved. Mercifully, they didn’t do too much work.
Sleuths were the same. No, worse, they actually wanted to find something out. Not that most of them were any help. So when Ivy Spini barged past the receptionist and into her office, waving footprint impression in Doctor’s face and demanding to know the owner right now, that meant trouble.
Carolyn had charged her quite a large bribe, just to make the nosy sleuth go away. Spini left, only to come later. No week had gone without that snooping brunette sticking her head into Doctor’s beloved office and inquiring whether that footprint belonged to Jaclyn Gravelle, or to Edmund Gravelle �" please, Doctor, can’t we bend the rules just the teensiest bit? �" or to Jacob Weaver �" fine, I’ll pay, just tell me!
They say Spini means thorn; well, she was surely a thorn in Smythe’s foot. Couldn’t that shamus understand it was not so easy? One had to account for build, walking manner, presence of limp, traumas and calluses, shoe type, ground and many other details a non-physician would never comprehend. Well, as long as those visits brought extra cash, Carolyn could put up with that.
On a fateful Sunday, Doctor had finally got some respite from her work and called Callandra Carter, her friend and colleague. They’d meet in Doyle Estates, at Carter’s place, for a cup of Esmeralda’s excellent tea.
Carolyn had come only to find her friend sitting in a comfy chair. Dead.

The coppers had done nothing useful. They’d not even remark on Smythe’s theory on the guilty party. So next day, Carolyn had come to work feeling useless like a single shoe.
To make it worse, that sneak Spini waltzed in �" well, it would be a waltz if it wasn’t for the limp.
“What is it, another print?” - Carolyn wearily questioned.

May-10-2012 10:23

“It’s no work, actually” - Spini was beaming as usual, but Doctor knew enough of people to state that those smiles were showing not affection but sharp teeth.
“Then it is?”
“Just a small unfortunate accident, Doctoro. Skipped a step and sprained my ankle. Surely a breeze for a professional like you.”
That flattery might have made Doctor smirk some other day. Now, it was infuriating.
“Would you kindly keep your dictionary knowledge for someone else?” �" she snapped.
“Apologies”, �" Spini pondered for a moment, then went on:
“Looks like you could use my help, Mrs. Smythe”.
“You…”
“I read the papers. Those gumshoes wouldn’t know a case solution if it came and punched them in a nose. I know how to work. So, Doctor? You can help to bring the babe who put your friend in a Chicago overcoat to justice”.
Carolyn was silent for a while. Her eyes were stinging; she blamed the London smog.
“I’m kind of short on dough. Those visits will be free. Enough of payment, Spini?” She thought the answer would surely be negative. But unexpectedly, Spini grinned even wider �" a difficult feat.
“Then it’s a deal, Mrs. I’ll let you know when I snoop something out. Now, the case details…”
Spini came two days later as scheduled. Carolyn didn’t ask, and that sleuth said nothing new. At the end of the visit, Doctor couldn’t wait anymore.
“Anything on the case, Miss?”
“Nothing definitive. Six suspects so far �" I’ll narrow the alibis down when I am able to walk straight. Oh, does this print belong to Andre Caban? No? Abyssinia, then.”

Another visit yielded no more positive results. This time Carolyn asked straight.
“Spini, do you know anything new?”
“Closer and closer, Doctor �" this case will be over faster than you can say “Manhattan”. A question �" was Orion Bankhart in your office the day of the murder?”
“No.”
“Hm. Might this print be his?”
Some mental wall broke inside Doctor.
“Spini! What does that even mean? Who’s that Bankhart?”

May-10-2012 10:23

“A loan shark. He was angry because Callandra had forgotten his birthday twice”.
“T-this makes no bloody sense! Are you pulling my leg?”
“Believe me, Doctor, people have murdered over that. Why, last week…”
“I don’t need to hear your tell-tales! Are you even doing something �" anything? I know I’m not exactly paying �" so tell me to get lost, and I will! And have your free appointments, s-since you…” Carolyn paused and tried to wipe her eyes without Spini noticing.
“That maledetto smog is killing me too, Mrs. Smythe” �" Spini handed her a crumpled hankie. “Now then, Doctor, no need to get irate. I have three possible murderers, see. This footprint…”
“Is not Bankhart’s. What now? Buy a b-bloodhound? Go asking everyone whether they’d seen something?”
“Sure thing, but first I’ll check the thread I’d found. Carolyn �" if I may? If I were not a genius I am, I’d still be stuck in Sicilia. Carolyn, I’ll find that bastardo”.
Her Italian was pretty clear to Doctor; and Spini actually sounded heartfelt. “Thanks, M-miss… um…”
“Name’s Ivy.”

That evening Carolyn had gone to the tailor only to find Ivy bothering Penelope.
“But please, Miss! The case is hanging on this thread indeed! Only you can bring a villain to justice!”
Penelope sighed, pulled a thread out of a piece of cloth and compared the strands for a while before reaching a verdict: “It’s from his vest alright. See, the structure…”
“Why, a thousand thanks, Miss!” �" Ivy stormed to the door but Carolyn caught her sleeve.
“Ivy, does that mean…”
“Yes, yes and yes. I’ve been footing him for a while, and now he’s caught”.
“Just one question. Is it always that hard to get some help?”
Ivy’s grin faded slowly. “I guess you already know”.
Next day, Carolyn was in her office when Ivy Spini came in, limping even more.
“Ivy! What the…”
“Doctoro, you just won’t believe my story!”
“Have you got him? Who?”

May-10-2012 10:23

“Tollison, her servant. He actually thought he could get away with setting you as a patsy! That could never fool me, though”.
“Why? Callandra was the nicest…”
“Cash. He’d lost a grand in gambling”.
“Bloody hell”.
“Tollison just couldn’t believe that he was going to be at Her Majesty’s pleasure! That faccia di culo even tried to attack me”.
“Your limp… Did he injury you?”
“No, no. He almost broke my nose but I threatened to give him lead poisoning and he shut it”.
“So what happened, then?”
“I dropped a paperweight on my foot”.
Carolyn checked her wallet. There was a lonely 50£ bill.
“I really don’t know how to pay you, Miss Spini. I’ll make those appointments free, like I said”.
“It’s just Ivy. And the price is fine. Case closed?”
“Anytime you need help with a case, don’t hesitate to ask”, �" Carolyn suddenly stated.
Ivy smiled again, sincerely this time.
A week had passed, and Ivy Spini had barged in Carolyn’s office again.
“Morning, Doctor. Terribly sorry to distract, but would you kindly tell me whether this print…”
“Give me that”, - Carolyn pulled the files out of Ivy’s hands.
“What?”
“I’ll save you some time, Detective”.

May-10-2012 13:40

Okay everyone. Everything is sorted out and/or being fixed at the moment. The competition still continues. Ivy's original post will not count since she resubmitted her post.

May-10-2012 17:27

Great to see you back in the err saddle Molly.

May-10-2012 18:26

Especially if you're in the bit, Squirrel.

BOOM. ZING! Makes ya miss Barchat.

May-13-2012 17:02

Ok everyone this is the last week when all submissions are due. The final day to have all posts submitted will be this upcoming Saturday. Judges will begin judging the following day. All judges, PM me your scores.

Looking forward to more posts!