Title: Beasley's Alibi
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 428
Summary: Beasley apparently has an alibi, but an observant housemaid is about to demolish it

We were sitting in our rooms in Baker Street one morning, listening to Inspector Lestrade who had come to consult with Holmes about a case he was working on.

“I’m sure this witness is lying,” Lestrade said.  “He’s adamant he was with Beasley all that morning and describes their activities in plausible detail, and yet I’m still sure Beasley was present when Lane was killed.”

There was a knock on the door and Esme came in bearing the coffee pot and cups.  While she was pouring it, I asked, “When was this?”

“Monday morning.  He said the sun was shining and they walked through Hyde Park and went to the White Hart, where they met up with some of the others.  The landlord has confirmed the latter part, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t have murdered Lane and made it to the pub.”

“I’m sorry, Inspector,” Esme said.  “Did you say this Monday morning?”

“I did.  Why do you ask?”

“It’s just that it rained heavily for about two hours on Monday morning.  I know because Mrs Hudson had planned on getting some laundry done and it was impossible.  The sun came out in the afternoon, but by then it was too late.  I’m sure she’d confirm it.”

“Can you recall the exact times, Esme,” Holmes asked.  “It could be important.”

The housemaid thought.  “I’d say from about quarter past ten.  I’d just finished the usual morning chores and we were about to sort the laundry when it started to pour.  There was no point in starting with it, so we got on with the jam making instead.  I’m not entirely sure when it stopped raining, but I know it was already sunny when I was starting to prepare luncheon.  I’m afraid that’s the best I can do.”

“That’s excellent, Esme.  Thank you very much,” Lestrade said.

“In which case,” Holmes said, after Esme had left us, “it would be entirely possible for Beasley to have reached Lane’s house while the sun was shining.  They talk things over, have an argument and Beasley kills Lane, and comes back out to find the sun apparently still shining.  He’d have been far too busy to notice the change in weather.  Then he gets your witness to provide an alibi for him, telling him what to say.  And the witness never considers the rain.”

“It’s not much to hang a case on,” Lestrade protested.

“No, but it’s the first chink in Beasley’s armour, and once you’ve found one, others may well appear.”

“In fact,” I added, “they may shine through.”