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Department:
Exceptional Cases
CRIME:
MURDER
Case Officer:
Detective Inspector
Permission:
Public view
CASE IDENTIFIER: 42/7A/LIBRARY AKA:
Profile
Name: Dion DeTamble
Mobile Library Stop: Bath
Age: 22
Job: Student
Qualifications: A Levels
Police Record: Was brought in for questioning in a case of crop damage in 2022, but released without charge
Reading: Kiss of Hemlock: The Subtle Art of Poisoning by Bella Donna
Reason on Mobile: To catch up with an old friend
Suspect Statement
Extract from Suspect Police Statement
Transcript:
Ash was a mate, we were at uni together, why would I hurt him? I know we fell out last year when he got the job on the Mobile, I mean, he knew it was my dream job, but even though we haven’t spoken since, we’re still mates really.
I was pleased for him, honestly. He fluked it though. He’s one of those people things just always seem to turn out right for. Lucky, that’s all it is.
No, I didn’t see anything suspicious, apart from that driver following me about like she thought I was going to steal something.
Oh, and there was that thing with Ash’s inhaler running out, but he’s always doing that, he never has one that works on him. And anyway, there was a woman there, like a professional in a suit, and she had one.
She made a real mess when she got it out of her bag, a whole load of cut up letters from newspapers came out with it, all over the floor. If I was the Mobile Librarian I’d have cleaned that up straight away. But I’m not, so I didn’t. I left then anyway.
Evidence #1
Email to Suspect, July 2024
Transcript:
From: University of NE Somerset
To: Dion DeTamble
Subject: Degree in Library and Information Studies – 3rd Year
Date: 30 July 2024
Dear Dion
Further to our conversation last week I am emailing to confirm that on this occasion we will allow you to repeat the 3rd year of your course Library and Information Studies (BAHons) and retake your final exams in 2025.
As discussed, you need to work really hard this year to complete your dissertation and pass your final exams. I hope you will put the effort in and spend more time studying and less time socialising. It’s only yourself you would be letting down otherwise.
Kind regards
Professor Brodie (Tutor)
Evidence #2
Email to Suspect, July 2024
Transcript:
From: B&NES Libraries
To: Dion DeTamble
Subject: Mobile Librarian Vacancy
Date: 11 July 2024
Dear Dion
Thank you for coming to Bath Central Library to interview for the role of B&NES Mobile Librarian. I’m sorry to tell you that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We wish you the best of luck in your future career.
Kind regards
B&NES Libraries
Evidence #3
Email to Suspect, March 2025
Transcript:
From: University of NE Somerset
To: Dion DeTamble
Subject: Dissertation
Date: 27 March 2025
Dear Dion
Please find attached my comments on your draft dissertation. I can grant you a final extension to make the changes I suggest, but if you cannot meet that deadline then I’m afraid, as it stands I will have to fail you.
I strongly suggest you look at some old, high scoring dissertations as examples of the standard you need to reach. One example I recommend is Society on the Move – the Role of the Mobile Library in Cultural Cohesion by Ashley Ashwell, which you can find a copy of in the university library.
Kind regards
Professor Brodie (Tutor)
Witness Statement
Extract of Witness Statement from the Mobile Library Driver, Sal
Transcript:
I remember that man, because Ash didn’t seem at all happy to be talking to him. I’d been into town you see, so I didn’t see when he arrived.
They were half through a conversation when I got back, the man was saying something about mending bridges and was pushing this bottle of beer on Ash, telling him it was a peace offering, insisting he take it.
Well, I could see it was a bit tense so I made a point of interrupting. I had to tell Ash I’d just banked the cash from Sykes press thing earlier anyway. We didn’t want that on the Mobile any longer than we had to
There was a woman in a business suit there as well, she looked proper upset when she heard me say that. I wonder if she was a Sykes fan and put out she missed him. Takes all sorts!
