At 11:22 p.m. on January 7, Ms. Jane Webb called the police to report a suicide. At 11:34 a police car pulled up in front of her house. Ms. Webb directed the policemen to the house next door. To the policemen's surprise, the door was partly open. They found a man's body on the floor near the desk in the study. There was a gun next to his hand.

Inspector Coderre interviewed Ms. Webb. She said: "I was sitting in my kitchen, drinking cocoa. Suddenly, the light came on in Mr. James's study. Through the window, I saw him walk over to his desk. You can see the study perfectly from here." Inspector Coderre looked out the window and realized she was right. The study was well lit.

"I saw him take out a gun and pull the trigger," she continued. "I ran over to his house. The front door and back door were locked. So I broke a small basement window and climbed in. I quickly found the light switch, went upstairs, and rushed to the study. I opened the door, switched on the light, and ran to the body. Then I left by the front door and left it open for the police."

She began to tremble. "He was my boss. His company was going bankrupt, and I feel responsible because I gave him the bad news this morning."

The inspector looked at her coldly. "You will have to come to police headquarters with me. There are a few details that don't make sense."