Can you explain the contradictions?
Two men are sitting at a table facing each other, one is asking questions, the other is answering them. He looks uncomfortable.
…….
’You say he died somewhere other than at the beach?’
’Yes.’
’Then you say he died at the beach?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
‘No.’
‘Was it noted that bloodstains were found on the shoulder of his shirt?’
’Yes.’
’Was this mentioned at the inquest?’
’No.’
’Would that information have been helpful at the inquest?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
’Were there any wounds on the body that might explain the bloodstain?’
’No.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
’Were matches found on the body during the initial search?’
’No.’
’Were matches said to have been found on the body?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
‘Was he wearing plain faun trousers?’
‘Yes.’
’Did a witness say otherwise?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
’Was The Rubaiyat ever photographed?’
’No.’
’Would you say that it was the most important piece of evidence?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
‘Were the items found in the suitcase ever fingerprinted?’
’No.’
’Do you think fingerprints were much more likely to have identified him as the owner of the suitcase?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
‘Do you think Naval Intelligence would have had an interest in seeing the Rubaiyat?’
’Yes.’
’Did they?’
‘No.’
’Do you find it unusual that the nurse maintained her silence to her dying day?’
’Yes.’
’Do you find it unusual that the chemist maintained his silence to his dying day?’
’Yes.’
‘Was the Rubaiyat presumed to have been lost very early in the investigation?’
’Yes.’
’Was the much smaller Tamam Shud slip also lost?’
’No.’
‘Was the nurse deposed at the adjourned inquest?’
’No.’
’Would you have considered her an important witness?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
Was the Sydney based mechanic deposed at the adjourned inquest?’
’No.’
’Would you have considered him an important witness?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
‘Would you have thought that canvassing the neighbourhood near to where the body was found might have elicited some helpful information?’
‘Yes.’
’Was it done?’
’No.’
’Did you take a formal statement from the nurse?’
’No.’
’Would it have been helpful?’
‘Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
’Did you take a formal statement from the mechanic?’
’No.’
’Would it have been helpful?’
’Yes.’
’Can you explain the contradiction?’
’No.’
The Somerton Man .. 
Short on facts and long on fiction; that could be a contradiction. Or just as likely Sapol dereliction from start to finish.
LikeLike
If Harkness was some top international spy, she sure “cracked” pretty quickly. She obviously (and wrongly) recognised the bust to be that of Boxall and pointed the finger at him immediately. There’s obviously a three-way connection between them that I can’t figure.
Either that, or synchronicity is a real thing and Harkness really was just an innocent little waif who happened to speak Russian and liked gifting men books of shite poems.
LikeLike
Don’t forget Guzz that there were two Alf Boxalls in the mix for consideration. Come to think of it there were also two Charles Webb’s too. In each case the like namers were known to their namesakes and were fruiterers pre inlistment by coincidence no doubt by coincidence. Sister J E Thomson, as nurse Harkness may have met the pair while both were under treatment for non war caused pre existing injuries…from memory.
LikeLike
The “higher authority” was pulling the strings
LikeLike
Silly me. forgot to mention there were two other Harkness’ of the Clifton Gardens variety, brother and sister who both shared similar wartime service, one being future Sister Thomson and t’other Lt. Alf Boxall. Cynthea was attached to 11 Aust. field hopital WW2 as an ambulance driver whilst her brother Jack, from 1943 through to 1946 was no less a Captain with Small Ships/Water Transport same as Alf. A long twisted story of Intrigue, inlcluding the Harkness siblings’ pre war connections to Special Ops Major Frank Moir Paton, one of the many Frank Patons hanging about with Army Intelligence in those heady days. In 1938 Frank & Cynth pledged their troth but never tied the knot. After hostilities Jack went back to Clifton Gdns. Hotel whence he had hailed and Sister ended up still single in WA for some reason. I’ve noted in related pastsimilarly dull posts that their dad (initials only) happened to be The Secretary of State for NSW under some long forgotten Premier.
LikeLike
I believe you mate, wholeheartedly, like I did with Cramer back in the day .. I’m the mug being born every minute.
LikeLike
This is getting all too complicated for me.
I think I’ll have another crack at that Rubik’s cube I’ve been wrestling with since about 1980.
LikeLike
Ask for proofson all of the above and you”ll see what’s what in Swot. I’m not in the same league as Christopher Gordon Cramer far as bullshit and AI dependence (of late) goes.
LikeLike