A famous pianist was found murdered in his soundproof studio. The sheet music on the stand was smeared with fresh coffee. The housekeeper swore she brought him coffee at 8:00 AM and found him dead at 9:00 AM. Detective Cole checked the security log and arrested the housekeeper for perjury. Why?
Soundproof studios require heavy sealed doors; the housekeeper couldn't have smelled or known he wanted coffee unless the door was open.
Actually, let's look at the coffee: If she found him dead at 9:00 AM, and the coffee was 'fresh' and warm, but coffee left in a cold studio for an hour would be stone cold. Let's refine: The housekeeper claimed she found him dead at 9:00 AM, yet the coffee in his cup was still steaming hot after sitting in a sub-zero unheated room for a full hour.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Medium. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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