The lighthouse keeper claimed a violent storm blew the heavy oak front door inward, letting the sea spray ruin the logbook. Detective Cole walked inside, felt the dry wooden floors near the threshold, and checked the hinges. He found the hinge pins had been carefully hammered out from the inside. He arrested the keeper. Why?
Hinges facing inward can only be disassembled from the inside, proving the door wasn't blown open.
If a door is blown inward by wind, the door panel splinters or the latch breaks. Removing the hinge pins from the inside proves the door was intentionally taken off its hinges to fake storm damage.
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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