# Lieutenant Valcour — Murder by the Clock character guide > Lieutenant Valcour in Murder by the Clock by Rufus King. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Valcour, Murder Lieutenant Valcour **First appearance:** 0000-i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100 ## Snapshot A murder lieutenant whose laceless shoes and uneasy presentiments betray a mind already three moves ahead of everyone in the Endicott house. ## Who they are Valcour arrives at the Endicott estate to find a dead man, a forged postscript, and a household of people performing innocence badly. He is methodical rather than theatrical, cataloguing a broken fingernail and a bruise beneath chiffon while a letter from a woman named Marge sits in his pocket. What unsettles him is not the evidence but a recurring presentiment of menace — the sense that the criminal and the weapon are still somewhere in the house, and that his theory might be wrong. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Endicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott) _rivalry_ Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her. ### [Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/roberts) _professional_ Valcour directs Roberts, his trusted detective sergeant, in gathering evidence and following leads. ### [Thomas Hollander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/thomas_hollander) _professional_ Valcour interviews Thomas Hollander as a suspect and witness, probing his alibi and motives. ### [Dr. Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/dr_worth) _professional_ Dr. Worth, the medical examiner, provides Valcour with forensic details and expert analysis. ### [Cassidy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/cassidy) _professional_ Cassidy, a police officer, assists Valcour with routine investigative tasks and surveillance. ### [Marge Myles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/marge_myles) _professional_ Valcour questions Marge Myles for information about the household and Mrs. Endicott's behavior. ### [Madame Velasquez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/madame_velasquez) _professional_ Valcour interviews Madame Velasquez, a possible witness or suspect with a mysterious background. ### [Officer Hansen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/officer_hansen) _professional_ Valcour gives orders to Officer Hansen for routine police work and securing the crime scene. ### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mr_smith) _professional_ Valcour deals with Mr. Smith, a lawyer or associate, who may be protecting Mrs. Endicott's interests. ### [Miss Murrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/miss_murrow) _professional_ Valcour interviews Miss Murrow to gather observations about the household and Mrs. Endicott. ### [Mrs. Endicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott) _rivalry_ Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her. ### [Thomas Hollander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/thomas_hollander) _professional_ Valcour interviews Thomas Hollander as a suspect and witness, probing his alibi and motives. ## In the story ### [I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100) A mild-mannered detective who responds to Mrs. Endicott's call and listens to her concerns. ### [II: 9:24 p.m.—Hallmarks of Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-9-24-p-m-hallmarks-of-murder) Investigates the death scene, calls Dr. Worth and police, examines the bathroom and balcony for clues. ### [III: 9:45 p.m.—Guards Are Stationed at the Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/iii-9-45-p-m-guards-are-stationed-at-the-doors) Directs the placement of guards and begins investigating the death, suspecting murder despite the doctor's initial assessment. ### [IV: 10:02 p.m.—Pale Flares the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/iv-10-02-p-m-pale-flares-the-darkness) Interviews Mrs. Endicott, probing her relationship with her husband and the details of the evening. ### [V: 10:17 p.m.—Living or Dead?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/v-10-17-p-m-living-or-dead) Interrogates Mrs. Endicott, probing her story and her knowledge of Marge Myles. He is perceptive and persistent, though he accepts her refusal to name her tea companion. ### [VI: 10:32 p.m.—Pictures in Dust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/vi-10-32-p-m-pictures-in-dust) Investigates the cupboard, discovers dust streaks, and theorizes about the attacker's use of dust as a disguise. He takes charge of the case. ### [VII: 11:01 p.m.—Banked Fires](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/vii-11-01-p-m-banked-fires) Interviews Mrs. Siddons, questions O'Brian, and investigates the missing hat. ### [VIII: 11:28 p.m.—Mrs. Endicott Screams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/viii-11-28-p-m-mrs-endicott-screams) Observes the operation, feels sickened, and plans to guard Endicott. He also probes Roberts about her hatred for Mrs. Endicott. ### [IX: 11:55 p.m.—Queer Deeps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/ix-11-55-p-m-queer-deeps) Interviews Roberts, seeking a friend of Endicott's; probes her emotional state and is slapped by her; copies Hollander's address and is bewildered by Marge Myles's entry. ### [X: 12:06 a.m.—The Stillness of a Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/x-12-06-a-m-the-stillness-of-a-grave) Gives detailed instructions to Hansen and Cassidy for guarding Endicott, emphasizing vigilance and the possibility of an attack. ### [XI: 12:15 a.m.—To Watch by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xi-12-15-a-m-to-watch-by-night) Orchestrates a plan to have Hollander watch over Endicott while secretly leaving the house to visit Marge Myles. ### [XII: 12:30 a.m.—Madame Velasquez Stirs Up Muck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xii-12-30-a-m-madame-velasquez-stirs-up-muck) Interviews Madame Velasquez, learns about Marge's background, and observes Madame Velasquez's deceptive behavior. ### [XIV: 2:01 a.m.—An Empty Sheath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xiv-2-01-a-m-an-empty-sheath) Investigates Hollander's apartment, questions Smith, and is attacked. ### [XVI: 2:13 a.m.—Time Versus Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvi-2-13-a-m-time-versus-death) Found bound in Hollander's apartment; orchestrates a plan to stop Hollander from killing Endicott. ### [XVII: 2:40 a.m.—The Angle of Death’s Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvii-2-40-a-m-the-angle-of-death-s-path) Despite being wounded, he analyzes the shooting angle, concludes his men couldn't have fired the fatal shot, and suspects the murderer is still in the house. ### [XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xviii-3-00-a-m-thin-haze-of-dread) Interrogates Hollander, reconstructs the crime, and feels an inexplicable dread. ### [XIX: 3:15 a.m.—The Properties of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xix-3-15-a-m-the-properties-of-horror) Interviews Nurse Vickers, deduces the shooter must have come from Mrs. Endicott's room, and notes the cooler room temperature as a clue. ### [XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xx-3-24-a-m-on-private-heights) Interrogates Miss Roberts, using psychological tactics to draw out her emotions and contradictions. ### [XXI: 3:51 a.m.—A Woman’s Slipper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxi-3-51-a-m-a-woman-s-slipper) Interrogates Miss Roberts and examines the balcony, finding a woman's slipper. ### [XXII: 4:14 a.m.—Tap—Tap—Tap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxii-4-14-a-m-tap-tap-tap) Devises an experiment to expose Mrs. Endicott's faked unconsciousness, using the slipper as a psychological tool. ### [XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiii-4-29-a-m-a-turn-of-the-screw) Interrogates Mrs. Endicott, searches her room, and arrests her as a material witness. ### [XXIV: 4:41 a.m.—As the Colours of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiv-4-41-a-m-as-the-colours-of-dawn) Reflects on Mrs. Endicott's innocence, orders a search for the revolver, examines Endicott's papers, and notices a faint scent. ### [XXV: 5:01 a.m.—Lunatic Vistas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxv-5-01-a-m-lunatic-vistas) Receives the forensic report, questions his own confidence in Mrs. Endicott's innocence, and deals with Madame Velasquez's claims about Marge's death. ### [XXVI: 5:25 a.m.—There Was a Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxvi-5-25-a-m-there-was-a-sailor) Interrogates Mrs. Siddons about Endicott's past actions and develops a new theory involving a sailor husband. ### [XXVII: 5:46 a.m.—Mrs. Endicott Cannot Be Found](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxvii-5-46-a-m-mrs-endicott-cannot-be-found) Investigates Mrs. Endicott's disappearance, deduces the murderer fired the first shot, and finds a letter from Marge Myles. ### [XXVIII: 6:00 a.m.—Mist Drifting Through Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxviii-6-00-a-m-mist-drifting-through-mist) Intervenes to prevent Mrs. Endicott's suicide and interrogates her about her motives and actions. ### [XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxix-6-30-a-m-as-is-mirage) Presents his detailed theory to Mrs. Endicott, accusing Marge Myles of the murder and suggesting Mrs. Endicott is hiding her or shot Endicott herself. ### [XXX: 7:11 a.m.—The Criminal and Weapon of the Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxx-7-11-a-m-the-criminal-and-weapon-of-the-crime) Investigates the crime scene, reads Marge's letter, and confronts Marge Myles, who threatens him with a gun. ### [XXXI: 8:37 p.m.—Five Years Later](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxxi-8-37-p-m-five-years-later) Now an Inspector, he reflects on the past case and his belief that Mrs. Hollander was the true murderer. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters