# Stephen Gresham — Murder in the Gunroom character guide

> Stephen Gresham in Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gresham, Stephen

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

A young man whose professional reputation hangs on the Rivers case, and who quietly retains Rand to find the dealer's killer.

## Who they are

Gresham's name surfaces early when Farnsworth floats a theory about him in connection with Rivers, and Rand is careful to keep that speculation quiet because it could damage the young man professionally. Gresham then hires Rand himself to investigate the Rivers murder, which gives Rand a second client and a second thread to pull alongside the Fleming appraisal. His stake in the outcome, and whatever connection he had to Rivers's shop, make him a figure whose motives Rand has to weigh without tipping his hand.

## Relationships

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_professional_

Stephen Gresham, a lawyer and executor of Lane Fleming's estate, works with Jeff Rand to sort out legal and financial matters related to the murder.

### [Arnold Rivers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/arnold_rivers)

_professional_

Arnold Rivers and Stephen Gresham interact as fellow executors of Lane Fleming's estate, coordinating legal and financial decisions.

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_professional_

Stephen Gresham, a lawyer and executor of Lane Fleming's estate, works with Jeff Rand to sort out legal and financial matters related to the murder.

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_professional_

Stephen Gresham, a lawyer and executor of Lane Fleming's estate, works with Jeff Rand to sort out legal and financial matters related to the murder.

### [Arnold Rivers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/arnold_rivers)

_professional_

Arnold Rivers and Stephen Gresham interact as fellow executors of Lane Fleming's estate, coordinating legal and financial decisions.

## In the story

### [Murder in the Gunroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/murder-in-the-gunroom)

A suspect interviewed by Rand, involved in the gun collection dealings.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/iv)

A fellow collector and neighbor of Fleming; reveals details about Rivers' forgeries and his belief that Fleming committed suicide.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as part of a group that might make an offer.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned in relation to the missing Elisha Collier revolver and other pistols Rand recalls.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/ix)

Hosts the gathering and confirms the valuable items were present two days before Fleming's death.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xii)

Retains Rand, admits visiting Rivers's shop, and fears being implicated due to his bayonet expertise and prior conflict with Rivers.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xiii)

Helps inventory the stolen pistols; his alibi is confirmed, clearing him of suspicion.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xxi)

Implied to have colluded with Goode in spreading the suicide story and to have signed a secret contract with Dunmore.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/stephen_gresham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters