Amos Burke

Amos Burke

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Captain Amos Burke was a detective and member of the Los Angeles Homicide Bureau in 1965. He often worked alongside Tim Tilson and Les Hart. He often used the phrase "Burke's law" upon solving cases. His adventures were later reported on in TV Century 21 in the 2060s, via use of the TV 21 Time Machine.

Biography

Time with the Los Angeles Homicide Bureau

Investigating the death of Elias Hoodreim

Amos Burke was called to the scene of a suspected murder alongside Tim Tilson, being informed on the situation by a police officer at the scene. (COMIC: Who Killed Elias Hoodreim? ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).) The murder was that of Wall Street tycoon Elias Hoodreim, who had fallen from the window of his office on the twenty-third floor; (COMIC: Who Killed Elias Hoodreim? ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965)., PROSE: Zodiac's Rescue Bid! ^[+]TV Century 21 short stories (City Magazines, 1965).) the death had caused Hoodreim's shares to tumble three points, knocking eleven million dollars off the company's value. (PROSE: Zodiac's Rescue Bid! ^[+]TV Century 21 short stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

After entering the office the first person Burke met was Hoodreim's personal clairvoyant, Omar K. Penton, who had predicted only good omens for Hoodreim that day. Next, he met Hoodreim's personal secretary, Lavinia Smith, who suggested that a suitcase containing twenty-thousand dollars should be inside the safe; the safe was unlocked, and no suitcase was found, strongly suggesting robbery.

Next, Burke met Hoodreim's younger brother, Gerald Hoodreim, whom Burke observed "[didn't] seem to mind too much"; Gerald claimed that he would be the heir to Elias' fortune, unless he'd been cut out of the will. Getting information from Lavinia, Burke was informed that the twenty grand in the safe was planned to go to an ex-jockey, Pacer Reynolds, from whom Elias would purchase a racehorse. After questioning Reynolds, he and Tim returned to the office and continued to question those close to Hoodreim. Lavinia claimed that nobody had entered Hoodreim's office, and Burke and Tilson ultimately found that an air vent led to the roof. As only a "small guy", such as a jockey, could get through such a small vent, Burke and Tilson caught Reynolds attempting to escape at the airport. (COMIC: Who Killed Elias Hoodreim? ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Investigating the death of Richard North

He also investigated the death of millionaire Richard North, who was killed by a bomb explosion in his office. Burke was called in after the police suspected foul play. (PROSE: Zodiac Sends For Stingray! ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Reported dead

When Burke was reported dead after his car plunged from a cliff road, Detective Sergeant Les Hart led the investigation with his death being treated as a homicide. (PROSE: XL5 Collision Course! ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Investigating the death of Lord Nelson

Two hammy actors equal one crummy performance

After being called backstage by Mr Ferretti, he first questioned Lownes, who claimed that he couldn't have killed him as he aimed away from him, having seen "nasty accidents" happen from firing blanks at close quarters. Tim Tilson and Les Hart then arrived, and Burke questioned Miss Lee on her thoughts on Lord Nelson, finding that he was so objectionable that she claimed she could've shot him herself. Having not yet gotten a lead, he questioned Ferretti, who suggested that Nelson was a blackmailer, providing a possible motive. Burke pointed out that Ferretti had blue paint on his shoes, just before Les informed him that nobody had left backstage after the shooting. Burke suggested that he'd been shot with a silenced gun, with Tilson telling him that he'd found a bullet on the side of the stage where Lownes claimed to have aimed, as well as a burnt hole in the curtain on the opposite side of the stage, near the scenery shop, where Burke suggested they search for the murder weapon. (COMIC: Who Killed Lord Nelson? (part 1) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Burke found the bullet hole to be fresh, and Tilson and Les pointed out the blue paint on Burke's shoes. Starting to put things together, Burke asked Tilson to examine the carpet of box six, before briefly addressing the stage folk. When Tilson returned, he reported that he'd found blue paint on the carpet and all across the landing, leading Burke to search the scenery room. Shortly after arriving, part of the scenery fell near them, and Ferretti ran away, with Burke and Tilson giving chase. A piece of the scenery dislodged as Ferretti was running, stunning him. Checking a tin of blue paint, Burke found a gun inside, with the paint having caused Ferretti to leave a trail wherever he went. Letters found in Ferretti's pocket proved blackmail to have been the motive. (COMIC: Who Killed Lord Nelson? (part 2) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Investigating the death of Irvin Death

Claiming to have forseen his own death in his crystal ball, fortune teller (COMIC: Who Killed Death? (part 1) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).) Irvin Death, (PROSE: Daleks Suffer Heavy Losses! ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965).) more commonly known just as Death, arrived at Burke's home, requesting police protection, as he had forseen that someone would kill him.

Shortly after, a car drove by with someone in the back seat shooting at Burke, Death, and Henry. Returning into the house, Burke called Les by telephone, explaining the situation, although as no murder had taken place, he told Les to stay at work. Although he didn't believe in crystal balls, Burke took Death home along with Henry, giving him personal police protection. The visitor's book at Death's house revealed that he'd had three clients, all of whom were also fortune tellers, coming to see how he operated.

Burke decided to investigate how the other fortune tellers operated, first arriving at the home of Miss Lister, who recognised machine guns as appearing in television featuring gangsters. Next, he checked on Mervin Merlin, who claimed it was a pity the gunman missed, as the town was getting overrun be seers. Finally, he saw what Charles the Great had to say, with Charles suggesting that it had been a publicity stunt rigged up by Death, suggesting that if he found his valet, he'd find the gun. Following this advice, Burke indeed found the gun, and told Death and his valet that they'd be pulled in for pestering the police department if they did such a stunt again.

The next evening, Burke found a note had arrived at his home, inviting him to Death's "final and fatal performance" at 8:30, deciding that "some people never learn". Hearing Burke arrive, Death switched on the crystal ball, (COMIC: Who Killed Death? (part 1) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).) only for it to explode, instantly killing him; now, it was murder, (COMIC: Who Killed Death? ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965)., PROSE: Daleks Suffer Heavy Losses! ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965).) and Burke called in Tim Tilson and Les Hart. (COMIC: Who Killed Death? (part 1) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Knowing the motive to apparently be that there were too many fortune tellers and too few clients, Burke set to work questioning the local fortune tellers again, with Les having found an anonymous appointment booked for 8:30, the same time which was on Burke's invite. Burke first questioned Miss Lister, who claimed to only read fortunes for her friends. Next, he questioned Marvin Merlin, who claimed that he had plenty of clients, all regulars. Finally, Burke questioned Charles the Great - after Charles giving a brief summary of his work, Burke noted that he was the only fortune teller who referred to it as a performance. Showing Charles the card he had received inviting him to Death's show, Charles grabbed a headman's axe from the wall and attempted to attack Burke with it. After dodging and deceiving Charles, Burke was able to knock him out. (COMIC: Who Killed Death? (part 2) ^[+]Burke's Law crossover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Investigating the death of Minnie Cringewobble

The deputy commissioner of the Los Angeles police once told a press conference that Burke had received a tip-off implicating someone called the Cat in the murder of Minnie Cringewobble, with the information expected to lead to an early arrest. (PROSE: Help Plea from Planet ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

Legacy

Several of Amos Burke's adventures as part of the Los Angeles Homicide Bureau were later recorded in the 2060s within the pages of TV Century 21, often being featured on the front page. (PROSE: Zodiac Sends For Stingray! ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965)., Help Plea from Planet ^[+]TV Century 21 cover stories (City Magazines, 1965)., etc.) In a letter to Agent Twenty One, Agent R. Miles of the Universal Secret Service mentioned Burke's Law among TV 21's features. (PROSE: From R. Miles ^[+]R. Miles, 21 stories (City Magazines, 1965).)

The series of reports was also mentioned in a quiz by Agent Twenty One, asking what ranks Burke, Tilson, and Hart held, with Burke's being "Captain". (PROSE: Quick Quiz ^[+]City Magazines (1965).)

Behind the scenes

Amos Burke originates from the television series Burke's Law.