Chicago has a 14% homicide clearance rate.
Yes, you read that right. 86% of homicides (not murders, homicides which includes police shootings and self defense shootings) in Chicago remain unresolved.
I think the writer was going for some dramatic flair. That was what jumped out at me too - “Most murders are solved? I don’t think so.”
I think he was a spy as well. The fancy cigarettes in the cheep brand’s package may have been to ward off punks that might try to rob him? And of course he wasn’t worried about his wallet - but all of the other information. Or himself - being able to continue his work.
Hmm. If he was killed by poison that would seem the killers wanted things hidden. If so - instead of carrying him and setting him on the beach - why not carry him to a boat and dump him at sea?
Perhaps he wasn’t a spy - but was just some poor guy made up to look like the spy - and they played a double-cross on whoever ordered the hit? (”Yeah, I spiked his meal - and followed him as he was walking along the beach. After a few blocks he sat down next to the wall. Some folks walked by but ignored him. I waited until morning - he wasn’t moving. It was in all the papers. Now where’s the other half of the money?”)
So that means - the real spy ..... is still out there. Somewhere.
(Well - I guess he would be 100+ years old now in the nursing home.)