Looking at that kitchen, it would be impossible to fix a meal there. Maybe even had frozen pipes before Christmas.
Might be a reason that he didn’t go home. House was being repaired. Of course his wife would know the details, if that was the situation.
Stopping by the house to pick up papers putting them in a brief case is another possibility...In that case he would not have that brief case with him when he got off the train or took the taxi ride.
It stands to reason if something had spilled on the floor or embedded into the wood, it would have hit the sided of the cupboards or the front of the dishwasher.
Taking it step further, if, IF, we are seeing evidence of water damage repair, the yellow tape could have been placed by the repair person as a caution in case anyone came home. Yellow caution tape is sold at any local hardware store. So it is quite possible that the kitchen area was not part of the crime scene and Wheeler did not stay home because the water was turned off for repairs.
The logical questions are did anyone see a repair truck? Was Wheeler aware of the problem before became to New Castle? Did his wife order the repair or was it ordered by someone paid to check on the house during their absence?
Of course, we can only speculate, but it is something to consider.