MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the eerie darkness of the swamp, Gustavo was found lifeless, seemingly killed by a sickle, leaving Detective Winston in a suspenseful game of deceit with two prime suspects, Zelda and Autumn.

Winston rifled through his case notes, lighting a cigarette as he tried to digest the unusual circumstances swirling around Gustavo's murder. No one expects a death in a quiet town like this, especially not in the vicinity of a swamp. 

The first name on his list, Zelda, seemed to have more going on than what met the eye. As a museum curator, her knowledge of age-old weaponry was extensive. It wasn't just coincidence that a sickle, an ancient weapon she had access to and handled regularly, was found at the crime scene. These details were interesting and something to bear in mind as he further delved into the case. 

Winston stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette and headed towards the local bar. That same bar Zelda was known to frequent, and where she was seen starting a heated argument a few days ago. A local bystander, alarmed by the ruckus, had been the one to call the police. By the time the coppers arrived, Zelda was out of control, throwing haymakers left and right in a violent outburst. It was jarring to see that side of Zelda, a stark contrast to her otherwise serene occupation.

The victim, Gustavo, was an uncomplicated man who found his daily pleasure in wandering the swamp. Unusual to Winston's city-bound sensibilities, but hardly a motive for murder. Still, Gustavo was spotted meeting with Zelda on the day he was killed, traced back to the swamp- an important detail that gave Winston pause.

Always busy with research trips to the swamp as it housed a rich collection of archival items, Zelda rarely fit in. Her eccentricity set her apart from the local swamp residents and provided locals with ample reason to remember her presence, especially on the day of Gustavo's unfortunate demise. 

The apparent lack of a connection between Gustavo and Zelda left Winston puzzled. Little did he realise, he was already neck-deep into a mystery which threatened to unravel many secrets in this charming old town. As he thanked the barkeeper and planned his next move, Winston knew the path ahead was laborious, but the thrill of the chase made it all worth it.

Winston pulled his coat closer, squelching through the damp marsh under the weak morning sun. An investigation into the murder of a known gang member, Gustavo was no light task. The marsh was treacherous, and from what he knew, it wasn't a place Gustavo was familiar with. As he continued, his thoughts turned to his lead suspect, Autumn.

Autumn was known to the cops as a waitress, always ready with a smile, but her reputation held something darker. She knew the marsh more than an average city dweller had any reason to. Her affiliations hinted at a troubled past, connections with a gang not so well-disposed towards Gustavo' gang. They'd often spoken of striking back at Gustavo and his colleagues, the feud between them a public knowledge. 

Winston had a hunch, it was more than professional. Gustavo was publicly rude to Autumn at her workplace, an act that gained notoriety when it happened amid a crowd full of fervent gangsters. The insult wasn't just personal but had the veneer of public humiliation too.

When he inquired about Autumn's history, he was told Autumn had once been a farmgirl, that she knew her way around a sickle as well as she did with serving plates. A fact, which though unrelated, intrigued him due to the choice of the murder weapon. 

Passing by the marsh's edge, he spotted a decrepit wooden sign etched with the name of the swamp-side restaurant Autumn worked at. It was there Gustavo had his dinner last night, all while directing contemptuous remarks at Autumn, as witnesses reported. 

And it was from there, Autumn saw Gustavo enter the swamp that treacherous night, alone. Something nobody else could vouch for.

Later that night, sipping on a cup of lukewarm coffee, Winston ran over the day's findings. Gang feuds, public humiliation, skills with a sickle, an intimate understanding of the marsh...

His job wasn't to arrive at conclusions, but to collect the facts, the facts that would eventually help the force bring Gustavo's murderer to justice. As a detective, his role was, as always, laying down the path for others to tread.

choices

• Zelda
• Autumn