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MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?
Problem
Answer published by the source. Consult the official source to check your work against its answer.
question
Who is the most likely murderer?
narrative
In the wake of Lola's mysterious katana-driven demise at a secluded mountain cabin, Detective Winston finds himself entangled in a web of suspicion, with Isabelle and Frank peering anxiously from its corners. Winston gazed contemplatively at a mountain cabin photo where Lola had met her end. He grimaced as his gaze landed on the katana. This was not a run-of-the-mill crime; it was seemingly conducted with a professional touch. Bringing himself back from the troubling images, he turned his attention to Isabelle. As Lola's life coach, she could potentially shed some light on the complexities surrounding her death. Flicking novel-like through an accumulation of notes, he discovered that Isabelle was not as open as most coaches. She engaged with her clients predominantly through privacy-focused platforms and kept any personal details off public forums. The agreement she held with her clients also contained a clause about prioritizing privacy and confiding in her seemed to be one of her requirements, and David --the other man Lola had an affair with-- was no exception. He confided in her, quite frequently as it turned out. However, what caught his attention was a note hinting at her discovery of intimate text messages between Lola and another man. That's why she confided uneasily with David more, ushering them into lengthy personal conversations and extraneous time spent alone. They had far more interactions outside the coaching sessions than was typical. Pulling into Isabelle's driveway, Winston noticed the peace that surrounded her home. Inside, Isabelle waited patiently on an austere chair, a sharp contrast to the decor of the rest of the home. "Busy day?" A plain, professional question to start off with. "Indeed. Three sessions at the Dojo and then some client interactions," Isabelle replied. "Wow, that's a tight routine. At the Dojo, I assume you work with the Katana?" Winston tried to keep his tone casual. "That's correct. I try to keep them in the best condition... sharpening included." Her house was decidedly sparse, but one room was markedly different. A room dedicated to her treasured collection of Katana. Delicate, sharp, deadly works of art. Isabelle was not one to engage unnecessarily; she had expressed as much. But there was one occasion where she did seem to talk, quite a bit actually. To David. "Have you met David outside of the coaching sessions?" Winston asked, as he examined one of the Katanas. "Yes, a few times. Our schedules happen to coincide," she responded, her eyes averted. "And some of these encounters were in regards to the intimate messages Lola was sharing with the other man?" "Yes, that's correct." "In connection with Lola, perhaps?" Isabelle's gaze hardened. "Lola was stepping over boundaries - I saw her kissing David." The session ended with more questions than answers for Winston. He casually bid her goodbye, having established she preferred minimal social interactions. "Gotta head back, Isabelle, can't keep the precinct waiting. You have a good day now." He put on his hat and walked out, leaving Isabelle with her thoughts. Detective Winston sat hunched over his quaint oak desk, his dark eyes scanning over the phone records of the deceased, Lola. He jotted down a quick note - Lola had dialed one number numerous times, the number belonging to a certain Frank. It seemed Lola made a habit of contacting him. His notes also mentioned that multiple witnesses had recently spotted Frank practicing with his Katanas at a local martial arts studio. His swordsmanship had certainly improved, it showed dedication. The following day, Winston found himself driving up the mountain to meet with Frank, a well-respected biologist having an impressive and crucially vital academic career. Frank's workspace was littered with numerous awards and commendations highlighting the value of his work; it was clear that his reputation was important to him. "Good afternoon, Frank," Detective Winston greeted, extending a hand. Frank looked up from his microscope and shook the detective's hand, "Afternoon, detective. What brings you here?" "Lola invited you to her cabin under the semblance of a work retreat, isn't it?" Winston asked, leaning against the lab desk. "Yes," Frank replied reluctantly, "But I never told anyone else about that." Winston nodded and changed the topic, grabbing one of the photos off the table. It was shot a few days ago, Lola and Frank seemed to be in a heated discussion, "Care to share what this altercation was about?" "Nothing serious, just some professional disagreements," Frank dismissed hurriedly, seeming eager to move past the topic. As Winston glanced around the room, he noticed something else; A pair of katanas meticulously maintained and displayed on the wall. "You have an interest in martial arts, Frank?" Frank seemed to relax a little, leaning back from the microscope, "Yes, I've been taking classes recently. It helps me focus." "And what about these?" Winston asked, indicating towards the Katanas. "Ah those..." Frank trailed off. "Well yes, I've been practicing with them, they're my favorite weapon of choice in martial arts," he admitted, quickly adding, "but they're only for practice." Winston headed to the local hardware store after the meeting to confirm another fact. Frank had indeed bought a sharpening stone just a couple of days ago. At the end of the day, he checked out Frank's public schedule - it was free on the day Lola got murdered, just as his hunch had indicated. He cross-checked with some bystanders, who also confirmed seeing Frank near the mountain cabin on the same day. As Winston wrapped up his day of investigation, he couldn't help but remember the one last crucial piece of information. Lola had been blackmailing Frank with evidence of academic misconduct, tarnishing the career he was so proud of.
choices
- Isabelle
- Frank
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