MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the chilling depths of the swamp, Ricky was found silenced forever by a bottle of bleach, leaving Detective Winston the daunting task of deciphering the lethal motives of the prime suspects, Glenn and Tessa.

In his office, Detective Winston explored the files related to Ricky's murder. The crime scene images were grim; a body dumped in a swamp, a fatal dose of bleach poisoning seemingly the cause. Poor Ricky still wore the glazed-over look of surprise. The thick morass of the swamp had been the final resting place for a man who, not more than a few hours ago, was alive and bound for a visit to his dentist, Glenn.

Winston put away the photos and dialed Glenn's office. A swift answer came from an exhausted receptionist, barely managing to croak out that the clinic was nearing insolvency. She lamented over her situation, without pay for days, and wondering if she'd be paid at all. Winston could feel something wasn't right. He thanked the receptionist and prepared himself for a visit.

Upon arrival to the clinic, the tools of Glenn's trade laid out on a steel tray caught his eye. Among the collection of dental paraphernalia was a large bottle of bleach, no doubt used for sterilizing his instruments. Winston studied the peculiar tall man standing before him, Glenn, a dentist by profession. A professional known to have chosen forensic odontology as a specialty—a pocket of expertise not many in his field would aspire to occupy.

"Now that's an intriguing line of work, Glenn," Winston remarked. Glenn gave a shrug and an almost shy nod before further adding, "I like to keep curious, Detective. I find toxicology talks within dental science forums quite engaging." 

Winston made polite conversation, shifting discussion towards Ricky. "I take it he was in your care recently?"

With a hint of sadness, Glenn responded, "Yes, he only left here yesterday. He had some work required before the holidays."

Before leaving, Winston inquired about Glenn's morning activities, "I hear you're an avid bird watcher, Glenn?"

Laughing, Glenn replied, "Yes, Detective! Nothing like the soft chirping of birds at the break of dawn. I have been birdwatching by, funny enough, the swamp, this very morning."

The detective then revealed a rather puzzling piece of information, he had uncovered during his investigation. "Ricky was found dead in the very swamp, you were birdwatching today, killed by bleach," he stated matter-of-factly.

Glenn looked genuinely shell-shocked; fear slowly seeping into his gaze. Sensing his discomfort, Winston decided to leave him with one last piece of information, "One more thing, Glenn. Ricky had you listed as the beneficiary on his life insurance policy." Winston held out the document from his satchel, showing Glenn the listed beneficent's name was indeed his.

"And just last week you mentioned the high monetary benefits that such a policy could bring in, didn't you, Glenn?" Winston added, watching the shock travel from Glenn's face to his very feet.

Not waiting for an answer, Winston turned and left the dental clinic, leaving Glenn to his thoughts.

Winston wrinkled his nose at the pungent odour of the swamp. Someone had found Ricky's body among the overgrown weeds and murky waters. An unfortunate end he mused, standing within walking distance of the local prison nearby. As he prepared to interview a potentially connected party — Tessa, a chemistry teacher turned inmate, he ran over the facts in his mind. 

Her current occupation as a cleaner in the prison's system gave her access to various supplies, cleaning supplies in particular. There were rumours of her unauthorized experiments involving bleach which had spiralled her into trouble once. Moreover, she worked on a farm near this very swamp.

Walking through the steel encased hallways of the prison, Winston arrived at Tessa's workspace. Finding her face damp with sweat, the persistent clang of her efforts to clean reverberated in the small and dank concrete space. She paused when he called her, "Tessa," Winston began, his tone crisp and official. "I'm detective Winston. I understand you taught chemistry before your unfortunate incarceration." 

"Yeah, I did. Is my knowledge of chemistry a crime now too?" Tessa paused,-looking at him expectantly. 

"Investigating a crime scene, Ricky's body was found in a nearby swamp," Winston continued ignoring her comments. "Awfully close to the prison farm you've been working on."

She made no visible reaction to the news. Then crossed her arms, furrowing her brows. "What's that got to do with any of this? And why should I know him? There are hundreds of prisoners passing through these cells..."

Ignoring her defensive stance, Winston targeted a more interesting topic, "Word has it you've been passionately sharing some rather unique dreams with your cell mates?" 

Tessa stared at Winston blankly, and then nodded. "Yeah, dreams... dreams of dying. Dreams of new beginnings. Awfully real. I don't know why, but I felt compelled to share them, almost eagerly. Figured I needed some context to these vivid dreams, so I started visiting the prison library often."

"In the sections about spiritualism, death rituals, and reincarnation, I believe? Parts of the sections involving death and the afterlife?" Winston queried.

"Yeah, that's right. It soothes me, somehow," Tessa shrugged, resuming her duties.

Leaving her to her cleaning, he walked away, the vestiges of the swamp carrying a far more sinister weight now.

choices

• Glenn
• Tessa