MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the quiet tranquility of a mosque, Erika met her untimely death by a sickle, and it's up to the astute Detective Winston to shine light on the dark secrets guarded by suspects Aubrey and Garry.


Detective Winston checked his wrist watch unenthusiastically. As the hands of time slothfully crawled to seven, he began his shift for the evening. Erika's friend and consistent prayer companion, Fatima, waited anxiously in his office. She insisted on stressing that Aubrey, their mutual acquaintance, had been spotted at the mosque earlier that day during evening prayer, a place Aubrey was not customarily seen. 

Winston slowly hummed in acknowledgment, checking his files as Fatima continued her tale. Erika, in fact, wasn’t just a friend of the thriving museum curator but an investor in his flailing business. Fatima explained that Aubrey, despite attempts to keep his operations afloat via high-interest loans, had been struggling to maintain financial stability. In passing, Fatima mentioned that a banker friend of Aubrey's had told her that the repayments on Aubrey's loans were going to double next month. 

Winston mulled over his thoughts, refraining from allowing his suspicions to sprinkle into the conversation. Instead, he queried about Erika's visits to the mosque. Dabbing at the water forming in her eyes, Fatima confirmed that Erika dutifully attended every evening prayer without fail. Was it possible then she had met her untimely end during one of these visits?

Later, as Winston paced through the office corridors, he revisited the mosque's security footage. Indeed, as per Fatima's earlier account, Aubrey could be seen entering the mosque around the expected time frame. 

Still thoroughly perplexed, Winston visited the museum across the street. Aubrey stood there, overseeing the preservation and acquisition of various historical artifacts, his primary duty as a museum curator. As he strolled around the exhibits, he observed a collection of historical farming tools hauled in for display, including a rather menacing collection of sickles. 

"Aubrey," Winston began, levelly maintaining eye contact, "Unusual setting for you, the mosque. Isn't it?"

Aubrey looked up from his inspection of an ancient agriculture tool, "I go here and there, detective,"  he replied curtly. 

Watching Aubrey's carefully calibrated handling of the tools, Winston quizzed him about it. "Last year," Aubrey responded, "The museum held a special exhibit on historical farming tools. I took a workshop to handle them appropriately."

"Impressive." Winston said before wrapping up the brief discussion, knowing he needed to revisit the mysterious circumstances surrounding Erika's death.

Winston stepped into the bustling lobby of the premier hotel. He scanned the crowded workspace before his gaze settled on a slender man behind the concierge desk, busily attending to the guests' requests. It was Garry, the hotel's highly appreciated concierge. 

His co-workers always found it peculiar though, how much detail Garry remembered about the guests and their desires, almost uncomfortably precise details were remembered and shared more than just what was needed for his job. Garry had a knack for remembering little details from conversations, often times, trivia from the recent documentaries he watched. Winston overheard him regurgitating facts from a documentary about the dangers of farming equipment to a slightly bewildered guest. This troubling affinity for detail chimed with the meticulous calendar filled with documentary premiere dates that Winston found after a quick scan of Garry's desk. 

Winston decided to strike up conversation with Garry, who seemed eager to take a break from the steady stream of guests. 

"Nice cut on the lawn on my way in here," Winston said,
"Comes with experience," Garry responded with a grin, "Spent years on my farm before this gig, manicuring my own lawn. Lawn care, tool maintenance, harvest, I've done it all. The sickle was always my tool of choice. After all, I’ve been given the task of maintaining all the garden tools in this place, including the sickle."

The way he talked about the sickle, it was clear that he respected the tool, but also was well aware of the dangerous potency from his past farming experience. But the way Garry straightened from leaning on the desk, his light chatter becoming scarce when the name of the victim, Erika, was brought up, caught Winston's attention. 

"Erika...she did say something about...," Garry hesitated, his uncomfortable gaze flicking around, "...about planning to report my past criminal records to the cops. Gave me real shivers, that girl."

Prior to these events, it was common knowledge among the staff that Garry adjusted his work hours to suit his documentary schedule. But the notable changes during the days following Erika's announcement were peculiar. They were stranger still, considering Garry was seen bustling about, polishing tools and manicuring the hotel lawn on the day of Erika's murder.

Winston left the hotel, mulling over the conversation back at the hotel. There was no denying his past experience with the sickle, but Winston found it hard to believe that he’d go so far as to kill. His already gnarled past filled with criminal activities now tangled with Erika's death and his sudden unease when she planned to report him. A mystery laced with curiosities, Winston had to tread carefully.

choices

• Aubrey
• Garry