MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the dense, dank heart of the rainforest, Skylar's life was brutally silenced with a lead pipe, leaving Detective Winston to navigate a labyrinth of lies, offered up by the two prime suspects - Albert and Mya.

Winston entered the bustling atmosphere of a large family gathering, all clatter and congratulations on a reunion well-needed. His gaze shifted to a tall woman energetically engaging with her relatives, her vibrant energy palpable amongst the crowd. That would be Mya, the adventurous cousin of the unfortunate victim, Skylar.

He noticed the polished locket adorning her neck, catching the light beautifully, but a sombre contrast to its owner's lively charm.

Exuding friendly charm, Winston approached her, "Mya, may I have a couple of moments?"

"Of course, detective. How may I help you?"

"I understand you and Skylar used to explore your adventurous side together," Winston mentioned casually, trying not to stir any emotional discomfort.

Mya's face softened, "Yes. We both shared a love for the wilderness. Just last week, she invited me on a camping trip to the rainforest. It was harmonious escapades until…” she trailed off.

“Aye, I’m sorry for your loss, Mya.”  
 
Winston noticed the emphasis on her well-toned physique - a strong and agile body, built on a rigorous exercise routine and several hiking and mountain climbing expeditions successfully completed over the years.

Later on, Winston got an opportunity to evaluate the surveillance video of the day Skylar went missing. A quiet scene it was, with only a single instance of incoming and no outgoing traffic - a four-wheel-drive carrying two adventurous souls - Skylar and Mya - into the depths of the rainforest.

Winston’s keen eyes caught the glimpse of Mya’s camping gear. It sure was well stocked - ropes, food supplies, a lead pipe, tents, boots… A lead pipe. The very same, that had turned brutal enough to end a life in the tranquil rainforest.

At Mya’s, while she was away, Winston could only find her camping gear partially scattered in disarray. The lead pipe was blatantly missing.

In a cruiser parked down the street, Winston watched Mya jog up to the deadly rainforest, maybe a run to process her grief, or maybe it was part of her regular exercise routine. Winston watched Mya stoop suddenly and pick something up. A glint of gold. Later, at the reunion, the piece was identified as Skylar’s locket around Mya’s neck. A locket that mysteriously went missing after Skylar's demise and never returned to the rightful inheritors.

Winston took a deep breath. There was so much more to untangle in the mysterious disappearance of Skylar. The case continued to thicken, deeper into the rainforest.

Casual drizzle splattered against the umbrella of Winston as he stood by the yellow cab, its windows slick with rain and partially hiding the figure inside. He knocked twice against the window before it hesitantly slid down, revealing the rough and worn face of Albert, a cab driver who had been working these city streets for longer than most would care to remember. 

"Albert," Winston began, pulling out his badge to cut off any question of his identity. "Seems like you're having a quiet night."

"Just like every other night in this forsaken city," Albert responded bitterly, his hands, the hands of a man used to hard labor, tightening around the taxi steering wheel. 

"I heard about your baseball career back in college. Must have been exciting times," Winston remarked, casually glancing at a lead pipe secured beneath the driver's seat. "Got to make sure feelings of nostalgia don't lead to some baseball practice, especially not in a city like ours."

Albert hesitated for a moment, before answering, "It's for safety. Different times…"

Winston nodded, turning towards the rainforest in the distance. Albert followed his gaze, "Crazy what happened. I was just driving her, Skylar...that is, to the rainforest. The city loved her, I've even seen people switch cabs to ride with her."

"Must have been a challenge," Winston said, subtly hinting at the power dynamics at play.

"It was more than just a challenge," Albert growled. "That woman was taking away everything I had."

"Do you know why she wanted to go to the rainforest?" Winston asked, eager to shift the focus.

"Didn't ask," Albert responded briskly. "She requested me as her driver and asked to go to the rainforest. Took a little detour, tried to show her some city charm...wouldn't say she really appreciated it though."

"Do you know if anyone else was with her there?"

"Just her," Albert answered. "As far as I knew, it was just going to be her in the rainforest. That was the last I saw."

As Winston walked away, leaving Albert with his rumbling taxi and burdensome thoughts, he pondered how volatile resentment could become if not managed properly — a flame which could engulf the careers and lives of even those most loved. The rain pattered against his umbrella, but beneath it, his mind was turning.

choices

• Albert
• Mya