MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the deafening silence of an unexpectedly deserted fitness center, Detective Winston finds himself staring at a chilling scene - Isaac's lifeless body riddled with shotgun pellets, leaving Milton and Alice as his primary suspects.

The late night rain splattered against the dimly lit street as Winston parked his car outside the bustling fitness center. The old dusty building sat in the middle of downtown, open 24 hours to cater to the city-life fitness enthusiasts. The 24-hour timing of the gym provided Isaac a place to be when he was working late. It also afforded Milton, the alleged tax evader and the building owner, numerous opportunities to encounter Isaac.

For years Winston had known about the gym, a small struggling space owned and operated by Isaac, an IRS agent turned yoga instructor, who had been found dead there the previous night - shot dead with what appeared to be a shotgun. Isaac, with his whistleblowing nature, had recently acquired extensive evidence on a tax evasion scheme. This scheme was alleged to be run by none other than Milton.

Winston spotted Milton, the robust man in his sixties and owner of the building, emerging from the fitness center. An overcast of suspicion hung over Milton as he owned several other buildings in the area, all implicated in his alleged tax evasion scandal.

Revealing his badge, Winston introduced himself, "Detective Winston. I'd like to ask a few questions." Milton, nonchalant as always, simply answered, "About Isaac?"

"Yeah... You knew him well?"

Milton adjusted the strap of his shotgun before answering, "He was a tenant. That's all."

Winston furrowed his brows, "That shotgun - it's legal!"

"Indeed," Milton declared, "I even passed the required training course. The local authorities granted me a license."

Winston's eyes darted to the keys in the man's hand, "I see you also have keys to the gym."

"It's my property, Detective," Milton responded dismissively.

Winston sighed, unfazed by Milton's audacity, "It's undisputed that the gym is never locked yet Isaac was alone last night. He had potential evidence that could have sent you to prison, Milton."

"So?" Milton's face revealed no fear and no hint of adversity.

This reaction gnawed at Winston as he returned to his car. Thoughts of Isaac's murder - the shotgun wound matching the one Milton regularly carried, Milton's unfazed demeanor despite the possible charges, and Milton's evident firearms training - swarmed his mind. As he mulled over these facts, he made a mental note to delve deeper into Isaac's evidence - the potential key to exposing Milton's illicit activities and ensuring justice.

Winston squinted his eyes, scanning the familiar hustle and bustle of the fitness center. The crime scene of Isaac's murder was abnormal, the contrast of violence against the backdrop of health and vitality. 

Dodging a stray basketball, he made his way to the bench where Alice and Isaac used to workout together regularly. Alice had a spotless record with the fitness center - seemed she had never missed a month of membership dues.

As he advanced, he remembered a fact shared by Alice's friends. They had alluded to how Alice sneakily mentioned fight club every Tuesday night, a pattern they had quickly noticed.

Spotting the middle-aged woman, he strode toward Alice. Her movements were graceful as she pulled down the levels, her muscles contracting with every repetition. She had been in the military, particularly in a special weapons unit where her training with shotguns had given her an edge. Her fitness regime bore witness to that, and she knew her way around weapons- the shotgun she recently purchased was just a testament to that.

"Hello Alice," he initiated the conversation. He knew patience was key in such delicate interrogations, especially with suspects like Alice.

"Oh, Winston, what an unexpected surprise!" Alice's face lit up with genuine surprise, her eyes shifting to the shotgun propped at the corner of the bench, its presence undeniable.

Discarding any pleasantries, Winston moved to the crux of the matter. "Isaac trained right here didn’t he, you guys used to train together?"

Alice gave a small nod, memories flickering in her eyes. Winston observed her, recognizing a trace of melancholy. Alice’s dulcet voice broke the silence. "Yes...we had a sort of routine together."

He glanced at her bruised knuckles appreciatively, a new patch of purple catching his attention. Her friends had mentioned Alice's weekly fight club rendezvous every Tuesday night. The tough soldier, habituated to the brutality of the fight club, would invariably return home every Wednesday morning nursing fresh battle sores.

Alice was a puzzle piece in a complex jigsaw puzzle. An aunt, a loyal fitness center member, a fighter, and undoubtedly an experienced shotgun user due to her military background. Her every Tuesday night fights stood out starkly against her normal routine. She was a conundrum tightly bound by her routine, fitness center membership, military background, and her recent shotgun purchase.

"You know Winston...Isaac was the only family I had left," Alice mused, her thoughts clearly going down a memory lane, her fingers tracing her recent shotgun casually. The shotgun she had recently purchased was now in her possession. With these words, she abruptly stood up, signaled the trainer for her next routine, leaving Winston to join the dots of the puzzle she represented in this murder mystery.

choices

• Milton
• Alice