MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the bustling labyrinth of a city mall, a grisly murder sends shockwaves as Xenia is killed with a nail gun, leaving Detective Winston with two perplexing suspects: Van and Wilfred.

Winston sat across the table from a guy who looked like he could bench press a steam engine without breaking a sweat. This was Van, Xenia's accountant, the man whose name is repeated within the pages of her recent will and life insurance policy changes, as sole beneficiary. 

Van possessed an imposing frame, earned through countless hours in the gym, evidenced not only by his physique, but by the common knowledge that when not immersed in numerical acrobatics for his clients, Van was often pumping iron. His impressive devotion to physical fitness was a topic of conversation in many social circles, where he was frequently invited but always declined the invitations. Those who knew him joked about how he replaces the traditional 'work hard, play hard' with 'work hard, lift harder'.

A fresh stream of tobacco smoke curled lazily from Winston's cigarette, the detective registered Van's behavior, quiet with a touch of aloofness. It piqued Winston's interest when the burly accountant was asked by a mutual acquaintance about his dating life, he deftly switched the topic to his recent smash of weightlifting records.

Van, it seemed, preferred to shy away from social gatherings and personal inquiries, focusing on his private world of numbers and weights. It was quite a departure from his previous interest in furniture crafting where he had even enrolled in the course on construction safety to hone his hands-on skills.

All these were pieces of a puzzle Winston was trying to solve, yet there were occasional pieces that invariably stood out, like the receipt of a nail gun purchase Winston had found in Van's wallet and then confirmed by mail from the hardware store.

The same model nail gun, as the one used to end Xenia's life. A curious coincidence. And with Xenia's vast insurance payout at play and Van's trigger-happy finger on her life insurance policy alteration, Winston prodded further into Van's possible involvement. 

He couldn't ignore the specter of Van's towering debts that strayed too close, too often into the spotlight, even this brief encounter.

Winston had come a long way in his career, and he realized he had barely scratched the surface with this accountant. A man who lived in numbers, and died by them.

Winston had spent all day at the busy crime scene at the local shopping mall – a gruesome scene with the victim Xenia, killed by a nail gun. Winston was hunting for leads to a suspect rumored to be a local lawyer turned aspiring politician. The bell on the mall entry chimed and in he walked, Wilfred. 

“Howdy Wilfred,” Winston said with a nod, recognizing him from local election debates. 

“Detective Winston...” Wilfred replied with a light bitter edge to his voice, “I trust you have everything in hand here?”

“Looking into it very thoroughly, Sir, as I’m sure you’d want,” Winston replied with a subtle hint of sarcasm. 

“Aren't I aware of a construction project you're involved with?” Winston asked, remembering Wilfred’s role in city development. He also added, "I remember you said you worked in the field before turning to law. And you mentioned you were especially adept with using nail guns in your construction work. That’s correct, isn't it?" 

Wilfred hesitated, “Yes, that there is part of my campaign portfolio. I used to be in construction, yes. And I did favor the use of nail guns over other tools."

“I see, so you've had first-hand experience with construction work?”

Wilfred nodded in agreement and Winston continued, “I heard there was a nail gun missing from your site. A tool you're quite familiar with, am I right?”

Wilfred’s face went pale, “Why, yes, there was. We reported it..."

Before Wilfred could complete his sentence, Winston cut in, “Do you remember Xenia?”

“She had some wild accusations,” Wilfred stuttered, trying to hide his irritation, “She threatened to throw some trash into my election campaign.”

“And I also heard,” Winston added, "that she was actually explicit about her plans. In fact, she told you directly that she was going to expose your scandal, didn't she?"

Wilfred’s face turned paler, “Well, yes, she did. But--”

Winston grinned, "Not just trash, Wilfred. She had physical evidence. Documents proving your indiscretion."

Wilfred gulped. Winston continued, “Her murder coincidentally took place during your unaccounted for period.”

Despite the clear unease on his face, Wilfred sputtered, “I… I… That's impossible. I… I can prove my whereabouts.”

“Well, Sir" Winston said, shifting slightly to reveal the mall’s security camera pointing directly at them, "you may have to explain why you, Mr. Wilfred, have been spotted on our CCTV not too long ago, roughly at the same time Xenia was found murdered. And let’s not forget about your high proficiency with nail guns.”

Before Wilfred had a chance to reply, Winston pulled his hat down over his eyes and walked away, leaving Wilfred in the middle of the bustling shopping mall.

choices

• Van
• Wilfred