MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the quiet solitude of a local library, Philip is found shockingly murdered with a barbed wire, leaving Detective Winston with the arduous task of sifting truth from alibis of the two main suspects, Hugo and Maria.

Winston's mind was buzzing during the ride to the local hair salon, a tragic incident sinking his spirits. Philip, a library frequenter, was dead, with dire circumstances suggesting a gruesome murder. The weapon, a coil of barbed wire, unusual for sure. As he walked into the salon, he saw a middle-aged woman, Maria with a multitude of barbed hairpins reflecting ominously under the lights. She was working away with a pair of scissors, her nimble fingers managing both the razor and the various hairpins with the dexterity of an artist.

"Maria?" Winston asked.

Caught off guard, Maria looked up, her eyes wide in surprise. "Yes, detective, can I help you with something?" she answered, never pausing her delicate dance of grooming. She clicked her scissors, moved on to her razor, then her infamous collection of barbed hairpins, all with the practiced ease of someone in her profession for a long time. 

"I hear you've been doing this for over fifteen years?" he asked, partially making small talk, partially feeling out the woman in front of him.

"Sixteen years, next Tuesday." She replied, her gaze deliberately focused on her current client's head. 

"Quite a long time..." Winston said, thoughtful. "You ever do hair for a fellow called Philip?"

Maria paused for a moment, her eyes downcast. "Yes, I did his hair once. He's the one found in the library, right?"

"Yes," Winston nodded, "I heard about your usual evening strolls to the library. The one open late till 10 pm?"

"Yeah, it's quiet, peaceful. They don't mind if I bring my coffee inside. I even have a key, just in case I lose track of time and it's closing," Maria disclosed.

"I see. How about Robert? Phillip's fiance. He been here, recently?" Winston changed the subject.

Maria swallowed and cleared her throat, stepping away from her customer to face Winston. "Yes, he came... to talk." 

"To talk about the wedding, or about that time in high school where you confessed your love to him before he proposed to Philip?" Winston probed.

Maria averted her eyes, "About the wedding... but, yes, we also brought up the past. I've been in love with Robert since high school, and I've been secretly carrying that love for years, you know."

Winston observed Maria. Things certainly aren't always as they seem, he thought, as she returned to her client, her barbed hairpins dancing in the slightly unsettling light. The fact that the time of Philip's death aligned eerily with Maria's usual library visit was an added layer of unease. "Well, Robert's supposed to marry Philip soon, isn't he?" 

"Yes, but things aren't always as they seem, detective." Maria's voice held an edge as she responded, her gaze being both hurt yet defiant, hinting at a deeper tale yet to unravel.

Blowing off steam, jumping from coffee shop to coffee shop, Winston was back on track, unanswered questions regarding Philip's mysterious murder bouncing in his mind. Known for his capacity for violence to get what he wanted, Philip had a reputation; ironically, barbed wire, his common form of conflict resolution, had been the weapon.

The detectives at the precinct were all a twitter about the eccentric sound technician, Hugo. Out of all potential suspects they'd drawn in, one thing about Hugo was blinking on Winston's radar. Not once had any colleague, friend or customer ever been invited to his personal studio where Hugo spent most of his time. The man was protective of his private space, it seemed. 

"I'm detouring to Hugo's office," Winston informed his partner as he made a left turn.

The professional layout of Hugo's studio stood testament to his skills. Winston noticed the different categories of wires neatly stowed away, labeled by type. Spools of common wires were neatly packed, then his gaze floated towards an unusual collection of unique wires, barbed wire included, labeled 'personal collection'. He stroked one with his gloved fingers, lost in thought.

"Hugo," Winston called for his attention, "This is some impressive collection. Not everyone works with barbed wire in a sound system, huh?" Hugo's smile was gentle, "I just like to keep my wire knowledge versatile," he shrugged.

"I heard you missed out on this year's industry conference," Winston inquired casually. 

"Yeah. Conferences are not my cup of tea," Hugo chuckled, "Too much show and too little know. I prefer focusing on the actual job, here in my studio."

Casual chat moved reflective as Winston asked about Philip, "What about Philip? Ever get into a formal tussle with him?" Hugo's rifle through a box of cables paused, "No direct confrontation, sir, but I was an unfortunate audience to threats he made to my brother over a phone call. Nastiest conversation ever."

Winston nodded, taking in the distraught sound engineer before himself. Hugo's brother owed a significant amount to Philip, everyone and their nephew knew that. It had been no blind gamble, but rather a bet gone awry. It had complicated Hugo's personal dynamics, certainly. Especially so since no one saw Hugo at the annual company holiday party. Usually a regular, Hugo's absence sent alerts.

Duty kept Hugo traveling between different venues for sound gigs, with a vast array of tools tagging all along, wires included, also, wires very similar to the ones found at Philip's crime scene. Winston mulled over this kaleidoscope of details, knowing well the devil lay in their details, as he drove back to the precinct.

choices

• Hugo
• Maria