MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the glitzy, high-stakes world of casinos, Jamal meets a deadly end by frog poison, leaving Detective Winston to weave through a web of deceit with two prime suspects - Kimberly and Lillian.

Winston took a moment to steady his thoughts as he pushed through the bustling casino crowd and headed towards the high stakes tables, where the Kurten family, a notable name in the city that Kimberly Kurten was always so intensely proud of, often gathered.

In his possession, he had copies of the casino’s surveillance footage, which clearly showed Kimberly not leaving the casino until after the events of the tragic night had unraveled. It was indeed an unusual evening, where he had gained knowledge that Jamal was about to reveal his secret gambling problem, a scandal that could have undoubtedly ruined the reputation of the Kurten family, before his tragic death ended those plans untimely.

Winston found Kimberly, Jamal's grandmother, sitting sullenly with a spent slot machine, her eyes tired and glassy. She was always a lady of resolve, and her attire tonight attested her character. The familiar cigarette smoke-infused air around her gave gravity to the situation.

"We heard you've been interested in studying unique frog species," Winston started tentatively, referencing her recent purchase of a rare and highly poisonous frog, without failing to mention about the documents found in her home, which not only discussed extracting venom from the said species but also comprehensively detailed physical effects of the frog's lethal doses,

"Yes," Kimberly admitted. "It's quite a fascinating hobby that I've picked up."

"Do you know the frog you own can be highly lethal?" Winston probed, watching her reaction closely.

"Well, I am aware. In fact, I've read all about it, and that formed a substantial part of my research, especially investigating the effects of its venom," said Kimberly, revealing her ongoing project for the first time.

Nodding, Winston changed the subject. "You were with Jamal here at the casino, the night he tragically died, correct?"

"Yes," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the chorus of slot machines and croupier calls. "We both came here together."

"On the surveillance footage, it appears you brought Jamal his favorite drink that night. Barely a few moments after he had it, he collapsed."

"Yes, that's correct, Detective Winston," Kimberly confirmed, her gaze fixed somewhere distant, "He wasn't feeling well all evening. I've always been worried about his reckless gambling, and the impact it would have on our standing in society, not to mention the ruin it would have brought upon us if he had his way."

After a few moments of silence, Winston rose to excuse himself, leaving Kimberly dwelling in the harsh neon lights, weighed down by a grandmother's sorrow. Despite the clamoring commotion around him, Winston found an eerie silence; a tragic tale of love, concern, and reputation had unraveled that night.

Sitting in his criminally underlit office, Detective Winston pored over the case files for Jamal's murder. His brow furrowed at the cause of death - a lethal frog poison. The corners of his mouth twitched with a hint of moroseness and intrigue, as he thought of the exotic demise of a man so influential and with no known heirs or successors - except his goddaughter Lillian.

Winston decided to pay Lillian, the goddaughter of the deceased, a visit. He remembered the name Lillian, an up-and-coming biologist specializing in amphibians, and now the apparent successor to Jamal's influential position — a coincidence too striking to ignore.

On arriving at Lillian's residence, he knocked and was greeted by Lillian's younger brother, who he had noticed earlier mentioned a strict 9 p.m. curfew enforced by their parents — a prospect seeming unusual considering Lillian's mature age.

"Detective Winston, how can I help you?" Lillian's voice was calm. Winston, with practiced ease, began to ask the routine questions.

"I understand from your colleagues at the research facility that you have spent years studying the toxins of various rare frog species. That's remarkable."

"Yes, I believe amphibians are hugely underestimated in their biological significance," Lillian responded, an earnest enthusiasm glowing in her eyes.

Her comment whisked Winston's thoughts back to the exotic murder weapon. "Are there any of such poisonous species that you happen to own?"

A slight hitch in Lillian's demeanor suggested hesitation. "Yes, I do own a rare species of frog known to produce lethal toxins."

Leaning back and taking note of her demeanor, Winston changed the topic slightly. "Did you know about the late-night visits Jamal used to pay to the casino?"

"No, but I knew of his influence and power in the community," Lillian replied, her eyes distant as she pondered over memories of her late godfather. She further added, "Jamal didn't have any other known successors and being his goddaughter, I've always desired to be as respected and influential as he was, and to even take his position one day."

As Winston prepared to leave, the local store owner from across the street approached him, offering a piece of information he hadn't considered.

"Saw Lillian over there popping out late for snacks," he mumbled; a detail that contradicted the household rule of strict curfew mentioned by Lillian's brother. It was backed up by another neighbor, who mentioned seeing Lillian sneaking out after dark on numerous occasions.

It appeared there was more to this goddaughter, this aspiring biologist, than met the eye. This next in line to Jamal's influence and authority, known herpetologist, owner of a lethal frog species– was she just an innocent bystander? Winston intended to find out.

choices

• Lillian
• Kimberly