MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the impeccably polished kitchen where Tessa met her fatal end through a deadly gas, Detective Winston starts his journey of dark secrets, questioning Penelope and Melody, the two prime suspects.

Winston swept through Tessa's starkly white yet crimson-stained kitchen, pausing over the various chemicals laid across her dining table. The room smelled of cleaners, a scent that clashed with the stark reality of its circumstances - a tragic and untimely death. A photograph on the fridge captured his attention - an image of Tessa, alongside a tall, dark-haired woman who he recognized as Penelope, a local tarot reader.

Later on, his investigations led him to the drains where he suspected Penelope's large chemical purchase from the day before had been dumped. The local authorities confirmed it. The incident was also marked by Penelope's unanticipated visit to Tessa's place during which no witness was there to mark her departure. Despite this, a CT-TV camera at the end of Tessa's street had picked up Penelope leaving just before the estimated time of Tessa's death, something that felt unusual given Tessa's friendly, social neighborhood ethos.

Penelope's home struck him as a stark counterpoint to Tessa's clean, modern aesthetic. Her decor smacked of a dark gothic undertone, featuring cherubs and pentagrams. The display left no doubt about Penelope’s approximation towards medieval tarot readers and alchemists which was further solidified by her quirky ornaments and stacks of intimidating books.

Winston pointed out a book lying open on a nearby table, which displayed disturbing diagrams and descriptions of different poisonous gases. 

"What's this here?" Winston asked, pointing at it.

"O-oh, I was...reading it for a character in my book," Penelope stammered.

Shifting in her seat, Penelope added, "A character who thinks they can commit the perfect crime, leaving no traces."

"Their own idea of justice, perhaps?" Winston ventured, aware of the calculated cryptic response.

Penelope nodded, emphasis paving way to dread as Winston clarified,
"A crime that might... involve poisonous gas?"

Penelope’s fear manifested through her expressive features, propelling Winston to probe her further.

"It appears that Tessa had found letters linking you with past offenses..." Winston began, only to be interrupted mid-sentence as Penelope braced herself.

"She did confront me, yes. Said something about me having been involved in past crimes. I did not...," her voice quivered, trailing off.

"You were seen arriving at Tessa's place that evening. But, oddly enough, nobody actually saw you leave...why do you suppose that is?" Winston asked, deliberately amplifying the tension.

"Well, I... I was there to read her tarot that evening. I was alone in the kitchen while she was getting us some wine."

"But still, no sightings of your departure?" Winston pressed.

"I... It...," Penelope faltered, but Winston refrained from asking further questions. He pocketed his notepad before making his way to the exit. As he left, he caught a glimpse of a chemistry degree hanging by the door - a degree that censured the name Penelope on its title. This discovery validated the suspicions about her in-depth knowledge of chemistry and alchemy - fields possibly employed for darker purposes.

Winston squinted over the rim of his empty coffee mug at the nervous officer seated across the table. Melody cleared her throat, uneasy under the direct and critical gaze of the grizzled detective.

"So, Tessa's bakery... it was right smack in the middle of the expansion you proposed for your patrol zone, wasn't it?" Winston asked, pausing to lean back on his chair, "To my understanding, all other businesses in the area were highly cooperative. Was Tessa the only one resisting the expansion?"

"Yes, sir." Melody said, her tone defensive. "And every time I tried to talk to Tessa about it, maybe cut a deal, she wasn't having it. She was the only stubborn holdout against my proposals."

"I see." Winston scribbled a note on the paper in front of him, shielding it from view with a well-practiced arm block. "Dealing with hazardous materials... that's part of police training, right? You've taken classes for that?"

Melody nodded. "Sure, we all have. Necessary for emergency situations."

"Hmm. Have access to any of these dangerous substances?" Winston asked, his eyes flickering up from his notes.

Melody puzzled over this question for a moment. "Well, yes. We have a secure storage for them. For certain operations."

"Like poisonous gas," Winston said, as if discussing the weather. Melody hesitated and then nodded, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face.

"Have any hobbies, Officer Melody?"

"Um, reading, I suppose," she said, stiffening. "I always have a bunch of new thrillers and murder mysteries borrowed from the library."

"What do you read?"

Melody raised her eyebrows, almost startled. "Different stuff. But mostly thrillers, murder mysteries..."

"Funny. Your co-workers mention seeing you engrossed in them quite often during breaks. Read them at your house too, for a book club, don't you?" Winston pursued, ignoring the slight flush that spread across Melody's cheeks. 

"Well...yes," Melody admitted, nearly blushing. "We frequently meet up at my place to discuss the latest thriller."

Downing the last dregs of his cold coffee, Winston pushed away from the table and stood to leave. "Well, Officer Melody," he said, pulling on his weathered leather jacket. "It seems there is much I need to ponder. We'll take it from here. Thank you for your time."

He left Melody sitting in the cold interrogation room, her mind whirling.

choices

• Penelope
• Melody