MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

When the silver screen flickered with an unexpected explosion, claiming the life of innocent Chloe, seasoned Detective Winston stepped in to unravel the deadly scandal entwining suspects Ruby and Roscoe.

Despite the night's residue of tobacco clinging to his garment, Detective Winston took a deep inhale as he approached Ruby. He pulled out a crumpled picture of Chloe from his pocket and sighed, replaying the explosion at the movie theatre over and over in his mind, as well as the image of Jake, the man he's spotted Chloe with on numerous clandestine dates.

"Ruby," he began. His voice was low and weary. "I understand that you and Chloe had planned a sister-courtship to the movies last night."

A flicker of surprise crossed Ruby's face. "Why, yes. Chloe wanted to see that new film, The Scarlet Phoenix. We enjoyed a night at the theater till the very end. Nobody else entered or left the theater during our stay - it was just us."

"Interesting," muttered Winston. "And there were eyewitnesses confirming that you were the last person seen with Chloe?" 

"Yes," said Ruby hesitatingly,"We departed together."

"Interesting," muttered Winston, making no further comment. Instead, he considered the reported vision of Ruby seeing Chloe kissing another man. Another man who turned out to be Jake.

"I understand that you might have feelings for Jake. Is that right?" Winston questioned, watching Ruby carefully.

Ruby hesitated, playing with the locket around her neck. “Yes, I suppose that's true,” she admitted, but never meeting his gaze.

The detective changed the angle of the conversation. “I've heard tales about your psychic abilities, Ruby. You tend to see dangerous things. Your visions included dreadful bomb scenarios back when you were in the military, right?”

"I've had visions," Ruby replied defensively. "Visions are often ambiguous. They can symbolize various scenarios. I did see Chloe, Chloe kissing another man... Jake. And yes, during my service, I’ve seen how war and destruction unfold, even how to use grenades."

"I can imagine," Winston said, thinking to himself. Connecting the dots, he continued, "Did you know that Jake and Chloe were secretly seeing each other?"

Ruby's apprehension told Winston everything he needed to know. "Yes, I knew. Chloe told me about it," she said, her face growing pale.

"Did you also stay behind after the movie, in the theatre?" Winston asked, looking at Ruby sternly.

"We both enjoyed the ending credits music, so we stayed till the end. I distinctly remember walking out of the theatre last night, but... alone," Ruby said, hinting at her absence following the movie's completion.

Winston allowed a moment's pause before continuing on. "Ruby, where did you go after the movie ended?"

"I went to my brother's house," Ruby's reply was swift, a touch too swift.

Winston blinked, remembering her brother's notorious reputation as an arms dealer, and Ruby's own military background. "That's... convenient."

"I suppose it is," Ruby replied quietly, eyes fixed on the policeman's tired, yet zealous gaze. The meeting was concluded with that, leaving Winston with the chilling evening wind and another lead in Chloe's puzzling demise.

Winston glanced at the movie ticket stub Roscoe held, noting that it was for the same film as Chloe. He squinted at Roscoe, who was a respected astrophysicist and dedicated military officer, but his current disheveled appearance suggested a disconnect. 

"You were here at the theatre when the event happened, then?" Winston asked, gesturing at the ticket. Roscoe was indeed there before the movie started, now confirmed by the timing on his ticket. 

A confirmed nod came from Roscoe, who avoided meeting Winston’s gaze. "Yeah, I was here. Same movie as her." His voice dropped lower. "When the incident occurred during the movie screening. Chloe... She didn't make it."

Winston hesitated, knowing Chloe's death wasn't the only thing he needed to discuss today. Throughout their conversation, Winston noticed a limp in Roscoe's step, bruises, and a sharp wince when he moved a certain way. "Looks like you've got some injuries there," Winston remarked casually. 

Though he spoke offhandedly, Roscoe was quick to brush it off, often changing the subject when questioned about his injuries, which drew Winston’s attention. More so than before, Winston observed, people tended to notice when someone was deliberately avoiding a topic.

Trying not to push too far, Winston paused momentarily - but then he remembered the drug bag found in Roscoe’s possession at the theater. He recalled a report from resident neighbors as well, Mr. & Mrs. Davenport, stating that they've often seen Roscoe limping into his apartment late in the night, disheveled and pained. Further arousing suspicion was the doorman’s testimony, reporting a similar disheveled state during the late-night arrivals.

Remaining cognizant of the consequences to Roscoe’s military career if he were to be caught using drugs, Winston pressed on, "Roscoe, I've heard you've been behaviorally inconsistent at work lately. And there’s the matter of the confiscated drug bag. Do you understand the negative implications this could have for your military career?"

Roscoe visibly flinched. His demeanor took on a nervous edge, scratching his arm as it often did when he felt cornered. Winston’s gaze hardened, feeling certain that Roscoe was the name written in secret within Chloe's notebook. The one she intended to report for drug usage.

“I...uh got to use the restroom," Roscoe stammered before rushing off, undoubtedly the effects of the drugs kicking in.

Winston decided to follow, needing more answers. Was Roscoe the reason behind Chloe's demise? Was this why he'd jeopardize a promising military career with drug addiction? With renewed determination, Winston set off after him.

As Winston neared the restroom, he was eerily reminded of the nearly empty crime scene — a movie theatre mid-showing. He shuddered at the thought of the panic that ensued when the grenade went off during the screening.

But there was no time for that now, he had a suspect to confront.