MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the unforgiving desert landscape, Philip's lifeless body was discovered, a nunchaku the ghastly cause of his demise, leaving Detective Winston on a barren hunt, with Jim and Woodrow as his prime suspects.

In the dimly lit office of Winston's chosen haven, the world spun as the crime scene photos of Philip were spread across the detective's desk. Alone in the desert, with the grim encore of death, Philip’s fate felt oddly disconnected from the realities of the bustling metropolis.

Winston pondered over the crucial facts concerning the deceased Philip, particularly those relating to a certain dockworker, Jim. He was reminded of the small piece of evidence that came along with a ledger found in Philip's frozen hands. The ledger chronicled complex illegal smuggling operations. Notably among those was crucial information that it detailed illegal smuggling operations that Jim was involved with at the docks, making the ledger belonging to Jim even more incriminating.

It was known that Jim often sought solitude in the quiet, sweeping desert that Philip was found. In fact, the day of Philip's death, it was known that Jim had spent a significant amount of time there in the desert, with Philip.

Winston resolved to head to the docks as his initial step. He knew Jim worked there, and was also an active participant in some form of martial arts training. The docks, apart from being a bustling hub of commerce, also had a lesser-known martial arts center. Additionally, Jim was known to be struggling under a heavy amount of debt, a large part of which he owed to Philip.

Upon arriving at the docks, Winston observed the various trading activities. He noticed all kinds of commodities, including weapons like nunchaku being moved around. He couldn't help but wonder if some of the strains from Jim's debt might be channelled into these unlawful acts, particularly the illicit smuggling operations that Jim was deeply entrenched with at the docks.

“Hey, Jim! your presence is needed!" announced Winston, drawing the attention of a towering, muscular figure.

“Wow, Winston, you seem all business today," replied Jim, affably, turning to face his visitor.

“You weren’t working today?” queried Winston, scrutinizing Jim's reaction. Giving a carefree shrug, Jim responded, "Yes, occasionally we get the day off, like today."

Jim's actions had a disciplined, well-practiced grace, something Winston noted was consistent with someone undergoing martial arts training. When Winston asked about his training, Jim confirmed it with a simple nod.

“So, what about the money you owed Philip?” Winston asked, causing a silence to fall over them, broken only by the sounds of crashing waves. The burden of the enormous debt to Philip weighed heavily on Jim, evidenced by his discomfort.

“Philip... He came across some... documents,” Jim confessed, his gaze focused elsewhere, “He planned to use them against me. Though, it's irrelevant now."

During their conversation, Winston learned Jim not only lazed around the desert, but on the day of Philip's death, he had spent a significant portion of the day there in the desert with Philip. Moreover, that happened to be a day when Jim had no work obligations elsewhere.

Soon, Winston found himself alone, watching as Jim left. After a moment’s contemplation, he figured his next action would be to visit the desert where Philip’s body was found.

Winston was walking towards the park with his hands in his pockets, dust from the trail whirling up around him as he went. His furrowed brows gave way to the seriousness he was to face discussing Philip's murder with his grandfather, Woodrow.

Woodrow was a frail looking old man. However, his frailty was physically deceptive. He was still as spry as a young deer when it came to his martial arts routine, he had been doing it every single day, religiously, after he had retired from forty long years of teaching martial arts. He was even sweating from his usual morning exercises when he walked up for their meeting.

"Winston, am I right?" Woodrow asked, nervously shifting his feet and clearing his throat constantly. To an observing party, it might almost look like nervous ticks. 

Winston nodded, not missing the unusual behavior, before he cleared his throat and asked, "You've lived in this small town all your life, Woodrow?" which the elderly man confirmed, stating that he had strong roots within his family and loved everyone fiercely. 

He held on to a coffee cup, which steamed slightly in the morning chill. He had been discussing the local park regulations with the passing-by officials while sipping slowly from the cup.

Interrupting their conversation was an unexpected arrival from a police officer, which resulted in Woodrow spilling his coffee on the cold concrete in surprise. 

After quick introductions and some reluctant banter, they walked towards Woodrow's weather-beaten house just outside the park. Inside, Winston couldn't help but get drawn towards the shelves, which displayed an array of martial arts-related memorabilia, many of which were used by Woodrow himself during his teaching years. His eyes fell on a pair of nunchaku kept securely within a glass case.

"Treasures from better times," Woodrow murmured looking at his collection.

The conversation soon shifted towards Philip. Philip, the man who had shown no remorse publicly humiliating Woodrow. Philip was a tough bone to crack, his abusive nature had managed to alienate not only Woodrow, but almost every member of their family.

"Philip was a tough man to deal with. But family is family, you know," said Woodrow before he excused himself to wash the coffee stain off his shirt. 

Winston was left staring at the array of martial arts memorabilia.

choices

• Jim
• Woodrow