MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the quiet seclusion of a chalet, Mackenzie met her untimely end by a sickle's cruel bite, leaving Detective Winston with two suspects and a chilling mystery to unravel.

Detective Winston studied the forums online, seeking information about tour destinations in the rural farmland area where Mackenzie had met his end during a guided tour. He stumbled upon a chalet managed by a woman named Yolanda. 

As Winston hit the road, his thoughts steered towards the information he had gathered. Mackenzie had been part of Yolanda's tour group before his murder occurred on the eve of their scheduled contact. She managed her tours in the countryside meticulously. The control she had over the schedule of the outings, including the fateful one in which Mackenzie was murdered, intrigued Winston.

His mind drifted back to the victim. Mackenzie had found out about Yolanda's past, a string of cheating instances involving her tour clients, and the woman bore a lengthy criminal record as a result. In fact, Mackenzie was under the impression that she had conned him out of money as well, and he had evidence to prove so. Hence, the threats of exposure he made just before the tour, threatening to bring down Yolanda's whole charade if she didn't pay him off.

Winston yanked the steering wheel to his jeep, steering it down a rural path as he followed the coordinates to the chalet. The area was primarily farmland, a quiet countryside where the chalet sat nestled. Yolanda worked here, a guide amidst the rustic charm and tranquility, where such unfortunate events as Mackenzie's murder took place.

Approaching the chalet, Winston observed the tools strewn around the land nearby, tools that weren't entirely uncommon to such rural regions. That included the sickle, commonly used for tough manual jobs done by locals during tours.

"Detective, may I help you?" A woman called, her hands resting on her hips as she presented a robust picture of strength and resilience. Her firm tone and her hardened features attested to her familiarity with tough manual labor. Yolanda was her name, the tour guide of the chalet where Mackenzie was last seen alive during her tour.

"Yes, Yolanda, right?" Winston treaded carefully, pacing his sentences. 

"That's correct, detective," She replied, her gaze steady, "This chalet, it's a part of the tour destinations I manage."

"You work around these areas quite a bit then?" Winston probed, his eyes scanning the area.

"That's right," Yolanda said, her hands sweeping the landscape, "My tours consist of these rural areas, I find the countryside soothing."

"So I heard," Winston nodded, tucking away a piece of information about the murder happening during one of these tours, as he turned to retreat.

Winston was a man of the city, yet he found himself drawn to the tranquility of the chalet nestled in the snowy mountains. This tranquility was disrupted by the gruesome murder of the chalet's owner, Mackenzie. No heirs, all that was left was a cold case just like the winter’s harsh weather.

His main puzzle piece at the moment was Julius. As far as Winston had gathered, Julius was frequently seen around the chalet courting religious duties. A Rabbi with admiration for Mackenzie's business, he pondered as he moved through the chalet.

Brushing off the snow from his overcoat, he walked down to Julius's residence. He found his neighbour out, tending to his plants, who readily shared with Winston his observations about the Rabbi. “Late nights, buddy, that's when you hear it! Car cleaning noises. Almost ritualistic, you might say.” He gestured with a chuckle towards Julius's car that appeared glistening clean even in the morning frost.

Keeping his poker face intact, Winston thanked him and moved on to Julius's place to gain some firsthand perspective. Julius, next of kin, was willing to engage with Winston. "I was at the chalet both times,” he conceded, “In the morning to pay my respects, in the evening for my religious duties. I express no remorse for my actions.”

Seeing the need to switch the conversation to less stringent matters, Winston asked about Julius's frequent trips to the auto-parts store. The rabbi, a bit taken aback, chuckled and affirmed, “Ah, you mean the cleaning supplies? Yes, I don't like to keep my car dirty. A friend of mine, a car enthusiast, once saw me buying in bulk and joked I was preparing for apocalypse.”

Julius voiced no regret for his admiration towards Mackenzie's business. His eyes filled with fond memories, he added, “Our community often frowned upon his lack of religious beliefs, but I admired him. His open-mindedness is to be celebrated. Even in mourning I believe it’s important to remember the good.”

Winston returned to the cold chalet. Julius was indeed a complex character, but he was on a mission to uncover the truth. What did Julius do the night of the murder? With Mackenzie’s time of death set in the evening, he wondered what the events were that unfolded in this chalet. The detective in him would not rest until all the pieces of the puzzle come together. Murders, after all, can happen where you least expect them to.

choices

• Julius
• Yolanda