MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

When Letti's lifeless body is found horrifically mutilated by a machete at a secluded mountain cabin, gritty Detective Winston faces a chilling whodunit featuring suspects Delilah and Eddie.

Gazing out at the tranquil scenery of the mountain cabin where Letti met her end, detective Winston pondered the information before him. He had another interview to conduct, and as the mountain breeze tousled his rigid hair, he couldn't help but be reminded of this case's unnerving details.

Eddie was an interesting character, to say the least. A musician of sorts, he was known for incorporating tricks using a machete into his performances. A peculiar stage craft that Winston couldn't begin to comprehend. Performing such stunts would require him to practice, possibly during his free time he spent camping on the outskirts of the city, with his trusted machete always by his side.

The mountain cabin reverberated with somber silence as Winston approached Eddie. He had been staying at the same cabin, having been invited by Letti for a song recording. It was reported that during his stay that Eddie had no other engagements to attend to; an oddity given that this time of year was bustling with music festivals.

"How's the stay been, Eddie?" Winston began, trying to ease Eddie into the conversation.

"Quiet," Eddie responded, his gaze drifting off into the vast span of the desolate mountainscape. "Just how I like it, you know. Helps with the creativity." 

There was an aromatic air to Eddie, of someone who had worked tirelessly to uphold their image in the light of public scrutiny. It was well-known that Eddie was sensitive about his image, keen to maintain the rising trajectory of his music career, a career he held close to his heart.

The cabin’s solitude was a stark reminder of what was at stake for Eddie. Letti, the soulful songbird she was, had managed to unravel a hidden part of Eddie's life that threatened to shatter the glass tower he had been building over the years: his secret drug addiction. Unfortunately, the discovery gave Letti the leverage to manipulate Eddie's successful music career.

Winston kept an attentive poker face while internally connecting the pieces of information.

"The thing is, Eddie," Winston began, his tone sober, "Letti wouldn't have invited you over for any ordinary recording."

"I know," Eddie sighed heavily before he added, "She held my career in her hands, detective."

His confession resounded through the empty cabin, the once picturesque view from the window shading into a grim canvas of their situation. With no one around for miles, Winston wondered what influence this isolation could have on the psyche of the person who was here.

"I reckon we meet again, detective," Eddie said, his voice just above a whisper, as Winston left the cabin.

Detective Winston pulled his car up to the secluded cabin. His visit was to Delilah, the godmother of the recently slain Letti. So far, the only evidence he had found was a machete, smeared with blood.

He knocked on the heavy oak door of her abode and Delilah greeted him with a passive stare. Before he could utter a word, she gestured him inside and they both sat down to chat. Delilah, interestingly, made it a point to hang her machete over the fireplace, “Papa taught me to handle a machete since I was teen. I live out here alone in the wilderness, y'know, just as precaution.” she justified.

Their conversation flowed smoothly until Winston asked Delilah about her past. Instantly, the woman fell silent, her gaze fixed on a spot on the wall, as if she was lost in thought. She curtly responded, "I had a normal, happy childhood. That's all." Winston was struck by this as he knew from others' accounts that no one had ever heard her talk about her childhood or school days in detail.

Winston decided not to probe further, giving Delilah space to guide the conversation. This led her to casually mention her skills with a machete. Come to think of it, she’d won several local machete handling competitions. "I practice regularly," she added, a briefly proud glint in her eyes.

Winston nodded in acknowledgment, his mind returning to documents found in Letti’s possession. These documents seemed to implicate Delilah in some illegal activities. Letti reiteratively voiced concern about her godmother's activities. In fact, she had directly confronted Delilah about the evidence she’d stumbled upon. Even more alarmingly, Letti had confided in her friends about her intention to go public with this evidence.

Letti’s friends shared with Winston how she was deeply worried about Delilah's suspicious activities; however, the specific details of her past remained obscured. Winston took a last glance at the machete hanging over the fireplace before leaving the cabin, a sense of unsettling curiosity lingering in his mind.

choices

• Delilah
• Eddie