MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the shimmering opulence of a luxury restaurant, Roderick's life was abruptly ended by a pistol's merciless blow; now Detective Winston must untangle the web of Oscar and Brianna's testimonies.

Detective Winston, staring at the rain streaming down his office window, absentmindedly stirred his lukewarm coffee. Another murder landed on his desk. The victim, Roderick. The list of facts pertaining to Brianna, a tenacious teacher suspected to be involved, seemed to be a never-ending stream of potential leads.

Sifting through stacks of evidence, he came across a statement from Roderick, Brianna's boss, refusing to consider her for a promotion at work. Winston placed it on top of the pile as he planned his approach. The next piece of evidence was a statement from a valet at the luxury restaurant. According to the valet, not only did both Brianna and Roderick dine there on the night of the murder, but they were also both seen leaving the restaurant at the same time.

Winston made his way over to the shooting range. A police report detailed that a pistol Brianna recently purchased and practiced with here was identical to the one used to kill Roderick. 

The shooting range was winding down for the evening. Winston was able to speak to the range officer, "So, Brianna's been coming here often?"

"Yeah, she's really dedicated. You wouldn't believe it but she's won several competitions here," the range officer commented, leading Winston to the lanes where Brianna often practiced.

Within his stack of evidence, Winston found a copy of the restaurant's reservation list, confirming Brianna's presence at Classico's that night. More evidence from his stack showed that Brianna had been ambitiously seeking the same promotion at the school she worked, the promotion Roderick instead received.

He soon found himself speaking with the restaurant staff. The valet, waitstaff, and even some kitchen staff all recalled seeing Brianna leave the restaurant around the same time as Roderick. Most interestingly, they all bore witness to an argument that Brianna had with Roderick during dinner.

Next, Winston stopped by the school where Roderick worked. A fellow teacher revealed how deeply disappointed Brianna was when Roderick got the promotion instead of her.

With the collected evidence, Winston knew he needed to confront Brianna. 

"We've talked to the range officer at the shooting range," said Winston, meeting Brianna in her classroom.

Brianna nodded, "Yes, I spill my frustrations on paper targets, helps me to stay focused."

"Do you dine at Classico's often," Winston asked casually.

"Yes, once every so often," replied Brianna, "I’m a regular there."

"I’m sure they recognized you the night Roderick was killed," Winston said, subtly sliding the copy of the reservations list across the desk. 

"I suppose," Brianna said, cleaning her glasses, "But isn’t it a little strange that a busy detective like you is asking about dinner plans?”

Winston shrugged and stood up. "Well, duty calls. It was nice chatting with you, Brianna." Making his leave, Winston thought about all the pieces he had gathered and how they all seemed to point to Brianna.

Winston was nursing a black coffee and flipping through the case file when the first cracks of dawn speckled the dreary sky. The victim, Roderick, had been a stand-up entrepreneur before he caught a bullet. Roderick had agreed to meet his husband, Oscar, to discuss their divorce plans on the day he died. 

"Why flee when you're already getting a divorce?" Winston found himself murmuring to his empty, scarcely lit office. A note from a confidential source in the case file revealed that Oscar had heard from Roderick that he was planning to leave him. 

Winston's musings were interrupted by a phone call. It was Oscar's son, Josh. He cheerfully announced his excitement about the languid summer that lay ahead of him, spent at home. Winston rubbed his eyes, cracked his back, and decided it was time to pay Oscar a visit.

Oscar lived in a modest suburban home. The early morning dew lightly wet the sidewalk and the chill hung in the air. His silver sedan with premium rims was parked in the driveway, just as Oscar's neighbor had mentioned. She'd been seeing their car parked there with the windows down at all times lately. Upon inspection, Winston could see a receipt for a large, black suitcase on the passenger seat. He made a note of it.

Oscar, on the other hand, looked like a shadow of his former self. Tired eyes, unkempt hair, and the flicker of sadness in his eyes confirmed his ongoing love for Roderick, despite everything. The sad fact that he had been forced to say goodbye to his job a month ago only added to his woe. His therapist had been supporting him through the divorce-related depression, but with Roderick's sudden demise, things had taken a turn for the worse.

Winston was offered a cup of coffee while he casually asked Oscar about the night of Roderick's death. Oscar offered up the information that he had proposed a toast at the private party right before Roderick was shot, diverting everyone's attentions momentarily away from the man. After having his fill of the tepid liquid, Winston got up, thanked Oscar for his time, and walked back towards his car.

The sound of his shoes crunching the freshly dewed gravel, Winston lit up a cigarette. He drove away eventually, leaving Oscar in his rearview mirror, standing in the doorway. He gave an inward groan thinking about the mountain of paperwork waiting for him at the station.

In this mess, a voice echoed in his head, 'Heard Oscar was in therapy. Depression, they said.' 

It was a long day and Winston was certain, it was going to be a long case.

choices

• Oscar
• Brianna