MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the chilling aftermath of Iris' untimely death by a stun gun in a lonely parked car, seasoned detective Winston finds himself waist-deep in a web of intrigue involving two prime suspects, Paige and Alicia.

Pulling off his reading glasses, Detective Winston stared in thought at the computer screen. The emails between Iris and Paige showed a scheduled meeting for the day of the murder. He looked over to Iris's company accounts and noticed a fall in profits that had been happening over some time. 

"Is there anyone from Iris's family that could take over the company?" he asked his  young assistant who was pouring over police reports in the corner. 

"No, she didn't have any family," the assistant called back. 

As Winston dig deeper into the case, he found that Paige, as Iris's direct subordinate, would be the next in line for company leadership. Questioning her could give him some more perspective. 

He found her sitting in her office, fiddling with a set of keys. He couldn't help but notice she was surrounded by a collection of pens from various meets, a quirk that was both peculiar and endearing. However, his keen eye was caught by a hair tie that was nestled amongst the pens. 

"You pick that up recently?" He chimed, nodding towards the hair tie. Caught off guard, she nodded, "Yes, it was on the floor in the office." Winston just nodded, filing that information away for later. 

Diving into their conversation, Paige admitted that Iris was a dedicated boss, refusing to cut staff numbers and that she kept investing in unsuccessful projects, much to the chagrin of others. Paige admitted to knowing about the company's deteriorating health, given Iris's stubborn management methods, yet, she seemed thoroughly sad about her boss's demise.

Just then, one of Paige's employees entered, looking flustered. "I found something weird," she said, showing Winston something that looked like a keyhole behind a movable panel in Paige’s desk... a stark contrast to the otherwise meticulous space around them. His curiosity piqued, Winston thanked them and left with a promise for further communication. 

Walking around the company's parking lot, he noticed Iris's car often in the frame of the CCTV footage. A coworker who was pulling out of the lot told Winston about seeing Iris the night she died.

"Saw her going into that meeting with Paige; she looked real tense, " the coworker indicated a glass cabin that evidently served as the meeting room.

Winston decided to question Paige further. "Do you have a key to Iris's car by any chance?" A flicker of surprise flashed across Paige's face as she answered, "Yes, I do. Is something wrong, Detective?" 

"Not at all, just following up on some leads. Thank you for your time, Ma'am," he assured her before making his way back to his car.

Winston flicked through the paperwork once more, using the dull humming coming from the precinct to focus his thoughts. In front of him, there was a landscape photo featuring Alicia in action, surrounded by a sea of flower crowns and women in long dresses. She was a wedding planner, overseeing all the details, including the transportation.

He looked deeper into the photo and noticed an electronic store across the street, where a store associate had reported Alicia making a purchase. Winston remembered speaking to that associate, who confirmed Alicia bought a stun gun there. This was a store that also sold stun guns, which had recently been purchased by Alicia. It confirmed what he was told, she did work in such a shop part-time. 

Winston glanced out his window, thinking pensive thoughts. The wedding required Iris’s car. It was Alicia’s job to ensure the car was used appropriately during the grand event. It certainly was a grand event, and it was a big payday for Alicia’s business.

“Detective Winston, we have new documents for you.” An officer placed a file on his desk with a 'thump'. Financial statements. Alicia’s business wasn’t doing well. In fact, it was operating at a loss.

Heaving a sigh, Winston packed the files into his case. He made his way to Alicia’s apartment. As he walked through the entrance, his gaze fell upon a ledge where the mail was neatly stacked. He could see a receipt peeping out. With a pair of thin gloves, he picked it up. A receipt from the shop. The same shop where Alicia was seen buying a stun gun.

He knew Alicia had studied electrical engineering during her college years. She would definitely know how to use it. His mobile device buzzed then, alerting him to a new email. It contained background info on Alicia's financials. A different kind of record... Alicia had been borrowing heavily, and mostly not from banks. Nontraditional lenders... not an ideal situation to be in.

Stepping outside, Winston lit a cigarette, his hand steady, but mind racing. But then, his phone buzzed again with a new update from precinct. There were multiple eyewitnesses who reported seeing Alicia and Iris together just before the incident. The last time they'd been seen together, was leaving the wedding rehearsal. The same evening when the incident happened.

“Just the facts, Winston. Just the facts,” he said to himself, squashing out the cigarette and returning inside. There was more to uncover, and Alicia just happened to be at the center of it. Time would reveal the truth.

choices

• Paige
• Alicia