MuSR / Who is the most likely murderer?

question

Who is the most likely murderer?

narrative

In the bustling labyrinth of a city mall, a grisly murder sends shockwaves as Xenia is killed with a nail gun, leaving Detective Winston with two perplexing suspects: Van and Wilfred.

Detective Winston felt his chest tighten slightly as he stepped onto the crime scene. Another murder, and this time - a shopping mall. Xenia, the victim, a blond woman in her early forties. Falling under the jurisdiction of his detective expertise, Winston gathered the scattered bits of facts and evidence that were available up to this point.

The murder weapon, a nail gun, an unusual choice. That fact alone put Winston’s investigation into a small percentage of the population who had access to such tools - contractors. And with this unfortunate coincidence was the fact that the nail gun used in the crime was reported missing from Wilfred's construction project, which made for even a more compelling lead to pursue. 

Court sessions were known to be highly stressful, creating a complete sense of tension in the courtroom, causing lawyers like Wilfred to sweat profusely. Yet, even under such stressful circumstances Wilfred always maintained a fresh scent.

Upon hearing this, his mind immediately turned to Wilfred, a local lawyer who was a known aficionado of construction, something that would give him easy access to nail guns. 

Winston sent out a request for surveillance footage of Wilfred's construction site, hoping to gain some insight into whether Wilfred had any interaction with nail guns. 

He also requested the mall’s CCTV footage, given that Xenia was killed in the mall. The footage verified Wilfred’s presence in the mall around the same time Xenia was murdered. But that wasn't the evidence that caught Winston’s eye. It was the traces of bakery flour, always noticeable on Wilfred's shoes. 

Wilfred was known to spend significant amounts of time on his feet in the courtroom, often sweating profusely due to the stressful court sessions. Yet a remarkable trait about Wilfred was that he maintained a fresh scent, even after a long day. This always intrigued Winston; however, upon further investigation, he discovered Wilfred's secret was the luxury of having a bathroom with a shower in his office; thus the puzzle started to come together.

The authorities were unsure of Wilfred's exact location during the murder. Nobody could verify his whereabouts and the time Xenia was killed, Wilfred was unaccounted for, posing a substantial mystery for Winston to solve.

As he continued his investigation, Winston implemented a strategic approach to obtain more information. He planned a meeting with Wilfred under the pretext of discussing a case, and at the scheduled meeting, he carefully observed the unassuming lawyer.

"When's the last time you visited your construction project, Wilfred?" Winston asked, keeping a close eye on the man's reactions.

"Monday, as I recall," Wilfred responded, not missing a beat. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curiosity. You ever handle a nail gun before?"

Wilfred offered a nonchalant shrug. "Sure. Comes with the territory."

Winston noted the answer, pressing further. "And how about the mall? Been there recently?”

Wilfred nodded, stating, "Oh, yes, a couple of times this week."

In the end, Winston came out of the meeting with more questions than answers, but the strings of information were beginning to shape a premise. One thing was certain - Wilfred was irrefutably intertwined in this case.

Winston swept through the shopping mall like water, eyes scanning, earpiece transmitting information straight to the station. He was looking for Van, who had been on shift when Xenia was killed.

He spotted a muscular man with a nametag was unloading boxes from a service entrance, huffing and puffing as he went. "Looks like our guy," he mumbled into his headset.

"I've been expecting you," said Van, the bodybuilder, wiping his sweat-drenched forehead with a well-charred sleeve. He pointed to a chair across the table, "Have a seat, will you?"

Winston did, and before he even opened his mouth, Van was speaking, "You know, Xenia was here almost every day. She loved this place, loved shopping. Sad thing what happened."

Winston, not one for small talk, started grilling Van, "You were on shift when she was killed, right Van?"

"Yeah, I was," he replied. "I ain't seen nothing though."

"What does your job entail?"  Winston asked, changing the subject.

"I've got free run of this place. Lock, stock and barrel, I can move about as I please,” Van said, directing an intense look at Winston's face.  

"Your hobbies, Van?" 

"Used to build furniture for a living," He admitted, "It was a bit of an obsession for a while. Even took a safety course from the local construction company."

"Did you now," Winston nodded, “Do you happen to own a nail gun?”

“Bought one recently, yes,” Van said, as casually as if he were talking about the weather. “Receipt’s right here in my wallet.”

"Thanks for sharing. Are you aware that Xenia recently updated her will, making you the sole beneficiary?” The detective shifted the conversation back onto Xenia.

“It’s funny you say that, because I did have her change her life insurance policy at the same time,” Van shared, ”I hadn’t thought of it… till now…” He paused, looking contemplative for a moment. 

Winston got a call that disturbed him, "Excuse me, I must go.”

He remembered the mail they found at Van’s house: confirmation from the hardware store of buying a nail gun the same model as the murder weapon. It added up.

Before leaving, Winston couldn't help but casually ask, "The insurance payout from her will, that a large sum?"

"God-awful massive," Van answered after a moment of hesitation, "And here I am buried under... well, a heap of bills, I'd rather not disclose."

With that, the detective left, collecting the pieces as he went.

choices

• Van
• Wilfred