I walked into the apartment and was greeted with the sight of a man in uniform intensely jotting down something in a hand notebook. After a moment, he looked up and noticed my presence.
"Oh you're finally here. You're the detective right?" He asked.
"Yes, that would be me" I replied.
"Nice to meet you detective, my name is Fleck."
"No need to be so formal. We're all co workers here. I assume you are the forensic investigator on this case?"
"Yes, Fleck from forensics at your service."
[["Can you fill me in on what happened here?"->Beginning 2]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to 24)
(set: $StarkAttitude to 24)
(set: $Brandon to "Incomplete")"Of course," Fleck continued. "This morning around nine AM the department recieved a report of a dead body. The victim was Summer Hart, a young lady in her early twenties. She was stabbed in the neck with some sort of pointed object. The person who found the body was the victim's roomate, Sapphire Friend. After we interviewed the witness, we apprehended the person who is the prime suspect so far, the victim's boyfriend, Brandon Fox. We have some evidence on him but nothnig decisive yet."
"Thank you, Fleck."
"You have clearance to go investigate the scene and talk to the witness and suspect if you'd like."
"I'll do just that."
--
[[Go to the scene of the crime->Crime Scene]]
[[Go talk to the witness, Sapphire Friend->Sapphire]]
[[Go talk to the suspect, Brandon Fox ->Brandon]]I made my way into the living room where I was greeted with a gruesome sight. A young woman was sprawled across the floor. On her neck was a gaping stab wound. There was a trail of dried blood that fell down from it. Below her was a thick blanket drenched in blood. On her right, a bloodied knife lay on the floor. No matter how many times I saw a scene like this, it never got easier.
--
[[Go back->Hub]]
[[Investigate the stab wound->Stab Wound]]
[[Investigate the knife->Knife]]
[[Investigate the blanket->Blanket]]
[[Investigate the floor->Floor]]
[[Investigate her pocket->Pocket]]I made my way right outside the apartment complex to find where they are currently holding the witness. She was sitting on a bench right outside the apartment, nearby to where a lot of police cars have gathered.
"Hello," I greeted while pulling out my dectective's badge, "I am the detective for this case, may I ask you a few questions?"
She looked up at me and paused for a second, then spoke. "Sure, go ahead."
--
[[Go Back->Hub]]
[["How have you been holding up?"->Sapphire's Feelings]]
[["How did you know the victim?"->Summer-Sapphire]]
[["Can you describe what you saw this morning?"->Sapphire's account]]
[["How did you know the suspect?"->Brandon-Sapphire]](if:$Brandon is "Incomplete")[I made my way back to the police vans where Brandon was held.
"Oh, detective dude, you're back! Does this mean you've found enough evidence to free me?"
"Not quite yet, but I'm working on it."
"Damn, good luck though."] (else:)[Outside the apartment there were police vans stationed. There they had transported and held the suspect, Brandon. I made my way to the van that held him and opened the rear door. He sat on a seat in the back handcuffed to the seat.
"Hey you, you're the detective right?"
"Yes, that would be me."
"Come out dude, you gotta help me out. I was falsely accused! I can't go to jail!"
"I'll be the judge of that."
//The key to this piece lies with him, I'm sure of it. However If I am to confront him, I need to make sure I have gathered sufficient evidence first. When I am ready, I will ask him his thoughts about the case.//
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[//I think I've gathered everything I can so far. Time to confront him//)] (else:) [//I don't think I've gathered enough evidence yet. I feel there's more of this scene to unpack// ]]
--
[[Go back->Hub]]
[["How are you feeling?"->Brandon's feelings]]
[["What were you doing last night?"->Brandon's Alibi]]
(if:$Brandon is "Incomplete")[[["What are your thoughts on the case?"->Brandon confrontation 1]]](if:$Brandon is "Clear")[[["Could you tell me about the argument and her father again?"->Brandon Recap]]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Reflect on the evidence so far->Reflect]]I leaned in and took a closer look at her wound. As I got in closer the odor of the dead body assaulted my sense, but underneath it I also smelled something swwet. The wound was located on her left side a bit to the front. It was a fairly deep stab wound, no easy feat indeed.
--
[[Go back->Crime Scene]]The knife was oddly set next to the body. It was a butterfly knife, with a blade of about four inches long. The blade of the knife was soaked in blood. Around the knife were a few splotches of blood. //I wonder if I can talk to Fleck to see if any fingerprints are on this.//
--
[[Go back->Crime Scene]]The blanket was soaked in blood. It was a very large and thick blanket, made of high quality material and a very complex pattern. I peered to other parts of the blanket and there are some parts where blood seemed to have soaked through to another part, as if the blanket was previously folded.
--
[[Go Back->Crime Scene]]I investigated the floor and found nothing out of the ordinary about it. That fact however, was what struck me as odd. There was no blood on the floor save for the few droplets near the knife. //If the blanket is so soaked with blood, then why is the floor sparkly clean?//
--
[[Go back->Crime Scene]]//Well, where to next?//
--
[[Go to the scene of the crime->Crime Scene]]
[[Go talk to the witness, Sapphire Friend->Sapphire]]
[[Go talk to the suspect, Brandon Fox->Brandon]]
[[Go talk to the forensic investigator, Fleck->Fleck]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Mansion intro 2")'s length >= 1)[[[Go to the mansion->Mansion]]](if:(history: where its name contains "Desk")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Hamster")'s length >= 1)[I make my way back to Fleck.
"Oh hey, you're back. Where'd you run off to?"
"I found a lead somewhere else. The specifics don't matter."
"I'm guessing you came back for my assistance then?"
"Your deduction would be correct."
"Then ask away, I'll do anything I can."](else:)[I make my way back to Fleck.
"Oh hey, hows the investigation going, Detective?" He asked
"Its progressing well enough. I need to ask you something."
"Sure, what is it?"]
--
[[Go back->Hub]]
[["How are you doing?"->Fleck's Feelings]]
[["Do you have the autopsy report?"->Autopsy report]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife")'s length >= 1)[["Can you check this knife for fingerprints for me?"->Knife Fingerprints]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Desk")'s length >= 1)[["Can you investigate this knife for me?"->Knife Blood]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster")'s length >= 1)[["Can you figure out how this hamster died?"->Hamster Poison]]"I don't know," She responded. "It all doesn't feel real yet. I don't know if I should be sad, or angry or... or..."
"It's fine madam. You're taking this very well."
"I just, just can't believe she's dead, and that someone would do that to her."
"Rest assured, I will find out who did this."
--
[[Go back->Sapphire]]"Summer and I have been best friends since high school. After she finished up college we decided to move in together. She's always been a cheerful happy go lucky person, and I've been blessed to be able to be by her side all these years. If only those years weren't so short..."
--
[[Go back->Sapphire]]"I had spent the night at my work, I was called in late because we needed to complete the latest version of our software by today but the person who was in charge of it apparently got in some bad injury. Anyway, after working all night I left work at about eight thirty AM. I was planning to immediately crash to bed but when I went to open my apartment door I noticed it wasn't locked. I then opened my apartment door I was greeted with the sight of my best friend's dead body. After taking a moment to collect myself, I called the police and well, here we are."
--
[[Go Back->Sapphire]]
[["Do you have anyone who could corroborate your story of working that late?"->Alibi-Sapphire]]"Brandon and Sapphire met in college, and they've been dating for about that amount of time. In the past, they've gotten along really well. I only started to get to know Brandon after Sapphire and I moved in together, however. I've talked to him on a fair number of occasions, but I'd call us more acquaintances rather than friends."
--
[[Go Back->Sapphire]]
[["Do you know of any reason Brandon would kill her?"->The Argument-Sapphire]]
[["I talked to investigator and they said they deemed Brandon as the prime suspect, why do you think that is?"->Suspect-Sapphire]]"Yeah, I do. I had a newbie worker working alongisde with me. You can ask him if you need to do so."
"I see, thank you."
--
[[Go Back->Sapphire]]"Well they've gotten along pretty well in the past few years, although I can't claim to know everything about them. However there was one thing that struck me as odd last night. I was in my room watching some shows when I could overhear them arguing. The walls in here aren't exactly thick. Anyway, I could hear them yelling constantly for no short amount of time. Previously I haven't ever seen them argue this intensely before so this stuck out to me. Still though, its hard to believe that he would kill her over one argument."
//I should ask Brandon about this...//
--
[[Go back->Brandon-Sapphire]]"Well remember when I said I had to leave work? Before I left last night, Brandon and Summer were hanging out. I had to leave at about nine PM and when I left Brandon was still there. So if he was the only one left alone with Summer at the time..."
--
[[Go back->Brandon-Sapphire]]I rummage through her pocket and note a few things. Her wallet, her house keys, her subway card, and a note. I read the note.
//Note to self: Make sure to pick up the car from the shop the day after tomorrow//
--
[[Go back->Crime Scene]]"Oh wow. Sorry, I'm just surprised. Nobody usually asks me this kind of stuff. They usually ignore me until they need me to use my sciency stuff on evidence. I'm doing well enough, thank you. It is true that this job never bores, but it is never easy having to see dead bodies constantly. Still though, I do enjoy my job, and I hope I can be of use to you. Thanks for asking"
--
[[Go back->Fleck]]"Oh sure, yeah. Give me a moment."
--
[[Wait->Knife Fingerprints 2]]"Thanks for waiting. There are indeed fingerprints on this knife. Thankfully we fingerprinted all people involved already. It matches up with the suspect's fingerprints, Brandon Fox. I'm sure you know what this suggests."
//This'll be important when confronting Brandon//
--
[[Go back->Fleck]]"My feelings? I'm not sure if it could be worse. My girlfriend is dead and I'm accused for murdering her! Come on man, you gotta... you gotta believe me."
--
[[Go back->Brandon]]"Dude I didn't kill her. You gotta trust me. She's my girlfriend, the love of my life. We're perfect for each other. I was thinking of marrying her. There's no way I would kill her."
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)["You're treading a fine line here of trashing me."]
--
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)[//I think I've angered him, I'll need to choose my next words carefully//]
//I have to pay careful attention to his words here. He'll try everything to defend himself, especially lying. If I see something that doesn't line up I need to ask him to elaborate. Then I may be able to catch him in a contradiction. I need to gather evidence in order to refute him, if I need more I can always back off.//
//Hmm... would Brandon have any reason to kill Summer?//
//Scrutinize which statement?//
[["Dude I didn't kill her. You gotta trust me."->Brandon Testimony 4 Press 1]]
[["She's my girlfriend, the love of my life. We are perfect for each other."->Brandon Testimony 4 Press 2]]
[["I was thinking of marrying her."->Brandon Testimony 4 Press 3]]
[["There's no way I would kill her."->Brandon Testimony 4 Press 4]]
--
[[Back off->Brandon]]"I was hanging out with my girlfriend. Once it started to get late, at about eleven PM, I left. I needed to go to bed to go to work early the next day. That's it, I swear.
--
[[Go back->Brandon]]
[["Do you have anyone to corroborate your story?"->Brandon's Alibi 2]]"Well, my coworkers saw me go into work today before I got arrested. I guess that doesn't quite clear me up. I live alone in a one room apartment so..."
"So you don't have an alibi?"
"Yeah, I guess thats the case."
--
[[Go back->Brandon]]I began "You didn't kill her? Do you have any proof of that?"
He looked down as he squirmed a bit, "Well no, of course. If I did I wouldn't be in this situation. You gotta trust me, I didn't do it."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 4]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "Do you really love her?"
"What? What even is this question? Of course I do! She's the love of my life. We've spent many many happy days together! I spend every waking moment without her wishing I could be with her! We are star crossed lovers bound by fate! We're perfect for each other! We get along so well, we've never even fought, once!"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 4]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 4 correct]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "You were planning on marrying her? Do you have any proof of that? Like a ring or something?"
"I, I don't. I was hoping to get one but well you see, I don't exactly make the most money. She's a rich girl so I knew that a cheap ring would suit her. I've been saving up to get her a nice ring but I haven't gotten enough money yet."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 4]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "Is there really no way? There have been multiple cases of homocides over love."
"Look I don't know what you're getting at but I wouldn't kill her. I have no motive."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Could you please repeat your earlier statement?"->Brandon confrontation 4]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 4 correct]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)(if:$BrandonAttitude > 0)["What? What does that have to do anything?"
"Um... sorry, nevermind. Back to the main point."
--
[[Go back->Brandon confrontation 4]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 4)]
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 1)["How is that even related to what I was talking about? Look from here it's clear you're a sham of a detective. I'm done, I don't have any obligation to help you out here, detective."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I said I'm done. I have the right to remain silent."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "Oh, that's odd. I heard from Sapphire that last night you had an argument with her. There goes your 'perfect lovers' schtick. And I find this might be sufficient motive, in the heat of the moment.
"You're ridiculous, you know that? Okay yes, we had an argument last night, though I didn't know Sapphire could overhear. But do you really think I would kill her over something so petty? To throw away years of love over one argument?"
[["What were you arguing about?"->Brandon final]]"I'm betting it was Sapphire who did it. They're roomates so she has the ample opportunity, and I'm betting she decided to use me as a scapegoat. As for motive, well I can't think of one."
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)[Brandon exclaimed, "Look I'm starting to lose my patience here. Just get me out of these cuffs, Sapphire did it and you know it.]
--
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)[//He's starting to get pissed off. I'd best choose my words carefully as to not agress him further//]
//I have to pay careful attention to his words here. He'll try everything to defend himself, especially lying. If I see something that doesn't line up I need to ask him to elaborate. Then I may be able to catch him in a contradiction. I need to gather evidence in order to refute him, if I need more I can always back off.//
//Sapphire couldn't have done it, and I know why.//
//Scrutinize which statement?//
[["I'm betting it was Sapphire who did it."->Brandon Testimony 1 press 1]]
[["They're roomates so she has the ample opportunity,"->Brandon Testimony 1 press 2]]
[["and I'm betting she decided to use me as a scapegoat."->Brandon Testimony 1 press 3]]
[["As for motive, well I can't think of one."->Brandon Testimony 1 press 4]]
[[Back off->Brandon]]I began, "What makes you think it was her?"
"Calm down bro, I was getting to that part. Now if you'll let me continue...
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 1]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "What do you mean by she had ample opportunity?"
"They live together all the time. After I left maybe Sapphire did it? Did you ever consider that?"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 1]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 1 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "Why do you think she framed you?"
"I dunno, but she's the only one I can think of who did it. She probably lied to the cops or planted fake evidence or something."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon confrontation 1]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "You can't think of a motive of why she would kill her?"
"Uh, sorrry, I can't. But I has to be her!"
"That's not exactly earning points in your favor."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Could you please repeat your earlier statement?"->Brandon confrontation 1]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)(if:$BrandonAttitude > 0)["That doesn't have anything to do with Sapphire!"
"Ahem, yes, you're correct. Let's move back to the main topic."
--
[[Go back->Brandon confrontation 1]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 4)]
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 1)["That Doesn't have anything to do with Sapphire! Look I'm done here, I don't have any obligation to help you out here, detective."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I said I'm done. I have the right to remain silent."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "Were you drinking last night?"
"I mean, just a little, but I was well enough to drive home."
"Well clearly you weren't well enough to see her leave."
"What?"
"She has an albi, she was called in to work overtime. She left before you did. We corroborated this with a co work she worked with at the time."
"Well shit. But um, perhaps she killed her when she came back, this morning!"
//This morning? Something seems off about that.//
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[[Back off->Brandon]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]](if:$BrandonAttitude > 0)["That doesn't clear Sapphire up at all!"
"Ah huh, that's true. Let's move back to the main topic"
--
[[Go back->Brandon Testimony 1 correct]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 4)]
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 1)["That doesn't clear Sapphire up at all! Look I'm done here, I don't have any obligation to help you out here, detective."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I said I'm done. I have the right to remain silent."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "You haven't seen the scene have you? The bloods well and long dry. A blood pool of that size takes hours to dry. The force arrived soon after the call, so there's little time for that amount of blood to dry."
"Argh, okay. Its not Sapphire then. I was just spitballing ideas. But just because its not her doesn't mean its me. But other than the time problem, you don't have any decisive evidence."
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)[Brandon exclaimed, "You whack ass detective. I know a bluff when I see one. You don't have anything on me, do you?"]
--
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 13)[//He's starting to get pissed off. I'd best choose my words carefully as to not agress him further//]
//I have to pay careful attention to his words here. He'll try everything to defend himself, especially lying. If I see something that doesn't line up I need to ask him to elaborate. Then I may be able to catch him in a contradiction. I need to gather evidence in order to refute him, if I need more I can always back off.//
//Decisive evidence? I think I have it.//
//Scrutinize which statement?//
[["Argh, okay. Its not Sapphire then."->Brandon Testimony 3 Press 1]]
[["I was just spitballing ideas."->Brandon Testimony 3 Press 2]]
[["But just because its not her doesn't mean its me."->Brandon Testimony 3 Press 3]]
[["But other than the time problem, you don't have any decisive evidence."->Brandon Testimony 3 Press 4]]
[[Back off->Brandon]]I began, "I'm glad you've come to understand."
"Are you going to be this condescending the whole way through?"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "You were just spitballing ideas? Thats not very conducive to an investigation."
"Okay okay, calm down. I was just trying to think of something cause clearly you folk have it in the wrong with me."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "You seem to be the only other canidate so far."
"Okay thats fair, I do seem that way. But there is a lot of time between when I left and when she died, a lot of things could have happened in that time."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)I began, "No decisive evidence?"
"Yeah dude, me being the only one there for somet ime is just circumstantial. You have no actual proof that I killed her."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Could you please repeat your earlier statement?"->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Fingerprints 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife->Brandon Testimony 3 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the blanket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Suspect-Sapphire")'s length >= 1 or (history: where its name contains "Alibi-Sapphire")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up him being the only one there->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "The Argument")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the argument->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Crime Scene")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the dried blood->Brandon Testimony 3 mistake]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 1)(if:$BrandonAttitude > 0)["That's not decisive evidence at all!"
"Oh, I guess it isn't. Lets get back to the main topic."
--
[[Go back->Brandon Testimony 2 correct]]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to $BrandonAttitude - 4)
(if:$BrandonAttitude < 1)["That's not decisive evidence at all! Look from here it's clear you're a sham of a detective. I'm done, I don't have any obligation to help you out here, detective."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I said I'm done. I have the right to remain silent."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "Decisive evidence? I'm afraid I have it."
"What?"
I pulled out the knife from my pocket. "I assume you recognize this?"
"That's my knife!
"Your knife? I'm glad you did me the favor of telling me that. It only incriminates you more. You can clearly see the blood on it, yes? This was found right next to the body. Thats not the only thing we found. We also found your fingerprints on it!
"Shit, well this isn't looking great for me. But I still didn't do it. I noticed when I got back home I lost my knife somehwere. I must have dropped it at some point. Then someone else had to have used it to kill her.
"That's a likely story."
"Please, you have to trust me."
"And the fingerprints?"
"Its my knife, of course my fingerprints are on it."
"I see"
--
[[Next->Brandon confrontation 4]]I began, "I... I trust you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Even with all this evidence pointed towards you, there are pieces of this puzzle yet uncovered. Not everything quite adds up yet. I couldn't arrest you here in good faith."
"Th-Thank you."
"You're not quite out of the clear yet. I could figure everything out and see that you're still the culprit. All I'm saying is that its too early to make a call."
"Still, thank you. Even that much means a lot to me."
[["Could you tell me more about her father?"->Brandon Father]]I began, "I'm sorry, I can't trust you."
"Damn, can't say I didn't try."
"There's too much evidence pointed towards you. I'll have to take you to jail in which you will await your trial."
"You're making a mistake, detective. I think its a bit early to go all in, don't you think?"
"Stop trying to stall, we're done talking."
"I didn't do it. I hope you remember that."
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]I came to the conclusion that arresting Brandon was the correct choice here. There's just so much evidence that points towards him. I sent him to trial, where he will meet his fate.
--
[[Next->Game Over 2]]Some months have passed, and I found the results of Brandon's trial. He was found guilty, due to the overwhelming amount of evidence that pointed towards him. For some reason though, that case weighed heavy on my mind. Normally most other cases are done with after I figure it out, but something about that case kept nagging at me. Not all the pieces fit together, there felt like something was missing. I wonder what? Though its far too late now, not even I am powerful enough to turn back the hands of time. I shook it off and tried to get it off of my mind with a quick nap. I snuck into bed and dozed off to sleep.
--
[[Game Over?->Hub]]
(set: $BrandonAttitude to 24)
(set: $StarkAttitude to 24)"Well, its not exactly something I wanted to talk about, but if its to clear my name. Summer hasn't exactly had the best relationship with her father, you see. He's not been outright abusive or anything, but he is fairly controlling. She's from a fairly rich family, so he expects a lot over who his daughter marries. He never approved her marrying some low collar scum like me who barely gets by through every paycheck. So her solution was to elope. She wanted to move somewhere far away and live together. But I thought it was a terrible idea, and well it turned into a heated argument. It would have meant spending a lot of money we didn't have in order to gamble on being able to live somewhere else. I couldn't have gone along with it."
"I see, its quite the complicated situation."
"You could say that again. Now that I've said everything, do you believe me? I didn't kill her, I never would. You gotta trust me on this one."
--
[[Trust him->Brandon Trust]]
[[Don't trust him->Brandon don't trust]]"About her father? Sure. He's pretty famous around these parts, I'm surprised you haven't heard of him. Stark Hart, a man who supposedly grew from poverty into owning the most succesful business in town. Though if you ask me those stories are hogwash, he had to have had an easy in somewhere. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, he and Summer never really got along too well. He tried controlling much of Summer's life, much to her chagrin. Summer also never really benefited too much from the bounty of riches that Stark carried. She lived in a nice mansion and was well fed of course, but Stark would never directly give her any large sums of money. As you can probably tell, I'm not too fond of the man."
"Hm... it seems a new piece is on the board. Could you give me his address, so I could go talk to him?"
"Huh, yeah sure, here you go."
"Thanks. Rest assured, I'll find the truth to this case."
--
[[Go to the mansion->Mansion intro]]
(set: $Brandon to "Clear")With the address I obtained from Brandon, I got in my car and drove to the mansion. I arrived at an estate that showed no spare for extravagance. Far across a sprawling lawn and garden and past some finely crafted statues stood the mansion itself. I made my way through to the front and was greeted with towering doors. With naught else to do, I took my hand and knocked at the door. The great gates to the mansion were slowly thrown open and I was greeted by the sight of a lone butler.
"Hello there, the lone caretaker of the Hart estate at your service."
"I'm here to speak to Mr. Hart."
"I'm sorry, did you have an appointment?"
I flashed my detective badge.
"Oh I'm sorry, I'll get him right away. Please wait in the lobby."
I found a nice place to sit in the lobby and began to bide my time.
--
[[Wait->Mansion intro 2]]"No, sorry. We don't. We had only arrived at the scene a little before you did so, we're still on it. Rest assured however, at the moment of its completion we will send it to you."
"Thank you."
--
[[Go back->Fleck]]"Uhh, yeah sure. Summer hasn't exactly had the best relationship with her father, you see. He's not been outright abusive or anything, but he is fairly controlling. She's from a fairly rich family, so he expects a lot over who his daughter marries. He never approved her marrying some low collar scum like me who barely gets by through every paycheck. So her solution was to elope. She wanted to move somewhere far away and live together. But I thought it was a terrible idea, and well it turned into a heated argument. It would have meant spending a lot of money we didn't have in order to gamble on being able to live somewhere else. I couldn't have gone along with it. Her father is pretty famous around these parts, I'm surprised you haven't heard of him. Stark Hart, a man who supposedly grew from poverty into owning the most succesful business in town. Though if you ask me those stories are hogwash, he had to have had an easy in somewhere. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, he and Summer never really got along too well. He tried controlling much of Summer's life, much to her chagrin. Summer also never really benefited too much from the bounty of riches that Stark carried. She lived in a nice mansion and was well fed of course, but Stark would never directly give her any large sums of money. As you can probably tell, I'm not too fond of the man."
--
[[Go Back->Brandon]]"Now who is this person that so urgently demanded my time?" A boisterous voice called out.
"That would be me, Mr. Hart."
"I don't recall asking for a detective."
"Well it is us that usually does the asking."
"Spare with the jests, tell me why you're here."
"Apparently nobody else informed you. You daughter, Summer Hart, was murdered some hours ago."
"Ah, that is tragic indeed. But that does not explain why you, a detective, are here."
"It is customary to interview all involved in the case. People related to the victim among them, of course."
"Pah, this is nonsense. I have nothing to with the case. I am a busy man, I'll have you know. I haven't the time to be badgered by you."
"You'd do well to comply. Or would you instead prefer to be arrested for obstruction of justice?"
"Ugh fine. Do as you wish. I'll be in the backyard doing paperwork, and you can ask me questions there if you wish."
--
[[Next->Mansion]]I found myself in the foyer of a large mansion. I took a look around the many rooms and found nothing of import, until I came across his office. If I was to find anything, I would be it would be here.
I took a quick scan of the room. I saw a coffee table with couches beside it. There was then his desk in the back of the room. One thing that caught my eye near the side of the room, was a hamster cage. Then last of all, was a sweet aroma permeating the room.
--
[[Head back to the crime scene->Hub]]
[[Go and talk to Stark->Stark]]
[[Investigate the coffee table and couches->Coffee table and couches]]
[[Investigate the desk in the back->Desk]]
[[Investigate the hamster cage->Hamster]]
[[Investigate the aroma->Aroma]]I thoroughly looked over the coffee table and couches, but found nothing of import. However, the floor nearby them caught my attention. This area seemed much cleaner than the rest of the room's floor, as if it was recently washed.
--
[[Go back->Mansion]]I rifled through everything in the desk and found mostly irrelevant documents. One thing that did poke my interest however, was a box cutting knife. It had a blade length of about eight or so inches. I decided to take it with me. //Probably unrelated to the case, but its best to bring it to Fleck just in case//
--
[[Go back->Mansion]]I walked closer to the hamster cage and noted that it indeed, had a hamster. Although it looked very much not alive. Thankfully I had one of these when I was a kid, and I learned where to check for a pulse on them. Of course, I did not find one. I could not spot any external injuries on the hamster. I looked left and right and noted that nobody saw me, and then pocketed the hamster. //I wonder if Fleck could find what killed this hamster.//
--
[[Go Back->Mansion]]I followed the aroma around to where it was strongest. This led me to one of the couches. I could tell it was some sort of sweet fragrance, perhaps a perfume of some sort. I doubt the lord of the house nor the butler wears this type of fragrance.
--
[[Go Back->Mansion]]I began, "Weird place to do paperwork."
"I find that the office is too stuffy sometimes. I like to occaisonally do work out here, for some fresh air."
"Huh, interesting idea."
"My bulter appriased me of the situation. He asked, with no small manner of persuasion, if he could read the case files. Apparently you have quite the case to figure out. Out with it then. What did you want?"
--
//I need to make sure I have everything at my disposal here. This is probably the final confrontation to reveal the truth.//
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[//This is it. I've gathered all the evidence I need. Now to confront him.//] (else:)[//I don't think I'm quite yet ready to confront him, this case still has more hidden to it.//]
[[Go Back->Mansion]]
[["What were you doing last night?"->Stark confrontation]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Reflect on the evidence gathered so far->Reflect 2]]"Huh, where'd you get this?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Ok, sure thing boss."
--
[[Wait->Knife Blood 2]]"I uhm, I'm sorry, is this yours?"
"It's for the case."
"Ok, if you say so."
--
[[Wait->Hamster Poison 2]]"There were no fingerprints on it, if that's what you were looking for. Wiped clean, it seems. However we found traces of something that could not be wiped so easily. Blood. No small cut either, trace of it are all over the blade. We're still currently testing to see whose blood it is, however.
--
[[Go Back->Fleck]]"Well I took a look at the hamster for you, boss. We found something quite pecuiliar in it. Poison. Quite the common type thats used for assasinations as well."
--
[[Go Back->Fleck]]"What was I doing last night? I was in my office alone, doing work. Not everyone has the time to badger random old men like you do."
(if:$StarkAttitude < 13)[Stark exclaimed, "I don't know how to hammer it in your head that I have nothing to do with this case."]
--
(if:$StarkAttitude < 13)[//He's starting to get pissed off. I'd best choose my words carefully as to not agress him further//]
//I have to pay careful attention to his words here. He'll try everything to defend himself, especially lying. If I see something that doesn't line up I need to ask him to elaborate. Then I may be able to catch him in a contradiction. I need to gather evidence in order to refute him, if I need more I can always back off.//
//Was he truly alone last night?//
//Scrutinize which statement?//
[["What was I doing last night?"->Stark Testimony 1 Press 1]]
[["I was in my office alone, doing work"->Stark Testimony 1 Press 2]]
[["Not everyone has the time to badger random old men like you do."->Stark Testimony 1 Press 3]]
[[Back off->Stark]]I began, "Yes, what where you doing last night?"
"Have you no patience? Calm down boy, I was getting to that!"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Stark confrontation]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)I began, "You were alone in your office?"
"Yes, I hadn't seen a soul in many hours. My butler had finished his work and went to bed, and I spent the night drowned in my work. Nobody else was in the mansion."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Stark confrontation]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 1 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)I began, "I think you'll find that many people have this kind of time."
"And that's relevent, how?"
"Well..."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Can you please repeat your testimony"->Stark confrontation]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)(if:$StarkAttitude > 0)["I don't see how that's relevant."
"Ah, I guess it isn't. Let's move back then."
--
[[Go back->Stark confrontation]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 4)]
(if:$StarkAttitude < 1)["I don't see how that's relevant. The only thing I've learned from our time together is that you have a penchant for wasting time."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I don't have any more time to waste with you. Now begone."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "You were alone? I highly doubt that. I had found a strong sense of perfume in your office. I doubt that you or the butler wear that kind of fragrance. And it had to be somewhat recent as well, the smell of perfume does not last that long after all. This means, then, that someone did indeed visit you last night."
"Okay fine, someone else was here last night."
[["Please elaborate on this."->Stark confrontation 2]](if:$StarkAttitude > 0)["That doesn't tie me to the case at all."
"Ah, I guess it doesn't. Let's move back then."
--
[[Go back->Stark confrontation 2]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 4)]
(if:$StarkAttitude < 1)["That doesn't tie me to the case at all. The only thing I've learned from our time together is that you have a penchant for wasting time."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I don't have any more time to waste with you. Now begone."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "Not connected? I beg to differ. I'm not sure if your dear butler read it to you, but there was a bloodied blanket at the scene. As well as the floor being mostly dry of blood. One would wonder why, and after some small though the anwser is clear. The body was moved. The killer wrapped up the victim in the blanket and moved the victim into the apartment. This explains why the blanket was so drenched yet the floor so clean. By the time the victim had made it to her apartment she was already mostly out of blood, all of which was soaked in the blanket on the way there."
"Get on with the point."
"Well now that we know that the body was moved, the question remains from where? Well I found something quite peculiar when I inspected your office. There was one area that was sqeaky clean, much unlike its somewhat dusty surroundings. An area of a fairly decent size, much similar to one that could occupy a pool of blood. Now it doesn't take a genius detective to put two and two together to see how this is connected does it?"
"You know what you are suggesting, correct?"
"What, that you murdered your own daughter in cold blood?"
"I see you are a fool to the last. However you have missed one thing."
[["What?"->Stark confrontation 3]]"Okay you got me, Summer did visit last night. I didn't want to say such because I thought it would make me suspect. But even then, the murder happened at her apartment, not here.
(if:$StarkAttitude < 13)[Stark exclaimed, "I don't know how to hammer it in your head that I have nothing to do with this case."]
--
(if:$StarkAttitude < 13)[//He's starting to get pissed off. I'd best choose my words carefully as to not agress him further//]
//I have to pay careful attention to his words here. He'll try everything to defend himself, especially lying. If I see something that doesn't line up I need to ask him to elaborate. Then I may be able to catch him in a contradiction. I need to gather evidence in order to refute him, if I need more I can always back off.//
//Did the murder truly happen at her apartment?//
//Scrutinize which statement?//
[["OKay you got me, Summer did visit last night."->Stark Testimony 2 Press 1]]
[["I didn't want to say such because I thought it would make me suspect."->Stark Testimony 2 Press 2]]
[["But even then, the murder happened at her apartment, not here."->Stark Testimony 2 Press 3]]
[[Back off->Stark]]I began, "Why'd she visit?"
"To talk about her choice of marriage partner. Not that I'd ever have allowed him in any parallel universe."
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Stark confrontation 2]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)I began, "You've maken yourself much more suspicious by lying."
"Well thats water under the bridge now"
"Is it really?"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Please continue"->Stark confrontation 2]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)I began, "Could you elaborate on that?"
"The murder happened in her apartment. This place is miles away. What more do I have to spell out for you? This place and your case are not connected!"
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[["Can you please repeat your testimony?"->Stark confrontation 2]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 2 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 2 mistake]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 1)"Her car. You would know the distance between here and her apartment is no small trip. If I killed her, then her car would still be here would it not? Even I could not hide such a thing so easily. Her car isn't here, of course, since she herself used it to drive away!"
//Did she really drive here?//
//Are there any problems with this statement?//
--
[[Back off->Stark]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 3 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 3 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 3 mistake]]I began, "Ah once again you miss something small yet so crucial."
"What?"
"In her pocket I found a few interesting things, most notably a note to herself. It reads "Note to self: Make sure to pick up the car from the shop the day after tomorrow". Her car was in the shop! She could not have driven! The one other key thing I found was her subway card. I'm sure if we traced back the usage on this card we could find it was used last night, when she came here through the subway!
"Okay you got me there, but your logic still misses something crucial."
[["What?"->Stark confrontation 4]](if:$StarkAttitude > 0)["That doesn't disprove my logic."
"Ah, I guess it doesn't. Let's move back then."
--
[[Go back->Stark confrontation 3]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 4)]
(if:$StarkAttitude < 1)["That doesn't disprove my logic. The only thing I've learned from our time together is that you have a penchant for wasting time."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I don't have any more time to waste with you. Now begone."
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]"Ol reliable Brandon said he forgot his knife at her apartment. How would I get a hold of his knife all the way over here? You see? Your logic is flawed!"
//Gah, he has a point. There's no way he could have used that knife to murder her if he killed her here.//
//How could he have killed her here?//
//What can finally incriminate him?//
--
[[Back off->Stark]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 4 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 4 correct]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 4 mistake]](if:$StarkAttitude > 0)["That doesn't prove how I got that knife."
"Ah, I guess it doesn't. Let's move back then."
--
[[Go back->Stark confrontation 4]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 4)]
(if:$StarkAttitude < 1)["That doesn't prove how I got that knife. Haha, you had me at the ropes there, but I think we're done for now."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I don't have to speak further, I know my rights"
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]I began, "The anwser is simple. You didn't use Brandon's knife to kill her."
"Aha! I'm glad you're starting to see reality."
"However that doesn't put you in the clear."
"What?"
"I'm sure you recognize this? Its a very nice box cutter with an eight inch blade, much better for killing than Brandon's four inch one. I found this one in your desk. You did well wiping it clean, but not well enough for us to not find traces of blood on it."
"That's hogwash. You just pulled out a random boxcutter in my desk. And that blood is just an accident I had with it! The murder weapon is still Brandon's knife!"
//Damn, I really don't have any further way to connect this knife to the case.//
(click-replace: "Damn, I really don't have any further way to connect this knife to the case.")[//Damn, I really don't have any further way to connect this knife to the case.//
//ring ring//]
(click-replace: "ring ring")[//ring ring//
//ring ring ring//]
(click-replace: "ring ring ring")[//ring ring ring//
//[[ring ring ring ring->Fleck Call]]//]"Hey, its me, Fleck!"
"Fleck! How did you get this number?"
"Well I asked one of the boys and he gave me your number. More importantly, we finished the autopsy report. The victim died somewhere between eleven PM and four AM. The victim died to being stabbed with an eight inch long object in the neck. The victim died instantly. Hope that helps."
"Fleck, you're a lifesaver."
"Hehe, I try my best."
--
[[//Hang up//->Stark testimony 5]]"You done there? Anyway, the murder weapon could only have been Brandon's knife!"
//Time to end this//
--
[[Back off->Stark]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Pocket")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the pocket->Stark Testimony 5 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Floor")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Blanket")'s length >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Coffee table and couches")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the floor and the blanket->Stark Testimony 1 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Hamster Poison 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the hamster->Stark Testimony 5 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Aroma")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the aroma->Stark Testimony 5 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Knife Blood 2")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the knife in the desk->Stark Testimony 5 mistake]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Stab Wound")'s length >= 1)[[Bring up the stab wound->Stark Testimony 5 correct]](if:$StarkAttitude > 0)["That doesn't change my statment!"
"Ah, I guess it doesn't. Let's move back then."
--
[[Go back->Stark confrontation 4]]
(set: $StarkAttitude to $StarkAttitude - 4)]
(if:$StarkAttitude < 1)["That doesn't change the fancts. Haha, you had me at the ropes there, but I think we're done for now."
"I still have more questions to ask."
"I don't have to speak further, I know my rights"
I reluctantly took my retreat from investigating him.
--
[[Next->Game Over 1]]]"Thank you Fleck, I'm gonna have to reward you in some way after this."
"What?"
"It seems we've gotten an updated analysis on the body. The wound on the victim's body runs eight inches deep, much too deep for Brandon's simple four inch knife. However, its exactly the length of this box cutter! You killed her with this box cutter and then once you moved her body you had the idea to then stab her with Brandon's knife in order to incriminate him! With the blood covered knife next to her, you thought yourself in the clear. Brandon's knife could not have been the murder weapon, it had to have been your box cutter!"
"Aagh! There... there's no way. There has to be something wrong here. I'll pay you, how much do you want? One thousand, two thousand? I need you to keep this covered up."
"I'm sorry Mr. Hart. But no money can get in the way of the truth. I'll be taking you to your holding cell.
--
[[Next->Epilogue]]Stark Hart was sent to trial. The proscecutor was even able to bring out the motive from him. Summer Hart planned to poison Stark Hart. She was aiming to collect her inheritance after he died and she planned to pin it on a heart attack. After that she then could live as she pleased with Brandon. She poisoned his water, but Stark Hart noticed last second and tested the water on his daughter's hamster. With her plan figured out, he took initiative to kill her before she could kill him. The trial was a very lively one, but with all the evidence piled up he could not escape his guilty verdict. I watched the trial with a sort of sense of accomplishment. With Mr. Hart behind bars, I found this a job well done and a case closed.
--
[[Button to go back the beginning if you wish.->Beginning]]//First of all, the most incriminating thing, is Brandon's fingerprints being on the murder weapon. While this points to him, I can't forget the other evidence. The blanket and the floor for example. I still can't figure out what exactly it means, but it suggests that either the floor was wiped or the crime did not take place in that room. The blood at the scene was dry, so the crime wasn't exactly recent. Sapphire has an alibi in this case, so unless she found some crafty way it can't be her. Brandon and Summer had an argument last night, which might be considered sufficient motive.//
--
[[Go Back->Brandon]]//First of all, I should remember what the crime scene was like. The body was found on a blanket soaked in blood, in contrast to the floor which was near spotless. The victim had a stab wound in her neck. In the pocket of the victim I found some things, most importantly a note saying her car was in the shop and her subway pass. Now to Stark's office. There was a sweet aroma that permeated the office, which was strongest near the couch. Speaking of the couch, the floor near the couch was near spotless, which contrasted the rest of the office's floor which still had its fair share of dust. Now to the biggest questions of the case, the two things fleck investigated for me. Analyzing the box cutter with an eight inch blade revealed that there were traces of blood on it, though we don't know whose. The hamster in Stark's office also somehow died of poison.//
--
[[Go Back->Stark]]