Murder at Litchfield Park

On October 4th of 1949, a small group of individuals was invited to dine at Litchfield Castle. Robert Hoffman’s will was being read, and those who knew him were eager to learn who would inherit his sizable fortune. He had been a man of many talents, but primarily a professor of literature.

First to arrive at the castle was John Old, who co-owned Ford Motors with Roberts’ son, Elliot Hoffman. The two young men had started the business together soon after graduating college. The butler, Rick Lucasey, greeted them at the door. Within the half hour, the rest of the guests had begun mingling and enjoying drinks in the dining hall.

Among them was Phoenix Redwald, a French nurse home from the war. Despite a lack of any personal connection to Robert, she attended in the hopes of running into the subject of her infatuation, Matt Gucci. Gucci was a mountaineer who had explored the Adirondacks with Robert over the years. Robert had been like a father to Gucci.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, Elliot was also at the event. He had been pursuing her for years, ever since they had met during her training a few years earlier. She did her best to avoid him, but could not escape his persistent attempts to get her attention.

Jane Shorts sat in the courtyard away from the crowd, jotting down notes and making observations. She wrote for a local publication, and was curious to find out what had become of her former professor. Little known was the fact that the Hoffmans’ wealth was founded on the plagiarism of one of the pieces written for his class.

Similarly apart from the crowd, Samantha Lighman sat by the fireplace, listening to the conversations taking place around her. Quiet and levelheaded, she was the only secretary of Elliots’ to have kept her job for more than a year.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder is followed by a temporary blackout. When the light returns to the room, Phoenix Redwald screams as she sees the body of Elliot Hoffman lying beside her on the floor.

Who killed Elliot Hoffman? Was Jane Shorts finally taking back what was rightly hers? Was Samantha Lighman seeking vengeance? Was Matt Gucci unable to control his jealousy? Or was John Old eager to run their business himself? Perhaps Phoenix Redwald had had enough?

P.S.(Rumors emanating from the servants ward suggest that Phoenix Redwald turns 21 on October 7th.)