The Discovery Scenario:
Almost as soon as all of the guests split up in search of the missing Elizabeth Killingsworth, the sound of screaming drew everyone deep into the labyrinth that makes up the Killingsworth wine vault – an expansive wine storage facility behind the Killingsworth farmhouse. The lights will not turn on and only the sliver moonlight shines through the window. As everyone’s eyes adjust to the darkness, they see a body face down in a large pool of blood. Their intuition tells them that they have found the body of Elizabeth Killingsworth.
The darkness of the wine vault makes examination of the body impossible. The group decides to return to the main house to call the police. Someone in this group is responsible for the murder of Elizabeth Killingsworth.
Enrique Graves helped Norman and Vicki D’Adly with some luggage from their RV when they arrived last night. He noticed the RV was filled with boxes – much more than two people would ever need on vacation.
At about 3:00 PM, Enrique was fixing the wiring in the wine vaults when Dr. Chelsea Barren joined him. He has been sleeping around with Dr. Barren, but knows that she is just using him to get information about the Killingsworth’s for her next book.
Enrique has a special friendship with Kathryn Lawless as well. She writes his college papers for him in return for spending evenings with her. As librarian, she has access to valuable historical reference materials – some of which you stole in hopes of selling for extra cash.
Kathryn Lawless knew Robert Killingsworth well. He was a strong and capable man. The fact that he was bludgeoned to death is unsettling. His killer must have surprised him – or tricked him.
Around 1:00 PM, the Killingsworth telephone rang and Kathryn answered it. It was a law firm calling for Norman D’Adly. He was on the phone in the study for the next hour and a half. Kathryn listened into the phone call and heard Norman talking to a lawyer about a sexual harassment lawsuit and something about embezzlement.
At 1:30 PM, Dr. Chelsea Barren joined Kathryn, Vicki D’Adly, and Elizabeth for lunch at the Killingsworth farmhouse. Though Elizabeth tried to change the subject many times, the conversation mainly revolved around Michael Nightshade wanting to turn the farm into a low cost housing development. Dr. Barren was very unhappy about the prospects.
Kathryn was writing a research paper for Enrique on the Gold Rush Era when she ran across a letter written by Samuel Friedmont, an early founder of Marcocain. Samuel died shortly after the letter was written when he drown in a lake on his property.
Kathryn also performed a background check on Enrique, she discovered that he had been arrested for selling drugs to an under- cover police officer over a year ago. Apparently, he skipped town after serving a short jail sentence.
Secret Clue #3
Handwritten yellowed letter stamped “Marcocain Public Library – Vertical Files G47-06”
Marcocain, Cal
September 18, 1850
Dear Sister,
I want you to come join me. I want you to bring John, Virginia, and Little Bill. This land is unequaled and the world has never presented such a picture as California now presents.
This letter must reach you in confidence, however, I have found an untapped vein of gold in the valley on my farm. God willing, it may yield hundreds if not thousands of pounds of gold! I need to mine that gold, but have invested everything I own in this farm. Others are arriving fast from far away states to prospect. I will keep them from my find as long as possible, but we must move swiftly. I need money to hire men I can trust. I must keep this a secret as long as possible. If you can, sell your property and bring all the money you can.
I will write again shortly and instruct you how to cross the plains.
From Your Affectionate Brother,
Samuel Friedmont
The following handwritten script appears on the reverse of the page:
Friedmont!
1850: 1oz Gold = $18.50 x 16(oz/pound) x 1000 lbs = $296,000.00
$296,000.00 in 1850 = $6,150,067.02 today!!!