User:Arcemz/Sandbox

The Decapitated Warden was a virtual representation of one of Arno Dorian's genetic memories, relived by a Helix initiate through the Helix Navigator.

Clues

Tannery

• Dissolving corpse - The body of an unidentified man dissolving in a tub of acid. The head has been chopped off cleanly and there is a stab wound to the chest. It is unusual, as the puncture bears the mark of an "x". On his finger sits an ornate gold ring. The address of the maker is etched on the inner shank: 84 Rue l'Arbalete.
• Short sword - A custom-crafted short sword. Likely the murder weapon. The quillion has been forged into an "x", explaining the strange puncture wound left on the body. There is a maker's mark with the address of a blacksmith: 74 Rue de l'Arbalete.
• Statement of Mathieu Rochon - Mathieu Rochon: The witness heard odd noises outside his window. When he checked outside someone was carrying something large into the Tannery. He thought it was Citizen Gilbert, though it seems he was on vacation at the time.
• Statement of tannery owner - Citizen Gilbert (owns the tannery): Citizen Gilbert claimed he was on vacation at the time of the murder and that the body had been in the leather chemicals for at least a few days. He also pointed out the wound on the chest must belong to a custom blade. Seems the local gangs use them to leave a mark on their victims.

Blacksmith Shop

• Statement of the blacksmith - Romain Trottier: The blacksmith admits the blade was made by him. It is a custom make for the gang Les Marcheurs Morts. The marking of the "x" stands for "x marks the spot." I have a feeling someone from outside the gang brought the blade from him.

Jewelry Shop

• Statement of the jewelry shop owner - Citizen Touchet: The jeweler recognizes the victim's ring as one of his own. It was made for Warden Leroux, who helps run the prison at La Salpêtrière. He also gave me his home address: 43 Rue de l'Arbalete.

Prison

• Head on a pike - The head of Warden Leroux, placed on a pike. Whoever did this looks to be sending a message to the Deputy Warden.
• Statement of Deputy Warden - Hugo Soulière (worked with the victim): The Deputy Warden seems to be in shock over the death of Warden Leroux. He came to work and found Leroux's head placed on a pike outside the crematorium at La Salpêtrière. At least there is now no doubt who the body is. Deputy said goodbye to Leroux the day before. Looks to be eager to pin it on Les Marcheurs Morts, the gang Leroux had run afoul with.

Tavern

• Statement of Danton Marotte - Danton Marotte (Leader of Les Marcheurs Morts): Danton was expecting me. He confirms Warden Leroux had debts with Les Marcheurs Morts. He claims he would not have done it because he was negotiating the release of some of his men with Leroux.
• Statement of the barkeep - Olivier Rivett: Barkeep claims he knows nothing about Warden Leroux. Just that he serves beer and that the leader of Les Marcheurs Morts is upstairs.

Warden's House

• Letter from Warden Leroux - Letter from Warden Leroux to the Citizen General Security Officer: "Dear Sir, I must inform you of my desire to remove Hugo Soulière from his post as Deputy Warden. In the past months he has shown both an insubordinate attitude and a reckless disregard for the management of our prisoners. Under his watch in the last week we've had 2 attempted escapees and several altercations arise between prisoners. Please advise. Sincerely, Warden Leroux"
• Letter - Letter from Julien to Mme. Camille. "My love, I must profess I still count the days till we can meet again. But with Monsieur Leroux' insatiable paranoia, I fear this day may never come. Each breath he takes tightens the chains that imprison our love." Eternally yours, Julien Lamond.
• Statement of Genevieve Cerne - Genevieve Cerne (victim's neighbor): Neighbor says it was unusual for Leroux to be missing for two days. She claims that Leroux had run up some debts with the gang Les Marcheurs Morts. They can be found at the tavern, Le Creux: 27 Rue des postes.
• Statement of Julien Lamond - Julien Lamond: Mme. Camille seems to have had a boyfriend on the side. He says he was at her home to console her. Does not seem disturbed by the situation or concerned about what people think of their arrangement.
• Statement of Minette Rosier (victim's neighbor): This neighbor does not seem to have a lot of faith in the Warden's wife, Mme. Camille. Looks like her adulterous tendencies have made good gossip fodder around here.
• Statement of Mme. Camille (victim's wife): She believes her husband had made many enemies due to his day job. He'd apparently been missing for two nights before she told the police. She was concerned they would blame her due to her infidelity. Highly suspicious.

Conclusion

Culprit

The murderer was Hugo Soulière, the Deputy Warden. Case Summary Warden Leroux had been helping run La Salpêtrière prison for many years. His Deputy, Hugo Soulière, had grown tired of waiting his turn in line. After learning the Warden had some very serious gambling debts with a local gang, Les Marcheurs Morts, Deputy Hugo saw his opportunity. Having learned much about the gang's methods in prison he ordered their custom blade at the local blacksmith, one that leaves the mark "x" on its victims. He then stabbed the Warden on his way home from work and tossed the corpse into a tub filled with chemicals at the local tannery. He made the bloody marking of the "x" clearly visible for all to see. To ensure the crime could never be traced to him, Deputy Hugo decapitated Warden Leroux's head and placed it on a pike outside the prison. This was meant to appear to be a "message" sent by Les Marcheurs Morts to the next warden in line, Deputy Hugo himself. As an added bonus it turned out the Warden's wife, Mme. Camille, had been having an affair behind her husband's back. Deputy Hugo thought he was in the clear. Unfortunately, despite all the work he'd done covering his tracks, Hugo's own words were his downfall. The Deputy's statement claimed Leroux left his post the previous evening, while Leroux's wife and neighbours revealed he'd been missing for at least two days.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Unity