User:Arcemz/Sandbox2

{{Memory Infobox |image = |description = Solve the dinner-party murder. |appearance = Assassin's Creed: Unity |type = Murder Mystery |fullsync = |previous = The Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat |next = [[The Hand of Science] |ancestor = Arno Dorian |location = Paris, France |date = }}

Hot Chocolate to Die For was a virtual representation of one of Arno Dorian's genetic memories, relived by a Helix initiate through the Helix Navigator.

Clues

Garden

• Women's body - Woman, Valérie Duclos, in her 40s. Extremely well dressed in the old fashion of the monarchy. Face contorted into a horrible expression. No indication of physical violence.
• Flower garden - A maintained garden with various flowers: Foxgloves, Belladonna and others that are fatal when ingested.
• Overturned cup - Porcelain cup with Japanese-style design. Appears to have held hot chocolate.
• Ring - Woman's ring discarded in shrubbery. Upon close inspection, one pearl is revealed to be a removable stopper for a tiny hidden vial. The vial is empty save for a drop of sticky, clear, odorless liquid.
• Statement of Amélie Monvoisin - Amélie Monvoisin (sister of victim): Dressed nicely, but not expensively. Identifies victim as Valérie Duclos. Victim insulted everyone at the party. Claims victim threatened Georges with denunciation to Committee of Public Safety.

Dining Room

• Letter to Pierre - A note, apparently to Pierre from his mother, Valérie, left on a table:

---

"My son, I write to caution and admonish you as to your conduct. I appreciate that since the death of your father, you have enjoyed considerable financial freedom due to his foolishly generous bequest as regards yourself (whereas I have had to made do with a pittance). Your Aunt Amélie recently discovered a document that makes it quite clear that it is I that should have obtained control of my family's fortune upon the death of your father, despite the ludicrous claims of our doddering "executor" who squanders our money in his foolish business dealings in the Orient.

You simply must quell your extravagances--especially in regards to the vulture-liked women you consort with--in view of the fact that I will shortly obtain control of the entire inheritance. Whatever debts you have incurred with thereupon be yours and yours only. Don't delude yourself that Amélie will come to your rescue, despite the fact that you have been foolishly generous to her. The money comes to me. She will have a small maintenance and can continue to wear Mother's worthless jewelry. She does not understand the value of money, and the less of it the better for her."

• Silver pot - Ornate silver pot on tray with four porcelain cups, each bears a Japanese-style design. One cup full of cold cocoa; others contain dregs.
• Snuffbox - An elegant Japanese snuffbox, inscribed with the name: G. Villiers-Segonzac.
• Statement of Georges Villiers-Segonzac - Georges Villiers-Segonzac (family friend): Elderly, impeccably dressed. Admits having been threatened by victim; claims this was not unusual. Amélie handed him the hot chocolate to take to Valérie. Valérie died shortly after. Took pains to call Lucille a "schemer".
• Statement of Pierre Duclos - Pierre Duclos (victim's son): Young man, carries himself with assurance. Richly dressed. Inherited majority of father's estate. Idea of hot chocolate for his mother was his. Claims he gave Lucille a cup to take to Valérie, but Amélie interrupted and took the cup away, ostensibly because Lucille's presence would only further anger Valérie. Noted that he is now free to marry Lucille.

Kitchen

• Kitchen supplies - A large earthenware jug. Remains of a thick cocoa paste. Also, a jar containing finely-mitted cocoa powder along with empty milk jug and urn of sugar.
• Mortar and pestle - A large stoneware pestle and mortar, used for the crushing of herbs from the garden.
• Statement of the maid - Maid: Elderly. Did not care for victim, but remembers victim's husband fondly. Vouches for Georges' character and underscored that the victim often "lorded it over" Pierre and Amélie. Claimed that Amélie hasn't a penny to her name.

Study

• Book: Paris Society - "Notable events in Paris Society, vol XI"

A page is marked detailing the La Voisin poisonings of the previous century. It seems one Catherine Deshayes la Voisin and her daughter, Marguerite Monvoisin were involved.

• Commonplace book - An old book bearing the name La Voisin on the inside cover. A marked passage reads:

***

"I obtained this recipe from my close friend who in turn obtained it from a relation, whom is reputed to have received it from a certain Italian gentleman, proving its authenticity. It produces a liquid devoid of color, smell or taste that demonstrates the desired result within mere minutes. Many have sought the secret I am about to divulge. Guard it well."

***

The passage continues with an involved process in which arsenic, belladonna leaves and lead powder are reduced to form a clear, odorless liquid. There are marginal notes made in several hands in faded ink.

• Crumpled letter - A crumpled letter found on the floor. It appears to be from a legal firm.

***

My dear Mme Duclos

I myself was witness to the signing of your late husband's last will and testament only a few months before his death. He left the sum to be managed by his friend Georges Villiers-Segonzac, with the bulk of the estate to go to your son, Pierre. We discussed the matter over cognac, and he seemed most reasonable.

Madam, I would thank you to not call

Conclusion

Culprit
The murderer was Case Summary

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Unity