Destiny

A code used to murder is deciphered to identify the murder.

Destiny

Lorena met with her boss, Ernesto, in a cafeteria. She handed him a letter out of her bag, then walked away. Her boss read the letter and went to the bathroom.

The next day, the police came to take her to police station, where she was subjected to interrogation. Her boss he had been found dead in the cafeteria (Francisco in the cafeteria or the cafeteria washroom?), and in his hand was a letter that read:

"We are very near the end: 3X4 ≠ 12.'

And Lorena's name clearly distinguishable in the signature.

San Frutos, the police inspector, asked the following question:

"Is this your signature?"

She answered affirmatively.

"Can you tell what it means? That three times four does not equal twelve?

"Ernesto sent me a letter two weeks ago. In the letter, accompanied by a map, he said he was going to leave his wife to marry me, and that we would meet in three days (3), in the hotel marked with an X on the map. I had to make a false name (≠) at the hotel and had to be there at 12 noon. He ended his letter summarizing everything with that formula. (note to Francisco, where is the 4?)

The letter I gave him in the cafeteria did nothing but repeat the formula, and indicate that we would continue with the plan."

"What happened after you gave him your letter?"

"I followed his instructions, and who was there waiting for me at the hotel? His wife! She gave me a dirty look and said, 'Dear b***h, I never thought you were so vulgar, so depraved! It better be the last time or I swear I'll kill both of you.'

Ernesto called me desperate to explain that his wife had seen the letter without him noticing. In a rush, he fell down the stairs without injury, but missing our meeting.

"Did you keep that letter?"

"No, I got rid of it."

"Okay. You can go. But you need to be available in case we need you to call."

The Inspector began reflecting on the case. Ernesto carried, in one of his pockets, a small notebook that appeared to be a diary. Annotations, phone numbers, single words that seemed to imply a coding system and referrals to contacts, among other things. An annotation drew the attention of the inspector. On the day he died, he had written 3X4 ≠ 12, then a phone number.

Ernesto's wife was found stabbed in her home, killed a few hours after Ernesto died at work. Obviously the suspect could not be Ernesto. According to the coroner, she was killed that night and at least three people had participated in the murder, as indicated by the arrangement of the various wounds and marks left by multiple of the weapons used in the crime.

The inspector again brought Lorraine station.

She was informed of the death her lover's wife. Lorena's expression was that of surprise but said nothing.

"We know that you know that she was killed the night her husband died. That at midnight, she was killed by three individuals. What you did to deliver the letter to your lover, was instructions to carry out the murder of his wife. What you did not know was that she had already poisoned him that morning. A poison that takes effect hours after ingestion. Your lover did not know he would die hours later, and his wife did not know she was going to be killed that night.

The phone number that Ernesto had inscribed on his agenda was for the group of murderers, which you had previously given him.

Actually the formula has nothing to do with your previous statement. You were delivering the letter to inform him of the plan was to get rid of his wife. Three men (3) cross (X) with it when I get home on the fourth floor (4) and will murder (≠) at number twelve (12) of the street. (note to Francisco: maybe 12 midnight?)

Regarding your meeting with the wife of your lover, it was you who called her. To have a witnessed threat, if anything should happened to you.

You are formally accused of murdering your lover's wife," San Frutos concluded

Lorena lowered her head and said nothing.

Author's Note

Thank you so much to S.Mi. Without her help none of mu publications could be read.

Reviews

[Howling_Wolf]

What a well written story of love, code language, and murder. I really do enjoyed the use of code language in it, makes it feel like a spy movie in a way. I will need to set some time to read some more of your work. Sincerely Dylan

[Francisco]

Thank you so much for your comments. It is very kind of you. I tried to write a suspense plot with an experimented police to investigate the crime.
I am really glad to like you the story. Thank you.