Stage Set for Murder

Erich Rudin, a college student running out of new courses to take, is hired as an assistant to Lorenzo, a private investigator. Lorenzo, tied up with other matters, starts Erich on a new case, a bizarre murder. The murder scene is found to be curiously and meticulously arranged, appears to have been a carefully staged event. There are seven suspects; they have varying circumstances which could provide a motive, but the manner of staging of the murder scene seems an improbable accomplishment for each. Lorenzo and Ian, a police inspector, provide technical discussions, but leave Erich to work alone. Rachel, the office secretary, provides Erich with encouragement and some needed suggestions on how he might proceed. He finds a wide range of personality types, and pursues multiple leads, but is stymied when he lacks definitive evidence, has run out of leads, and finds the suspect he thinks would best fit choosing such a murder scene, also appears to be the least likely to commit murder. Ian calls for a conference with Lorenzo and Erich. With sharing and careful review of present findings, along with adoption of a new perspective for evaluation, a tentative picture forms, and an operative plan is developed to gain needed proof.