#dewtask008
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[ murder spoilers. proceed with caution. ]
alex still couldn’t believe the news. how could something like this happen in the valley? though no one knew ismail’s cause of death yet, it seemed unnatural and wrong, a bubble that someone popped. it unsettled him to know that something like that could happen in the town he saw as nothing short of idyllic, and his shattered worldview was only a piece of his inner turmoil. ismail had been his boss. one who overworked and underpaid him, but someone he felt he knew nonetheless.
all of this boiled in his mind as he settled uneasily into the chair across from lewis and waited for him to start the tape recorder. it came to life with a mechanical whisper, and alex’s eyes followed the ribbon’s perpetual motion just for anything to steady his gaze.
“where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?”
alex looked up at lewis. he was afraid lack of eye contact might rouse suspicion. “i went home after work and did some grading. i had dinner, and after that i went to the beach for a while. i’ve been staying at henry’s, as i’m sure you know, and it’s hard not to have space of my own. i wanted to get some fresh air and clear my head some.
“which isn’t to say henry isn’t an excellent host,” he was quick to amend. his nerves ticked up again. “i just haven’t lived in my own home and slept in my own bed for so long. it takes a toll.”
“yes, a toll,” lewis echoed before looking back at his question sheet. alex wondered what that meant. he swore he wasn’t guilty, but an interrogation could make anyone feel that way. his skin itched as he waited for the next question. “can anyone confirm your whereabouts?”
“no. i was alone on the beach,” alex answered, dismayed. his nerves climbed another notch, and he began to feel antsy. alex was never antsy.
“what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?”
“he was my former boss. at joja mart. i worked there as a clerk, and did a lot of thinks. worked in the stock room, greeted guests, worked the cash register.”
“you did a lot there,” lewis mused.
“i did,” alex replied.
“was it stressful?”
what did that mean? or did it mean anything at all? was he reading into the questions too much?
well, that one was probably a yes, at least he knew that.
...unless?
“alex?” the mayor prodded him, and he twitched slightly.
“oh, sorry,” he jerked his gaze from the wall behind lewis, so he could look him in the eye. “yes, it was stressful. i worked a lot of hours at joja mart. it was tiring, especially in addition to my workload teaching the students.”
“i can only imagine...and how often did you interact with him? ismail.”
“uh, most days, i would say. he was usually there when i worked if he didn’t have business outside the store.”
“when did you last see him?”
“i haven’t seen him for a while, actually. i haven’t been to the store since i quit, and i didn’t see him around time. i just heard about him around town.”
“around town?”
“yes. i heard he was seen a few times around town, very upset. i, ah, heard that joja mart fired him, and he wasn’t happy with it. understandably so, of course. who could blame him.”
“certainly,” lewis mused in a way that made alex nervous. it’s just your friend lewis. it’s just your friend lewis. maybe if he repeated it enough times, he’d believe it. until then, his foot tapped against the floor, desperate to release some of the tension inside him.
“and who was it that you spoke with about him? who saw him around town?”
“uh, i talked to sasha, actually. very briefly. we met in passing at the general store the other day, and we talked about joja mart closing. she mentioned ismail got fired.”
“hm. and did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?”
“other than joja mart closing down and him losing his job, no. but like i said. i haven’t seen him in a while.”
“of course...and do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?”
alex thought for a minute. he hadn’t talked to many people around town since he heard the news, and he didn’t have any further ideas about why or how anyone could have done this. he still wanted to believe it was an accident. “i don’t.”
“all right then. those are all the questions i have for you today. but do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?” lewis asked, looking at alex over the top of his glasses, which had fallen slightly down his nose.
“no, i don’t. not right now. but i’ll be sure to let you know if i learn anything else that might help.”
“thank you, alex. i do appreciate it. never in all my years as mayor as anything like this happened. we do need to get to the bottom of it.”
“yes, of course. i want to help in any way possible. this is our community. we have to keep it safe.”
“indeed, we do,” lewis agreed as he switched off the recorder and rose from his seat. with one hand, he gestured toward the door. he didn’t need to tell alex twice. he forced his stride to remain even when in reality he wanted to bolt from the house. he never wanted to do something like that again.
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interrogation two — lizzie johnson-phan.
Maybe Lizzie didn’t know Ismail all that well, but this was still SAD. The Valley seemed like such a tight knit community, and Ismail ... well, he might have been from the Joja side of things, but Lizzie never saw much wrong with that. It didn’t mean he deserved to die. She doesn’t know anything — she’d been asleep, mostly, on the farm. But still, with tears wetting her lashes and a desire to give everyone she sees a big hug just to make sure they’re okay Lizzie of course is going to try and help in any way she can. She’s got nothing to be afraid of.
one. where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
“ I was at the farm. Sometimes I make it out on the town with everyone, but I had an early, early morning the next morning. It’s my turn to feed the chickens and I have so much crop preparation to do for how we can get ready for the colder months Sorry, sorry. This isn’t about me, or the farm or anything. ”
two. can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
“ Art can. I was at home all night, and he was there a little after me. So from whenever he thinks he got back — I wasn’t even looking at the clock or anything until I went to bed, that’s ... my whereabouts confirmed. ”
three. what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
“ Oh, I barely knew him. I didn’t have a problem with him, or anything. He seemed okay. ”
four. how often did you interact with him?
“ Again — barely. I’d seen him around, a lot. I shopped at Joja quite a bit, but he wasn’t exactly ringing people’s groceries up or anything. ”
five. when did you last see him?
“ God — I don’t even remember. I just — it’s not really something I make note of, the last time I see someone, because I’d never think something this terrible would happen. ”
six. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“ Not really, no. I’ve not been here for too long, you know about that. Just a couple of months. So — I guess I’m not too familiar with what’s strange. Things seemed fine to me. ”
seven. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
“ I don’t know. Whoever liked him the best, maybe. They might have seen him, hopefully? Before ... all of it happened. One of his friends or something. I didn’t know him all that well. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help. ”
eight. do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
“ I don’t think so. But — if you have any questions or anything for me, just let me know, and I’ll answer them. Do you know if he had, like, a family or something I should send a card to? Maybe a casserole? ”
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interrogation #1-- finley martin.
too many dramatic things have been happening in stardew valley. like, too many too many, and it’s enough to give finley a slight headache if they think about it too much. however, the death of someone like ismail haq? it felt like the fucking twilight zone. this just wasn’t something that happened in a quaint little town. it was out of the blue, and with no information having been given out surrounding the event, minds were only left to wonder at this point.
where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
they have no reason to be nervous. still, finley is the slightest bit as they settle into the chair. they lean back in a relaxed posture, putting on a polite smile. they’re at least good at hiding their nerves.
“well, since the bus just got fixed, i decided to take a trip to zuzu city, visit some hangout spots there. don’t get me wrong, the saloon is great, but i just kind of wanted to get away for a few hours, you know? different environment. anyway, i don’t exactly remember the time i got back. it was pretty late, but i took the last bus from zuzu to stardew, so... at whatever time that bus usually gets here.”
can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
“uh, not really. it was more a solo trip, so... yeah.” which isn’t the best response, but they didn’t know they’d be needing an alibi for their ONE temporary trip outside of the valley! “sorry about that. um... i don’t know if i threw away my bus tickets, but i can check around my house and see if i can find them. i’ll make sure to get them to you.”
what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
they don’t mean for a chuckle, half amused and half jittery, to escape them at the question. when it does, they try to patch it up with an apologetic simper. “sorry, i don’t mean to laugh. it’s just... well, there is no relationship. i never knew him on a personal level. i mean, you know, i had my reservations about him. from what i had seen of him at the recent events joja sponsored, and what i’ve heard around town, he didn’t seem like the most... likable character. but that’s pretty much it.”
how often did you interact with him?
finley shrugs, nerves dissipating for a moment. “again, i didn’t know the guy. i don’t really think i ever talked to him... i think i flipped him the bird when he was presenting during his group’s turn at the summer extravaganza thing.” when they get a look from mayor lewis, they throw a look back, hands raising defensively. “what? i was expressing myself.”
when did you last see him?
they have to wrack their brain for an answer to that question. “i don’t know. it doesn’t seem like he was really all that crazy about hanging around the valley, so... i might have seen him around after the general store closed down. probably wanted to see it for himself.” there’s a bit of bitterness there, but they think they’re entitled to it. “i heard he had some kind of tantrum in the plaza? but i wasn’t there to see it.” unfortunately.
did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“hm... the town has definitely been going through it, but anything out of the ordinary in the town was kind of... pleasant. as you know, a lot of the community joined forces after the general store closed down, which was really nice to see. nothing that would garner something like this. everyone seemed united.” it was a nice thing to witness, to feel a part of something big, something important. “about ismail? him avoiding the valley like a plague seemed like the norm for him, so no, not really. there was the tantrum i mentioned earlier, but i wasn’t there for that, so i can’t say a lot about it.”
do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
“i don’t know.” they answer, glancing up at mayor lewis, seeming at a genuine loss for a helpful answer. they give a small shrug. “i don’t know. i didn’t know him. none of the people i surround myself with were close to him that i know of.” they cross their arms over their chest, sighing and staring at the floor in thought. “maybe people who saw him that night, or... i don’t know, they might be of more help.”
do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
what else would they be able to offer? this all felt so out of the blue. if it was someone from the valley’s older population, then sure, that made sense. but ismail? the guy had money, he seemed fit (not that finley noticed, mind you)-- whatever it had been, it surely wasn’t natural causes. there had been some rumors going on around town, but... no, surely that wasn’t it. everyone here was a little odd in their own ways, but not crazy enough to do something like that.
“i don’t have anything. sorry. i mean, from what i last heard, he seemed pretty angry about losing his job. maybe he... i don’t know, got himself into an accident or something. i’ve also heard he wasn’t a very good driver.” they wince. they don’t want to speculate about whatever happened to him; that seems... inappropriate. finley shifts in their seat, offering a small shrug. they just want to leave already. “but i’m sure you guys--or whoever is in charge of this--knows more about what happened than i do, so.” they stand up, brushing their hands on their pants before pushing the seat back into the table and giving the mayor a nod and a pursed smile. “i’ll go look for those bus tickets now. is that all?”
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did you hear? one whisper echoed across the valley after the news broke. no one ever thought something like this would happen in a place like stardew, but the residents were hardly at a loss for words. as a community, they tried to figure out the next step in an utterly unprecedented event. lewis started by inviting all residents for a completely voluntary interview, so they might find some clues about what possibly could have happened. but while the interview was voluntary, many in the valley had things to say about those who didn’t participate.
[ MURDER SPOILERS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. ]
hello, hello! the next task is an interrogation for your characters. please answer all the questions below either bulleted, in a para style, etc. or you can also write why your character didn’t participate. as usual, there is no due date, but please try to do it asap because all the characters will investigate together, and the more evidence we have, the more we have to investigate! the suggested completion date is monday, october 12. please tag as #dewtask008 when you are finished, and dm the main if you have questions. also no one ic knows the cause of death yet.
where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
how often did you interact with him?
when did you last see him?
did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
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This was not how Tom had thought his month back home would be spent, dealing with the aftermath of a man’s death he didn’t even know. When he had arrived back in Pelican Town, he had been shocked by how it had changed since his visit last year. He was lucky that the new town doctor was patient enough to get him up to date on all what happened and listen to all of Tom’s thoughts about it. Now he was seated across from Lewis, humoring him with this interrogation.
1. where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
”Let’s see,” leaning back in his chair, Thomas thought back to how he had spent his time that night. “I stopped by the saloon for a bite to eat. I’ve never that place so packed out in my life!” He couldn’t help the astounded face he gave the younger man as he spoke. The fact more people were visiting was exciting of course. It was just a surprise to see just how many people were making their way out there to bask in the beauty of the valley. “After that I went to the park and spent some time there before returning to the clinic. The same old routine that Ellie and I had on our date nights.” There was a nostalgic tone to his voice, and he may have gotten lost into old memories if it hadn’t been for the confused face the mayor had given him at the mention of the clinic. “Dr. Park has nice enough to let me stay with him so I don’t have to hike back to my RV every night.”
2. can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
”Well the bartender can confirm I was at the saloon. And I ran into Evelyn at the park, we chatted for a bit. Once I returned to the clinic, I called Ben from the clinic’s phone to see when I could expect him back before turning it for the night.”
3. what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
”Lewis, come on now,” he gave his friend a pointed look as he crossed his arms. He had barely been in town long enough to form any sort of relationship with anyone new here. “It was nonexistent.”
4. how often did you interact with him?
“Never.” Shaking his head with a chuckle, he continued, “My main focus has and will always be on catching up on old friends and acquaintances here when I first come back, not making new ones.” That has always been his routine, and it probably would be until the end of his life. “No offense, but some of these new faces don’t look all that interesting to get to know,” he added in an offhanded manner.
5. when did you last see him?
”The saloon on Tuesday night. He was drowning his sorrows I believe,” he heaved a sigh as he recalled that, shaking his head once again. “Poor kid. He was going through something awful it seems.”
6. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
”Everything seemed out of the ordinary to me, from all the new faces to that horrid new building you let them build.” He pointed his finger at the other man, giving him a disapproving look in regards to the Joja Mart now in town. After a brief second he dropped his finger, apologizing. He should be thankful that it was closed now instead of getting upset that it was built in the first place. “I’m just glad Ellie isn’t here to see it all. It would break her heart.”
7. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
”God, maybe?” The suggestion was said in a serious tone though after the mayor gave him a look, he let out a small laugh. “I’ve been in town for less than a week, Lewis. I have no idea who could be of help here other than the man upstairs.”
8. do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
“I’ve told you all I know. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be more help, Lewis.” As he got up to leave, he gave his old friend a pat on the shoulder. “Just keep up the good work and I’m sure everyone will get through this tragedy just fine.”
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It’s safe to say that Henry does not look good. He’s been worrying himself sick about this interview for the past few days, and now it’s here, his nerves are completely fried. He’s innocent, obviously, but his deep-rooted tendency to catastrophise when it comes to his own life has him terrified that he’ll say something stupid and end up in jail for the rest of his days. It’s the same feeling you get when you walk past a security guard and become convinced you’ve accidentally shoplifted something, but magnified by a thousand. While he waits for Lewis, he picks at the skin around his fingernails until they start to bleed.
where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
“I was at home for most of it,” he begins, willing his voice not to shake, “I had dinner with Alex after he got home from school, and then I went out for a bike ride to clear my head.” It’s no secret that Henry hasn’t been doing so hot since Daisy went home. He’s been spending a fair bit of time on his own in nature. “After that, I went back to mine and worked on orders for the bakery until after midnight, then I went to bed.”
can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
He frowns, “Well, Alex saw me while I was at the house, but he went out for a walk a little before I went on my bike ride. I don’t know if anyone saw me while I was out, since the route I usually cycle is kind of out of town, and I had my headphones on, so I didn’t really notice anyone myself.”
what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
“We didn’t really... have one?” Henry says, looking a little uncomfortable. “He isn’t- wasn’t- exactly the, uh, warmest of people. He was here to work, which is obviously fine, but he didn’t bond with the community the way most people that come here do.” Is that why he’d been killed? Some misplaced sense of community spirit?
how often did you interact with him?
“Virtually never. I only really saw him at town events, and even then we didn’t really speak,” he says. “He was on his phone a lot, presumably doing things for work, and I didn’t like to bother him for chit-chat.”
when did you last see him?
Henry fidgets, before admitting quietly, “A few days before he died. It was when we got the news about Joja, that he’d lost his job... he kicked one of lamp posts in the town square and I went over to see if he was alright, which he obviously wasn’t. He yelled at me, which... well, it was a stupid question. I just didn’t know how else to help.”
did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“Well, his, uh...” Henry pauses, trying to think of a way to express Ismail’s public meltdown diplomatically. “His behaviour after he lost his job was odd, maybe? I don’t know, he always seemed very put together, but he was apparently under a lot of pressure. He must’ve been, to lose it like that, right?”
do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
Henry shakes his head. “I don’t. I don’t want to think that anybody here had anything to do with this.” His friends, his neighbours... Henry always leaves his front door unlocked. Daisy was living with him up until very recently. It’s terrifying to think that this could’ve been caused by a person he trusted so completely.
do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
Again, he shakes his head, “No insights, but Mayor Lewis, why haven’t the police come?” He asks, brows drawing together, “You’re treating this like... well, like Ismail’s death wasn’t an accident, and I’m... I’m frightened. And I’m sure other people are too. The Valley doesn’t feel safe anymore.”
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Matty fidgets while he waits for Lewis to arrive and take his statement, drumming his hands on the table in front of him as he tries to focus his thoughts. It’s so crazy that this is even happening - like, that the Mayor seems to suspect something... less than accidental. He really wishes his mom had answered when he called her. This shit is scary.
where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
“I was home literally all night,” Matty says. “I’ve been playing a lot of Journey of the Prairie King at the Saloon - you might’ve seen me there - but it’s so hard! So I got the console version and decided to #GitGud at home before I try again on the arcade game. I was playing until like three in the morning, which is commitment, I think you’ll agree!”
can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
“Um, I snapchatted Kiran a bunch while he was out with Art and Lizzie, so he might have screenshots that prove I was at my apartment at the time?” he suggests, looking a little bashful. “But, uh, Journey of the Prairie King is single player, so I was on my own physically.” As usual.
what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
Matty wrinkles his nose, “Uhhhhhh, you’ll have to tell me who he is first, I’m not so good with names. Oh- the hot Joja guy? Bummer. Um, well, we didn’t have a relationship. I saw him at the store a couple of times, but that’s all.” He doesn’t mention the unflattering graffiti that now adorns the town water tower. It’s totally not relevant.
how often did you interact with him?
“Oh, literally never. I think the closest I got was when he made that speech at the town concert thing that I think I was actually supposed to be in as well?”
when did you last see him?
He frowns at the question, wracking his brain for any recent sightings, but comes up empty, “Um, I don’t know? I probably saw him around, but, like, I don’t ever talk to him so...”
did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“Like I said, I didn’t really know the guy, but obvs I heard the news that Joja went down, and I can’t imagine he was super happy about that. Lots of other people were though - the good of the many, right?”
do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
“Maybe you should ask whoever saw him last,” Matty suggests excitedly, as if Mayor Lewis might not’ve already considered doing this. “Did you call his boss at Joja? Maybe he’ll have something to say... maybe Joja assassinated him for failing!”
do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
“I mean, I think I’m onto something with these Joja assassins... why are you looking at me like that, I’m serious!”
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interrogation one — jillian mercer.
Well, shit. Jillian had never liked Ismail — in fact, she hated him, and hated Joja. That was no secret to anyone in the Valley. But to have someone die, especially so suddenly: that kind of thing shook a town, and it shook the people in it. She was no exception: she’s a little stunned and a little shaky, and she was going to ignore Mayor Lewis’ pleas for voluntary interviews until her parents pressure her to talk to him. It’d be better if you did, Jilly Bean. You’ll feel better about it. As if she was traumatized by the death of Ismail Haq rather than death in general. As if she’d done anything wrong.
one. where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
Her hands are shaking and her heart is practically beating out of her chest. Breathe, Jillian, breathe. Why is she so freaked out over this? Maybe it’s because she knows the obvious: there had been no one in town more vocal of their hatred of JojaMart than Jillian Mercer. And she’d been a little ... volatile recently. Especially with Mayor Lewis interviewing her, after her whole spat with Sasha. But this was a freak accident, right? He probably was drunk and fell or something. No one could have hurt him, right? Her voice is quiet when she finally speaks.:
“ I was at the saloon. I’m there pretty much every night. I finished off my shift at the store, and then went over there for it to open. I stayed there until closing, when I just went home. ”
two. can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
Who the fuck was at the saloon? She tries to remember. Really, she tries. But between entry and exit, lines blur. She’d had far too much to drink, which wasn’t exactly unusual. But telling the mayor she didn’t remember would certainly rouse more suspicion. Her tone is weaker still, now, uncertain.
“ Sure. I mean, probably. Uh, plenty of people were at the saloon. I don’t really remember who else was there specifically. But ... I go there every night. I got served drinks. People saw me. It’s not like I’m standing in the middle of the fucking saloon like hey, everyone, Jillian’s here! Someone must have. Seen me, I mean. Finley was probably there. You can ask them. ”
three. what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
There it was. Of course. The million dollar question. She can’t even look at Lewis as she answers, still painfully quiet as she stumbles around her response, picking at a hangnail. It hurts, but it’s a better distraction than the thump, thump, thump that’s increasing her heart rate. She has to remind herself to breathe. You didn’t do anything. It was possible no one did anything. But ... she had a bad feeling about this. Suddenly, it spills out, a little louder than she intended:
“ I think you know the answer to that. I’m not gonna — I’m not gonna elaborate on how much I hated him, okay? Hating someone isn’t evidence. This is for evidence. Did you know he fucking hit me with his car? Yeah. That about sums up my interactions with him. But that doesn’t mean anything. Like — not to speak ill of the dead or anything, but plenty of people didn’t like that guy. It doesn’t mean I wanted him ... it doesn’t mean he deserved to die. I didn’t do anything. ”
four. how often did you interact with him?
She feels like kicking herself. What kind of answer was that? Her head is spinning, and she takes a long beat of silence before she answers. It’s truthful, but she worries it might not be enough. She already looks like a mess.
“ Not that often. I mean — it’s not like I would have ... gone to Joja Mart. But we were around in the same town and everything. And ... things were stressful between them and the store. We were pretty limited, in how we spoke. You know, other than when he hit me with his fucking car. ”
You said that already, dumbass.
five. when did you last see him?
Was he in the saloon that night? Was he? She doesn’t remember much, that much is evident from her alibi. She tries to wrack her brain for the last time she’s certain she saw him: of course, it had been when she’d been gloating over the Mercer’s victory over Joja Mart. Not exactly a good look. Her foot taps on the floor.
“ He was throwing some kind of tantrum in the middle of town over Joja. No, wait. I think — I think he was also at the saloon, that night. Maybe? But I obviously wouldn’t have talked to him. But I’m not sure if he was there for long, or not. I was occupied with trying to have a nice night. Like, I guess — full disclosure, I was kind of drunk. So, I don’t know. Don’t ... quote me on it. Or I guess do. That’s what this is. — Sorry. I’m a little ... rattled. ”
six. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
Ismail. He’d been weird. Of course he’d been weird, given the circumstances. But — what else constituted as out of the ordinary?
“ Uh, I mean — yeah? He’s always seemed pretty stone faced and stuffy or formal or whatever, but he was kicking lamp posts and stuff. Maybe he had a breakdown or something and just ... keeled over from stress. Nothing anyone else did, though. No one seemed ... different. Other than him, I mean. ”
seven. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
Finally, she looks at the mayor, putting sweaty palms atop the table instead of nervously playing with them in her lap. She looks a little frazzled, but her tone is genuine as she speaks with real advice. As much as she hated Ismail.... she wanted to help, really.
“ I mean — I don’t. As for ... if he was at the saloon, or who was there or whatever, anyone who was drinking water all night and might have better recollection than I do. I don’t know anything. I didn’t ... ”
... do anything. See anything. Hear anything. Great defense.
eight. do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
She takes a deep breath, hands falling back into her lap for a moment before she stands up, pushing her chair back to leave before she can even answer the next question. Her eyes point at the floor.
“ No. No, I don’t. ”
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interrogation three — lauren kang.
This was certainly a change of events — Lauren had come to the Valley, expecting to stay for a week or two, conduct a few interviews: mostly, she was interested in writing about Joja as a corporation. She had some interviews lined up with some employees when she gets back to Zuzu City ... but whatever was going on here now, with Ismail was much more interesting. Tragic, definitely, but interesting. This could be her break, if she did it well enough, how a town as tiny as this dealt with tragedy after tragedy ... this could be her break. But that doesn’t mean she had wanted it to happen. Of course it doesn’t.
one. where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
“ I spent most of the night writing — uh, I’m working on a piece about all the Joja controversy in town. Obviously, uh, obviously now there’s a little more ... involved. But I spent most of it in the room I’m renting, actually, and then I went the saloon for a drink, just to close out the night. I left before closing, though. ”
two. can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
“ Probably a few people at the saloon saw me. I entered and left and ... new people in places that don’t get a ton of traffic tend to stick out like sore thumbs. I’m also staying with Elaine, actually, — she’s, uh the one I’m renting the room from, I don’t know if she were home and would have heard me come in, or anything. We don’t really ... talk that much. ”
three. what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
“ I’ve actually not even met him. I was planning on asking for an interview, but —that, uh, obviously can’t happen now. ”
four. how often did you interact with him?
“ Again — I’d never even met the man. ”
five. when did you last see him?
“ Never? I’d seen him walking around town, maybe once or twice. But I’d only been here a few days before he ... uh, passed away. I didn’t want to bombard him with any questions or anything by going up to him — so I was going to ask around and see if there was a phone number I could leave a message at. For that interview. ”
six. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“ I ... I guess I wouldn’t really know what was usual or unusual, right? I’m used to the city. Everything around here seems kinda strange to me. ”
seven. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
“ Have you checked with anyone that was involved with Joja? I know — uh, I know about the family that owns the general store, and maybe any of the former Joja employees. Again — I barely know anyone except for some loose facts about this JojaMart location closing. I’m sorry. ”
eight. do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
“ I’m not sure — but, uh, if anything comes up, when I’m asking people about the closing and Ismail and anything ... I’ll probably be recording, so I’ll bring it to you immediately. Assuming ... you’re the proper authority on this, right? ”
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when she first learned about ismail’s death, sabrina didn’t really get it. people died of old age all the time. it was sad, but everyone seemed a little more than sad...tense, maybe? but enough time at the saloon, and she learned what the big deal was. okay. so maybe she was tense too now. she just wanted a vacation. now she could be randomly murdered? or accused of murder?
it also didn’t really make sense to her that everyone had to get an interrogation no matter what. hadn’t these people ever heard of investigating? detectives? but she didn’t want to seem suspicious, so into the mayor’s house she went.
“where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?”
“i was at the saloon. i go there most nights because that’s where all the people are, and i want to hang out with people. plus it’s not like there are other restaurants in town, and a girl’s gotta eat.”
“can anyone confirm your whereabouts?”
“uh, most of the people there, probably? i think i kind of stick out here, since i’m not from around here. but i don’t remember everyone i talked to. i got a little sloshed that night if ya know what i mean, mr. mayor.” with her head cocked, she pointed at him across the table, a quick flick of her wrist akin to a finger gun. he didn’t seem to get it. he was too serious, she decided.
“what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?” he proceeded in his calm, boring way.
“i literally didn’t know who he was until i heard he was killed. i mean, not by name.”
“by name?”
“well, yeah, i mean, i saw him around town a few times. it’s not exactly a big place. and he didn’t really blend in either. he was the one in the suits. kind of suspicious.”
“suspicious?”
“yeah.”
“what do you mean by that.”
“like, everyone could see him. really obvious.”
lewis trained his eye on her like he couldn’t quite figure her out, but sabrina just smiled back at him. the interview was a little nervewracking, but she couldn’t show that, and she didn’t have to fake confidence too much considering she was innocent. she literally just got here.
“how often did you interact with him?”
“i didn’t ever talk to him. i just saw him around town, sometimes at the plaza, sometimes at the saloon. and not even that many times, since i haven’t been here long.”
“yes, i understand you’re visiting from out of town. can you remind me why you’re visiting again?” lewis asked, and sabrina gave him a sweet smile.
“see, i’m an influencer. like, on social media. i post videos and photos and endorse places. i saw someone else come here over the summer, for the joja mart concert? it took me a while to figure out a place i could stay, since you don’t exactly have a hotel or anything -- you should probably consider getting one of those.”
lewis’s lips pulled tight.
“we may consider it. we do love to have visitors like you, ms. flores. can you remind me where you’re visiting from?”
“dallas. in texas. not anywhere else. there are a lot of dallases around, but the only real one in my book is dallas, texas.”
“certainly. and how long are you staying again?”
sabrina was glad for a break from the interrogation. clearly she’d proven her innocence. “just until the end of the month. then it’s onto the next big thing.”
“oh? what’s that?”
“not sure. i’m still waiting on an assignment from my manager.”
lewis nodded. “well, i do hope you enjoy the rest of your stay, ms. flores. i can assure you this is quite unusual for the valley. we are a safe community, and we are doing our best to understand what could have happened to mr. haq.”
“totally,” sabrina chirped, starting to collect her bag from the back of the chair, so she could leave. in the clear! she could do a dance!
“oh, ms. flores, one moment please. if you don’t mind, i have only a few more questions for you.”
sabrina looked back at the mayor with wide eyes. “oh, uh, sure. sorry, i thought we were done! hit me.”
“when did you last see mr haq?”
she chewed the inside of her lip, thinking. “i think he was at the saloon that night. like i said, i was sloshed, but i am pretty sure i saw his suit. grey, i think.”
“and did anything seem out of the ordinary there?”
“not really, but if i’m being honest i didn’t pay a lot of attention to him. he’s not really my type, and there’s been this super cute girl here i’m sort of focusing on.”
“oh? who?”
“oh, uh, do you know aurora? i think she’s so cute,” sabrina giggled, slightly embarrassed to gossip about her little crush with the mayor. “sorry that wasn’t important. uh, what’s next?”
“yes, we’re almost done here. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?”
“well, we didn’t really talk. he seemed grumpy to be honest. but everything else around town seemed normal. it’s a really cute place! i’m happy to be here!”
flattery, she found, could get her a lot of things.
“do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?”
“sorry, no! maybe try asking some of his friends or something?”
lewis did not look like he appreciated the advice.
“do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?”
“no thanks! i really hope you find out what happened though. and i hope it was just a tragic accident.”
“as do we, ms. flores,” lewis replied with a grim look. sabrina really wished he would lighten up. the whole experience had harshed her mellow.
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interrogation #2-- elaine carter.
elaine tended to keep to herself whenever she possibly could. this meant that, even though word traveled fast around stardew valley, she was always one of the last people to hear about it. though she had barely known the man, word spreading of ismail haq’s death was enough to surprise her. though a blurry figure in her mind, a caricature of the BIG BAD WOLF come to huff and puff the valley away, it was also apparent that he was a prominent figure as the joja exec. elaine knew death. something always led up to it, something always preceded it. it crept up, usually. but this seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. sudden.
where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
elaine shifts in her seat, hands placed neatly on her lap, fingers fidgeting absentmindedly. she volunteered to participate in the interview because she wants to help, though she doesn’t really know how much help she can truly provide. sometimes she feels like she’s more of a person on the sidelines, watching what happens in a town that she doesn’t really know as well as she should.
“i was at home. i don’t go out much.” she answers promptly. she didn’t-- the nights that she ventured out to places like the saloon were far and few in between. “i... think maybe, uh. sometimes i go on walks at night near my house when, um, when i can’t sleep. it’s not the safest thing to do, but-- i know my way around the mountains. and i have pepper spray.” does that sound weird? maybe that wasn’t necessary. she looks up, tries for a smile.
can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
"... no? i live in the mountains. there aren’t... a lot of people nearby.” she looks down at her lap before back up at mayor lewis, gaze expectant for the next question.
what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
“uh... granted, i didn’t know that much about him. i... yeah, i didn’t know him. there was no relationship.” she says, pursing her lips with a nod. what else is she supposed to say?
did you ever interact with him?
her brows furrow as she recalls her first and last interaction with mr. haq. “i... it wasn’t that long ago. he was mad about, um, the joja mart closing. he was in the plaza. i was taking care of the boarded up windows in the, uh, general store.” she stops, and mayor lewis almost continues with the next question before she abruptly continues, brows furrowed. “he threw his phone at me.”
when did you last see him?
"that night. only time i’ve talked to him.”
did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“mr. haq’s outburst was... odd. i don’t know if he’s always like that. he did lose his job, though, so, i guess its understandable.” she glances down at her lap, focusing on her fidgeting thumbs. “the town always feels out of the ordinary lately. alex’s house burning down, joja, the general store... it’s all kind of... hectic. i try to stay away from it.”
do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
“i keep to myself, mayor. i would hardly know who in the valley interacted with him. if at all.” she says a bit curtly. she thinks for a moment, that she sounds like her grandfather. she pushes the thought away, looks up and gives a small simper. “i, um, i would just be throwing out guesses, so... no. i don’t.”
do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
she reaches into the pocket of her dress, pulling out an expensive-looking phone. she places it on the table, wiping her hands on the skirt of her dress. “that’s his phone. or, i, uh, the one he... threw at me. i haven’t done anything with it.” she stands up, clasps her hands in front of her, and pauses. “my deepest condolences for mr. haq’s passing, by the way. i... i didn’t know him, but... everyone means something to someone. he must have meant something to someone. i, uh, hope this can be solved and... whoever those someones are can find peace.”
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Ben staying at the hospital was not unusual, though it was a rare occurrence for a weekday. With his new house guest, however, he found it to be a bit more favorable for them both. Letting Thomas stay at the clinic seemed to help ease the older man, maybe even feel a bit closer to his late wife. Even if Ben had made so many changes to it. That was why he had changed into his jogging clothes before driving back to the valley, that way he could just take off for his morning jog instead of disrupting Dr. Hayes morning to do so. It was on the run that he had came across Ismail. A cold chill had went through his body once he realized that he wasn’t just passed out. The journey to the mayor’s house to inform of him of what he had discovered was a blur. Actually, the time from discovering the body to now being seated across from the mayor was a blur for Ben. Was this really happening?
1. where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?
“I was in Zuzu City, at the hospital. Even though I finished my residency there a few years back, I still pick up a shift there every so often.”
2. can anyone confirm your whereabouts?
“Yes,” Ben pulled out his phone, pulling up his email to show the mayor a confirmation email between him and another doctor for the night in question. “I can give you the contact information for the doctor I coordinated with to work there that night, plus a few other doctors and nurses I worked with.”
3. what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?
“There is no relationship, actually.” Ben was well known for his friendly personality and his eagerness of welcoming people, so he knew right away that saying that might spike the mayor’s curiosity so he was quick to clarify why. “Mr. Haq, Ismail, made it very clear he wasn't looking to make friends here with how he interacted with people. So I kept my distance.”
4. how often did you interact with him?
“The last time I actually spoke to him was back during the last summer concert. Well, actually before that, at the team meeting for the group acts. I’ve seen him around town since then, of course. But like I said, I kept my distance from him.” Even when he stopped in at Joja Mart to say hi to Alex when he had been working there, he had avoided speaking to the other man.
5. when did you last see him?
“He made quite a scene in the town square after Joja was closed. That was the last time I saw him.” He remembered being concerned that the other man was going to break his foot if he kept up kicking the lampposts. “I thought about trying to talk to him again then but...” he paused for a moment, a frown on face as he thought about that moment. Maybe if he had the effort then to extend an olive branch, they wouldn’t be in this situation right now. “I didn’t want to risk upsetting him even more.”
6. did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?
“Ismail was the only thing out of the ordinary in town, really. He wasn’t calm and collected like he typically came off as. He seemed to be stressing out over all that had happened, with Joja closing and all.” While Ben was thankful for Joja closing and the general store being reopen, he was sorry for pain it may have caused Ismail. Especially now.
7. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?
”Maybe someone who had seen him that night. It’s possible they could have noticed if he was experiencing any concerning problems. Dr. Hayes said that he had seen him at the saloon last night if that’s any help with narrowing that down.”
8. do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?
He was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face as he tried to come up with something else to help out the mayor. Anything at all. “He seemed like he was in excellent health, so I don’t think it was a natural death. Maybe he drank too much or,” Ben heaved a sigh as he squeezed his eyes shut for just the briefest of seconds since the moment he did he just saw Ismail’s lifeless body. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong and he did have a health condition.” God, he hoped he was wrong. Or that it was accidental. He didn’t want to consider the alternative here. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be anymore help, mayor Lewis. If there’s anything I can do to help you out with all of this, don’t hesitate to call.” With a small smile that didn’t quite match his eyes, he excused himself.
#dewtask008#🎕 task#if someone else claimed to be the one to find ismail's body#and i missed it pls lmk#so i can correct this#🎕 e; murder
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how did art feel about all of this? well, he was innocent, so how could he possibly feel nervous? it was just an interview, maybe people would be able to figure something out based on what he had to say. he didn’t know how they would, but what harm could come from it? so he slunk into the mayor’s manor with a big ol’ grin on his face and settled down for the recording.
“where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?”
“i got dinner at the saloon, with kiran. then i went home to the farm. i try not to go too crazy during the week, focus on the farm,” art explained, though it was really neither here nor there. he just really wanted this farming thing to work out. it was the hardest he’d ever worked at anything.
“can anyone confirm your whereabouts?”
“yeah, kiran was at the saloon with me. then lizzie and i spent the rest of the night at home. she went to sleep, and i watched a little tv before i went to sleep too, still pretty early. we wake up pretty early to work on the farm.”
“did you see anyone when you were walking home from the saloon? and did you see mr. haq at the saloon?”
“no, the town was all quiet when i walked home. i think i did see ismail, but we didn’t talk. we weren’t really friends or anything.”
“what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?”
“we didn’t really have one? i just saw him around town. i asked him out once, but he said no,” art admitted bashfully. he probably should have been more worried about the implications of a rejection, but he was more embarrassed than anything.
“when was this?” lewis looked at art over his glasses, causing him to shift in his seat. again, more embarrassed than anything. he hadn’t told anyone this story before, and now it was coming up during a death interrogation?
“uh, a while ago. not too long after i moved to the valley. i saw him at the saloon, and i thought he was cute, even though he was wearing a suit. i didn’t realize he was like that yet, so.”
“like what?” lewis asked. art didn’t like the look on his face. like he was trying to figure him out.
“uh, you know. kind of grumpy.”
“i see. how often did you interact with him after that?”
“i mean, not that often. i would say hi if i saw him at the saloon, or at joja mart, which is mostly where i shopped, but we weren’t buddies. we didn’t hang out or anything. or even talk at all really.”
“when did you last see him?”
“uh, the night at the saloon. but we didn’t talk that night. we weren’t near each other. i saw him from across the room.”
“did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?”
“i mean, other than the protest thing? that was pretty out of the ordinary. but it seemed like everything was going back to normal after that. i liked how everyone came together,” art thought he might finally get a taste of the valley not torn by strife after that. he hoped this death thing was just a horrible accident, and things could return to normal soon.
“very well then. do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?”
“no. i don’t really know who he was friends with, and everyone i talked to doesn’t either. we all just hope it was an accident.”
“you’ve talked to people?”
“i mean, just like with my friends. we thought it was sad.”
“which friends did you discuss with?”
“kiran and lizzie. we all farm together,” art explained. plus they were the two he’d seen that night. what could he say? they were a little family.
“do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?”
“uh, no. i just hope we figure out it was all a big accident!”
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sasha’s hand rested on the back of her seat at the dinner table, the one next to her father’s, but something stopped her from pulling it out. it felt too familiar for the task at hand. so she settled in the chair across from him. she felt small. defeat seeped from her slouched form, and bags hug under her eyes. the look was all quite un-sasha.
“where were you on the night of tuesday, october 6?”
it was strange for your own father to interrogate you about anything other than a missed curfew. the vision of him sitting across from her with the tape recorder jarred sasha, but she did her best to move past it. sitting up slightly, she replied:
“i was home with you. we cooked dinner together, then we ate and went on our evening walk. we saw evelyn while we were out. after we watched a movie on tv. i don’t remember what it was called, but it was about a woman who moved to a farm from the big city.”
she wondered who else would listen to this interview, if some big shot police officer from zuzu city would hear it and think she was just some small town daddy’s girl.
“can anyone confirm your whereabouts?”
“uh, you.”
maybe she was just some small town daddy’s girl.
“what was the nature of your relationship with mr. haq?”
“we didn’t really have one. i worked with him a little when i did the concert with joja mart. he acted like a host, making sure i was happy with everything, and i didn’t have any complaints. the store was very gracious. to me.”
“how often did you interact with him?”
“just during that week, for the most part. i would say hello if i saw him at the store, but he was usually busy, so it was always in passing. busy and stressed.”
“when did you last see him?”
“uh,” she didn’t want to answer this question. “the day before he died. i saw him in the square, and he was mad, probably that the store closed. he asked me to leave the valley with him. i said no. i didn’t have any ties to him other than a brief business relationship, so i don’t know why he asked.”
her skin crawled under lewis’s scrutiny. the suspicion of a private investigator would be more favorable to her father’s eye. she didn’t know what he thought of it all.
“he asked you that when you only interacted with him about the concert?”
“yes, dad. it was weird. i didn’t like it, but he was obviously upset. i just assumed it was because he didn’t have friends in this town, so a positive business relationship was one of the closest things. but you know what i’ve been doing the past month. home with you almost all day, maybe a walk here or there.”
she didn’t have anyone else in the valley.
“did anything seem out of the ordinary either in town or in your interactions with mr. haq prior to tuesday, october 6?”
“just the thing i just mentioned.”
“do you know anyone else who might have information pertaining to mr. haq’s death?”
“no, maybe the people who worked at joja mart. or anyone else who saw him the day he died.”
“do you have any other insights or information about the case that you wish to share?”
“no.”
she looked her father in the eye with a breath of relief. she wanted this -- all of it -- to be over. “are we done now?” he nodded and switched off the recorder, but it did nothing for the heaviness in her chest.
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ben and thomas give permission to anyone who would like to check out their interviews.
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Jillian let everyone see her interview, but wants to emphasise that she did think Finley was at the Saloon and since they weren’t now she seems sus, so could someone please say they saw her at the saloon, she was right there you guys.
Lizzie let everyone see her interview, but promises she isn’t usually boring enough to go to bed that early but farming is hard work.
Lauren let everyone read her interview, and told them that they should come to her if they want to be interviewed about Joja, and she’s sorry if that’s insensitive to say right now.
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