Case 7.1.1: Secrets

1

I need to tell the Riveras about the fight between Mitch and their son...

 

Mark: What??? Rich never told us about any fights... Why did he keep that from us? Thank you for letting us know, Jonathan...

 

Rich kept a lot of things... from a lot of people. This is so difficult to navigate...

 

Mark: So, I take it you're looking into this Mitch guy now?

 

Indeed, I am. Okay, I should tell them I need to get going now. Time is precious.

 

Mark: Right, yes. Talk soon. Thanks again for the new information.

 

I need to spy on Mitch, I think he is somehow connected to Rich's disappearance.

 


2

*Drive to Mitch's apartment*

 

For now, I'm interested in seeing what Mitch's daily life is like.

 

*Observe Mitch's apartment*

 

It's 7:35 AM, Mitch just left for work, I'll follow him...

It's about a 10-minute drive.

So, today, Mitch arrived 15 minutes before his work starts, this is pretty normal.

 

Mitch's Work

 


3

Mitch works at the headquarters of Office-Mart. This is located in a large business center building in downtown Los Angeles. The area looks expensive and very modern.

 


4

This area has lots of traffic but also has a parking garage. I'm parked on top of the parking garage of another building, so I have a good vantage point, and I don't need to move.

 


5

The business center is open to anyone, but to get to specific floors it looks like there is a front desk that you need to ask... or just have the identification card.

 

 


6

Visitors are allowed, but you probably need a formal invitation of some kind...

 

 


7

*Wait for Mitch to leave the building*

 

There he is... it's 5:20 PM.

He's not getting into his car...

He's been talking on the phone for about 6 minutes now. I wonder who he's talking to.

Finally, he gets in his car and leaves his work.

I will be slightly behind him because I'm in a different parking garage, but I'll go to his apartment.

 

Watch Mitch's Apartment

 


8

The traffic was worse at this time of the day, it took me 25 minutes to drive to his apartment. He arrived slightly before me probably.

 


9

I assume he's doing what all of us do, eat, relax, or spend time with some people? I'll keep watching...

 


10

He held the door open for a woman but that is all.

 


11

Mitch just left his apartment and got into a taxi...

 

 


12

*I should follow this taxi*

 

It's headed back to downtown. Is he going out on a Wednesday? That's strange.

 

*Continue to follow the taxi*

 

Oh, no, a car got between us, I might lose them.

 

*Continue to follow the taxi*

 

Damn it, he turned and I didn't see where he went...

I lost them, what do I do now...?

I suppose I'll go back to his apartment.

 

Watch Mitch's Apartment

 


13

This could be a while, but it's already around 6:50 PM, so he shouldn't be out too much longer...

 


14

My best guess would be to meet up with friends.

 


15

I suppose traffic is always pretty bad in downtown Los Angeles, and parking is expensive. Maybe whoever he is meeting will drop him off at home, I'm not sure...

 

 


16

*A taxi just pulled up, it's probably Mitch*

 

There are two people in the taxi that just pulled up to this apartment, it's not him.

Oh, wait, it is Mitch, and a girl.

Yes, that is definitely Mitch that got out of the car.

The girl is... I need to refocus my binoculars.

Oh, god... well, that's strange... I know that girl.

I've seen this girl before.

It's Emma Windale...

Okay... so this complicates matters.

I think it's time to talk with Emma again...

 

*Go home and wait for the next day*

 

Tomorrow, I will meet with Emma again.

 

Analyze the Situation

 


17

So, this is surely a romantic get-together.

 


18

I need to figure this out, but I'm not sure how to find out this information yet.

 


19

I suppose I only asked about Rich though... not Mitch.

 


20

Tomorrow morning is a new day, and I'll get more answers from Emma Windale...

 

 


21

*The following day at the Windale residence*

 

Carl: Hi again, Mr. Steel. What can we do for you?

Jonathan: I was wondering if I could speak with Emma again?

Carl: Sure thing... (yells upstairs for Emma)

 

*Wait patiently*

 

Carl: She'll be right down, come on in.

Jonathan: Hi Emma, do you have a moment?

Emma: Yeah, what's up?

Jonathan: Let's talk in private somewhere.

Emma: Um, okay... Sure.

 

 


22

Jonathan: Emma, I have a new suspect, Mitch Reese.

Emma: Wait... what? Mitch?

Jonathan: Do you know anything about Mitch?

Emma: Um... yeah...

Jonathan: He was Rich's friend, right?

Emma: Yeah... he's also my boyfriend right now...

Jonathan: Boyfriend... ah, I see.

Emma: Mhm...

 

*Emma looks down at her feet*

 

Jonathan: It's very important you tell me everything about Mitch.

Emma: If you think he's responsible for Rich... he's not the guy.

Jonathan: I have reason to suspect you are dating a murderer... Do you understand what he can do...?

Emma: What the hell... there's no way, I've known him so long. We're so close...

Jonathan: A lot of the time, murderers hide in plain sight, Emma.

Emma: Look, I know Mitch, like really well, he's not a bad guy.

Jonathan: Hmm, how well do you know him? How long have you known him...?

Emma: I met him in 2004, way back.

Jonathan: You started dating in 2004???

Emma: No... that was later, they are both good dudes.

Jonathan: Tell me about the fight.

Emma: Fight?

Jonathan: Tell me about the fight between Rich and Mitch.

Emma: Oh... December 19th...

Jonathan: Yep... December 19th... 2006.

Emma: They got into some kind of argument; I don't even remember.

Jonathan: Emma, it's important you tell me everything, Mitch could be a murderer...

Emma: Look, I don't know, Mr. Steel, but I'm pretty sure Mitch attacked Rich.

Jonathan: He assaulted your missing boyfriend, why are you his girlfriend?

Emma: I know how it looks, but he's a good guy.

Jonathan: That's all for now, thank you, Emma, stay safe...

Emma: Bye...

 

Conclude Investigation

1. How can I extract the truth from Emma?

  • Threaten her
  • Tell her parents about Mitch's assault
  • Make a bluff to Emma

 

2. Why would Emma date Mitch, the guy who attacked her boyfriend, Rich?

  • Time has passed and she moved on...
  • She was Mitch's girlfriend first
  • She never actually liked Rich
  • She liked both of them

 

3. Why does Mitch's social media have no pictures of him and Emma?

  • The relationship is very new
  • Mitch feels bad about Rich
  • It is a secret relationship

 

4. Who started the fight between Mitch and Rich?

  • Mitch Reese
  • Rich Rivera

Correct Answers

1. How can I extract the truth from Emma?

  • Make a bluff to Emma

 

2. Why would Emma date Mitch, the guy who attacked her boyfriend, Rich?

  • She liked both of them

 

3. Why does Mitch's social media have no pictures of him and Emma?

  • It is a secret relationship

 

4. Who started the fight between Mitch and Rich?

  • Mitch Reese