Chalet owner Bernard Kroll has been found dead in the ski shed behind his chalet. The storm has cut off the road – the killer is still in the house. Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.
Clue 1 of 6
Ingrid Kroll Bernard's wife
”Bernard went out to check the skis at a quarter to eleven. When he didn't come back I thought he'd gone to bed in the guest room – we'd quarrelled. I played cards all night.”
Evidence #1 · SCENE REPORT
Scene report – ski shed, 100 m behind the chalet
Found
00:20, by the caretaker
Time of death
Between 22:45 and 23:40
Bernard's tracks
From the back door – almost filled with snow
Other tracks
One set, back door → shed → back door. Crisp, no snow in them.
Sole
Deep ridged hiking-boot pattern, large size
Someone walked there – and back – after him.
Clue 2 of 6
Sven Olsen Caretaker
”I was asleep in my cabin by the road. At twenty past twelve I went to check the generator and found him. I came round the front – not from the back door.”
Evidence #2 · WEATHER STATION
Chalet weather station · Saturday night
Time
Snowfall
Wind
21:00
Heavy
Strong
22:00
Heavy
Strong
23:00
Light
Moderate
23:10
Stopped
Calm
00:00
None – clear sky
Calm
Clue 3 of 6
Lena Fischer Chef
”After dessert we played rummy at the kitchen table until midnight. Anton said he had a headache and went up at half past ten. Nobody at the table left for more than a minute.”
Evidence #3 · CARD GAME SCORES
Rummy scores – kitchen table
Round
Players
Winner
22:30
Ingrid, Max, Pierre, Lena
Lena
23:00
Ingrid, Max, Pierre, Lena
Max
23:30
Ingrid, Max, Pierre, Lena
Ingrid
00:00
Ingrid, Max, Pierre, Lena
Pierre
Clue 4 of 6
Max Hartmann Bernard's nephew
”I only had trainers on – my ski boots live in the shed. Uncle Bernard and I were fine. He was the one who taught me to ski.”
Evidence #4 · BOOT RACK
Back door boot rack · Sven's checklist at 00:30
Owner
Footwear
Condition
Ingrid
Fur snow boots
Dry
Anton
Hiking boots, ridged sole, size 45
Wet, snow on laces
Pierre
Leather boots
Dry
Lena
Clogs
Dry
Max
– (ski boots in the shed)
–
Clue 5 of 6
Pierre Moreau Neighbour and guest
”I saw Bernard go out the back at a quarter to eleven, muttering about skis. Anton had gone upstairs before that – or so he said.”
Evidence #5 · BACK DOOR SENSOR
Alarm panel · Back door
Time
Event
18:02
Opened / closed
22:44
Opened / closed
23:24
Opened / closed
23:41
Opened / closed
Only the back door leads to the shed. No other events between 18:02 and 00:30.
Clue 6 of 6
Anton Berg Bernard's business partner
”Yes, I went out to the shed once – at half past ten, for firewood. Bernard wasn't there. Then I went to bed with a headache. I never saw him again.”
Evidence #6 · BERNARD'S PHONE
Bernard's phone
Found in his coat in the shed. Sent messages, Saturday.
To: Anton · 22:40
I'm signing with the Swiss buyers on Monday – without you. Your shares are worth nothing. If you want to talk, I'll be in the shed.