Character Dossiers - Pinkerton Files

FILE: 88-A

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Sheriff Barnaby "Blind" Bill

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Town Sheriff
Known Associates: Cornelius Vance (Deceased)
Distinctive Marks: Eyepatch (Right Eye)

Subject Profile

Subject presents as a hardened lawman of the Arizona Territory. Claims to have lost his eye in a standoff with the notorious "Red Rock Gang." Publicly advocates for law and order, yet town records indicate zero arrests of Vance associates in past three years. Subject is known for excessive drinking and "looking the other way."

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

TRUE IDENTITY: "Bill the Butcher," wanted outlaw from Texas.

MOTIVE: Vance stopped paying bribes and threatened exposure.

ACTION ON NIGHT OF MURDER: Fired service revolver in the dark. MISSED target. Bullet lodged in mirror.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Find the real killer to close the case quickly. HIDE the fact that you fired your weapon. If anyone asks about the bullet hole in the mirror, blame it on a stray shot from the crowd.

FILE: 88-B

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Madam Ruby

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Proprietor, Brimstone Saloon
Relation to Victim: Former Business Partner
Status: Distressed

Subject Profile

Proprietor of the establishment where the crime occurred. Subject is a formidable woman who manages the roughest clientele in the territory. Former relations with the victim (Vance) were reportedly romantic, now strictly hostile business. Subject was observed weeping prior to the poker game.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE EVICTION: Vance was evicting you tonight. He had the deed in his pocket.

ACTION ON NIGHT OF MURDER: You STABBED Vance in the back when the lights went out. However, the blade entered too easily—no resistance, little blood. You suspect he was already dead.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Recover the eviction notice from Vance's body before the Sheriff searches him. Deflect suspicion to the outsider, Mr. Sterling.

FILE: 88-C

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Dr. Aris Thorne

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Surgeon / Barber
Education: Vienna Medical (Unverified)
Demeanor: Nervous, Over-groomed

Subject Profile

Subject acts as the town physician, dentist, and barber. Highly charismatic but lacks verified credentials. Has been treating the victim for chronic gout. Witnesses report tension between Subject and Victim regarding "medical debts."

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE FRAUD: You are not a real doctor. Vance knew this and blackmailed you.

THE POISON: You bought "Monkshood" (Wolfsbane) last week. You claim it was for pests, but you know it causes heart failure. You supplied it to someone, or perhaps lost it?

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Conduct the "autopsy" (you are the only doctor here). Steer the cause of death AWAY from poison. If they find poison, you hang.

FILE: 88-D

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Miss Elara Vance

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Schoolteacher
Relation to Victim: Daughter
Motive: Inheritance

Subject Profile

Estranged daughter of the victim. Recently returned from boarding school in the East. Publicly disapproves of her father's criminal enterprises. Seemingly refined and educated, contrasting with the local populace.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE ATTEMPT: You put ARSENIC in his whiskey glass at 8:15 PM.

THE CONFUSION: You watched him all night. He never took a sip. You are terrified you killed him, but the glass looks full. Why is he dead?

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Check the whiskey glass. If it's full, you are technically innocent of murder. Pin the blame on Madam Ruby (she hated him visibly).

FILE: 88-E

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

"Railroad" Reginald Sterling

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Railroad Tycoon
Origin: New York City
Goal: Land Acquisition

Subject Profile

Wealthy investor seeking to purchase "Brimstone Pass" for the new rail line. Vance held the deed and refused to sell. Subject was heard shouting "Progress will not be stopped!" earlier in the evening.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE HITMAN: You tried to hire a hitman earlier, but the deal fell through.

THE OPPORTUNITY: You were standing behind Vance when the lights went out, derringer in hand. But someone else struck first. You are innocent of the act, but guilty of the intent.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Buy your way out of trouble. Convince others that Vance's death is "good for business." Suspect the Sheriff.

FILE: 88-F

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Jedidiah "Dusty" Creek

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Occupation: Prospector
State of Mind: Unstable / Intoxicated
Grievance: Stolen Claim Map

Subject Profile

Local eccentric. Claims Vance stole the map to a gold mine ten years ago. Subject was seen tampering with the saloon's fuse box earlier in the day. Prone to apocalyptic ranting.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE SABOTAGE: You cut the lights (fuse box) to scare Vance into confessing. You didn't kill him.

THE WITNESS: Just before the game, you saw Chief Walker doing something strange with the deck of cards.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Avoid the noose. Admit to cutting the lights only if necessary. Tell people about Chief Walker and the cards.

FILE: 88-G

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

AGENT

Lola "The Lark" DeVine

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Cover Identity: Saloon Singer
True Identity: Pinkerton Agent
Assignment: Federal Fraud Investigation

Subject Profile

Publicly known as the saloon's star singer. Flirtatious, charming, and seemingly shallow. In reality, a highly trained operative sent to gather evidence of Vance's land fraud schemes.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE MISSION: You needed Vance ALIVE to stand trial. His death ruins your case.

THE CLUE: You have training in forensics. You suspect poison because Vance was gasping for air *before* the lights went out.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Solve the murder to save your job. Reveal your badge only if you need to take control of the room. Look for poison.

FILE: 88-H

PINKERTON NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY
CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER

SUSPECT

Chief "Silent Walker"

[ATTACH PHOTO
OF SUBJECT]

Role: Tribal Negotiator
Skills: Herbalism, Tracking
Demeanor: Stoic, Observant

Subject Profile

Representative of the local tribes. Vance has been desecrating sacred lands for development. Subject is here for a peace treaty, but tensions are high. Subject is known for deep knowledge of local flora.

Private Intelligence (SECRET)

EYES ONLY

THE KILL: You are the killer. You coated the Ace of Spades with Monkshood concentrate.

THE METHOD: You swapped the deck when Lola was singing. Vance touched the card, then his mouth. He was dead before the bullet or the knife touched him.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Stay calm. Say little. If accused, claim it was the "judgment of the spirits." Do not admit to knowing about the poison cards.