There are many ways to tell a story. An author can simply tell the story, or the author can use an epistolary approach (e.g. letters, emails or texts). It’s even possible to tell a story through lists. Really.
To show you what I mean, here is a list of contents found in an Atlantic City luxury hotel room in which the body of a man who was shot was discovered. I’ve an idea in my own mind about what happened, but my idea isn’t the only possibility. So, I invite you to read the list of contents and then work out what happened. When you’ve read it, I would love to know your theory!
Found in a Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Room Occupied by Thomas Gafner, 56
On or Near Table
Two tumblers, both with traces of liquid in them
One bottle of Glenfiddich single-malt scotch whiskey, half empty
One ashtray, used
Two Padrón cigars, stubbed out in ashtray
One photograph of an unidentified man
In Trash Can Near Table
Two cigar bands, Padrón label
Two cellophanes
One used tissue
On Nightstand
One iPhone 17 Pro
One set of keys
One cigarette lighter
On and near Bed (Location of Body)
Bedding (blood on bedding): four pillows, flat sheet, fitted sheet, quilt, blanket
One bullet (in wall next to bed)
One bullet casing (on floor next to bed)
On and Near Desk
One Apple MacBook
One casino voucher for US$100
One receipt from Level One Cocktail Bar and Lounge (located in hotel)
In Bathroom
Countertop: One bottle of Dior Savage men’s cologne, one toothbrush, one razor, one comb, one tube of Crest toothpaste, one bottle of acetaminophen
Trash can: empty
In Closet
Three suits
Three shirts
Three ties
One suitcase, empty
In Drawers
Three pairs of Derek Rose men’s briefs
Three white t-shirts
Three pairs of black socks
So, what do you think happened? I’m really interested to know your thoughts!
*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from Paul Melvyn Carrack’s How Long.
Crime Writer Margot Kinberg 
That’s interesting, Margot. Much of the contents of the room indicate that one person was in residence, but the two tumblers and the evidence of more than one cigar hints at another person visiting. But the resident could well have smoked both cigars so any visitor doesn’t have to be male. A dead man, but only one bullet casing, and a bullet embedded in the wall? That muddies the waters even more. I suspect at this point I’d be calling in Sherlock Holmes or Poirot!!
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You highlight the important details quite well, KBR! It certainly appears that the hotel room was occupied by only one guest. Yet, the two tumblers suggest a visitor. About the cigars? You’re right; it could be that both people smoked, or that only the hotel room guest did. Either way, there’s one bullet. Hmmm…The guest was shot, so it could be that the bullet went through him and into the wall. It’s quite the case, and open to different theories, isn’t it? No doubt Holmes or Poirot could work it out!
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Hmm, okay. The contents of the room suggest Thomas was staying alone, on a three-day trip, and the voucher suggests he was there for the casino. The two tumblers, whisky and cigars suggest he invited another man to the room, probably someone he met in the casino earlier. The phone and MacBook tell us the crime wasn’t theft-related. The blood on the bedding and the bullet hole in the wall suggest Thomas was killed there – suicide or murder? I’d say suicide, brought on by him being shown the photo of the unidentified man – maybe he was told he was responsible for the death of that man and killed himself later out of guilt.
BUT!!! No mention of a gun being found, so I’m going to have to scrap the suicide theory and go with murder. Obvious suspect – the man who shared the whisky and cigars. But why? Hmm. The photo of the unidentified man could have fallen out of the wallet of the murderer. Or it could still have been a photo he showed Thomas for some reason – blackmail of some kind? Or again to blame Thomas for the unidentified man’s death, before killing Thomas?
BUT!!! If a man was accusing Thomas of something heinous and threatening to kill him, why would Thomas have gone to bed?? In fact, why would Thomas have gone to bed at all when another man was in his hotel room? So are the whisky and cigars red herrings – man two had left the room before he murder? If so, who came in later and killed Thomas? Frankly, I’m baffled! 😂
I do hope you’re going to tell us the story, Margot…
Wait! Maybe the body wasn’t Thomas! Maybe Thomas lured another man to the room, drugged him in the whisky, showed him the photo and accused him of causing the unidentified man’s death, waited till he’d almost passed out and laid him on the bed, shoot him and left! Hmm, leaving his MacBook and phone behind… nope, doesn’t sound right either… 😂
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You are so clever, FictionFan! I really like the thoughtful way that you’ve gone through everything! I can’t address all of your comments, because I don’t want to give away spoilers just yet. I will say this, though. The body is Thomas. He’s the one who’s been shot. The photograph does play a role in the story, too; you were right to notice it. You also make a good point that the gun’s not there. That does suggest murder rather than suicide. Let’s see what others come up with, and I’ll post the story outline I had in mind after people have had a chance to look at the list and decide what they think.
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Gafner, the lawyer for a NY crime family, is in Atlantic City meeting with the representative of a Mexican cartel. An argument ensues when Gafner advises the NY family will not tolerate the cartel’s intrusion into their territory. The Mexican representative takes out a gun and shoots Gafner to send a message they are coming for NY.
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Oh, Bill, I like that scenario! You outline Gafner’s role and personality really well, and I can see how what began as reasonable ‘business’ conversation (the whiskey and cigars) ended up in murder. Nicely done! So…who is the unidentified man in the photograph? What role does he play?
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Hmmmmmmm ……. it is a red herring being a photo of Gafner’s long lost brother. He kept the photo with him at all times in memory of his favourite brother.
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Ooh, very interesting, Bill! You’ve got an explanation for all of the major details. As I say, there’s definitely more than one possible account for what happened. I’m going to wait a couple of days more in case anyone else would like to contribute. Then, I’ll post what I had in mind when I wrote that list. You folks are coming up with some clever ideas!
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Oh dear. I think he invited the wrong person back to his room! I notice that there doesn’t seem to be a wallet.
>
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Good eyes, Christine! The wallet isn’t noted in the list of contents. Was it theft? Is that a red herring? Did the wallet get dropped somewhere? In any case, it certainly looks as though the wrong person was in the room!
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