Crime Writer Margot Kinberg

A few days ago, I posted a fictional list of contents at a crime scene, and I invited readers to tell the story behind them. That list is open to more than one interpretation, so I expected there might be some differences in the explanations people offered. If you’d like to try your hand at it, check out that post before you read any further.

Back now? Thanks. I had a story of my own in mind when I wrote the list, but I didn’t tell it, because I didn’t want to influence anyone. Here’s what I had in mind. Remember, though; there isn’t only one possible explanation.

Thomas Gafner was associated with the New Jersey mob, and doing well (hence, the high-end things in the room). He was in Atlantic City for a short break (hence, three days’ worth of clothes and the casino voucher). One night, during his stay at the Borgata, he happened to be in the Level One lounge (hence, the receipt) when he ran into another member of his crime family. The two talked and had a drink, then went upstairs to Gafner’s room for some Scotch and a private conversation (hence, the Glenfiddich and the cigars). Gafner accidentally left his wallet in the lounge (hence the missing wallet).  He was hoping to mend fences with the other man, because a few years earlier, Gafner had killed his son (that’s the man in the photograph). It wasn’t personal, it was a power struggle. But that slight could not be forgiven. The murderer had no choice, as he saw it, but to retaliate (hence, the death, the bullet, the blood, etc.).

So there you have it: the story as I imagined it. If yours was different, that’s fine. And it’s real life, actually. People have different interpretations of things. If you played along, thanks! I hope you enjoyed it.

*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from Aerosmith’s What it Takes.