### **Recap: Session 1 - Dad Overboard** The session began with the Murder Mavens gathering for their regular Saturday meeting at Candlelight Booksellers. The cozy upstairs room, decorated with posters from Amanda Delacourt’s mysteries, served as their hub. The evening was interrupted by Sheriff Dalrymple, who brought an intriguing and urgent case. #### **The Mystery Unfolds** Sheriff Dalrymple revealed that Albert Krause, a wealthy financier, had been found dead, pulled from the waters of Brindlewood Bay. The official story claimed he fell overboard from his family’s yacht, *The Regal Lady*, while drunk, but the Sheriff suspected foul play. He informed the group that Albert’s family was planning to take the body back to Boston, leaving limited time to uncover the truth. Currently, the body was being held in cold storage at the fish market. The Krause family was introduced as key figures in the mystery: - **Allison Krause**: Albert’s wife. - **Sarah Krause**: Eldest daughter. - **David Krause**: Middle child, connected to one of the Mavens through his mischievous son Nathan. - **Emily Krause**: Youngest daughter. - **Captain Curly Willoughby**: The yacht’s captain. #### **Cozy Vignettes** Before diving into the investigation, the session featured cozy moments from each Maven: - **Hyacinth**: Birdwatching in the park, enjoying a peaceful moment while spotting a tufted titmouse. - **Ernie**: Digging into genealogy records at the library, piecing together family trees for her research. - **Hazel**: Fixing a duck-shaped lamp, feeling triumphant as it finally lit up. - **Tilly**: Mingling at the farmer’s market, connecting with locals over crafts and homemade goods. - **Nellie**: Demonstrating expert knife skills in a communal kitchen, impressing even a reluctant observer. #### **The Investigation Begins** The Mavens decided to begin their investigation by visiting *The Regal Lady*. Deputy Brett Anderson ferried them across the marina to the yacht, where Captain Curly Willoughby welcomed them aboard. The family was scattered: - Allison remained in her cabin. - David and Emily were working in the lounge. - Sarah was on the stern. ##### **Key Interactions** 1. **Emily Krause**: - Tilly spoke with Emily, who was absorbed in business documents. Emily explained she had been working in the office at the time of her father’s death. - A successful Meddling Move revealed an overdue debt notice from a vendor to *Havenworth*, the family’s business, hinting at financial troubles. - The use of [[Maven Moves#Frank Columbo|Columbo]] also uncovered some documents about a child paternity dispute. The identity of the child remains unknown. 2. **The Railing**: - While Emily was distracted, Hazel investigated the yacht’s railing where Albert might have fallen. - A successful but complicated Meddling Move uncovered an odd sight: a cod floating in the water with a rat stuffed in its mouth, a bizarre and unsettling clue. - Andrew, the Krause family’s butler, appeared and redirected Hazel to Allison’s cabin, adding tension to the scene. 3. **Sarah Krause**: * The Mavens spoke with Sarah, who was grieving her father’s death. She initially thought it was an accident, but became unsure as she described her father’s sudden departure before being found dead in the bay. * She shared that her father seemed distant in his final moments, and she felt something was off, though she couldn’t explain why. * Despite her emotional state, Sarah’s guarded responses hinted at a deeper concern, leaving more questions than answers. 1. David Krause: * Ernie interviewed David, who seemed disinterested in his father’s death and more focused on his art gallery. He dismissed the family’s troubles, describing his father as having no vision. * David downplayed the family dynamics and suggested his father’s death could only be significant through an artistic lens. * While Nellie attempted to search for clues, she injured her back, and David remained uninterested, redirecting focus back to his own life and art. #### **Closing Scene** The session wrapped up with plans to speak with Sarah Krause, who was on the stern. The Mavens had already uncovered crucial clues—financial troubles and a mysterious sighting in the water—and laid the groundwork for the next steps in their investigation. The investigation continues next session, with more interviews and deeper dives into the Krause family dynamics and the events leading to Albert’s death.