Part 3/9:
One pivotal piece of evidence is a gramophone record found near Maxi’s body, which sparks suspicion. The record bears the sound of a piano playing, impersonating Jeff Colt, a bandleader who claims he never recorded with Maxi. The record’s authenticity and the identity of the pianist behind it become central to unraveling the mystery.
The Clues and the Cast of Suspects
Various suspects emerge, each with motives rooted in jealousy, professional rivalry, or love’s bitterness:
- Johnny Sutherland: Maxi’s former partner in a gun-twirling vaudeville act, who admits he was with Maxi the night she died but claims innocence. He bears initials on a gun, hinting at ambiguous identities and potential concealment of evidence.