218
$\begingroup$

I was walking home late last night and heard raised voices coming from a boarded up old warehouse. I stopped, out of sight, to listen...

[When I started eavesdropping, the conversation was already under way...]

Gangster 1: -infiltrator in our midst, and I know who it is... [dramatic pause] ...It's you isn't it!
Gangster 2: Me?
G1: What? No... him.
Gangster 3: That's ridiculous! I'm no traitor! How do we know it's not you?!
G2: It's not me!
G3: No... him... [under breath] ...idiot.
G1: That doesn't even make sense. I'm the most prolific amongst us. When would I even have the chance to work for the opposition?
G3: What do you mean? I'm in every day!
Gangster 4: [to himself] Me too, but you don't hear me harping on...
G3: [continuing] Not to mention I saw you with your ex last week on my way out of here... And I won't mention who I saw him hanging out with again yesterday...
G2: We weren't hanging out! I was just stuck behind him in a queue!
Gangster 5: Hey, we all fraternize with the enemy now and then... It's necessary to meet our goals... But this is different. From what I hear, half the time you act like you are one of them!

[A street sweeper drove slowly by, so I missed a little of the conversation...]

G3: It's a set up! Think about it... Who would gain the most from seeing me dead? ...I would!
Gangster 6: 'strue, but 'e would too...
G1: Sure, he occasionally fills in for me, but he could practically replace you!
G2: No he couldn't!
G6/G1/G3: Would you shut up!
G4: Geez settle down guys, what's with all the yelling?
G1: Because no one was talking to you!
G4: Ahh... Gotcha...

[A crowd of drunken revellers stumbled by and as I slipped into an alley to remain unseen, I missed another few minutes of the argument...]

G1: Gimme one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!
G2: I didn't do anything wrong!
G3: Wait... Who are we talking about now?
G1: You!
G2: Oh...
G5: Why?
G1: Yes!

[From here things escalated rapidly, and when gunshots were fired, I made a run for it...]

I went to the police but when they visited the scene, the gang was gone, and everything had already been cleaned. They said there wasn't enough to go on unless I could identify the victim and the perpetrators.

Who was the gang?
Which member was killed?
Why were they killed?

Bonus: What was the name of each gangster?

$\endgroup$
3
  • 20
    $\begingroup$ Brilliant puzzle. $\endgroup$ Jul 14, 2015 at 5:11
  • 5
    $\begingroup$ And congrats on your Trusted Usership! You and Aggie are right next to each other in the rep rankings now ;-) $\endgroup$ Jul 14, 2015 at 20:48
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Found this by accident. I absolutely LOVE this puzzle, Alconja! $\endgroup$ Apr 7, 2016 at 21:21

1 Answer 1

161
$\begingroup$

The gang was the notorious

Vowel Syndicate!

The victim was

Y

because

he was a double agent for the Vowel Syndicate's chief rivals, the Consonant Guild!

The gangsters are, I believe:

1: e ("most prolific")
2: u (every time someone says "you" he thinks they're talking to him, also was stuck behind "Q")
3: y (is in every "day", is the one that seems to be the accused)
4: a (is also in every "day")
5: o (responds to gangster 2 saying "oh" near the end)
6: i (responds to gangster 3 saying "I" would gain the most from seeing "Y" dead)

$\endgroup$
2
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I'd also like to note that G2 even mentions a queue. $\endgroup$
    – Anoplexian
    Nov 23, 2016 at 23:58
  • 15
    $\begingroup$ How did you get the syndicate and guild parts? $\endgroup$
    – jkd
    Jan 4, 2017 at 7:19

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.