The cases for 2026-08-01

The reel of the final scene vanished from the lot the night the picture wrapped. Each member of the crew waited out the search on a different soundstage down the backlot row. Trace the row, stage by stage, and find who took it. Statements were taken from all 4 crew members; Greta Lamont's is the first page.

1. 1. The costume cutter and the one holding the clapperboard are the same person.
2. 2. The best boy was somewhere before the one holding the script binder in the line.
3. 3. Lars Aberg was right next to the clapper loader.
4. 4. The best boy was somewhere before the one holding the clapperboard in the line.
5. 5. The best boy and the one holding the prop revolver are the same person.
6. 6. The clapper loader was in the soundstage right before the one holding the prop revolver.
7. 7. The clapper loader and the one holding the spotlight gel are the same person.
8. 8. Greta Lamont was in the soundstage right before the one holding the script binder.
9. 9. The one holding the clapperboard was in the soundstage right before the one holding the script binder.
10. 10. The clapper loader and the one holding the script binder were exactly 3 soundstages apart.
11. 11. The costume cutter was right next to the one holding the prop revolver.
12. 12. Greta Lamont was in the soundstage right before the prop master.
13. 13. Vera Sokolova and the clapper loader are the same person.

Word is the marked bills never left the building. The row of booths kept its regulars close and its secrets closer. Work the wall, booth by booth, before the place is padlocked for good. 5 regulars, 5 booths, and no two accounts that quite agree — start with Ruby Calhoun.

1. 1. Gideon Frost was right next to the one flashing the platinum pocket watch.
2. 2. Dashiell Pope was right next to the one drinking the french 75.
3. 3. The one drinking the french 75 was right next to the one flashing the diamond cufflinks.
4. 4. Sal Brigante was in the booth right before Gideon Frost.
5. 5. The one drinking the french 75 was right next to the one flashing the opera glasses.
6. 6. Dashiell Pope was in the booth right before the one drinking the brandy alexander.
7. 7. Dashiell Pope was somewhere before the one drinking the gin rickey in the line.
8. 8. Ruby Calhoun was right next to the one flashing the opera glasses.
9. 9. Fay Delacroix was in the booth right before the one flashing the silver hip flask.
10. 10. Ruby Calhoun was in the booth right before the one drinking the whiskey sour.
11. 11. The one drinking the gin rickey and the one flashing the diamond cufflinks were exactly 4 booths apart.

The tower's top corridor sleeps a handful of strangers, each with a rehearsed story. By checkout the register is short one truth and the night manager is not talking. Sort every guest into the right suite. The file names 5 guests; Seraphina Holt's statement sits on top of the pile.

1. 1. The guest pretending to be the diplomat and the one carrying the jade key tag are the same person.
2. 2. Gideon Marsh and whoever ordered the smoked salmon are the same person.
3. 3. The one carrying the brass key tag was in the suite right before whoever ordered the grilled tomatoes.
4. 4. The guest pretending to be the antique dealer and the one carrying the crystal key tag were exactly 4 suites apart.
5. 5. Seraphina Holt was somewhere before the one carrying the silver key tag in the line.
6. 6. The one carrying the jade key tag was somewhere after the one carrying the silver key tag but before the one carrying the crystal key tag.
7. 7. The one carrying the jade key tag was right next to whoever ordered the croissants.
8. 8. The one carrying the jade key tag was right next to whoever ordered the smoked salmon.
9. 9. The guest pretending to be the film producer was somewhere before whoever ordered the grilled tomatoes in the line.
10. 10. The guest pretending to be the horse breeder was in the suite right before the guest pretending to be the film producer.
11. 11. Julius Renard and whoever ordered the brioche were exactly 2 suites apart.
12. 12. Cassius Lange was right next to the one carrying the silver key tag.