The Black Files · October 26, 2026 · Difficulty: Master Detective

Black File #137 — SolutionManifest

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The case

Gordon Hayes, editor-in-chief, was found dead at The Gazette Newsroom at 12:50 AM. Seven people were at the scene. Exactly one of them was alone with Gordon in the same zone.

The answer

The killer: Felicia Sullivan, alone with Gordon Hayes in the Archive.

Nothing is forced until you test Bonnie at D5, E5, F5, C6, D6, E6, F6, C7, D7, E7 or F7: every wrong cell leaves someone with no possible cell. With Bonnie at D6 the rest cascades and leaves Felicia alone with Gordon in the Archive.

Step-by-step deduction

1. Before placing anyone, each clue eliminates cells:
2. • Angela: was sitting on the sofa; Diane was farther west than Angela, and Diane is at least at column B; column G belongs to Evelyn. Remaining: D3 and F3.
3. • Carl: was the westernmost person of all, and since there is one person per column somebody occupies column A: that is Carl; was farther north than Evelyn, and Evelyn is no farther than row 5; row 3 belongs to Angela. Remaining: A1 and A2.
4. • Evelyn: was the easternmost person of all, and since there is one person per column somebody occupies column G: that is Evelyn; Carl was farther north than Evelyn, and Carl is at least at row 1; row 3 belongs to Angela. Remaining: G2 and G5.
5. • Still wide open: Bonnie (11), Felicia (11), Diane (18) and Gordon (26) possible cells; they close as the others are placed.
6. At this point no cell is forced. Time to test a hypothesis. Try Bonnie, who can only be at D5, E5, F5, C6, D6, E6, F6, C7, D7, E7 or F7.
7. – Bonnie at D5: Gordon is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
8. – Bonnie at E5: forces Carl at A1 and Evelyn at G2, and then Angela is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
9. – Bonnie at F5: Diane is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
10. – Bonnie at C6: forces Evelyn at G2, and then Gordon is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
11. – Bonnie at D6: everything fits: it yields Angela at F3, Evelyn at G2, Carl at A1, Felicia at B5, Diane at E4 and Gordon at C7.
12. – Bonnie at E6: Bonnie is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
13. – Bonnie at F6: Diane is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
14. – Bonnie at C7: Felicia is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
15. – Bonnie at D7: forces Angela at F3, and then column E would be left empty. Impossible.
16. – Bonnie at E7: Bonnie is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
17. – Bonnie at F7: Diane is left with no possible cell. Impossible.
18. So Angela goes to F3, Bonnie goes to D6, Evelyn goes to G2, Carl goes to A1, Felicia goes to B5, Diane goes to E4 and Gordon goes to C7.
19. With all seven placed, the only people in the Archive are Gordon and Felicia: Felicia was alone with the victim.

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