Welcome, sleuth, to tonight's case.

Tonight we travel to the royal court of Xerxes I, in the early fifth century BCE. At Susa, the heart of the Achaemenid Empire, power is measured not only in armies and conquest, but in proximity-who may enter, who may speak, and who is permitted to remain unseen.

Within the women's household, life unfolds in quiet precision. Attendants move through their duties with care. Instructions are followed without question. Every action is shaped by rank, by custom, by the expectation that nothing will fall out of place.

But in a world so carefully controlled, even the smallest deviation carries weight. A glance held too long. A moment witnessed by the wrong person. A decision made not openly-but deliberately.

And before the day is over, something within this ordered world will break.

Are you ready to catch the culprit?

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How to Play Along

As you listen, keep your ears sharp for clues- things people say, things they don't say, suspicious objects, and strange coincidences. I'll introduce you to the suspects, take you through the key locations, and walk you step-by-step through the events leading to the death.

Your mission? Decide who caused the death and why. You can jot down notes as we go, a scrap of paper will do.

But beware, there will be red herrings lurking in the shadows, ready to throw you off the scent.

When we reach the end, I'll give you a moment to lock in your guess... before revealing the truth.

Think you can outwit the culprit? Then let's begin...

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Music Attribution:

Feras Charestan/Ta amul/courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Feras Charestan/Salat Alsabah/courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Jay Varton/Eye For Detail/courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Lennon Hutton/Static Breath/courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Intro & Outro:

Luella Gren/ Midnight Wanderer /courtesy of Epidemic Sound

SFX Attribution:

All sound effects courtesy of Epidemic Sound

www.epidemicsound.com

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Created, written, and hosted by Carissa V.