Crossword Killer

The Competition Hall is a room. "Round tables, each with a half-finished crossword. One table is cordoned off with police tape."

The victim's crossword is in the Competition Hall. "A competition grid. In the top right, squares filled with red ink."

Detective Kane is in the Competition Hall. "Your partner. She's already taking notes, jaw tight."

The clue slip is in the Competition Hall. "A folded paper found under the crossword."

The Lobby is south of the Competition Hall. "Marble floors and trophy cases. A tournament bracket is pinned to a board."

The bracket is in the Lobby. "A single-elimination bracket. Several names are circled in red."

The director's office is east of the Lobby. "Dark wood and old trophies. The name BARLOW is on the door."

The appointment book is in the director's office. "Leather-bound. Several pages have been torn out."

Instead of examining the victim's crossword:
  say "7 across: MURDERER. 3 down: CONFESSION. Filled in red ink, after the puzzle was printed."

Instead of examining the clue slip:
  say "'The answer was always in the clues. Read the first letters downward.' You read the across answers. B-A-R-L-O-W."

Instead of talking to Detective Kane:
  say "Kane looks up. 'First letters spell BARLOW — the tournament director.' She nods toward the lobby."

Instead of examining the bracket:
  say "Three names circled in red. All eliminated by the same opponent. All dead."

Instead of examining the appointment book:
  say "Torn-out pages covered this week. But pressed into the back: a receipt. Time-stamped two hours before the murder."