“Means, Motive, and Opportunity” is a mission story in Hitman 3‘s Dartmoor level. While I couldn’t spoil too much in our official review, I can definitely say that it’s one of the most creative mission stories IO Interactive has done. You’re presented with many clues and, in the end, you’ll be able to solve a murder mystery (before committing one yourself). Here’s our guide to help you out.
Note: For more information, check out our Hitman 3 Dartmoor/Death in the Family guide, as well as our guides and features hub. Likewise, please be reminded that this guide contains spoilers.
Hitman 3: Dartmoor mission story guide – Means, Motive, and Opportunity
To start “Means, Motive, and Opportunity,” simply listen to the private investigator as he tries to enter the manor yard. Then, use the bushes and hedges to get inside the manor itself.
Wait for the detective to reach the eastern corridor near the staff area, then take him out and grab his attire.
The butler, Mr. Fernsby, will introduce you to Alexa Carlisle (your main target in Hitman 3‘s Dartmoor level).
Next, he’ll take you to the room of Zachary Carlisle, Alexa’s younger brother who has, apparently, committed suicide. Alexa doesn’t believe it, and there seems to be a murderer on the loose.
It’s time for you to solve the case by searching Zachary’s room for clues:
- Zachary’s body
- bottles of alcohol
- computer
- suicide note
- button for the hidden room behind the bookcase
- mansion floor plan
Speak with the butler once more and you’ll be asked to find more clues and talk to the suspects (basically every important character in the household). The idea here is to check the nooks and crannies of the mansion, making sure you use your camera to scan for objects. If there’s a camera icon on the minimap, there’s a good chance you’ll find a clue.
Some important clues include the following:
- The shoes inside Emma and Gregory’s room.
- The shoe prints outside the sitting room.
- Notes to determine someone’s handwriting.
- The greenhouse also has clues, including a contraption to create poisons.
Likewise, don’t forget to interrogate the family members to check their alibis.
If their alibis coincide with the evidence, you can clear them from your list of suspects.
Additionally, if you have a lockpick or crowbar (one can be found on a crate near the greenhouse), you should be able to open the door to Mr. Fernsby’s room. Make sure to pick up the old letter, the poison vial, and the master key (which lets you open every locked door inside the manor).
Anyway, assuming you’re happy with your investigation process, you can talk to Mr. Fernsby and he’ll escort you to Alexa Carlisle’s office.
Important save: This story mission in Hitman 3‘s Dartmoor level can be concluded in a number of ways, so make sure you save your game prior to speaking with Alexa.
Who’s the murderer?
- Blame Mr. Fernsby – Although he’s not guilty of Zachary’s death, you can pin the blame on the butler. You unlock this option by finding the clues inside his room.
- Blame Emma Carlisle – It looks like Emma’s got some dastardly plots of her own. You unlock this option if you were able to find all the clues and you cross-checked all alibis.
- Blame Zachary Carlisle – This is the only option that was greyed-out for me no matter what I did (even an attempt where I barely did my investigation).
Important save: Choose your reward
After Agent 47 goes full Sherlock Holmes by explaining how and why the crime was committed, you can choose the reward that Alexa will give you. Make sure you save your game when prompted so you can reload later:
- Money – Choosing the money will net you a feats-type challenge depending on the suspect that you blamed. You get “A Matter of Justice” if you picked Emma, “A Matter of Loyalty” if you picked Fernsby, and “A Matter of Guilt” is likely if you picked Zachary.
- Case file – If you picked the case file, Alexa will let you grab Arthur Edwards’ documents. There are also other methods to get this which we discuss in our case file mini-guide.
After this whole ordeal, she’ll be alone on the balcony. You can deal with her as you see fit. Oh, and don’t forget to unlock the shortcut while you’re here.
Hitman 3 is available via the Epic Games Store. For more information, check out our Dartmoor level guide as well as our guides and features hub.
