Lara Raith killed Malcolm Dresden

[Kindler]

I find the timing weird for Justin to have been (whether he did it personally or had help) behind it. Harry is in the orphanage for four years between his father's death and Justin's adoption. It feels off to me that Justin would kill Malcolm and then chill out for four years until Harry develops his talent. That isn't to say that Justin wasn't watching, though. If it was a year—maybe two—I might be able to see it. But four years is a long time to wait after committing murder.
The one person we know had contact with Harry while he was in the orphanage was Lea. And I could see Lea offing Malcolm, possibly (or maybe even probably) as part of her bargain with Margaret (the agreement WOJ claims would drive Harry to immediately attempt to kill her should he ever learn the full details). And Malcolm might have smiled when he died if he knew it was for a good reason—particularly if it was Margaret's reason.
Pretty sure Lara or Papa Raith offed Murphy's dad, though.

[Arjan]

I find the timing weird for Justin to have been (whether he did it personally or had help) behind it. Harry is in the orphanage for four years between his father's death and Justin's adoption. It feels off to me that Justin would kill Malcolm and then chill out for four years until Harry develops his talent. That isn't to say that Justin wasn't watching, though. If it was a year—maybe two—I might be able to see it. But four years is a long time to wait after committing murder.
The one person we know had contact with Harry while he was in the orphanage was Lea. And I could see Lea offing Malcolm, possibly (or maybe even probably) as part of her bargain with Margaret (the agreement WOJ claims would drive Harry to immediately attempt to kill her should he ever learn the full details). And Malcolm might have smiled when he died if he knew it was for a good reason—particularly if it was Margaret's reason.
Pretty sure Lara or Papa Raith offed Murphy's dad, though.

Waiting a few years after Malcolm’s dead serves several purposes. Like not having to deal with young children and making it easier to play the savior.

[The_Sibelis]

One point on that, he didn't just go to an orphanage, he disappear into it. Like, nobody could find him(i.e. Morgan) In order for Justin to do so, he had to have had the inside track on it at least.

[Bad Alias]

White court vampires in the book never bother with that, they trust it looks natural enough and the mortals find some natural cause.

2 out of 3 did try to fly under the White Council's, specifically Harry's, radar in WN. The third was regarded as an idiot for not doing so.

Furthermore, the death certificate is going to say something for cause of death. In the DF, it's not going to say unknown. That's like showing up to a Wal-Mart with a bunch of people experiencing memory loss and disorientation and not declaring it a gas leak.

[Arjan]

2 out of 3 did try to fly under the White Council's, specifically Harry's, radar in WN. The third was regarded as an idiot for not doing so.

Furthermore, the death certificate is going to say something for cause of death. In the DF, it's not going to say unknown. That's like showing up to a Wal-Mart with a bunch of people experiencing memory loss and disorientation and not declaring it a gas leak.

Only because Murphy got suspicious, Harry had no clue before that. And that was partly because of the huge number of victims. Chances are great that with another police officer nothing would have happened and without Harry the white council would not have been aware and would not have acted anyway.

Malcolm was a single victim seemingly unconnected to everything.

More importantly papa Raith had no motive to kill Malcolm but a lot of reasons to kill Harry. Justin had reasons to kill Malcolm but no reasons to kill Harry. What happened?

[Mira]

So why make it look like an aneurysm? A warlock hiding a murder with magic would do so.

It isn't like anyone part of the White Court doesn't know magic. Right?  What killed Harry's mother, and who did it?  I wonder what is written on her death certificate?

[Arjan]

It isn't like anyone part of the White Court doesn't know magic. Right?  What killed Harry's mother, and who did it?  I wonder what is written on her death certificate?

Some do but Lara does not and I do not get the impression that it is wide spread.

Thomas can do some magic but it is limited.

[Mira]

Some do but Lara does not and I do not get the impression that it is wide spread.

Thomas can do some magic but it is limited.

But does that preclude her ordering someone in the family with power, to do it?  Malcolm wouldn't have technically died by her hand, but she'd be just as guilty.

[Arjan]

But does that preclude her ordering someone in the family with power, to do it?  Malcolm wouldn't have technically died by her hand, but she'd be just as guilty.

Het father at this point. But why would she leave Harry malive and kill the father and not the other way round.

[Mira]

Het father at this point. But why would she leave Harry malive and kill the father and not the other way round.

  Who knows?  She may be thinking long term, or Malcolm stole Margaret away from her father so further revenge.

[b4utoo]

Well I believe that Lara didn't even know she did it... at least not yet. So anything other than the murder itself doesn't matter. Pure Revenge killing on behalf of Lord Raith

[Arjan]

Well I believe that Lara didn't even know she did it... at least not yet. So anything other than the murder itself doesn't matter. Pure Revenge killing on behalf of Lord Raith

Lara was never stupid. Afraid of her father yes but stupid no. She knew Margaret and if she suddenly got an order to kill someone she would gather information.

[Ed0517]

Some do but Lara does not and I do not get the impression that it is wide spread.

Thomas can do some magic but it is limited.

Thomas also had a pretty good level wizard for a mother.....  and I would assume most Council women would not hook up with a Whamp. The Whamps know OF magic, but use it? Maybe the Hunger dampens magical ability too - yes, Thomas may have some.. but who are his relatives? His mom was good, his brother is VERY good, and old Grandpa..... top of the heap.

[Ed0517]

I find the timing weird for Justin to have been (whether he did it personally or had help) behind it. Harry is in the orphanage for four years between his father's death and Justin's adoption. It feels off to me that Justin would kill Malcolm and then chill out for four years until Harry develops his talent.

Maybe simply to make sure Harry DOES manifest a talent? I  don't think it was a 100% certainty. And if it was 100%... I should think the Council would be keeping CLOSE tabs on its members, especially the females with ability - like Margaret.

[morriswalters]

Timing issue.  You plan for the possibility that Harry will manifest but you don't know when. So you kick out all of his emotional support(kill Malcolm) and feed him to the meat grinder and wait. If he manifests you have him and he's in a frame of mind to take what Justin can offer, and if he doesn't, then  he stays with the state. Cheap and convenient and safe. You can picture Nicodemus doing something of a similar nature for his acolytes.