Perhaps the goal on the camping trip was not to kill Malcolm, but John. Maybe killing Malcolm was the decoy to get John on board and with them on the camping trip. That fits a more stable pattern. Martin is too overprotective of his son. Malcolm is his prodigy. Not his demise.
that’s what I think happened tbh...first of all it would explain martin not helping john after he was stabbed and it fits in with the details better than it being a plan to kill malcolm. methinks martin was ready to let malcolm be his new protege (his REAL protege) and he didn’t need john anymore so why keep around a potential witness? plus the reason john gave was vague af, just abt the chloroform not working well with zero other info??? I’m honestly surprised no one has mentioned that john isn’t exactly a trust worthy source lmao.