A knock on the front door of the Alfords' residence was followed by the greeting, "Baltimore P.D. Please open up." Sunny Alford opened the door, where stood two well-built men, one wearing a rather sorry suit and tie, and the other wearing a green rubber raincoat around more plain clothes. Behind them were two uniformed policemen.
"I'm Detective Stewart Sullivan," said the one in the suit, and gesturing to the man next to him he added, "and this is Kristogar Velo. Is it alright with you if we come in for a little talk?"
"Not at all," Sunny smiled, and casually allowed them to enter. "Is there anything we can get you gentlemen?"
"An audience with you and your husband will be all."
Sullivan and Velo were calmly led into the living room, where sat Clive Alford, in a chair with a tall back in front of the fireplace, reading an old novel. Clive closed the book when the newcomers entered the room and smiled warmly. "What could we do for you fine gentlement today? Anything to drink?"
"I'd like to cut to the chase, Mr. Alford. You're suspected of arranging for the murder of your former housekeeper. What's gonna be your official story for the night on which Kellie Holcombe was murdered?" Sullivan prodded.
Clive's eyebrows raised as Sunny also expressed disbelief. "Come again?" Clive started. "I was under the impression that the department's stance was that Kellie's death was not premeditated?"
"The stance has changed. We're positive she was intended to be murdered, in the exact fashion it happened." Despite Sullivan's bluster, the Alfords remained poised. "Once again, what will be your story as per your whereabouts?"
"No story," Clive answered in a way that did not appear defensively. "Me and the missus were with a couple of friends for a play, had a few drinks and came straight home."
"You drink and drive often, sir?"
Clive blushed. "We were actually driven home, Detective."
Sullivan took a brief glance about. "Your chauffeur will back that up?"
"We took a cab," Clive said, and realized immediately he made a mistake by answering hurriedly. The corners of Sullivan's mouth ever so slightly made a turn toward a smile. For the first time Clive and Sunny took notice of the man who remained quiet all this time, Kristogar Velo. He had drifted over to the fish tank, and stood in front of it as if he were blocking an exit route for the Alfords.
Sullivan regained their attention. "That raises questions about whether you were driven to the...play, was it?...without your chauffeur, and where your mode of transportation ended up for the night if you hailed a cab home. But all of that can be worked out later. The important thing, at this moment, is where you were on the night Ms. Holcombe was murdered."
The snideness of this comment caused Clive Alford to shift uncomfortably on his seat. Sunny finally interjected, "we already told you. If you're going to accuse us of something, do it, otherwise, we'll have to ask you to leave."
"I already got a warrant," Sullivan stated with a tone that pierced the air like a dagger. "But I wanted to give you the opportunity to allow us to search your home without it. I'm charitable like that. Will you?"
Sunny paused, all earlier composure and confidence faded. Finally, she resigned, "Go ahead."
The moment Sunny finished speaking, Kristogar Velo started directing the two uniformed officers. "There's a safe behind that painting, over the fireplace. See what's in it, I'll cover the rest of the room." He glanced back at the Alfords, who stared at him, mouths slightly agape. "This building appears to be the work of one Nate Weiss, if I'm not mistaken. His signatures were that the living room would be the first one would encounter upon entering, and including a safe above the main fireplace."
Sullivan chuckled as the Alfords slowly got out of the way of the officers, who removed the painting. As Clive gave the police the five-number combination, Sunny's attention was once again directed back to Velo, who was scanning behind the fish tank. He ran his hands across a collection of crossbows, before grabbing one and emerging to join the crowd in front of the fireplace. Sullivan noted that once Sunny saw which weapon Velo held in his hands, she nervously drew in her breath, but didn't say anything.
The policemen finally pulled what appeared to be a model spaceship out from the safe. They handed the object to Velo, who now held the ship in one hand and the crossbow in the other.
Clive decided to break an extended silence, choosing his words carefully. "I don't know what you're doing with our crossbow, but I like to collect miscellaneous antiques. That ship model is quite rare, and possibly worth thousands, which is why we kept it in a safe."
Velo did not appear to heed these words as he weighed the objects in his hands. Finally, he looked up to Sullivan and nodded. "It fits. All of it. They did it."
Sunny gasped, and Clive was about to say something in defense but decided against it.
Sullivan chuckled and looked back to the Alfords. He didn't want to miss a second of their reaction. "The parlor scene is now yours, Mr. Velo."
