-alibi- | Mansion

"Reading," Mara repeated, finally turning. Her eyes swept past Elara to the tall, silent figure by the fireplace. Silas Crane, the family’s lawyer. He held a snifter of brandy he hadn't touched. "And you, Mr. Crane? You were with her?"

Elara’s composure flickered—a single, hairline crack. "We had water brought up. The staff…" Mansion -Alibi-

Mara smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "I know. That's the problem. An alibi is a story two people tell. But a mansion ? A mansion is a thousand silent witnesses. The floorboards that creak. The doors that latch from one side only. The wax from a candle you carried because you were afraid of the dark, Elara—wax you stepped in on your way back from the west wing." "Reading," Mara repeated, finally turning

Elara looked at Silas. Silas looked at the floor. The chandelier’s crystals tinkled once, softly, as if laughing. He held a snifter of brandy he hadn't touched