He Was Sure the Cops Would Believe the Polished Son-in-Law Over a Terrified Old Woman. Then I Asked Them to Look at the Fireplace

My mother converted that living room to a ventless electric fireplace eight years ago, the year after my father died.

There is no wood-burning hearth.

There is no grate.

There is no iron stand and there are no iron tools, because there is nothing in that room to use them on.”

The room had gone completely silent.

Captain Doyle’s head had come up from his tablet.