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

“There is no long iron poker with a pointed end and a black handle,” I went on, taking one step toward my husband.

“There is no brass stand beside the hearth.

There is only a flat panel of glass, set flush into the wall, with an electric coil behind it.

I helped her pick it out.

I was there the day it was installed.

I watched the old iron set go out to the curb with the trash eight years ago.”