DARK CITY a gripping detective mystery by CHRISTOPHER M. COLAVITO

within sight or sound of the police was too dangerous, given the confessions that might slip out. They all had their secrets, and worked diligently to make sure they didn't see the light of day. But around family, the chances of one seeping to the surface increased.
     
    * * *
     
    The family gathered in Faith Hobbes' apartment, hoping the gilt was soundproof. Nothing about Faith Hobbes was subtle, neither her demeanor nor her taste. Gold cascaded from the ceiling, covering as many surfaces as was allowed by the conventions of good sense. Teetering on the verge of overkill, there was yet a delicate touch to the brazen display that let the people she intended to offend still appreciate the beauty that surrounded them.
    The three put as much distance as possible between each other, each one closely watching the others. Trust was a dirty word in the Hobbes family, and in the aftermath of tragedy, asking for the benefit of the doubt was a comedy of errors.
    “What did you tell them?”
    Faith Hobbes took on the tone of an interrogator, hoping to pry loose the locks her children held around their hearts. She didn't expect them to forgive her for her sins, nor could she ask them to believe in her as a changed woman, but for all her faults, she still felt the animalistic need to protect her family.
    “I told them the truth.”
    Tory Hobbes looked at her mother with blank eyes, unflinching as the dirt kicked up in her face. Putting on appearances was not something she had inherited, nor a skill she wished to possess. Honesty might not be the best policy, but it was the easiest way to avoid being caught in a web of lies.
    “Why on earth would you do that? You never tell them anything more than you have to.”
    “That's you, mother. I don't care if people know how I felt about him, or what I do with my life. You might be ashamed of it, but I'm not. I was perfectly happy until this happened.”
    Faith was confused, she couldn't understand what happiness had to do with anything. Life, to her, was not a search for happiness. It was a zero-sum game, where everyone was locked in a fight for as much of the limited quantity of comfort as could be stolen. She had played it well, had taken more from life than she, or anyone else, deserved. Happiness was a byproduct of success, not a prize in and of itself.
    “It's not that I'm ashamed of you. But who's going to trust anything a stripper says?”
    “As if you're any better. You play the ice queen. And anyway, whatever they think of me doesn't matter, because I'd be more inclined to believe me over someone who looks and sounds like a pod person.”
    “Foolish child, you think innocence matters. The truth of the matter is, no one is innocent.”
    Emerson Hobbes had remained quiet, preferring to stand outside the whole circus and watch. Listening to them snipe back and forth became tiring after a lifetime, but provided immense joy in the short run. His spirits were lifted every time a voice was raised, or a curse word was thrown in someone's direction. They reminded him that he was not the only member of the family with problems, and that neither of them could rightfully ever make him feel subservient.
    “Will you two please shut up? There's a bigger question here than whether or not some officers are going to stop by the club to get a lap dance.”
    “And just what is that?”
    “Obviously, they think one of us is a murderer. Did you ask yourself if they might be right?”
    The thought had surely come to each of them, but how strongly they had considered it was in doubt. They each believed they were not responsible, but they could not say the same for the others. It was a reality they did not want to face, but could no longer completely ignore.
    I don't know about the two of you,” he continued, “but I know I didn't do it. I have an air-tight alibi.”
    “As do I.”
    “Same here.”
    What should have been welcome news brought no relief. It felt entirely too convenient that all three