CHAPTER 12
SHIELDING HIS FINGER with a handkerchief, the killer rang the bell and waited. A seagull flew overhead, screaming into the sky, and he heard the muted response of its mates. The door opened and he was surprised to see that the big man himself had answered the summons.
“Hello,” the homeowner gave a sheepish shrug. “Yes, I’m doing butler duty. Dixon is out on errands and it’s just me and the cook for now.” He smiled and gestured the killer into his house. “I’m late for a meeting, so I’m a bit rushed, I’m afraid. Is there something I can do for you?”
“It sounds like this is a bad time. I hoped you might show me your atrium. We spoke about it at the library fund-raiser after Better Homes and Gardens featured that layout and you mentioned—”
“Oh, sure, sure. I can give you a quic
