The Velvet Cut

The cold open

Under the hum of amber track lights on the third floor of the St. Jude garment building, the scent of pressed wool is overwhelmed by the coppery reek of fresh blood. Hector Salazar lies face down across his heavy maple cutting table, skewered by a pair of ten-inch brass tailoring shears. Outside the rain streaks the soot-stained windows, while three flights below the city's midnight traffic rumbles on undisturbed.

The victim

Hector Salazar, 52, master tailor and atelier owner

The lineup

• Bram Holst
• Luciana Reyes
• Siobhan Tierney
• Rexford Finch