The Poisoned Lot

The cold open

At 1:15 AM inside the velvet-lined private appraisal suite of the Mercer & Tate Auction Rooms, the city lights burn cold through high leaded windows. Bartholomew Mercer sits rigid in his leather wingback chair, his silver loupe still clutched in hand, lips tinted a faint violet-blue and a faint scent of bitter almonds clinging to the porcelain espresso cup shattered on the Persian rug beside him.

The victim

Bartholomew Mercer, 61, master gem appraiser

The lineup

• Gregory Tate
• Clara Mendoza
• Alison Pemberton