The Obsidian Depository

The cold open

Rain slicks the granite steps outside Vance Safe & Depository, where steel-reinforced subterranean vaults protect the city's dirtiest secrets. At 1:15 AM, the night shift discovered Desmond Vance crumpled on the polished terrazzo floor outside Vault C, the heavy brass master keys still clutched in his stiffening fingers. Deep, purple ligature furrows cut deep into his throat, crushed beneath the unforgiving pull of a braided security tether.

The victim

Desmond Vance, 59, private depository proprietor

The lineup

• Victor Althaus
• Nadia Rostova
• Cormac Devlin
• Elena Vos