The Orchid Spathe

The cold open

Rain streaks the glass dome forty floors above the city pavement, where humid vapor clings to rows of exotic black hybrid orchids. Beneath a canopy of dripping bromeliads, Silas Calderwood lies sprawled on wet flagstones, a brass-hilted botanical grafting knife driven deep into his chest. His blood pools into the humid floor grates, cooling under the pale glow of sodium grow lights.

The victim

Silas Calderwood, 55, master rare orchid breeder and rooftop conservatory director

The lineup

• Kendrick Gable
• Estelle Moreau
• Noelle Channing
• Rafe Lindell