A Garden of Alibis

[SFX: Garden shears. Fountain water]

NARRATOR: Each suspect's six o'clock alibi grew less healthy under inspection. Vera's lecture included a ten-minute prerecorded section. Noah's fountain repair occurred beyond camera view. Felix left his donors during a fire drill. Lila's sketch proved location but not innocence.

NOAH WREN: I entered the poison garden. Emil asked me to check the monkshood count.

TESS ARDEN: Why conceal that?

NOAH WREN: Because eight grams were already gone, and my key opened the gate.

NARRATOR: Tess examined the cut roots. A steel blade left clean gray surfaces. Noah's shears were bronze to prevent plant infection. Vera's pruning knife was ceramic. Felix's drone cartridge used a steel milling rotor.

FELIX CROW: My company makes thousands.

LILA QUINN: And you carry one as a promotional toy.

[SFX: Pocket rustle. Plastic case snap]

NARRATOR: Felix's cartridge case was empty. He said Saye had taken it. Then the conservatory lost power. Emergency shutters sealed the tropical wing, trapping Tess and Lila as a second mist cycle began.

TESS ARDEN: Cover your mouth with wet cloth. Stay below the orchid benches.

[SFX: Garden hose spray. Metal shutter grinding]

NARRATOR: Noah broke the irrigation main and flooded the humidifier intake. The mist fell as yellow sludge. This cartridge contained harmless pollen and a message written on its filter: STOP DIGGING OR THE COLLECTION DIES.