“The testimony of the chiming clocks will only prove that his office one was fast, but that may be enough. Most electric clocks, especially office ones, have a high degree of accuracy. If it was fast, it was probably set ahead deliberately. If Poland set it ahead, that’s evidence that he was planning an alibi.”
“Thank you for this, Mr. Velvet. You have solved the mystery. Can I pay you for it?”
He shook his head. “I’m no detective. I’m a thief. And Felix Poland has already paid me. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
He went back then to Gloria, because he knew after all these years that the time had come to tell her the truth. He sat with her over drinks, explaining what he did, telling her about the minimum fee he charged and the unique things he stole. And even after 13 years of living together he wasn’t certain what her reaction would be.
She sat for a long time in silence, staring at her drink, and finally he asked her, “What do you think?”
She lifted her head and smiled. “I think you should be charging at least twenty-five thousand.”