Greyhaven — Simple Draft

{(set: $miraRecognised to false) (set: $miraRoomKnown to false) (set: $jamesDescriptionHeard to false) (set: $letterRead to false) (set: $statementRead to false) (set: $reportRead to false) (set: $ownerLettersRead to false) (set: $wexlerAlibiHeard to false) (set: $jamesTimeHeard to false) (set: $parkingLogRead to false) (set: $tapeViewed to false) (set: $oldDoubtsRemembered to false) (set: $officeKeyTaken to false) (set: $faceWashed to false) (set: $shirtChanged to false) (set: $alyxNumberFound to false) (set: $room309KeyTaken to false) (set: $miraNotesRead to false) (set: $wexlerVisitKnown to false) (set: $envelopeFound to false) (set: $gordonSawBlood to false) (set: $normanSawBlood to false) (set: $margaretSawBlood to false) (set: $ashtrayExamined to false) (set: $missingFolderNoticed to false) (set: $folderInCarReported to false) (set: $attackRemembered to false) (set: $wexlerToldAboutMira to false) (set: $wexlerChallenged to false) (set: $introducedToGordon to false) (set: $introducedToJames to false) (set: $introducedToNorman to false) (set: $jamesSawBlood to false) (set: $margaretHeardOut to false) (set: $sourcesDisclosedToWexler to false) (set: $wexlerFamilyKnown to false) (set: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy to false) (set: $stationCallKnown to false) (set: $coatTaken to false) (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to false) (set: $gordonMiraAnswered to false) (set: $badNameTried to false) (set: $sockSearched to false) (set: $windowWiped to false) (set: $radioDiscussed to false) (set: $seatedAtReception to false) (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to false) (set: $departureByCar to false) (set: $leftBeforeReporting to false) (set: $helpRequested to false) (set: $gordonAppearance to "") (set: $normanAppearance to "") (set: $margaretAppearance to "") (set: $jamesAppearance to "")}

PROTOCOL OF SILENCE Greyhaven, 1997. [[Begin the night|PrologueDesk]]

03:17 AM. You wake with your cheek against the floorboards. From down here you can see a strip of old carpet caught under one leg of the table. Your head hurts. A woman lies beside the table. Her face is turned towards you. Something about it makes you look away. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Get up. Slowly. There's someone here. You know that face. Don't say it. Get closer first. Perhaps we're wrong. We've been wrong before. Conveniently often.] [[Approach the woman|MiraBody]] [[Touch the back of your head|HeadInjury]] [[Look around|RoomSearch]]

(if: $miraRecognised)[Mira lies beside the table. Her sleeve is still where you straightened it. You keep your hand against your own knee.] (else:)[You kneel beside her. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira?"] You put your hand on her shoulder. Her sleeve has folded beneath her arm. You straighten it before you know why. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira. Come on."] You wait for her to move your hand. She never liked being shaken awake. Nothing. You bend closer to listen for her breath. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Not like that. You're breathing too loudly.] You hold your breath. Somewhere behind the wall, water knocks through a pipe. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Now check.] Your fingers slip against her neck. You move them, press harder, then ease off. You know where they are supposed to go. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Please."] You look towards the door, though nobody has answered. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Again.] You check again. Her sleeve stays where you put it. You take your hand away. For a while, all you can hear is the pipe. The blood on your shirt has dried. You cannot remember how it got there. When you try to picture the last part of the evening, the room tilts. You know what the questions will be. Why were you here? What were you to her? What happened? You look at the doorway again.] (set: $miraRecognised to true) [[Take a minute to look around|RoomSearch]] [[Go downstairs and seek help|ServiceDoor]] [[Remember her|MiraMemory]] [[Check your injury|HeadInjury]] [[Look at the keys beside her|MiraKeys]]

The last time you remember seeing her before tonight, she stood in your kitchen with her coat still on. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You could just tell me to leave,"] she said. You told her you were tired. Eventually, she stopped asking what you meant. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You told her you were tired. You were. Listening to her would’ve been overtime.] [[Look at the room|RoomSearch]]

Your fingers find a split in the skin behind your ear. You remember driving tonight. After that, only fragments: a chair scraping, a woman speaking, someone standing too close. (text-colour:#ff6666)[A hole in the evening. Finally, a problem you can point at. Don't look relieved. Someone might see.] [[Look for your coat|Coat]] [[Examine the room|RoomSearch]]

(if: $coatTaken)[Your coat is already on. The badge and car keys are in its pockets.] (else:)[Your coat hangs over a chair. Your badge is in one pocket and your car keys are in the other. The name on the badge is yours. Detective Leroy. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Good. A badge. We can tell people what sort of man we are without waiting for them to decide.]] (if: $coatTaken)[[[Go to the doorway|ServiceDoor]]] (else:)[[[Put on the coat|ServiceDoor]]] [[Keep looking|RoomSearch]]

A table, two chairs, a dead lamp. Most of the furniture is covered with sheets. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Keep your eyes at table height. List what is there. There is nothing on the floor we need to name a second time.] The room smells of dust and old smoke. [[Look at the ashtray|Ashtray]] [[Look at the scattered papers|MissingFolder]] [[Examine the keys beside the woman|MiraKeys]] (if: $coatTaken)[[[Leave the room|ServiceDoor]]] (else:)[[[Take your coat and leave the room|ServiceDoor]]]

A thick glass ashtray sits on the table. Blood marks its chipped edge. You keep your hands away from it. (if: $attackRemembered)[You remember the blow now. You leave the ashtray where it is.] (else-if: $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You look from the chipped rim to the bare patch where the folder lay. A hand reaching across. A chair scraping. The movement has somewhere to begin now. [[Look at the chipped edge again. Follow the movement you remember.|NightMemory]]] (else:)[Something about the chipped edge bothers you. There was a movement. A sound. You can't put them together YET.] (set: $ashtrayExamined to true) [[Look at the loose pages|MissingFolder]] [[Step back|RoomSearch]]

(set: $missingFolderNoticed to true) Loose pages lie beneath the table. You remember a hand setting down a blue folder held shut by a white elastic band. You cannot yet place the rest of that moment. The folder is gone. The loose pages are only hotel stationery. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Someone took what mattered and left the mess. We could learn from that. No. We are investigating. Try to keep the jobs separate.] (if: $jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported)[A witness described a blue folder with a white band. You cannot prove it was this one, but the detail is worth following.] [[Look at the ashtray again|Ashtray]] [[Step back|RoomSearch]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(if: not $miraRecognised)[The keys lie beside the woman. Your hand stops above hers. (text-colour:#ff6666)[She had another room. A bed. Don't start blaming her for being in this one.] [[Look at her face|MiraBody]] [[Step back|RoomSearch]]] (else:)[(set: $miraRoomKnown to true) Two keys lie beside Mira's bag. One is marked 309. The other says WEST WING. (text-colour:#ff6666)[A room key. Somewhere else she could have been tonight. Try not to make that her fault.] (if: not $room309KeyTaken)[[[Take the key marked 309|TakeRoomKey]]] (else:)[The key to 309 is in your coat.] You leave the west-wing key beside the bag. The door here is already open. [[Step back to the table|RoomSearch]] [[Go to the doorway|ServiceDoor]]]

(if: not $coatTaken)[You put on the coat and check that your badge and car keys are still in the pockets.] (set: $coatTaken to true) (if: not $miraRecognised)[As you reach the doorway, you see the woman's face again. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Go on, then. Leave a woman on the floor. You can give her a name later. No. Look at her before we go.] [[Approach the woman|MiraBody]] [[Look around the room again|RoomSearch]]] (else:)[You step onto the service landing. A bare bulb lights the stairs. (if: not ((history:) contains "ServiceDoor"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Go on. Walk normally. You have been practising normally for years.]] A sign points down to LAUNDRY and MAINTENANCE. Behind you, the room remains quiet. [[Look along the closed corridor|ClosedCorridor]] [[Take the stairs|ServiceStairs]]]

The fourth floor has been closed since the fire. A trolley stands under a sheet. The wallpaper is darker around the doorframes. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Closed. We like that word. There used to be people behind these doors. Keep walking.] At the far end, an old EXIT sign hangs crookedly. [[Look at the exit|FireExit]] [[Take the stairs|ServiceStairs]] [[Return to the room|RoomSearch]] [[Pull the alarm to draw everyone away from the room|AlarmFailure]]

The door opens onto an outside staircase. Cold air reaches the landing. The latch is bright against the old wood. You let the door close. The latch clicks into place. (if: $statementRead)[The worker described a locked rear exit during the fire. This latch looks newer than the door. You cannot date it by looking.] [[Return to the corridor|ClosedCorridor]]

You pull the alarm beside the service stairs. The bell starts on your floor, then carries through the building. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. A distraction. A little louder than we discussed.] [[Follow the evacuation downstairs|AlarmEvacuation]]

(if: $seatedAtReception)[You leave the glass by the desk and stand before heading for the stairs.] (set: $seatedAtReception to false) The service staircase smells of cleaning fluid. You can hear the building below you: a television, machinery, a door closing. (if: not ((history:) contains "ServiceStairs"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[You could keep changing floors until morning. It would look very like working.]] [[Fourth floor — closed wing|ClosedCorridor]] [[Third floor — guest rooms|GuestLanding]] [[Second floor — hotel office|AdminLanding]] [[Ground floor — reception|Lobby]] [[Basement — laundry and maintenance|B1Landing]] [[Lower basement — parking|Parking]] [[Think about what you know|Review]]

A television murmurs behind room 312. (if: $introducedToJames)[James stands by his door with the folded newspaper.] (else:)[A man in a dressing gown watches the service door.] (if: not ((history:) contains "GuestLanding"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Three in the morning and he has put his glasses on to be disappointed. Respect the preparation.]] [[Speak to the man|JamesDoor]] (if: $miraRoomKnown)[[[Walk to room 309|MiraRoom]]] (else:)[[[Look along the corridor|MiraRoom]]] [[Return to the service stairs|ServiceStairs]]

{(set: _look to "blood-blood") (if: $faceWashed and $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "washed-changed")] (else-if: $faceWashed)[(set: _look to "washed-blood")] (else-if: $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "blood-changed")]} (if: $introducedToJames)[James holds his place in the newspaper.] (else:)[The man watches you through the gap. The chain is still on his door.] (if: $jamesAppearance is not _look)[(if: $faceWashed and $shirtChanged and $jamesSawBlood)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You look better. Has someone checked that cut?"]] (else-if: not $faceWashed and $jamesAppearance is "")[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Your ear. There's blood there. Is anyone else hurt?"]] (else-if: not $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Is that blood on your shirt?"]] (else-if: not $introducedToJames)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Are you with the hotel? I was told nobody works up there at night."]]] (if: not $faceWashed or not $shirtChanged)[(set: $jamesSawBlood to true)] (if: $introducedToJames)[[[Ask another question|JamesIntro]]] (else:)[[[Explain who you are|JamesExplain]]] [[Leave him alone|GuestLanding]] (set: $jamesAppearance to _look)

(if: (history:) contains "JamesIntro")[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Something else about the man on the stairs?"]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["James. Room 312. I've complained about that service door twice."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["The noise?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The closer. It doesn't catch. You can hear it from the bed."]] (if: not ((history:) contains "JamesIntro"))[He looks at the service door. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Someone came through it tonight?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["A man. Came down from above this floor and carried on down. I didn't follow him."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Ask one question. Resist answering it for him.]] [[Ask when|JamesTime]] [[Ask what the man looked like|JamesMan]] [[Return to the corridor|GuestLanding]]

(set: $jamesTimeHeard to true) (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["About ten past three. I checked the clock because he woke me."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Did he come from upstairs?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Through that service door. Then down the stairs."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Ten past three. Write it down. Paper took less of a beating than you did.] [[Ask what the man looked like|JamesMan]] [[Ask exactly what James saw|JamesLimits]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Check his timing against the earlier departure claim|JamesFollowup]]] [[Leave him at his door|GuestLanding]]

(set: $jamesDescriptionHeard to true) (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Dark coat. Grey at the sides. Blue folder with a white band round it."] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Could it have been Captain Wexler?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I don't know Captain Wexler. If you're about to describe him, don't. You'll only make me less sure what I remember."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Would you recognise him?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I mostly saw his back. I'm telling you that now so you don't leave it out later."]] That description is not an identification. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Congratulations. We have narrowed it down to a coat.] [[Ask about the time|JamesTime]] [[Ask what else he heard|JamesLimits]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask him to check the time again|JamesFollowup]]] [[Leave James at his door|GuestLanding]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["What noise woke you?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Two knocks. Close together. From above, not my door. I opened up and called up the stairs."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["What did you shout?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I didn't shout. I asked if everything was all right. The man coming down said maintenance."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["And you believed him?"] James folds the newspaper along its existing crease. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I went back to bed. That's what I did. You can choose your own word for it."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Careful. You were about to ask why he didn't ask another question.] [[Return to the landing|GuestLanding]]

(set: $miraRoomKnown to true) (if: (history:) contains "MiraRoom")[You stop outside 309 again. The reception envelope lies where you put it back on the mat.] (else:)[You stop at 309. An envelope addressed to Miss Palmer sits on the mat. You lift the unsealed flap. Reception is asking her to settle tomorrow's room charge. You put it back.] The door is locked. (if: not ((history:) contains "MiraRoom"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Tomorrow. The hotel has plans for her. Even the bill expects her back.]] (if: $room309KeyTaken)[[[Use Mira's key and enter|Room309Inside]]] (else:)[The key you need may still be beside her bag upstairs. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You remember where the bag is. Don't make me describe the rest of the room.]] [[Return along the corridor|GuestLanding]]

(set: $miraNotesRead to true) Mira has copied file references into her notebook. FIRE 1991. INSURANCE COPY. REAR EXIT. A loose page carries the same numbers, with the initials G.F. beside them. Below the references: "His cabinet find. Compare with final report." Beneath the list she has written: "Ask Leroy about the statement I sent to the station." (text-colour:#ff6666)[The station. Paper in your hands. Excellent. You remember receiving mail. Perhaps we could find it before remembering what it said.] (if: not ((history:) contains "MiraNotes"))[You take the loose reference page.] (else:)[The reference page is already in your coat. The notebook is open where you left it.] (if: $introducedToGordon)[You could ask Gordon whether the initials are his.] (else:)[The initials may belong to someone who helped her find the files.] [[Look at the photograph|MiraPhoto]] [[Step away from the desk|Room309Inside]]

A photograph stands beside the bed. A little girl and a woman on a windy beach. You recognise the girl as Mira. She showed you this photograph one Sunday. You pointed at the enormous jumper that almost reached her knees. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Mum said I'd grow into it."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Did you?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Not that day."] In the photograph, her mother is holding the loose sleeve out of the sand. (if: $letterRead)[Evelyn Reed. You look at her face again.] [[Remember the rest of that afternoon|MiraArgument]] [[Put the photograph back|Room309Inside]]

BASEMENT — SERVICE CORRIDOR The stairs reach a concrete landing beside the laundry. A washing machine turns behind an open door. Through a workshop doorway, a man sorts tools at a bench. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Machines washing things. A whole room full of professionals.] [[Enter the laundry|Laundry]] [[Speak to the maintenance man|GordonIntro]] [[Look at the maintenance room|Maintenance]] [[Return to the stairs|ServiceStairs]]

There is a sink, a clean towel and a shelf of spare work shirts. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Soap. A towel. Something with a useful set of instructions. Try following those for a minute.] You catch your reflection in a dark window. [[Wash your face and hands|Wash]] [[Borrow a clean shirt|Clothes]] [[Return to the corridor|B1Landing]]

(if: $faceWashed)[The water runs clear this time. You press the towel against the cut and check that the bleeding has slowed. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Still your face. We have reached the limits of soap.]] (else:)[Pink water circles the drain. You clean the cut as well as you can and press a folded towel against it. You still look hurt. At least the blood is off your face. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Good. It comes off. We were worried about that. Who's "we"? Never mind. Keep washing.]] (set: $faceWashed to true) [[Look at the spare shirts|Clothes]] [[Leave the laundry|B1Landing]]

(if: $shirtChanged)[You straighten the borrowed shirt under your coat. There is no reason to take another. [[Check the bag with your old shirt|KeepShirt]]] (else:)[The shirt is too large. You put your own coat over it and fold the stained shirt with the blood facing inwards. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Better. An injured man in a clean shirt. We haven't changed anything else. Stop looking so relieved.] [[Keep your old shirt with you|KeepShirt]]] (set: $shirtChanged to true)

(if: (history:) contains "KeepShirt")[The laundry bag is still closed. You keep it with you.] (else:)[You find a spare laundry bag and put the shirt inside. You will need to explain it eventually. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Keep the shirt. Yes, the one covered in blood. We can explain why you changed it. Throwing it away would require a better explanation, and I don't have one.]] [[Return to the corridor|B1Landing]]

{(set: _look to "blood-blood") (if: $faceWashed and $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "washed-changed")] (else-if: $faceWashed)[(set: _look to "washed-blood")] (else-if: $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "blood-changed")]} (if: $introducedToGordon)[Gordon looks up from the bench. (if: $gordonAppearance is not _look)[(if: $shirtChanged and $gordonSawBlood and ($gordonAppearance is "blood-blood" or $gordonAppearance is "washed-blood"))[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Clean shirt. Good. Keep the old one in its bag."]] (if: $faceWashed and $gordonSawBlood and ($gordonAppearance is "blood-blood" or $gordonAppearance is "blood-changed"))[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You've cleaned the cut too. Tell someone if you start feeling sick."]] (else-if: not $faceWashed and $gordonAppearance is "")[ (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The sink's next door. Don't leave the blood drying there."]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What do you need?"]] [[Ask what Mira wanted|GordonMira]] [[Ask about the fire records|GordonFiles]]] (else:)[(if: (history:) contains "GordonIntro")[The man keeps his place at the bench. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["We still haven't done names."]] (else:)[The maintenance man turns from his bench, screwdriver in hand.] (if: $gordonAppearance is not _look)[(if: not $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's blood on your shirt. Stay there a second."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's one of our shirts. Where did you get it?"]] (if: not $faceWashed)[His eyes move to the dried blood beside your ear. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["And your head. What happened to your head?"]]] [[Explain the injury and introduce yourself|GordonIdentity]] [[Try asking about Mira instead|GordonInsist]]] (if: not $faceWashed or not $shirtChanged)[(set: $gordonSawBlood to true)] [[Step back into the basement corridor|B1Landing]] (set: $gordonAppearance to _look)

(if: not ((history:) contains "GordonMira"))[(text-colour:#ffd180)["How did you know Mira?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["She'd come down for tea when the office was shut. Always complained about it. Always came back."] He picks a bent screw out of the tray. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I found that worker's statement clearing an old cabinet last week. I remembered what she'd been asking, so I rang her. Made her a copy."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["And the west wing?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Lent her the key this afternoon. Wanted a look at the exit. Said she'd bring it back tomorrow."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["She had the statement. The office copies were for comparison. What else do you need to know?"]] (if: not $gordonMiraAnswered)[He turns the bent screw between his fingers. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Where is she, Leroy?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I've been looking through her papers."] Gordon puts the screw down. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'm asking about Mira. Have you seen her?"] (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to true) [[Tell him Mira is dead|GordonEmergency]] [["I don't know where she is now."|GordonLie]] [[Leave without answering|B1Landing]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You find her, you tell her I want that key back. And you tell me she's all right."] [[Ask to see the records|GordonFiles]] [[Tell him the truth about Mira|GordonEmergency]] [[Return to the workshop conversation|GordonIntro]]]

(if: not $gordonMiraAnswered)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Can I look at the fire records?"] Gordon keeps the key ring beneath his hand. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The papers can wait. Have you seen Mira?"] (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to true) [[Tell him she is dead|GordonEmergency]] [["I don't know where she is now."|GordonLie]] [[Leave without answering|B1Landing]]] (else-if: $officeKeyTaken)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You signed for the office key. Same copies, same cabinet. Have you found the reference she wanted?"] [[Return to the basement corridor|B1Landing]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Which records? She had particular references."] (if: $miraNotesRead)[[[Show him Mira's reference page|GordonCheck]]] (else:)[[[Explain what you need|GordonRefusal]]] [[Return to the conversation|GordonIntro]]]

The ledger lies open at the key number. There are spaces for your name, the time and the file references. (if: $badNameTried)[Gordon taps the corrected name line.] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Your name, time, reason."]] [[Write your own name, sign and take the key|KeyReceipt]] (if: not $badNameTried)[[[Write Captain Wexler instead|WrongName]]] [[Put down the pen and leave the key|GordonIntro]]

A monitor sits over a video recorder in an open maintenance room. A label on the tape carries tonight's date. (if: $introducedToGordon)[Gordon is at the bench a few steps away.] (else:)[The maintenance man is at the bench a few steps away.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[A machine that remembers. Don't ask it to be sympathetic.] (if: $introducedToGordon)[[[Ask Gordon about the recorder|Recorder]]] (else:)[[[Introduce yourself to the man at the bench|GordonIntro]]] [[Return to the corridor|B1Landing]]

(if: not $gordonMiraAnswered)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Could we check the parking recording?"] Gordon leaves the machine alone. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The papers can wait. Have you seen Mira?"] (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to true) [[Tell him she is dead|GordonEmergency]] [["I don't know where she is now."|GordonLie]] [[Leave without answering|B1Landing]]] (else-if: $wexlerVisitKnown and ($wexlerAlibiHeard or $jamesTimeHeard or $parkingLogRead))[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Could we check Wexler's car on the parking tape? I know the registration."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What are you checking him for?"] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["He says he left before quarter to three. I'd like to check the exit."]] (else-if: $parkingLogRead)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["His registration is in the log after three. Could we check the image?"]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["A guest saw someone coming down after three. Reception says Wexler was here. I want to check when his car left."]] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'll run it. You leave the controls alone. We keep the original here."] [[Watch the exit with Gordon|Tape]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Give me a car and a time to look around. Otherwise it's a whole night of headlights."] You need to establish whose visit you are checking and a time from a witness, record or the visitor's own account.] [[Step away from the recorder|Maintenance]]

(if: $tapeViewed)[Gordon pauses on the same image. The label already carries the time you asked him to preserve.] (else:)[You give Gordon Wexler's registration. (if: $parkingLogRead)[He starts around the exit-book entry. Headlights cross the screen. He slows the tape as the car approaches the barrier.] (else-if: $jamesTimeHeard)[He winds to a little before ten past three, then plays the next few minutes. You watch the cars, waiting for the registration.] (else:)[He starts before quarter to three. You watch one departure, then another. No match. He fast-forwards through the empty stretches and slows at each set of headlights. The clock moves past three.] Your hand lifts towards the screen. (text-colour:#ffd180)["That one."]] At 03:12, Wexler's car passes the camera. You know the registration. You have parked beside it at the station for years. (if: not $tapeViewed)[(if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[After three. He said quarter to. Perhaps his watch answers to him too.]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Can you keep that tape aside?"] Gordon stops the recorder and writes the time on its label.] (set: $tapeViewed to true) [[Step away from the recorder|Maintenance]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(if: $seatedAtReception)[You put down the glass and get up from the chair.] (set: $seatedAtReception to false) The desk lamp is the only bright light in reception. (if: $introducedToNorman)[Norman stands behind it, his crossword beside the guest book.] (else:)[A man behind it is filling in a crossword.] (if: not ((history:) contains "Lobby"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[A crossword. Imagine having a problem that fits in six little squares.]] (if: (history:) contains "NormanHelp")[The chair is beside the desk, with your glass and the first-aid kit within reach.] There is a telephone on a small table near the lift. [[Approach the desk|NormanIntro]] [[Use the telephone|Telephone]] [[Look at the guest information|Register]] [[Return to the stairs|ServiceStairs]]

{(set: _look to "blood-blood") (if: $faceWashed and $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "washed-changed")] (else-if: $faceWashed)[(set: _look to "washed-blood")] (else-if: $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "blood-changed")]} (if: $introducedToNorman)[Norman puts down his pen. (if: $normanAppearance is not _look)[(if: $shirtChanged and $normanSawBlood and ($normanAppearance is "blood-blood" or $normanAppearance is "washed-blood"))[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["New shirt. Same head. What can I help you with?"]] (else-if: not $faceWashed)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Shall I get someone to look at that cut?"]] (else-if: not $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You've cleaned the cut. Do you need a bag for the shirt?"]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What can I help you with?"]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What else do you need?"]] [[Ask about Mira's visitors|NormanQuestions]] [[Ask for water and a moment|NormanHelp]] [[Choose an explanation|ReceptionRisk]]] (else:)[The receptionist rests a hand on the guest book. (if: $normanAppearance is not _look)[(if: not $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Sir, there's blood on your shirt. Do you need an ambulance?"]] (else-if: not $faceWashed)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You've hurt your head. Shall I call for help?"]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Good evening. Are you a guest? That's a staff shirt."]]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I need to ask about Mira Palmer."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Your name, please?"] [[Introduce yourself and explain the injury|NormanIdentity]] [[Ask for water first|NormanHelp]] [[Try another explanation|ReceptionRisk]]] (if: not $faceWashed or not $shirtChanged)[(set: $normanSawBlood to true)] [[Step away from the desk|Lobby]] (set: $normanAppearance to _look)

(if: (history:) contains "NormanHelp")[The chair is still beside the desk. The receptionist tops up the glass.] (else:)[The receptionist brings a chair round the desk and sets a glass of water beside the telephone. He takes a first-aid kit from a drawer.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Sit down a minute."] You sit. He opens the kit under the desk lamp. (set: $seatedAtReception to true) (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Do you want me to call someone?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Not yet."] (if: not ((history:) contains "NormanHelp"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[You can look important again when the room stops moving.]] (if: $introducedToNorman)[[[Ask what he saw tonight|NormanQuestions]]] (else:)[[[Give him your name and explain|NormanIdentity]]] [[Return to the lobby|Lobby]]

(set: $miraRoomKnown to true) (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["About the man who asked for Mira."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Captain Wexler. I'm certain about the name. He corrected me when I called him Mr Wexler."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Has anyone been asking for Mira Palmer tonight?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["A man came in asking for her. Captain Wexler, he said. Is he with you?"] You look towards the telephone. (text-colour:#ffd180)["He's my captain."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I see."] He waits, but you don't add anything. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Your captain. Somebody who usually tells you what happens next. Perhaps he'll tell you what happened. That would save you having to remember.]] (set: $wexlerVisitKnown to true) [[Ask how Wexler got upstairs|NormanWexler]] [[Ask about Mira's room|Register]] [[Return to the lobby|Lobby]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(if: (history:) contains "NormanWexler")[(text-colour:#ffd180)["The key he used. You're sure it was his own?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["He didn't collect one from me."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Did you let him upstairs?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["He had a key. He comes here sometimes."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Did he say why he wanted Mira?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Something about papers. Then he asked whether Detective Leroy had arrived."] You stop turning the pen between your fingers. (text-colour:#ffd180)["What did you tell him?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That I hadn't seen you. I hadn't. People use the service stairs from the car park."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[He asked for you. Before we had even decided what to tell him. Perhaps he was planning a welcome. With a little card.]] (set: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["Did you see him leave?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["No. I was in the back office."] (if: $ownerLettersRead)[You think of the owner's letters about the fire claim.] [[Return to the lobby|Lobby]]

The receptionist waits. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Try a short sentence. Something with fewer possible witness statements in it.] [["I cut my head. I need a minute."|NormanHelp]] (if: $shirtChanged and $faceWashed)[(if: $introducedToNorman)[[["I'm checking a guest's research. Can I ask who visited?"|NormanQuestions]]] (else:)[[[Show your badge and explain why you are here|NormanIdentity]]]] (else:)[Your appearance makes a casual introduction difficult. You can still ask for help.] [[Try a bad joke: "If I killed someone, would I come down and tell you?"|ReceptionFailure]] [[Stop talking|Lobby]]

The receptionist stares at you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'm going to make a call."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["That was a hypothetical question."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then please stay hypothetically where you are."] The receptionist puts a first-aid kit beside you and asks you to sit. Two officers arrive. When one asks whether you need legal advice, you ask whether that part can also be hypothetical. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You could stop supplying material at any point. There is no minimum word count.] [[See the night-shift incident summary|ReceptionHeadline]]

(if: $introducedToNorman)[(set: $miraRoomKnown to true) Norman opens the book just far enough to check one entry. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Miss Palmer is in 309. If you need her, I can ring the room."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Don't wake her. I know where it is now."] The words come out before you can choose better ones. Norman closes the book. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then please keep your voice down on three. Other guests are sleeping."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Don't wake her. Excellent. We've found a worse way to say it.]] (else:)[The guest book is behind the counter. The receptionist puts his hand on its cover when you look towards it. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Can I help you, sir?"] [[Speak to the receptionist|NormanIntro]]] [[Return to the lobby|Lobby]]

(if: $seatedAtReception)[You get up from the chair and walk to the telephone.] (set: $seatedAtReception to false) You stand by the lobby telephone. There is a pad of hotel stationery beside it. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Pick it up when you are ready to say something that will exist outside your head.] [[Report the death and wait for help|CallPolice]] [[Call your captain, Wexler|WexlerCall]] (if: $alyxNumberFound)[[[Call Alyx and ask her to arrange help|AlyxCall]]] [[Step away|Lobby]]

(set: $helpRequested to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["Greyhaven Hotel,"] you tell the operator. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Fourth floor. A woman is dead. I'm injured."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. You said it to a stranger. We can't put her back inside the word woman now.] You give your name and stay on the line long enough to answer the questions. [[Wait at reception|PoliceWait]] [[Step away from the telephone|LeaveChoice]]

(if: (history:) contains "NormanHelp")[You sit in the chair Norman brought earlier. He moves the first-aid kit closer.] (else:)[The receptionist brings a chair out from behind the desk.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Sit still. Your entire professional life has been preparing you to make waiting look like a decision.] You leave the room upstairs undisturbed. You sit with the telephone beside you and listen for a car outside. [[Wait for the officers|PoliceEnding]]

A car stops outside. The receptionist gets up before anyone knocks. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Which one of you called?"] (if: (history:) contains "GordonEmergency")[Gordon steps forward. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I asked the desk to call. This is the man who found her."]] (else:)[You raise your hand.] One officer stays with you while another asks the receptionist about the stairs. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Fourth floor. The closed wing. I can show you."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["In a minute. Are you the injured man?"] You say yes. Someone takes a first-aid packet out of a bag and asks you to turn your head towards the desk lamp. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You can explain while they look at the cut. Try not to make them choose which injury needs attention first.] [[Give your name and start the account|FirstCallAccount]]

(if: (history:) contains "WexlerCall")[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Captain. It's Leroy again."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What now?"] (if: $wexlerToldAboutMira)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Have you called anyone about Mira yet?"]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Captain? It's Leroy."] A pause. You hear something knock against the receiver. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Leroy?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I'm at the Greyhaven. I've got a cut on the back of my head. I don't remember what happened."] He does not answer straight away. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["All right."] His voice is louder now. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Are you alone? Who have you spoken to?"] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Keep your voice steady. We can sound like a detective for one phone call.]] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and not $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[["Norman says you were here. When did you leave?"|WexlerAlibi]]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask him to repeat his departure time|WexlerAlibi]]] (if: not $wexlerToldAboutMira)[[[Tell him Mira is dead|WexlerThreat]]] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[[[Challenge the time against the car evidence|WexlerPress]]] (if: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy and not $stationCallKnown)[[["Why were you asking whether I had arrived?"|WexlerStationCall]]] (if: $wexlerFamilyKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask about his relationship to the owner|WexlerNightVisit]]] [[Hang up|Telephone]]

(if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["You said before quarter to three?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Yes. I answered that."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Before quarter to three. I went to see the owner. Why are you asking me that?"] You write 02:45 on the pad.] (set: $wexlerAlibiHeard to true) (if: not ((history:) contains "WexlerAlibi"))[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Did you go up to the fourth floor?"] He starts to answer, stops, then clears his throat. (if: $wexlerToldAboutMira)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You said she's dead. Tell me what you actually saw."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What happened up there, Leroy? Start with that."]] (text-colour:#ff6666)[He wants the questions in a different order. You are used to letting him choose.]] (if: $wexlerFamilyKnown)[[["You didn't mention the owner was your brother-in-law."|WexlerNightVisit]]] (if: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy)[[[Ask how he knew you were coming|WexlerStationCall]]] (if: $parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed)[[[Press him about the recorded departure|WexlerPress]]] (if: not $wexlerToldAboutMira)[[[Tell him about Mira|WexlerThreat]]] [[End the call|Telephone]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(set: $wexlerToldAboutMira to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira's dead. She's in a room upstairs."] You hear him breathing. He says your name twice, too quickly the second time. Something scrapes across a surface at his end. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Don't touch anything. Don't leave. Have you called the station?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["No. I'm calling you first."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then don't guess. If you can't remember something, say you can't remember it. I need to know who else has heard about this."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. Advice you could almost be grateful for. Ask why he needs the names. No, don't. Let him organise everything. You can explain why that was a bad idea later.] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and not $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask when he left the hotel|WexlerAlibi]]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[[[Challenge his departure account|WexlerPress]]] [["Why do you need their names?"|WexlerNames]] [[End the call|Telephone]]

Cold air rises from the ramp. Your car is where you left it. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Your car. You have the keys. That is all the permission a car usually asks for. Tempting.] An attendant sits inside the glass booth beside the barrier. Rock music plays from her radio, low beneath the machinery. [[Speak to the attendant|Margaret]] [[Go to your car|Car]] [[Look at the barrier|Barrier]] [[Return to the stairs|ServiceStairs]]

{(set: _look to "blood-blood") (if: $faceWashed and $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "washed-changed")] (else-if: $faceWashed)[(set: _look to "washed-blood")] (else-if: $shirtChanged)[(set: _look to "blood-changed")]} (if: (history:) contains "Margaret")[Margaret opens the window. (if: not $radioDiscussed)[She's still humming along to the radio. She stops when you begin to speak.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Something else?"]] (else:)[The attendant turns down her radio before opening the window. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["If you've lost the ticket, say that first."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I haven't lost it."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Last one found it in his mouth. Holding it while he looked through his pockets."]] (if: $margaretAppearance is not _look)[(if: not $shirtChanged)[She notices the shirt and closes her magazine. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Hang on. Is someone hurt?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I've got a cut on my head. I'm asking about a visitor."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Don't drive like that. I can ring the desk or get you a taxi."]] (else-if: not $faceWashed)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You've got blood by your ear. Have someone look at it before you drive."]] (else-if: $margaretSawBlood)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Oh, you found a clean one. Cold water for the other one, mind. People use hot water, then wonder why the stain won't shift."] She points at your head. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Get that looked at before you ruin this one."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's a work shirt. Are you meant to look at the window latch?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["No. I borrowed it."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Shame. Been asking about that latch since February."]]] (if: not ((history:) contains "Margaret"))[You give your name and hold up the badge. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Margaret. You can put that away. I can barely see you through this filthy glass."]] (if: not $faceWashed or not $shirtChanged)[(set: $margaretSawBlood to true)] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[[[Ask about Wexler's car|ParkingQuestions]]] (else:)[[[Ask whether anyone left recently|ParkingQuestions]]] (if: not $radioDiscussed)[[[Ask what's playing on the radio|MargaretRadio]]] (if: not $windowWiped)[[[Try wiping the glass with your sleeve|WipeWindow]]] [[Ask about the trouble with the booth|MargaretCoins]] [[Leave the booth|Parking]] (set: $margaretAppearance to _look)

(if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Captain Wexler was here. I know his registration. Can you check when he left?"] You give her the number. She repeats it while finding a page. (if: $parkingLogRead)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Same entry. I haven't changed it. There's something on the back in case you're wondering, but that's my shopping."] [[Check the entry again|ParkingLog]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That one. Stopped too far from the window. They sit with their arm out and wait for me to grow a longer one."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["What time was that?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I've asked for one of those little trays. Like at the bank."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[You've arrested people for less. They were also easier to interrupt.] [[Let her finish|MargaretRamble]] [[Interrupt and ask for the time again|MargaretShort]]] [[Ask whether the driver was alone|SecondCar]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Did anyone leave recently?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["A couple from the restaurant. Said the fish was cold. It's a cold dish. I wasn't going to get involved."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Anyone else?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Several. Which one are you looking for?"] You don't have a name or registration to give her. (text-colour:#ff6666)[We could investigate the fish. You'd probably remember more of the interview.]] [[Step away from the booth|Parking]]

(set: $parkingLogRead to true) Margaret covers the other entries with her hand. Wexler's registration is recorded just after 03:10. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's when I raised the barrier. Give or take a minute."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Give or take a minute. You'd like her to give you the whole night.] [[Ask about the driver|SecondCar]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask her to check the earlier departure claim|MargaretFollowup]]] [[Step away|Parking]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(set: $folderInCarReported to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["Was anyone else in the car?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["No. Passenger seat had a blue folder on it. White band round it."] (if: $margaretHeardOut)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The one I was telling you about. Slid into the footwell. He swore at it. Didn't swear at me, to be fair."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["You could see it from here?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["It fell off the seat when he leaned across. I had plenty of time to see it while he picked it up."]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Did he seem upset?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["He wanted the barrier open. If that's upset, everyone who comes through here is having a terrible time."] (if: $missingFolderNoticed)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Blue. White band. Same as the one missing upstairs. We could go upstairs and tell her we found it. No. Don't do that.]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[A folder. Finally, an object having a worse journey than you.]] [[Ask about the recorded time|ParkingLog]] [[Return to the parking level|Parking]] (if: $ashtrayExamined and $missingFolderNoticed and ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported) and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed) and not $attackRemembered and not $ashtrayLeadNoticed)[The chipped edge comes back to you. A movement across the table, cut off before you can place it. You have a time and an account of what was carried away now. You need to look at that ashtray again, in the room on four. (set: $ashtrayLeadNoticed to true)]

(set: $envelopeFound to true) Inside your car, an open envelope rests on the passenger seat. The cabin smells of stale coffee. Your parking ticket lies on the dashboard, where you put it on arrival. (if: $alyxNumberFound)[Your notebook is in your coat.] (else:)[Your notebook is in the door pocket.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Shut the door. Sit for a moment. Nobody out there knows what to ask yet. You could make this moment last. You are very good at that.] [[Look inside the envelope|Envelope]] [[Open your notebook|Notebook]] [[Step out to the parking level|Parking]]

Your name is on the envelope in Mira's handwriting. The flap is torn. There is a letter inside. (if: $statementRead)[The copied statement is now in your coat.] (else:)[A photocopied statement is folded behind the letter.] (if: $letterRead)[You remember opening it here before going upstairs. You have read the words again now.] (else:)[You remember opening it here before going upstairs. You cannot yet hold the words in your head.] (if: not ((history:) contains "Envelope"))[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Already opened. So much for "nobody told me."]] [[Read the letter|Letter]] (if: $statementRead)[[[Read the copy in your coat again|Statement]]] (else:)[[[Read the attached statement|Statement]]] [[Try to remember sitting here earlier|CarMemory]] [[Put the envelope on the seat|Car]]

(set: $letterRead to true) Leroy, Evelyn Reed was my mother. She died at the Greyhaven in 1991. Reed was her name after the divorce. I kept my father's. I should have told you before we became what we became. At first I wanted to ask you about the fire. Then I couldn't find a way to tell you why. Gordon found the statement they left out, clearing an old cabinet. He called me and gave me a copy. Please read it before you come upstairs. I will be in the west wing, as I said on the telephone. I need you to tell me what happened. Mira (if: not ((history:) contains "Letter"))[You go back to “At first.” Was that why she’d found you? You start to fold the letter, then stop. (text-colour:#ff6666)[At first. That’s what she wrote.] You smooth the page against your knee and read the next sentence more slowly.] (else:)[You stop at the first sentence again. It has not changed.] [[Read the statement|Statement]] [[Sit with the letter for a moment|CarMemory]] [[Put the pages back on the seat|Car]]

(set: $statementRead to true) The photocopy is dated 1991. A hotel worker says the rear exit was locked during the fire. The door was opened before the emergency crews arrived. A note in the margin reads: "Refer to supervising officer." You recognise your own wording. (text-colour:#ff6666)[A convenient way to avoid responsibility. Pass it upstairs. Let someone else deal with it.] You put the copy in your coat. You can compare it with the final report if you find one. [[Look at the other page|Letter]] [[Put the envelope down|Car]]

You remember Mira asking you to read the envelope before coming upstairs. After that, a fragment: the pages spread across the steering wheel. You remember folding them before you went inside. (if: $letterRead)[You already knew whose daughter she was when you went upstairs. (text-colour:#ff6666)[An awkward boundary. We were hoping the memory problem would be more generous.]] (else:)[The writing in the memory will not settle. The real pages are still on the seat. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Read them. Or keep staring at the upholstery until it becomes an alibi.]] [[Look at the pages again|Envelope]] [[Step out of the car|Parking]]

(set: $alyxNumberFound to true) Alyx's number is written inside the cover. You worked together before she transferred. Wexler is no longer her commanding officer. Under the number you wrote: "Call back." (text-colour:#ff6666)[Call back. You wrote that. She waited. It would be a change to do the thing in the notebook.] You put the notebook in your coat. There is a telephone in the lobby. [[Close the car door|Car]]

The barrier is down. The attendant watches the ramp from her booth. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You could leave. You'd have to ask her to raise the barrier. Just don't say "Have a good night."] The parking ticket is in your car. The pedestrian door opens onto the street. [[Decide whether to leave|DepartureChoice]] [[Walk back to your car|Car]] [[Return to the parking landing|Parking]]

You step away from the lobby telephone. Officers are on their way. Your car is downstairs. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You could still go. That is a suggestion. I am telling you now so we don't have to argue about it later.] [[Stay at reception|PoliceWait]] (if: $alyxNumberFound and $letterRead and $statementRead and $reportRead and $attackRemembered and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[[[Ask Alyx to arrange a separate investigation|AlyxCall]]] [[Try to leave before the officers arrive|SuspectEnding]]

You go down to the parking level. The car is where you left it. The barrier is still down. You take out the keys, then look towards the occupied booth. Asking someone to let you leave would mean waiting for an answer. You leave the car and take the pedestrian exit instead. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You can come back for it. Once you've had time to think. Keep walking. We can decide where when we get there.] At the top of the ramp, a police car slows beside you. An officer gets out and asks whether you are Leroy. You put the keys back in your pocket before answering. [[Give your name|SuspectAccount]]

The office door has frosted glass and a brass handle. A sign reads STAFF ONLY. (if: not $officeKeyTaken)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[STAFF ONLY. Go on. Show the door your badge. Perhaps it'll apologise.]] (else:)[You have the key Gordon signed out. There is no need to try the badge again.] There is no light underneath it. [[Try the door|AdminDoor]] [[Return to the stairs|ServiceStairs]]

A small sign on the closed office door reads STAFF ONLY. (if: $officeKeyTaken)[You have the office key Gordon signed out to you. [[Unlock the office|Archive]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Still locked. Perhaps it needs to see the other side of the badge.] You will need permission from a member of staff.] [[Step back onto the second-floor landing|AdminLanding]]

The office cabinet holds the maintenance copies Gordon described. One box is labelled FIRE 1991. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Read it. You can argue with it afterwards. You are already choosing the argument, aren't you?] [[Read the final report|Report]] [[Read the maintenance entry|MaintenanceLog]] [[Look at the evacuation plan|Plan]] [[Read the ownership correspondence|Owner]] [[Look at the photograph on the owner's desk|FamilyPhoto]] [[Check the spare-key register|KeyRegister]] [[Compare the accounts|Compare]] [[Close the cabinet, leave and lock the office|AdminLanding]]

(set: $reportRead to true) The report identifies an electrical fault as the source of the fire. Five people died. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Electrical fault. Five dead. You signed underneath this. Keep reading. Perhaps the next page makes that easier.] (if: $statementRead)[Its account of the evacuation says nothing about the locked rear exit described in the statement you carry.] (else:)[The evacuation section is brief. It refers to witness statements in an appendix, but the appendix is missing from this copy.] A cover note lists a copy sent to the hotel owner and a reference to his insurance correspondence. Near the end, you find the approval page. [[Look at the signature|Signature]] [[Look more closely at the missing account|Compare]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

Your signature sits beneath the conclusions. Wexler's sits above it. You remember signing. You remember being told that the electrical fault explained what mattered. You do not remember asking whose job it was to explain the people who could not get out. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Look how steady your name is. We must have felt certain. Or busy. Probably busy.] [[Compare the two accounts|Compare]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

(if: $reportRead and $statementRead)[You take the copy from your coat and set it beside the final report. The worker describes a locked exit. The final report leaves it out. Your note is on the copy. Your signature is on the report. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You saw that statement. Then you signed this report. You didn't think this through, did you?] [[Look at your handwritten note|RecallStart]]] (else-if: not $reportRead)[You have not read the final report yet. [[Read the report in the cabinet|Report]]] (else:)[The report gives no account from the worker at the rear door. You need a separate statement to compare with it. (if: $envelopeFound)[There are pages in the envelope you found in your car. You have not read the attached statement yet.] (if: $miraNotesRead and not $envelopeFound)[Mira's notes mention a statement sent to you at the station. Try to remember what you did before coming upstairs.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[A missing account. You used to be very comfortable with those.]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

An entry from before the fire reads: "Rear door secured overnight following thefts. Key at night desk." (text-colour:#ff6666)[Following thefts. There. A perfectly sensible explanation. As long as you don't ask about the people trying to get out.] There is no suggestion that an electrical fault required the door to be locked. Those were two separate decisions, brought together by the fire. [[Look at the plan|Plan]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

The old plan marks the rear door as an escape route from the west wing. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There is the way out. Follow it with your finger. Keep going when you reach the door. They couldn't.] A route drawn in green ink. A door somebody had to be able to open. [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

(set: $ownerLettersRead to true) The insurance letters ask the owner about the rear exit. In his reply, he points to the police finding of an electrical fault. A later letter says the claim has been settled on the documents supplied. The owner's carbon copy has a line under the word SETTLED. (if: $wexlerFamilyKnown)[This is the hotel belonging to Wexler's brother-in-law. The missing account could have cost the owner money and exposed the overnight locking practice. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Settled. He underlined it. You signed it. A family effort, with a little help from outside.]] (else:)[The owner used the police report to answer a question about the exit. That explains why reopening the report would matter to him. (text-colour:#ff6666)[A letter arrives. You send back the report. The letter stops arriving. You know how satisfying that can be.]] [[Look at the photograph on the owner's desk|FamilyPhoto]] [[Look at the spare-key register|KeyRegister]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

The owner's spare key has been signed out to Captain Wexler. The entry predates Mira's visit. (text-colour:#ff6666)[They gave him a key. You can imagine how pleased he was not to have to explain himself at a desk.] He could enter the closed wing without asking Gordon to let him in. The key was available to him before tonight. [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

You stop on the service landing and try to put what you know in order. (if: $gordonAskedAboutMira and not $gordonMiraAnswered)[Gordon is waiting for an answer about Mira. Asking for another file will not get past that.] (if: $letterRead and $statementRead and $reportRead and $attackRemembered and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You can describe the attack you remember and identify the records that challenge Wexler's departure time. You have the worker's statement and the hotel report. (if: $alyxNumberFound)[Alyx's number is in your notebook. You can call her from reception.] (else:)[You need help from someone outside your own shift. Your notebook is worth checking.]] (else:)[(if: not $wexlerVisitKnown)[Reception may know who asked for Mira tonight.] (else-if: not $wexlerAlibiHeard)[You know Wexler visited. Ask for his own departure account before comparing it with someone else's.] (else-if: not ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[A guest's account of an unnamed man does not identify Wexler. His car registration or the exit image could test his time.] (else-if: not $attackRemembered)[(if: not $ashtrayExamined)[You did not look closely at the objects on the table upstairs.] (else-if: not $missingFolderNoticed)[You saw the ashtray, but have not checked the loose pages or the gap on the table.] (else-if: not ($jamesDescriptionHeard or $folderInCarReported))[You remember a missing blue folder. Ask the witnesses what anyone was carrying.] (else:)[You now have an account of what left the room and when. Look at the ashtray again with those details in mind. The noise in your memory is still unfinished.]] (if: not $letterRead)[(if: $envelopeFound)[You have not read Mira's letter on the passenger seat.] (else-if: $miraNotesRead)[Mira wrote that she sent you a statement at the station. Check what you brought with you, including your car.] (else:)[The papers in Mira's room, or the things Mira brought upstairs, may explain why she asked you here.]] (else-if: not $statementRead)[There is an unread copy behind the letter.] (else-if: not $reportRead)[(if: $officeKeyTaken)[You have the office key but have not read the final report.] (else-if: $miraNotesRead)[(if: $introducedToGordon)[Gordon may recognise the references on the page you took.] (else:)[The initials on the reference page may belong to someone working at the hotel. Ask in maintenance.]] (else:)[The papers in Mira's room may explain which hotel records she wanted.]]] (if: $reportRead and $statementRead and not $oldDoubtsRemembered)[Your handwritten note leaves a separate question. You can follow that memory in the office. It does not have to delay asking for help.] (if: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy and not $stationCallKnown)[Norman said Wexler asked for you before you introduced yourself at reception. You could ask the captain how he knew you were coming.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[The phone works. It has worked all night. Yes, I know. We were getting ready.] [[Continue on the stairs|ServiceStairs]]

(set: $helpRequested to true) You dial the number in your notebook. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Alyx? It's Leroy."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What happened?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira's dead."] Alyx doesn't answer immediately. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Where are you?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Greyhaven."] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[(text-colour:#ffd180)["And Wexler was here. He told me he'd left before quarter to three."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Leroy. Where in the hotel?"]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I found her upstairs. I don't remember getting up there."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Where in the hotel are you now?"]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Reception. By the telephone."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Are you hurt?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["My head. I can stay on the line."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Stay by the desk. I'll send someone for you and someone to look at your head."] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[(if: $tapeViewed)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["His car's on the tape after three. I saw it."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Margaret showed me the exit book. His registration's in there after three."]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Can you get someone who doesn't answer to him?"]] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["All right. Start with what you saw when you woke up. I'll ask about the rest."] (if: $letterRead and $statementRead and $reportRead and $attackRemembered and $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You describe the parts of the attack you remember. You give the locations of the originals and identify which times came from witnesses or records. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'll make sure those are secured. You need to say the same things to the officers, including how you know Mira."] [[Discuss your part in the old report|StatementChoice]]] (else:)[You give the account you can support so far. There are still gaps in the night. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You don't have to solve it before asking for help. Stay by reception now."] [[Wait at reception|PoliceWait]]] (text-colour:#ff6666)[She is still there. You have run out of reasons to rehearse the call.]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You mentioned the 1991 report. Your name is on it?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then people will ask what you saw before you signed it. I can arrange a separate investigation. I can't promise it will leave your part alone."] You look at your badge through the open edge of your coat. Telling the full account may cost you the job you keep using to explain yourself. (if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[You remember doubting the explanation and signing anyway.] (else:)[You cannot recover every thought from six years ago. You do recognise your note and your signature.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Tell her Wexler approved it. True. Tell her the electrical report was clear. Also true. Look how many ways we can answer without answering.] (if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[[["I saw the statement. I doubted the explanation and let it go."|WholeTruth]]] (else:)[[["I passed that statement on and signed without checking it myself."|WholeTruth]]] [["Wexler handled that part. I accepted the final account."|CleanReport]]

(if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[You tell Alyx what you remember: the doubt, the pressure and your decision to sign.] (else:)[You tell Alyx what your handwriting establishes. You received the statement and did not check it with the worker. You make no claim to remember thoughts you cannot recover.] She asks you to repeat the part about the statement. You repeat it without changing the officer you are talking about to Wexler. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You could say you misunderstood. You could still ] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["All right. That goes in the account too. Keep the copy as it is. The officers will need to ask you about both nights."] You stay on the line until the receptionist tells you a car is outside. [[Put down the receiver and meet them|TruthArrival]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Wexler approved the final account. I accepted it."] Alyx asks what happened to the statement bearing your note. (text-colour:#ffd180)["I referred it to him. The report was completed under his supervision."] You leave a space in which she can ask another question. She says the officers will need to speak to you about that too. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Good. You've told her where the paper went. Keep to the paper.] The receptionist points towards the entrance. You tell Alyx the officers have arrived. [[Put down the receiver and meet them|CleanArrival]]

(set: $room309KeyTaken to true) You pick up the key by its tag and put it in your coat. You will have to say where you got it. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Borrowed. Put it down as borrowed. We can argue about the return date later.] [[Step back|RoomSearch]]

(if: $room309KeyTaken)[Inside Mira's room, the bedside lamp is still on. A suitcase lies open on a chair. There is a notebook on the desk and a coat hanging from the wardrobe. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Here she is. The ordinary version. Half a cup of tea. A sock with no partner. You can manage a sock. Start there.] [[Read the pages on the desk|MiraNotes]] [[Look at the photograph by the bed|MiraPhoto]] [[Look inside the wardrobe|MiraWardrobe]] (if: not $sockSearched)[[[Find the other sock|SockSearch]]] (else:)[The single sock is back beside the suitcase.] [[Step outside and lock the door|MiraRoom]]] (else:)[The door is locked. [[Step back|MiraRoom]]]

Her coat hangs inside. One button is sewn on with thread that does not quite match. (if: not ((history:) contains "MiraWardrobe"))[You remember sitting with it across your knees. Mira held the lamp. Every time she leaned over to look, the light moved off the button. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Hold it still."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I am."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["The lamp, Mira."] She moved it back. You pushed the needle through and caught your finger. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Shit. Sorry."] You shook your hand. She put the lamp on the table and went to get a plaster. When she came back, she took the coat off your knees first. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Don't bleed on it. I've only got the one."] You laughed. She was smiling when she wrapped the plaster round your finger. Your thumb is resting on the button now. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Don't pull it. Please.]] (else:)[You leave your hand against the mismatched thread for a moment.] You shut the wardrobe without taking anything. [[Return to the room|Room309Inside]]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You never ask the next question."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I ask questions all day."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I know. Apparently you use them up."] You remember reaching for the kettle. She watched you fill it, although neither of you wanted more tea. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You filled the kettle instead of answering her. It was an excellent kettle. Very reliable. She must have appreciated having something like that in the house.] [[Let the memory go|Room309Inside]]

(if: not $gordonMiraAnswered)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The papers can wait. Have you seen Mira?"] (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to true) [[Tell him she is dead|GordonEmergency]] [["I don't know where she is now."|GordonLie]] [[Leave without answering|B1Landing]]] (else-if: $miraNotesRead)[Gordon checks the page against the list above his bench. (if: (history:) contains "GordonCheck")[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Same references. If you still want the key, sign for it."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["G.F. That's mine. See the crossed-out number? Wrong box first time."] He calls reception to check the permission for the hotel copies of the final report and maintenance records. The worker's statement was in a different bundle. (if: $introducedToNorman)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Detective Leroy's down here. Says he spoke to you."] Gordon listens. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Right. Just the maintenance copies. I'll have him sign for the key."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Detective Leroy. He's got Mira's references and a badge. Can you put his name and number against her access entry? Maintenance copies only."]] He hangs up and copies your badge number into the ledger. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Nothing leaves the hotel. You'll sign for the key. Agreed?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Agreed."]] [[Agree to the limits|GordonKey]]] (else:)[You have no reference page to show him. [[Return to the conversation|GordonIntro]]]

(if: not $officeKeyTaken)[(if: $badNameTried)[You cross out Wexler's name and initial the correction.] You write your own name, the time and Mira's references. Gordon checks the line before putting the key beside it. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Second floor. Cabinet by the window. The papers stay there."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. If anyone asks where you've been, Gordon has it in writing.]] (else:)[The office key is already in your coat.] (set: $officeKeyTaken to true) [[Put the key away and return to the corridor|B1Landing]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Someone says he left before quarter to three. Could we check your clock?"] (if: $jamesTimeHeard)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I told you about ten past three. Let's see how close the clock is."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The man I saw came through at about ten past three. I checked my clock when the noise woke me. Let's see how close it is."]] (set: $jamesTimeHeard to true) James opens his door and compares the bedside clock with the clock on the television news. They agree within a minute. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That gives you a time. It doesn't give you his name."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[He caught you trying to turn a number into a face. Don't make him do your job as well.] [[Leave James at his door|GuestLanding]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["He says he left before quarter to three."] Margaret takes her glasses off, cleans one lens, and puts them back on. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Well, he didn't borrow my watch."] She checks the preceding entries with a finger down each column. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["No second departure for that registration. If he came back, he didn't bring the car out twice."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Could the time be wrong?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["A minute or so. Not half an hour. The camera's on the same clock as that monitor. Gordon can show you. I don't touch the recorder. Last time I touched it, we got a quiz show."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[You have asked twice. She has checked twice. We are running out of ways to hear a different answer.] [[Thank her and leave the booth|Parking]]

(set: $wexlerChallenged to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["Your departure time doesn't fit what I found."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Found? You told me you can't remember."] (if: $tapeViewed)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I watched your car leave after three on the parking tape."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Your registration is in the exit book after three."]] (if: $sourcesDisclosedToWexler)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Which of the people you named showed you that? I told you to stop questioning them."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Who showed you that? Who exactly have you spoken to?"] ] His voice rises. When he continues, each word is slower. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Stop questioning the staff. Stay inside. You do not have the whole picture."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[There it is. The voice from your old desk. You are about to apologise. Please don't make me hear that.] [[End the call|Telephone]]

(if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[The correction is still there. You know the conversation that followed it now.] (else:)[Your old note has a small correction in the first line. You remember making it while Wexler stood beside your desk.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Recognising your handwriting would be enough for today. Nobody is making you remember the conversation. That was not an instruction to continue.] [[Stay with the memory|RecallWexler]] [[Put the copy down|Archive]]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["He confused two doors. The electrical report is clear."] Wexler put the statement back on your desk. You asked whether someone should speak to the worker again. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["If you want to reopen every interview, you can explain the delay yourself."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[A delay. An awkward conversation. You remember how large those problems felt. Don't make them smaller now just to make us look worse. They were small already.] [[Remember what you did next|RecallDecision]] [[Leave the memory unfinished|Archive]]

(set: $oldDoubtsRemembered to true) You remember putting the statement beneath the report. You still doubted the explanation. You signed anyway. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You were young. You were tired. He was your superior. I have more excuses. Why aren't any of them helping?] Nobody had to forge your name. The doubt was yours, and you chose not to follow it. [[Fold the copy and return to the cabinet|Archive]]

Outside the entrance, guests stand in coats pulled over their nightclothes. The receptionist calls out room numbers and checks names against a list. One of the guests is barefoot. He asks to go back for his shoes. The receptionist tells him to wait. You watch the entrance. Firefighters go in with the floor number from the alarm panel. You stay outside while they check the closed wing. When they find Mira, someone radios for police. Officers begin taking details from the people waiting outside. One asks whether you are staying at the hotel. You give your name. He asks you to spell it. Nobody has asked who pulled the alarm. You do not volunteer it. (if: $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[At least you changed for this.]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ff6666)[Keep the coat closed. It's a little late for that, but keep it closed.]] [[See how the morning describes it|AlarmHeadline]]

GREYHAVEN MORNING EDITION BODY FOUND IN CLOSED WING AFTER HOTEL ALARM Guests were evacuated from the Greyhaven Hotel during the night after an alarm sounded in the closed fourth-floor wing. Firefighters found a woman's body while checking the area. No fire was found. Police are investigating the death. The cause of the alarm has not been established. Guests were asked to provide their details while emergency services worked inside. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Excellent work, detective. You wanted nobody to notice you. Now they are spelling your surname at the front desk.] ATTEMPT ENDED. [[Try again from before the alarm|ClosedCorridor]]

NIGHT-SHIFT INCIDENT SUMMARY DETECTIVE REQUESTS HYPOTHETICAL LAWYER An injured man identified as Detective Leroy introduced the possibility of murder during an unsolicited conversation at reception. He then disputed whether his own example should be taken seriously. The receptionist contacted police. The man remained at the desk and attempted to clarify the clarification. The officers asked him to begin again with his name. (text-colour:#ff6666)[An unfortunate misunderstanding. All three misunderstandings. We can still blame the delivery.] ATTEMPT ENDED. The receptionist has not decided who killed anyone. He has decided this is beyond the night desk. [[Try the explanation again|ReceptionRisk]]

You keep your hands away from the ashtray. A small chip catches the light. Suddenly you remember the same edge moving towards you. (if: $attackRemembered)[You know where this fragment leads. The first clear image is still Wexler beside the table.] (else:)[Wexler stood beside the table, between you and the open doorway. The blue folder lay within Mira's reach.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Give it to me. Then we all go home."] Mira pulled it towards her. You put your arm between Wexler and the table. You remember knowing his hand was moving before you understood what he held. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Stop there. You were trying to help. That would be a very good place to stop.] [[Remember the next few seconds|NightSequence]] [[Break off and step back|RoomSearch]]

The first blow catches the side of your head. Your knees hit the floor. The chair scrapes against the boards. Mira drops beside you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Leroy? Can you hear me?"] You try to answer. Your hand slips against the floor. She looks up at Wexler, then back at you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Don't get up. I'll get someone."] She gets past the chair before Wexler catches her arm. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Let go of me."] You see the ashtray in his other hand. He swings it towards her head. She strikes the edge of the table as she falls. You try to get up. The room slips sideways. You do not remember him leaving. [[Put the memory beside what you learned|NightReconstruction]]

(set: $attackRemembered to true) You look at the doorway. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Don't get up. I'll get someone."] You remember trying to answer her. You don't think you managed a word. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira."] You've said it aloud. Her sleeve is still where you straightened it. (text-colour:#ff6666)[We should—] You wait for the rest. For once, nothing follows. You look down at her. There are things you know how to do in this room. Check a pulse. Keep people outside. Ask who touched what. You stand there. [[Leave the objects in place and step into the corridor|ClosedCorridor]]

(if: not $introducedToGordon)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["Detective Leroy. I hit my head upstairs."] You lay your badge on the clear patch of bench. He reads the name, then looks back at you. (if: $shirtChanged)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I borrowed a shirt. From the laundry."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I can see that. Where's yours?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["In a bag. I've kept it."]] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I need to ask you about Mira Palmer."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You can ask sitting down."] He pulls a stool away from the bench. You sit. He moves a tray of drill bits out of reach of your elbow. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Want me to ring reception? Get someone to look at that?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Give me a minute."] He watches you, then puts the screwdriver in its drawer. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You feel sick, you tell me. All right?"] You nod. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Sit still. He has a phone. Let's keep him away from it.] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira was looking into the fire. I'm trying to find out what she found."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Leroy. Your name's in the report."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Gordon Freeman. She said she wanted to talk to you. Didn't mention you'd be coming down here."] (set: $introducedToGordon to true)] (else:)[Gordon leaves a hand on the back of the stool. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Go on. What is it?"]] [[Ask what Mira wanted|GordonMira]] [[Ask whether you can see the records|GordonFiles]] [[Leave the workshop|B1Landing]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["I need to ask about Mira Palmer."] The man doesn't move aside. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I heard you. Who are you?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["It's important."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then it can survive an introduction."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[He asked one question. We've failed it twice.] [[Give him your name and explain|GordonIdentity]] [[Leave him alone|B1Landing]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Detective Leroy. I hit my head upstairs."] You show him your badge. He glances at it, but keeps the chain on his door. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Do you want me to call the desk?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I can get downstairs. Did you see anyone coming from the upper floor?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You should have someone look at that. And before you ask me anything, I didn't see what happened upstairs."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I haven't asked what happened."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["People hear 'I saw a man' and stop listening to the rest."] He takes the chain off but stays in the doorway. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I can answer from here. Keep your voice down."] (set: $introducedToJames to true) (text-colour:#ff6666)[He has opened the door. Try not to make him regret it.] [[Ask his name and what he saw|JamesIntro]] [[Go back to the landing|GuestLanding]]

You show your badge. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Detective Leroy. I know Miss Palmer. I came to see her. Something happened upstairs. I've got a cut on my head."] The receptionist copies your name from the badge, then looks towards the stairs. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Upstairs where?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Near the service stairs. I don't have the whole evening straight."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then I'd rather get you medical attention than ask you to explain it standing up."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Give me a minute. I'm staying inside."] (if: $shirtChanged)[You explain that you borrowed the shirt from the laundry. He writes the laundry cupboard number on his pad.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Norman Baines. Sit by the desk if you feel dizzy. If you need me to make the call, say so."] (set: $introducedToNorman to true) (text-colour:#ff6666)[A name and an offer to call someone. We were hoping for less service.] [[Ask who visited Mira tonight|NormanQuestions]] [[Take the water and sit for a moment|NormanHelp]] [[Return to the lobby|Lobby]]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Apparently we're not a bank. That's what the manager said. As though I'd asked for the money as well."] She turns the book round, then draws it back to check the page. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["He had to lean right over. Folder slid off the seat when he did it. Had to put the handbrake on and fish it out. That's why I remember the car."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["The time's in there?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Of course. You think I write down how far away they park? I'd need a much bigger book."] (set: $margaretHeardOut to true) (text-colour:#ff6666)[She was getting there. Give your jaw a rest.] [[Look at the entry|ParkingLog]] [[Ask about the folder and driver|SecondCar]] [[Leave the booth|Parking]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Please. I need the departure time."] Margaret stops with her finger above the page. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I was finding it."] She turns the book towards you and covers the other entries with a sheet of paper. She waits for you to read. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. Efficient. She liked you better when she thought you'd lost a ticket.] [[Read the entry|ParkingLog]] [[Ask whether the driver was alone|SecondCar]] [[Leave the booth|Parking]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["What's wrong with the booth?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Which bit? The window latch, the heater, or the fact that everyone thinks I own the hotel when the machine eats a coin?"] She holds up a small biscuit tin. It rattles. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Foreign coins. Washers. One of those little things for a shopping trolley. People will put anything in there except the price on the sign."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Why keep them?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The manager says it's user error. Next time he says it, I'm tipping the lot on his desk."] She puts the tin under the desk and opens her magazine again. She seems quite pleased to have explained it. [[Ask about tonight's departures|ParkingQuestions]] [[Leave her to the magazine|Parking]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Why do you need their names?"] For a moment you hear only the line. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Because I'll be asked who knows what. I'm trying to get an account together before this becomes six different stories."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["You haven't asked what happened to Mira."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You told me she's dead. You told me you can't remember. I'm asking about the people who can."] His voice has become the one he uses when someone else is listening to an interview. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. He has made your question sound like an interruption. Very familiar.] (if: $introducedToGordon or $introducedToJames or $introducedToNorman or ((history:) contains "Margaret"))[[[Tell him whom you have spoken to|WexlerSources]]] [[Keep the conversations to yourself and hang up|Telephone]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["I've asked people about tonight. I haven't told them about Mira."] (if: $introducedToNorman)[You give him the receptionist's name.] (if: $introducedToJames)[You mention James in room 312.] (if: $introducedToGordon)[You tell him you spoke to Gordon in maintenance.] (if: (history:) contains "Margaret")[You mention Margaret at the parking booth.] (set: $sourcesDisclosedToWexler to true) (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Stop doing that. You're hurt. You don't know which questions you ought to be asking."] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I'm asking when you left."] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["And I've answered. Listen to me for once."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["We can go through my evening when you've finished telling me about yours."]]] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I'm trying to find out what happened before I woke up."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then wait for someone who can do that properly. Don't call anyone else before you've spoken to me again."]] (text-colour:#ff6666)[We have given him the names. Perhaps that will make him easier to talk to. No. It doesn't sound as though it has.] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[[[Ask for his departure time|WexlerAlibi]]] [[End the call|Telephone]]

(set: $helpRequested to true) (text-colour:#ffd180)["I found her upstairs. She's dead."] The bench lamp lights a tray of screws and two mugs. Gordon looks at the one nearest the empty stool. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Mira?"] You nod. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["No. She was down here this afternoon."] He touches its handle, then takes his hand away. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Where upstairs?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["The closed wing. On the fourth floor."] He opens his mouth, closes it, then reaches for the telephone. His thumb misses one of the buttons. He starts again. He calls reception. For the first few words his voice is too low. He repeats them, louder, asks for emergency services and gives the floor. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["It's Mira. Palmer. And there's an injured man here. He needs someone too."] He listens with his free hand flat against the bench. (text-colour:#ffd180)["I haven't worked out what happened."] Gordon looks back at you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then tell them that. Don't go back up there."] He puts the receiver down carefully. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Can you manage the stairs with me?"] He waits while you stand, then walks with you to reception. He doesn't ask you to finish explaining the files. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There goes the rest of our investigation. He heard dead and picked up the phone. Apparently it can be that simple.] [[Stay at reception while help comes|PoliceWait]]

01:46 AM. THE STATION. The carbon paper has slipped. Your signature appears twice on the vehicle return form, once where it belongs and once across DAMAGE REPORTED. You pull the sheets apart. The box for new damage is empty. You cross out the misplaced signature and initial the correction. An envelope lies beside your keys. Someone left it at the desk for you during the shift. You recognise the handwriting. From the corridor, a colleague asks whether you're going home. [[Say Greyhaven, then home|PrologueHome]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Greyhaven. Then home."] The colleague stops at the door. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The hotel? Bit late for dinner."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I'm not eating."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Right. Turn the lamp off when you go."] You wait until the footsteps have faded before putting the envelope in your coat. [[Switch off the desk lamp|PrologueMessage]]

Mira called before midnight. You were still on shift. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'm at the Greyhaven. Can you come when you finish? I'll wait."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Is this about us?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Read what I left at the desk first. I’ll be in the west wing. Please read it before you come up."] You said you would. Another telephone rang before you could ask anything else. Now you stand beside the dark desk with her envelope still unopened. [[Take your keys and go to the car|PrologueRoad]]

02:06 AM. The envelope slides towards you when you turn. You catch it against the passenger seat without taking your eyes off the road. At a red light, you notice your notebook wedged into the door pocket. Alyx called earlier. You wrote her number down with a reminder to call back. The light changes. A car behind you sounds its horn. At the next junction you turn towards the hotel. [[Drive to Greyhaven|PrologueRamp]]

02:14 AM. GREYHAVEN HOTEL. Most of the upper windows are dark. One side of the building disappears behind scaffolding that has begun to rust at the joints. The parking entrance is below street level. You take a ticket from the machine and wait for the barrier to rise. Behind the booth window, someone is reading a magazine. You park near the pedestrian door. You have left enough room to open the passenger door, although nobody is sitting there. [[Switch off the engine|PrologueEnvelope]]

The engine stops. The dashboard goes dark. In the light from the booth, you can still see the envelope on the passenger seat. You put the envelope on your knees. Your name is written without your rank. She used to leave notes like that beside the kettle. Your thumb rests under the flap. You begin to open it. — [[...|BlackoutSymbols]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["Detective Leroy. The woman is Mira Palmer."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["How do you know her?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["We used to be together."] The officer writes that down before asking the next question. You watch the words become part of somebody else's notes. (if: $attackRemembered)[You describe the blows you remember. You distinguish those moments from what you learned later. The officer asks where each witness can be found.] (else:)[You describe waking on the floor, finding Mira and checking her breathing. When asked what happened immediately before that, you have to say you do not know.] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You give the details that conflict with Wexler's departure account and ask for them to be checked outside his command. The officer repeats the sources back to you and writes down the request.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Former partner. Injured man. Detective. He has written all three. You don't get to pick which one he asks about.] [[Show them where you woke|FirstCallRoom]]

You walk as far as the fourth-floor landing with an officer beside you. Another stands at the room door. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Wait here. Point from here."] You show where you were lying and where Mira was when you woke. The officer asks which things you touched. (if: $room309KeyTaken)[You take the key marked 309 from your coat and explain where you found it.] (if: $shirtChanged)[You tell them about the shirt in the laundry bag. Someone asks you to keep the bag closed until it can be collected.] (if: $statementRead)[You explain that the copied statement in your coat came from the envelope in your car.] (if: $officeKeyTaken)[You give them the office key and explain Gordon's access ledger.] You start to step closer to the doorway. The officer puts out a hand without touching you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's far enough for now."] You stop. The room has become a place other people can tell you not to enter. [[Go downstairs with the officer|FirstCallMorning]]

By the time you leave for medical attention, the windows behind reception are turning grey. The officer gives you a contact number. Someone will take a fuller account after your head has been examined. You ask whether they will need your car. They say to leave the keys with them for now. You put the hotel parking ticket beside the keys. There is no reason to keep searching your pockets. (if: $attackRemembered)[You have told them what you remember of the attack. They will have to test it against the room and the witnesses.] (else:)[You still cannot explain all of the night. People are upstairs checking it without waiting for you to recover the missing part.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[We could have prepared a better account. No. We could have prepared a different one.] At the entrance, the officer asks whether you can manage the step. You look down before answering. (text-colour:#ffd180)["I could use a hand."] END. THE FIRST CALL (link: "Start again")[(restart:)]

You give the officers the account you gave Alyx. When one asks how you know Wexler, you answer that he is your captain. You show them the fourth-floor room from the doorway. You point out the ashtray without approaching the table. (if: $tapeViewed)[You explain that Gordon has set aside tonight's tape. An officer goes down to maintenance.] (else:)[You identify the exit-book entry Margaret showed you. An officer goes to speak to her separately.] The copied worker's statement comes out of your coat. You explain where the hotel report can be found and where the original envelope is still lying. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["This is your handwriting in the margin?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] You show your badge when asked for identification. The officer copies its number beside your name. [[Answer the questions about the old report|TruthInterview]]

You sit in the hotel office with the two accounts on the desk. The officer has asked reception to leave the room. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Did you speak to the worker again after you received this?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["No."] (if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Why not?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Wexler said the worker had confused the doors. I wasn't satisfied. I signed anyway."]] (else:)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Was the account checked before you signed?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I didn't check it. I passed it up and accepted the final report. I can't tell you exactly what I thought at the time."]] The officer asks about Wexler next. This time his name is an answer to the question you were asked. Your badge lies beside your elbow. You turn it over because the lamp is catching the metal, then stop with your hand on it. (text-colour:#ffd180)["You should include that I signed it. Not just that he approved it."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I have."] [[Read back the account|TruthMorning]]

Before morning, your injury has been dressed. You sit at the office desk reading the account. You correct a time attributed to you: that came from the parking records, not your memory. Your account includes the statement you received, the check you did not make and the report you signed. The officer tells you those decisions will be examined separately from Mira's death. You ask whether you can return to duty. They will contact your command. You leave the badge on the desk while they make that call. In the corridor, you hear that Wexler is being interviewed. Nobody has told you what he is saying. The officer comes back for one more detail about the envelope. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Has someone contacted Mira's family?"] He says reception is helping establish whom to call. You tell him you don't know whom she would have wanted there. You wait while he writes that down. On the account, your failure to check the worker's statement is described as something that was overlooked. You cross out the passive wording and write: I did not follow it up. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Initial the correction, please."] You do. Outside the office, a trolley wheel catches in the carpet. You wait for it to move before opening the door. There is nowhere you need to pretend to be going. END. THE WHOLE STATEMENT (link: "Start again")[(restart:)]

The account of this night's attack is the clearest thing you say. You show the officers the fourth-floor room and explain which moments you remember. You identify the witnesses and the car records that need checking. (if: $tapeViewed)[You direct an officer to the tape Gordon has kept aside.] (else:)[You explain where Margaret keeps the exit book.] You hand over the copied statement from your coat and point them towards the hotel report. You do not try to hide your handwriting. You describe the old investigation as something directed by Wexler. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["But you worked on it?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] The officer puts a finger beside your note. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then we'll need your part in this as well."] [[Sit down to give the account|CleanInterview]]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Did you speak to the worker again?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I referred the statement to Wexler."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'm asking what you did after that."] You look at the note in your handwriting. The officer waits. (text-colour:#ffd180)["I didn't speak to the worker again. I accepted the explanation in the final report."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["And signed it?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] (if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[You could tell him you were still unconvinced. Instead, you wait for his next question.] (else:)[You could say that passing the statement on was the last thing you chose to do about it. You let your answer sound as though the choice belonged to the report.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. Nothing invented. Don't improve it by explaining why you needed those particular words.] The officer circles the date of your note. He has not said he is satisfied. [[Read back the account|CleanMorning]]

Your account is on the desk. The sentence about accepting the report is exactly as you gave it. The officer asks you to check the times and names. You correct the departure time: it came from a record, not your own watch. You leave the account of your old decision as it stands. Your injury has been dressed. Your badge is back in your pocket. You are told to remain available while the old papers are examined. You have been cleared of nothing yet. In the corridor, you hear that Wexler is being interviewed separately. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["How long had you known Miss Palmer?"] the officer asks when he returns. You give the dates. He asks whether the relationship was still going on. You say no. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Dates. You can give him all of those.] You ask to read the account once more. The officer slides it back towards you. The account records that you did not speak to the worker again. You have admitted that much. (if: $oldDoubtsRemembered)[It does not record that you still doubted the explanation when you signed. You could add that sentence now.] (else:)[It describes your acceptance of the report. It does not say that passing the question upwards was how you chose to stop dealing with it. You could explain that now.] You check the spelling of Mira's surname instead. END. A CLEAN REPORT (link: "Start again")[(restart:)]

(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You reported a death inside?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Yes."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Why have you left?"] The pedestrian door is still visible behind you. You look towards it as though the answer might be written there. (text-colour:#ffd180)["I needed some air."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["We need you back inside. Have you got anything with you we should know about?"] (if: $statementRead)[You tell the officer about the copied statement in your coat before reaching for it.] (if: $shirtChanged)[You explain the laundry bag and the shirt inside it.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Air. A reasonable thing to need. Less easy to explain why you brought the car keys out to breathe it.] [[Go back with the officer|SuspectInterview]]

You sit away from the reception desk. An officer remains with you while someone arranges medical attention. (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You give the records that contradict Wexler's departure account. The officer asks where each can be secured. (if: $attackRemembered)[You also describe the attack you remember.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Then why leave before telling us this here?"] You start with your injury. The officer writes it down and asks the question again.] (else:)[You give your connection to Mira and the gap in your memory. When the officer asks who else was there, you cannot give an account that explains the blood and the room. (if: $tapeViewed or $parkingLogRead)[You identify the car record you checked. The officer arranges for it to be secured, then asks what you know about the driver's actions inside the hotel.] (if: $wexlerVisitKnown)[You mention Wexler's visit. The officer asks what you know about when he left.] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["We'll need to keep checking this with you."]] On the desk behind the officer, your keys have been put in a labelled bag. Your car will stay in the hotel parking level. [[Wait while they check the room and your account|SuspectMorning]]

By morning, you are being taken for a fuller interview after medical attention. Your movement away from the hotel is part of the account now. (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[The departure records are being secured. Leaving did not make them disappear. It did leave you explaining why you tried to go before the officers arrived. You ask whether Wexler will be questioned. The officer says your information has been passed on, then returns to the point where you left reception. ] (else:)[Your station has been contacted. Before you leave, an officer asks whether Captain Wexler is your commanding officer. Wexler has described you as unreliable and asked to be kept informed. You begin to explain why he would say that. The officer asks what you can support. You are being treated as the principal suspect. The gap in your account still covers the violence. The officers are checking the blood on your clothing, your connection to Mira and your attempt to leave. ] (text-colour:#ff6666)[You should have stayed. Yes, I said you could go. I don't know what you want me to do about that now.] The officer opens the car door and waits. This time you wait for him to tell you where to sit. (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[END. THE ROADSIDE INTERVIEW] (else:)[END. THE EASY EXPLANATION] (link: "Start again")[(restart:)]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["You didn't mention the owner was your brother-in-law."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I didn't think I needed to give you a family history. He called me. I went over."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["About what?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Someone going through the fire papers. Asking the staff questions. He wanted to know what to do."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Mira."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Yes. Mira."] He says it as though you have finally caught up. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Family visit. At two in the morning. You could ask what was so urgent. You could also let him finish. He's much nicer when you let him finish.] (text-colour:#ffd180)["Why couldn't it wait?"] Something scrapes against the receiver. When he speaks again, his voice is closer. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Leroy. You're hurt. You've lost part of the night. And you're asking me why I went to a hotel. Tell me what's happened."] (if: $wexlerAskedAboutLeroy)[[["And why were you asking for me?"|WexlerStationCall]]] (if: not $wexlerToldAboutMira)[[[Tell him about Mira|WexlerThreat]]] (if: $parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed)[[[Challenge his departure time|WexlerPress]]] [[End the call|Telephone]]

(text-colour:#ffd180)["You asked reception whether I'd arrived. How did you know I was coming?"] (if: $stationCallKnown)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I told you. I rang the station. They said Greyhaven."]] (else:)[For a moment he says nothing. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I rang the station for you. You'd just left. They said you were going to the hotel."] You remember the colleague in the doorway. Greyhaven. You said it yourself. (text-colour:#ffd180)["Why were you looking for me?"] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["The owner had called about Miss Palmer and the old fire. You worked that case. I thought you ought to know."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["So you came here instead of waiting for me to call back."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You were going there. She was there. I wanted this dealt with before it became a problem."] He draws a breath. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Before someone upset her unnecessarily. Don't put words in my mouth."]] (set: $stationCallKnown to true) (text-colour:#ff6666)[The colleague asked where you were going. You gave him an address. That was all it took. We were rather pleased with how little we'd said.] (if: not $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Ask when he left the hotel|WexlerAlibi]]] (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[[[Return to his departure account|WexlerAlibi]]] (if: not $wexlerToldAboutMira)[[[Tell him Mira is dead|WexlerThreat]]] [[Keep the rest of your account to yourself and hang up|Telephone]]

∴ ⊘ ∴ ⌁ / ∅ / ⌁ — ⸮ — [[...|BlackoutDots]]

(text-colour:#ff6666)[.......] [[...|BlackoutVoice]]

(text-colour:#ff6666)[wakey wakey] [[...|Wake0317]]

(if: $sockSearched)[The second sock has not appeared. You leave the suitcase alone.] (else:)[You check under the bed. Dust. Behind the radiator. More dust. You try the empty side pocket of the suitcase, then crouch for another look beneath the bed. When you stand, your head catches the frame. You stay crouched. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Careful. We're running out of parts of your head that still work.] You sit on the floor with the single sock in your hand. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Still no partner. You two should get along.] You put it back beside the suitcase.] (set: $sockSearched to true) [[Get up carefully and return to the room|Room309Inside]]

(if: $gordonMiraAnswered)[Gordon waits. You have already given him an answer.] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["I don't know where she is now."] Gordon keeps looking at you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["That's not quite what I asked."] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I'm trying to understand what she was looking for."] (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["I'll ring her room. If you hear from her, don't leave me guessing."] He picks up the bench telephone. No answer from 309. He sets it down slowly. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Show me what you're trying to find. The papers stay here."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[Now he is worried. We could have avoided that by saying something much worse.]] (set: $gordonAskedAboutMira to true) (set: $gordonMiraAnswered to true) [[Ask about the fire records|GordonFiles]] [[Ask what Mira wanted|GordonMira]] [[Ask about the parking recorder|Recorder]] [[Step back into the corridor|B1Landing]]

You write CAPTAIN WEXLER. Gordon looks at the line, then at you. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Your name."] (text-colour:#ff6666)[He's remarkably particular about whose signature goes beside whose keys.] He keeps the key beneath his hand. (set: $badNameTried to true) [[Cross it out, write your own name and sign|KeyReceipt]] [[Put the pen down and leave without the key|GordonIntro]]

(if: $radioDiscussed)[The radio is still playing inside the booth.] (else:)[(text-colour:#ffd180)["What's playing?"] Margaret turns the volume up enough for you to hear the guitar. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Old Gods of Asgard. My favourite band."] She listens for a moment before turning it back down.] (set: $radioDiscussed to true) [[Ask about tonight's departures|ParkingQuestions]] [[Return to the booth conversation|Margaret]] [[Leave her to the radio|Parking]]

(if: $windowWiped)[You leave the smear alone.] (else:)[You pull your sleeve over your hand and raise it to the window. (if: $shirtChanged)[You begin polishing the glass. Margaret lowers her magazine. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["What are you doing?"] (text-colour:#ffd180)["I need to see who I'm talking to."] You keep polishing. Margaret slides the window wider. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["There you are, Detective."] You look down. A grey streak runs across the cuff. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Fresh shirt. Not anymore.] (set: $windowWiped to true)] (else:)[Margaret looks from the bloodstained sleeve to the window. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Please don't use that sleeve."] You lower your arm.]] [[Return to the conversation|Margaret]] [[Leave the booth|Parking]]

A wedding photograph stands on the owner's desk beside the accounts. Wexler is the groom. You recognise his wife beside him. The frame has tipped backwards against the lamp. On its exposed back, beneath the date, she has written: For my brother and his new office. Love from your little sister. You look from the inscription to the owner's papers on the desk. (if: not $wexlerFamilyKnown)[The owner is her brother. Wexler's brother-in-law. (text-colour:#ff6666)[He left that part out. Funny. He usually likes telling you who he knows.]] (set: $wexlerFamilyKnown to true) (if: $wexlerAlibiHeard)[You can ask him why his account of the visit did not include that. The telephone is downstairs.] [[Read the owner's correspondence|Owner]] [[Return to the cabinet|Archive]]

You stop beside the pedestrian exit. Your car keys are in your hand. Mira is still upstairs. (text-colour:#ff6666)[You can come back. Once you've worked out what to say. That is what we usually do.] [[Go to the car and try to drive out|DriveAway]] [[Leave the car and walk out|WalkAway]] [[Stay and return to the parking level|Parking]]

(if: not $faceWashed or not $shirtChanged)[You sit behind the wheel and take the ticket from the dashboard. At the booth, the attendant looks at your head and shirt before reaching for it. (text-colour:#8fd3ff)["You need someone to look at you. Let me ring the desk. Or I can call a taxi."] She leaves the barrier down. You put the car back in its space and switch off the engine. [[Leave on foot instead|WalkAway]] [[Stay and return inside|Parking]]] (else:)[You take the parking ticket from the dashboard and drive up to the booth. The attendant checks the time on it, takes your payment and raises the barrier. (if: $margaretSawBlood)[(text-colour:#8fd3ff)["Get that cut checked. I'm serious."]] You nod and drive up the ramp. Nobody comes after you. (text-colour:#ff6666)[There. A ticket. That was all she wanted.] (set: $departureByCar to true) (set: $leftBeforeReporting to true) [[Drive home|DepartureMorning]]]

You put the car keys back in your pocket and push through the pedestrian door. It opens from this side without a ticket. Cold air reaches the cut on your head. A delivery van passes at the top of the ramp. You wait for it, then cross the road. Nobody stops you. (text-colour:#ff6666)[Keep walking. We can decide where when we get there.] (set: $departureByCar to false) (set: $leftBeforeReporting to true) [[Keep going until you reach home|DepartureMorning]]

At home, you leave the light off. You sit with your keys on the table and wait for the night to feel further away. By morning, Gordon has gone looking for Mira and the west-wing key she borrowed. He finds her. The hotel calls the police. Later, your telephone rings. (if: $departureByCar)[The caller asks whether you were at the Greyhaven. Your registration is on the exit recording.] (else:)[The caller asks about your car. It is still in the hotel parking level.] (if: $introducedToNorman or $introducedToGordon or $introducedToJames or ((history:) contains "Margaret"))[People at the hotel have also given your name.] You are asked to come in and explain your connection to Mira. (if: $wexlerVisitKnown and $wexlerAlibiHeard and ($parkingLogRead or $tapeViewed))[You tell the caller about the departure records that contradict Wexler. You identify where they can be secured. (if: $attackRemembered)[You describe the attack you remember.] The information is taken down. Then the caller asks why you left without reporting the death.] (else:)[You cannot account for the part of the night in which Mira was killed. Leaving her there has not made that easier to explain.] (if: $statementRead)[The statement is still in your coat.] (if: $shirtChanged)[The bag containing your old shirt is beside your chair. You have not thrown it away.] (text-colour:#ff6666)[We did come back to it. Funny how it found the address.] END. THE CALL YOU DIDN'T MAKE (link: "Start again")[(restart:)]