“Come in,” Dillon said.
“This is Deputy District Attorney Peter Ragland and Detectives Roger Dillon and Carrie Anders,” Robinson said when everyone was in the office. “They’re in charge of the investigation intoRobert Chesterfield’s murder. And this is Titus Atkinson and his wife, Emily.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Dillon said.
“The Atkinsons were sitting a few rows back from the stage,” Robinson continued. “Will you please tell the detectives what you just told me?”
Mr. Atkinson looked nervous. “Emily and I are big fans of magic. We always attend a show when a famous magician comes to Portland, and we always try to get seats close to the stage, so I can try and figure out how they do the tricks.”
“Any success?” Dillon asked.
Atkinson flashed a sad smile. “Not much.” He shook his head. “I’m almost always stumped.”
“How about tonight?”
“No luck. I thought I got the one where he made the roses disappear, but I have no idea how he pulled off those other stunts.”
“Tell Detective Dillon about the man who was sitting in front of you,” Robinson said.
Atkinson looked nervous again. “Okay—now, I didn’t see anyone kill anyone.”
“Just tell the detectives what you did see.”
“Just before the Chamber of Death trick started, when Lord Chesterfield was doing card tricks, the man who was seated directly in front of me got up and walked into the aisle.”
“Did you see where he went after he went into the aisle?” Dillon asked.
“No. I was focused on Lord Chesterfield. I just saw the man leave.”
“But you’re certain he left?”
“Yes, because my view wasn’t obstructed and—well, I recognized him because he’s also a famous magician, so I watched him because I wondered what he was doing.”
“What’s the magician’s name?” Ragland asked.
“David Turner. I’ve seen him on TV, and Emily and I caught his show in Las Vegas several years ago, before that TV magician showed how the car trick worked.”
“How long was Mr. Turner gone?” Ragland asked.
“Definitely during most of the Chamber of Death, because I could see the whole thing.”
“Did you see Mr. Turner return to his seat?” Anders asked.
“He was back sometime after the girl screamed, because I had to look around him to see what was happening on the stage.”
Anders turned her attention to Emily Atkinson. “What about you, Mrs. Atkinson? Did you see where the man went after he left his seat?”
“No. I didn’t see the man leave, because I was watching what was happening onstage, and he was sitting in front of Titus, not in front of me.”
“This has been very useful,” Anders assured the couple. “Why don’t you step outside. Officer Robinson will be with you in a minute.” Anders turned to Robinson as soon as the Atkinsons were out of the room. “Go get David Turner. I have a few questions I’d like to ask him.”
“Have a seat, Mr. Turner. I’m Carrie Anders, and this is Roger Dillon. We’re detectives with Portland Homicide. And this is Deputy District Attorney Peter Ragland.”
“Why am I being detained?” the magician asked.
“We’re talking to everyone who was near the front of the theater and may have seen something that can help us find the person who killed Mr. Chesterfield. I’m particularly eager to get your input because you’re a professional magician and would see things I never would.”
“Then I’m sorry to disappoint you. I have no idea who killed Chesterfield.”