Murder in the Opera House

Jeff and Aaron, like thousands of others, appreciated the beauty and acoustic wonder of the opera house. Approaching from the outside one is struck by the flowing sail like appearance of the whole structure. Nearly everyone has seen the picture in numerous travel stories and magazines. What pictures can not do is replicate looks, feels, and sounds on the inside. The concert hall was the venue for tonight's Symphony concert. It is an acoustic marvel. No microphones are needed. Yet, all two thousand people seated comfortably in elegant cushion seats can hear sounds of the orchestra as well as any vocalists.

"I am always impressed with the sound in here," commented Jeff. "Those suspended plastic donut shaped rings above the stage really do wonders reflecting sound down to the orchestra so that each member can hear themselves. Really remarkable."

"Yes, the sound is always great," replied Aaron; "but, I always like the elegant wood finish and the coordinated coloring of strategically located fabrics which help preserve the pure sound of instruments. You know the opera venue is equally elegant and acoustically tuned for vocal sound. You should try it more often."

Jeff frowned.

"Try it Jeff, opera will expand your cultural horizons."

"I'll accept your professional journalistic reporting of the elegance and sound. Opera is beyond my cultural horizon."

As usual, just about every seat was filled. The lights were blinking for the third and final time..

"Looks sold out," commented Jeff.

"I told you tickets were scarce for this final performance. It looks like nearly all seats are filled. The last seat in our row to your left was just taken."

At that the light dimmed and the conductor entered stage left to a slowly louder round of applause. The concert began. The Beethoven Fifth Symphony was first on the program ending in intermission. The second half of the evening began with a light Chopin string piece followed by the climatic Tschaikovsky 1812 Overture.

At the close of the last encore, the nearly unanimous standing ovation began. Jeff and Aaron were on their feet applauding. They smiled in enjoyment and began to stir about as the lights came up and people began to move down the aisles toward the exits.

"Excuse me," said Jeff as he stepped in front of an elderly gentleman who seemed to have remained seated. As he moved past the gentleman Jeff bumped his knee lightly.

"Excuse me," added Aaron as she moved by the same gentleman, also inadvertently bumping him as she passed in from.

"EEEEKKK."

The scream from behind Jeff and Aaron was enlarged by several "OHs" from other persons behind and around them. They looked back and saw what had caused the commotion. The nicely dressed gentleman who had remained seated during encore ovations had tumbled out of his seat and now lay face down on the floor. His back and the back of the seat he was sitting in were covered with blood. He did not move. There were more screams and people began to move away quickly. Jeff and Aaron stopped and stared.

Aaron reached down and felt his wrist. "Jeff, I think this man is dead."

There were more screams and "ohs" from people in the lower central part of the hall. Quickly two Opera House Security persons were rushing into the hall. They made their way "upstream" through the throng of stunned people.

"What's the problem," asked the first security person.

"This man has been shot, I think he's dead," declared Jeff.

"John, we have a serious problem," said the first security to the second security. "I'll call for police. Try to get the people outside into the foyer."

"Right. Move out into the foyer, please," the security person spoke calmly. He directed people firmly but very politely rather than shouting at them.