"Well... I suppose..." was Violet's answer. She fidgeted a bit with the corner of her sleeve. "I'm not sure I like your tone, young man. I hope you're not casting aspersions. I was in this room, as were my guests -- we've all vouched for each other!" No lies there.

"Lemme get this straight," said Heiji. "The lights went out. The man or woman, whoever it was, came to the door. They opened it, shone a light into the crowd, and fired twice."

He crossed his arms. "How 'bout a little thought experiment? You said yourself the door was heavy. You're suggesting the same guy pulled open that door, trained a heavy-duty flashlight around, and still had a hand free to fire that handgun? What was he doing, fumbling for the light while he got the door open? Maybe he asked you politely to wait a second while he set up a doorstop?"