The last train leaves Penmorrow carrying Lucian's trunk—and, according to an honest witness, Lucian himself. His body is still inside the Bay Hotel.
Christmas at the Bay has brought an exhibition of antique mechanical toys, crowned by a skating scene. When Lucian, a valuer, questions the celebrated piece and quarrels with its owner, he announces his departure and orders his luggage sent to the station. A porter sees the coat, document case and trunk beside the train. Then the hotel's night porter finds Lucian murdered behind transit crates.
Edmund and Katherine Trewin join Inspector Merritt in separating what people truly saw from what familiar objects made them assume. Colonel Samuel Carew helps test the coordinated journey while a collector, an assistant, an organiser and a restorer conceal dangerous mistakes.
A dead man cannot board a train—but someone at the Bay has made his possessions tell a convincing lie
