Ashes to Dust (Las Vegas Mystery)

television. Don’t come outside.”
    “Awesome,” the kid said.
    In the garage, Snow found a six-foot aluminum ladder with spots of white paint scattered all over it. He carried it to the backyard, opened it, and set it next to the fence bordering Miller’s backyard.
    He raised his head slowly and peered over the top of the fence. The backyard was covered with Bermuda grass, bordered by gravel and bushes along the fence. In front of the patio door was a rounded slab of cement with lawn chairs, a glass table, and a gas grill.
    Snow noticed the glass patio door, and the blinds were open. He would have to be quiet.
    Then the realization struck him that he would need another ladder to climb down the other side of the fence.
    He went back into the house and found the teenagers sitting together on the couch, staring at the television. It was still off. As he entered through the patio door, they turned to grin at him.
    “How’s it going?” the boy asked.
    “Good,” Snow said. “I’ll need the other ladder.”
    “You need any help?” the boy asked.
    “Thanks,” Snow said. “I can handle it. Be sure to stay inside.”
    There was no reply from them. They watched like two cats as Snow crossed to the door that led to the garage.
    A few minutes later, he emerged with the eight-foot ladder. He carried it out to the backyard, opened it, lifted it over the fence, and set it on the other side. He then climbed the short ladder, stepped over onto the taller ladder, and then down onto the grass.
    Silently, he crept across the yard to the patio door. He stopped next to the edge of the closed screen door, tilted his head, and peered into the living room.
    Inside, he saw Jack Roberts sitting comfortably in the middle of the sofa, his hands resting on his lap, holding a .38 caliber revolver with the hammer back. It was aimed at the chest of Kevin Miller, who stood across from him, perfectly still, his eyes wide, his face drained of all color.
    To the left of Miller, Duke Ellis and Sally stood with their revolvers pointed at Roberts. No one spoke.
    Snow moved away from the screen door and speed-dialed Alice on his cell phone.
    She answered on the first ring. “What the hell is going on back there?” Alice whispered vehemently.
    “The gate was locked,” Snow whispered back. I had to get ladders from next door to get over the fence.”
    “What’s happening inside?” Alice said.
    “It’s a standoff,” Snow said. “Roberts has a gun pointed at Miller. Duke and Sally have Roberts covered with their weapons.”
    “What shall I do?” Alice said.
    Snow thought for a moment. “Ring the front doorbell,” he said.
    “What?”
    “Ring the doorbell. See what happens.”
    “What do you think will happen?” Alice snapped. “Someone will answer it. Is that the best idea you can come up with?”
    “What do you want to do?” Snow argued. “Shoot the doorknob off?”
    “Alright, alright,” Alice said. “What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going to watch,” Snow said.
    “You can’t be serious.”
    “If something goes wrong, I can call the police.”
    “My hero,” Alice said. “Alright, let me know when you’re ready.”
    “Go ahead,” Snow said, and then he tiptoed back to the patio door.
    Inside, he heard the doorbell ring.
    Without moving his eyes from Miller, Roberts said, “Go see who it is, but don’t open it unless I tell you to.”
    Duke kept his gun aimed at Roberts while Sally went to the door. “It’s Alice James!” she hollered back.
    “What about Jim Snow? Is he with her?” Roberts yelled to her.
    A moment later, Sally hollered back, “Yes. He’s with her.”
    “Look through the peephole and make sure they’re alone!” Roberts yelled.
    “For chrissake, I did already!” Sally hollered.
    “Alright. Let them in!” Roberts yelled.
    Sally and Alice moved slowly into view, Sally with her revolver, Alice with her nine-millimeter aimed at Roberts.
    “Where the hell is Snow?” Roberts demanded.
    The latch on the screen door was broken. Snow slid it open and stood in full view. “You want snow—move to Minnesota,” he said.
    “Get the fuck in here!” Roberts snapped.
    Snow stepped inside, closing the screen door behind him. Then he took two more steps toward Miller and stopped.
    “Well, this is good,” Roberts said, keeping his eyes on Miller. “It looks like the remainder of my firing squad has arrived.”
    “What now?” Snow said.
    “I shoot this sonofabitch, and the rest of