"The Auction," by Christopher Reece, in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January 2013.
I read my EQMMs out of order. So sue me.
As the editors note, it is always a treat to read a good story written in an unusual format, especially from a new author. And that is what Mr. Reece provides us with.
The tale relates the history of an unhappy marriage told entirely through the patter of an auctioneer describing the items available at an estate sale.
Those of you familiar with the Inman family know this room, I'm certain. Unlike most of the items we've already seen, many of the objects within this room have gained a certain, shall we say, notoriety? Other things in the collection are valuable because they come from a particular era of history. These items, why, these items are part of history! Ladies and gentlemen, you are being granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase these treasures directly from the estate. Shall we begin?
I recommend you do.