Fatal Gilded High Note

New York's "e;Diamond Horseshoe"e; balcony in the Metropolitan Opera House glittered with ladies' jewels in January 1899, and Society seated in private boxes heard Mozart's murder victim sing his song of death-unaware that the sudden death of a "e;Coal King"e; in Box 18 will be ruled a homicide.When opera-goers Val and Roddy DeVere are asked to investigate ("e;on the q.t."e;), Val finds herself suspected of complicity in the murder.The police have "e;material evidence"e; against her. Before a jury, Val's lawyer husband reminds her, "e;'material' evidence can be the bright, shiny object that overrides all reason and fact."e;