The Dinner Guests

"A real beauty with all of the original woodwork in mint condition," Alice said, walking a semi-circle on the bare living room floor.
"You wonder how that can be, it's like a time capsule," Roland said, studying the architectural details.
"The whole house is one big time capsule," Gary said. "When we first looked at it the owner's relatives were here going through her belongings. All treasures from her worldly travels."
They sat down at the table and Eileen ladled beef stew into shallow bowls and served warm Italian bread. Gary poured the wine.
"The day we moved in my next-door neighbor told me the owner's son had been in the Mob," Eileen said.
Alice locked eyes with her husband Roland.
"People just stay stuff, you can't trust it," Roland said. He was tearing off a piece of bread from the loaf and biting into it while he spoke.
"Oh I believe it," Gary said. "Look." He got up and removed an oak panel from the dining room wall next to the fireplace. He pulled out a .45 with a white mother-of-pearl and sterling-silver handle. "Look at this baby," he said, presenting it like a newborn.
"He found it wrapped in a silk negligee," Eileen said, refreshing her wine glass. She sat back.
"Did it fit you?" Roland asked leaning forward.
Eileen blushed.
"I wonder if there's any more hidden treasure," Alice said.
"Any loose bricks?" Roland asked, turning the stem of his wine glass. "With money or jewels hidden behind them?"
"Does that really happen?" Alice asked.
"Oh it's just one of those stories floating around," Roland said.
They drank in silence for a moment.
"Is it loaded?" Roland asked.
"What, the gun?" asked Gary.
"I'm terrified of guns," Eileen said, covering her face.
"Eileen says she'd shoot herself the next time she gets a migraine. So she instructed me to hide the bullets." Gary said.
"I'd love to see them, especially if they are the vintage originals," Roland said.
"Sure, c'mon up." They climbed the stairs. "I've got them stashed up here," Gary said, reaching to the back of his desk. "Ah, here we go." Gary placed a bullet in Roland's hand.
"This sure is the real deal. They don't make 'em like this anymore," Roland said. He examined it under the light, then slipped it into the cartridge.
"What are you doing?" Gary asked. Roland pointed the gun at Gary.
"Nobody's gonna get hurt," Roland said. "Just relax and act natural while we go back downstairs. I'm right behind you."
"You lovely ladies want to make some coffee," Roland called down.
"Sure," Eileen said, getting up. Alice joined her in the kitchen.
Back in the living room, Roland whispered to Gary. "Face straight ahead and don't move." Roland leaned into the empty fireplace, feeling along the rear wall of yellow bricks until he found the loose one and pulled it out. He reached in and grabbed a black velvet pouch and pocketed it, replacing the brick. Then he aimed the gun at Gary as he walked backwards out the front door. "Goodbye Gary," he said.
The door clicked shut.
"Call the police!" Gary said, barging into the kitchen.
"What's wrong, what happened?" Eileen asked.
"Just call." Gary said, running his hands through his hair. "Where's Alice?"
"She just stepped out to have a smoke," Eileen said.
"No she didn't, she's gone too," Gary said, frazzled. "They've gone."
"What do you mean, what's this all about?" Eileen asked.
"Roland wanted to see the bullets. He loaded the gun and pointed it at me. We came downstairs and he told me not to move. I think he stole something and ran out the front door," Gary said.
"And they were such nice people," Eileen said.