Police Chief Harris says, "Vic, we witness your car near StarLux Lounge the night their stage caught fire. Care to explain?"

I am Vic Vaughn, a charismatic nightclub owner accused of sabotaging 'The StarLux Lounge' club in Emson Falls, Nebraska, 1955. A time bounded story...

Police Chief Harris stands tall, eyeing me sternly at my counter. My nightclub, Vaughn's Vault's interior looms in the background.

"Hahaa!!" I laughed with no clue why I did that.

Police Chief Harris raises an eyebrow. "Amusing yourself, Vic Vaughn? This arson investigation ain't no joke."

My nightclub's lawyer slips me a note: Keep cool, Vic. Alibi: Emily Wilson saw you at Joe's Diner that night.

I slipped the accusation to someone else like passing a dish across the table, "That's my brother, Kai, he always loiter around with my car. Not me. I swear it wasn't me!" Resting my arms over the counter, closer to the officer.

Chief Harris eyes narrow. "Joe's Diner owner confirms you were there eating apple pie with Emily Wilson... but Kai Vaughn has a rock-solid alibi too – he was with the projectionist's daughter. 

This just got interesting, Vic. Someone's lying about using your car..."

Projectionist's daughter is Lola. 

Why didn't she mentioned to me that before? I held back my confused expression from the officer while Emily Wilson leans over, whispering, "Vic, did Kai act weird before the fire?"

"Yes, he did! He was drunken." I say, aiming for the officer.

Chief Harris's eyes light up. "Now we're getting somewhere, Vic."

He turns to his deputy, "Bring Kai Vaughn in for questioning – intoxicated state could imply guilt or witness value."

Then back to me, "Vic, your brother's drunkenness saves your hide for now..."

But Emily here just whispered something else, "Kai argued with StarLux Lounge manager earlier that night."

"That's it. He usually gets mad when he's drunk, I think he burned the club cuz of that!" I bluntly sounded louder for the officer to listen up.

Chief Harris nods intensely. "We have motive and state of mind – Kai Vaughn's drunken anger towards StarLux Lounge manager could be our arsonist!"

He turns to his deputy, "Book Kai Vaughn for suspicious arson – Vic Vaughn, you're free to go... for now."

As Chief Harris walks away, Emily grabs my arm, "Vic, do you really think Kai did it? His fight was with StarLux's manager over... your girlfriend, Lola!"

"I have a girlfriend?!! No, she's just my keep!" I burst into a quick laughter, realising it is not working on her.

Emily raises an eyebrow. "Save it, Vic. Everyone in Emson Falls knows Lola is your girl – even if you pay her to keep you company.

Now, spill. Did Kai's fight with StarLux's manager over Lola spark more than just arson suspicions – like brotherly trouble between you two?"

Never thought Emily talks so much more than just about concerts and cocktail parties.

Lola herself walks in, hearing her name – her eyes narrow at me.

"Hi, babe!!" I tell her with a cheeky smile.

Lola smirks slightly, then glances at Emily before focusing back on me. "Vic, darling... interesting timing. Emily here was just discussing my name in connection with arson and your brother."

She takes my arm, her voice low and sultry. "Care to tell me what Kai did – or should I ask Chief Harris?"

Emily slips away unnoticed, not wanting to fuel the gossip.

"What do you want to know?" I say.

Lola leans in closer, voice barely above whisper. "Everything. But start with this: Did Kai torch StarLux Lounge over me... and our little secret from you?"

Her eyes lock intensely onto mine, implying the "secret" could jeopardize my relationship – or worse, my reputation.

I stared at her, confused. "I didn’t even know you both had a secret." 

"Tsk," She squints at me annoyingly, "I indirectly meant the fact about his obsession over me!"

Oh, I got ahead of myself.

"Is he still hitting on you?" I ask her.

Lola's lips curve slyly. "Worse, Vic. Kai thinks he can steal me from you. He's been sending me flowers, whispering sweet nothings... claiming you 'keep' me like a possession, not love me."

Her gaze burns with intensity. "Is that true, Vic?"

I pull her, "Babe!! Trust me. I could just live without air but not you. Cuz... I love you."

Lola's eyes sparkle like diamonds as she melts into my embrace. "Vic... my heart skips beats when you talk like that."

She kisses me softly, then whispers, "Forever with you, then... but Kai's still a problem. He showed up at my doorstep tonight – before the police came for him – saying 'Vic will never love you truly.'"

While sparing a brief pause, she was intensely waiting for my response until I broke the silence, "I thought he would burn inside the club when I set it on fire."

Lola's eyes widen in shock, then narrow intensely. "Vic Vaughn, you were going to torch StarLux Lounge – and kill Kai – over me?"

She pauses, voice low and husky. "That's twisted devotion... I'm both terrified and utterly yours."

Suddenly, police sirens echo outside – Chief Harris bursts in, "Vic Vaughn, new evidence – Kai had an alibi... YOU'RE under arrest for arson!"

"What is the meaning of alibi, officer?" I hide surprise with that.

Lola getting tensed while standing next to me.

Chief Harris smirks. "Easy word for a suspect like you, Vic – Alibi means 'proof of being elsewhere' during the crime. Kai had one... yours just disappeared with your confession to Lola here."

He says the same dialogues of Lola, "'Twisted devotion... kill Kai over me' – Lola herself told them."

When I faced towards her, Lola looks horrified and dumbfounded.