Slade House

Arriving at Westwood Road, Detective Inspector Gordon Edmonds reminisces about the last time he came through the area with his ex-wife Julie to go house-hunting. Within five years, Julie sued for divorce after Gordon physically assaulted her, a proceeding that Gordon still resents.

Gordon has been assigned to investigate Slade Alley after a man named Famous Fred Pink reported a lead on a criminal case there. No one is able to direct him to the alley, and he is about to give up on his search when he comes across two builders harassing a traffic warden who is trying to serve them a parking ticket. Gordon scares off the builders with threats of criminal charges. The traffic warden thanks Gordon, who tells him about his search for Slade Alley. The traffic warden points out the alley at once.

Gordon cautiously navigates the alley, hoping to find nothing of note so that he can put the lead to rest. Instead, he finds a black iron door, which he goes to inspect. The door opens at his touch, revealing a long garden and a beautiful mansion behind. Gordon is annoyed that the house owner has left their garden door unlocked for potential burglars to enter, so he proceeds toward the house to lecture the owner about personal security.