“Unlikely Suspects”
~~~River Residence–Breakfast Room-10:17 am~~~
Pamela Lilac enters the Breakfast Room and serves herself some eggs and ham.
“Finally, someone hungry.” Inspector Brown smiles
Pam sits down and begins eating.
“I’d like to know where you were last night.” Inspector Brown opens his notebook
“In this house.” She says
“What part?” Inspector Brown asks
“A Guest Bedroom,” Pam says, “My husband and I went to bed at the same time, he will agree to that.”
“You are Jayne and Miles oldest daughter, correct?”
“Yeah, why?” asks Pam
“Just wondering.” Inspector Brown states
“Inspector, what do you want from me?” she pushes her plate away from her, “I didn’t kill Sebastian, but I’d like to thank whoever did.”
“I’ve heard that before.” Inspector Brown says to himself
“Everyone in this family thought Lucy made a big mistake, marrying him. No one liked him, either from their own relationships with him or how he treated his wife who happens to be my sister!” Pam says, “And if you are trying to accuse me of this crime, frankly, I’d love to take credit for it, but I had nothing to do with his death!”
Inspector Brown stands up and walks her out of the room.
~~~River Residence–Drawing Room-10:20 am~~~
Inspector Brown returns with Pamela. Everyone turns their attention to Inspector Brown.
“I need to speak with Carl Lilac.” He says…
~~~River Residence–Breakfast Room-10:21 am~~~
“You had a little ‘meeting’ with Sebastian, only hours before his murder, correct?” asks Inspector Brown
“I did.” Mr. Lilac says
“And what went on during that meeting?” asks Inspector Brown
“I confronted him about his little ‘joke’.” Carl says, “I told him about how angry the people are and if you put yourself in there place for a moment, maybe you can understand where they are coming at you so angrily.”
“Is that all?” asks Inspector Brown
“He confronted me about something.” Carl says, referring to the affair he had with Lucy.
“Would you care to tell me?” asks Inspector Brown
“I’d rather not.” Carl says
“And why is that?” asks Inspector Brown
“Because it’ll put your life in the same place Sebastian now lays…” Mr. Lilac says bluntly
“That bad?” asks Inspector Brown
Mr. Lilac nods
“What did you do about it?” asks Inspector Brown
“I saw the letter opener; I thought about threatening him, but if he laughs at pretending his wife is dead, he’ll laugh if I threaten him… He was probably laughing as the letter opener went down his neck.” Carl says
“And you seem to be the expert.” Inspector Brown smirks
“What’s that mean?” asks Mr. Lilac
“I never disclosed how he was killed and what part of his body got injured.” Inspector Brown says triumphantly
“Very good Inspector, except one tiny little detail, my wife told me; after all she did find the body.” Mr. Lilac smirks
Inspector Brown deflates.
“Is there anything else?” asks Mr. Lilac
“Yes.” Inspector Brown says, “When was the last time you saw Sebastian Rivers alive?”
“The meeting.” Carl Lilac says
~~~River Residence–Drawing Room-10:26 am~~~
Inspector Brown enters the Drawing Room with Mr. Lilac. Mr. Lilac sits next to his wife on the sofa leaning over to the coffee table. Nathaniel sits on the floor at the coffee table, playing Monopoly with Candice, Shane, Pamela, and Jayne. Lucy is drinking coffee, sitting on the hearth of the fireplace. Jacob sits next to Lucy; the fire is warming the room. Miles is reading the news paper in the corner armchair.
“I’d like to talk with Miles Meadow-Brooke.” Inspector Brown scans his notebook at the list of suspects, some have INV written next to them, meaning, ‘investigated’. Miles puts folds the newspaper and drops it in the log rack where some other news papers lay.
~~~River Residence–Breakfast Room-10:27 am~~~
Miles dishes some food from the buffet on the long wall. The sun is at an angel that makes the room a yellow glare. Miles sits at the head of the table. Inspector Brown pokes at the fireplace in the middle of the window wall, which is obviously interrupted by the fireplace. Inspector Brown takes a seat in the chair to the left of Miles. He flips to a clear page in his notebook where he writes, ‘Mr. Miles M-B’.
“You are the father-in-law to the deceased? Correct?” asks Inspector Brown
“I am.” He says between chews
“Did you like the fact that your daughter was married to Mr. Rivers?” asks Inspector Brown
“No, but what difference does that make for parents these days…” Miles says, “I liked it when the man had to ask permission to marry the daughter.”
Inspector Brown smiles slightly, “Did you ever mention this to your daughter?”
“On many occasions.” Miles says
“No avail?” Inspector Brown asks
“Obviously not!” Miles says, aggravated.
“How’s your marriage?” asks Inspector Brown
“Is this even relevant to Sebastian’s murder?” Miles asks angrily, he sighs and gives in “I’m a very popular lawyer in Chicago, I’m hardly home. My marriage was perfect…”
“Until.” Inspector Brown urges Miles to continue
“Use your imagination, Inspector!” Miles rolls his eyes, “I caught my wife in bed with another man.”
“Ah.” Inspector Brown says, “And does your family know about it.”
“Jacob and Shane do.” Miles says, “I’m sure Jacob told Nathan, Pam, and Lucy, which means Lucy told her husband.”
“What is your reputation?” asks Inspector Brown
“Inspector, these questions are extraneous!” Miles stands up
“Sit down Mr. Meadow-Brooke, this isn’t the court room.” Inspector Brown says
“My reputation is fine.” Miles says, “It was hard to get where I am now, but I am in very high class.”
“Parties? Benefits? Elections?” Inspector Brown fishes
“I attend every social event that I can.” Mr. Meadow-Brooke says, “Have you ever been to Chicago, Inspector?”
“Many times.” Inspector Brown says
“Then I’m sure the Peacock family is not a new name.” Miles says
“I investigated Sir Peacock’s death.” Inspector Brown says
“Well my wife is close friends with Sir Peacock’s widow.” Miles says
“Oh I know.” Inspector Brown says, “Your wife was a suspect to his death.”
Miles gets back on topic, “So what’s this about my reputation?”
“Would you kill to keep it clean?” asks Inspector Brown
“What kind of a question is that?” asks Mr. Meadow-Brooke
“Well?” Inspector Brown inquires, “What would you do to keep your reputation in good order?”
“If you mean to the extent of murder, then no! Lord no!” Miles says, “I am many things, but a murderer is not one of them.”
~~~River Residence–Drawing Room-10:32 am~~~
Everyone is nearly in the same position as before Inspector Brown took Miles. Jayne Meadow-Brooke walks over to a side table where the coffee tray was moved (for the game to take place of the table). Jayne pours herself another cup of coffee. Miles and Inspector Brown enter.
“I will be investigating the murder location again.” Inspector Brown says, “If you all will have patients and wait, I’m sure things will be settled out soon.”
~~~River Residence Second Floor–Study-10:36 am~~~
Inspector Brown enters to see officers lifting the body from the desk and on to a gurney. Papers are scattered all over the desk. Inspector Brown slips on a pair of latex gloves. He lifts some papers.
“This is the way it was?” asks Inspector Brown
“Yes.” An officer says, “We moved the body without disturbing any papers, which leads us to believe his desk was always this messy.”
“According to the widow, he was always a neat and orderly type…” Inspector Brown says. He points to blood on the back of the chair.
“From the stab on his neck.” The officer says
“There wasn’t blood dripping down his back…” Inspector Brown says
A doctor comes over, “The blood on the chair is from the impact of stabbing, blood sprayed out of the wound onto the chair.”
“But then blood would have sprayed onto the handle and the blade; the only blood on the blade was where he was stabbed.” Inspector Brown says
“Perhaps the killer cleaned it up.” The officer says
“Or was wearing gloves.” Inspector Brown says, “The gloves would have protected the blade from blood.” He suddenly gets and idea, “Call Scotland Yard, I need back up.”
“Who should we ask for?” the officer asks opening his cell phone.
“In all my years, the best man I’ve worked with is Lieutenant Nigel Zaffer.” Inspector Brown says
“He’s that new one, transferring from Chicago…” the officer says
“He investigated his brother’s murder.” Inspector Brown says, “With my help.” He suddenly gets another flash of an inspiration, “I knew the name Jayne Meadow-Brooke was familiar.” Inspector Brown declares, “Lieutenant Zaffer’s brother, Earnest was murdered and Jayne Meadow-Brooke was a suspect.”
“Small world.” The doctor says
“It’s smaller than you think.” Inspector Brown says
“Was Jayne one of the one’s here last night?” asks the officer
“Indeed, and she have come back for unfinished business.” Inspector Brown says
TO BE CONTINUED