“Process of Elimination”
~~~River Residence–Drawing Room-10:47 am~~~
People sit around, bored… Jayne Meadow-Brooke plays with her hair. Miles Meadow-Brooke sits in the arm chair in the corner, everyone is on the edge.
“How long are we going to be in here?” asks Shane
“Until they catch who did this to Sebastian.” Pam says, getting up and pouring her coffee into a plant, “I’m sick of that stuff.”
The officer guarding the door is getting impatient also…
Inspector Winfield Brown enters with a tall man in a deep blue suit.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this Lieutenant Nigel Zaffer.” Inspector Brown announces
Jayne Meadow-Brooke looks away.
“He will be assisting me in this case.” Inspector Brown says
“I have eliminated several of you.” He says in a Boston accent, “From the force of the stab wound, we have determined that the killer is either a woman or a child.” Shane looks away from the Lieutenant
“The people I’d like to further question are, Candice Meadow-Brooke, Jayne Meadow-Brooke, Lucile Rivers, Shane Rivers, and Pamela Lilac. I’ll start with Candice.”
~~~River Residence–Breakfast Room-10:51 am~~~
Candice enters the Breakfast Room and serves herself a variety of food. She sits down. Inspector Brown sits to the left of her and Lieutenant Zaffer sits to the right of her. She begins to eat.
“You were one of the people that went to The Cavendish Hotel, correct?” Inspector Brown asks
“Yes, my husband, Nathan, my mother and father-in-law, my nephew, and my brother-in-law were there also.” She says
“Yes I know.” Inspector Brown reads his note book, “You left this house around 10:30 last night?”
“Yes.” She says
“Did you or did you not go up to Sebastian’s Study the night of his murder?” asks Inspector Brown
“I entered shortly after little Shane threw the letter opener at his father… it missed of course.” She says
“But he later was stabbed with the very thing.” Inspector Brown says
“Is that how he died?” she asked, “I was never told.”
“No, we try to keep it between us officers.” Inspector Brown says, “Tell me about your little ‘meeting’ with Mr. Rivers.”
“He confronted me about me only wanting the Meadow-Brooke’s money.” She says, “Then he talked about something that we did the other night.”
“Something?” Inspector Brown asks
“Do I have to draw you a picture?” she asks sarcastically, “Then he pulled me close, I almost gave in, but I figured others would want to talk to him and that wouldn’t be the best time for us to… you know…”
“I see.” Inspector Brown says
“Then I left.” She says
“Did you ever come back?” asks Inspector Brown
“No.” she says, “I came downstairs and we left.”
“Thank you Candice, that will be all.” He says
SEVERAL MINUTES LATER~~~
Inspector Brown enters with Pam Lilac.
“I’ve already told you what I know.” She says
“There is more, Pam.” He says
“I told you everything.” She says
“We found your finger prints on his bedroom door knob.” Inspector Brown says, “And you never told us how and why you found his body.”
She sighs and gives in, “I was in bed with him… at 11:05. He left to go to his Study because he thought he heard someone rummaging through his desk. After five minutes he didn’t return, that’s when I found him.”
“How long was your affair with Mr. Rivers?” asks Inspector Brown
Pamela looks outside.
“Mrs. Lilac?” Inspector Brown urges
“Four years… before I married Carl…” she says
Lieutenant Zaffer looks at her in disgust.
“Mrs. Lilac,” Inspector Brown begins, “You are a main suspect…”
“And why are you reminding me this?” Pam asks
“You didn’t let me finish…” Inspector Brown says sternly, “You are a main suspects in this crime, but something deep down inside of me is telling me that you didn’t do it.”
Pam slowly smiles, “So I’m no longer a suspect?”
“Oh no!” Inspector Brown says, “You are still a suspect, but I’m fairly certain you didn’t do it. You may return to the Drawing Room.” She leaves the Breakfast Room.
“You really think she is innocent?” asks Lieutenant Zaffer
“Far from it.” Inspector Brown says
“Sir?” Lieutenant Zaffer inquires
“I think she is the killer, and it’s only a matter of time that she becomes too full of herself and slips up. Come with me and follow my lead.” They both get up and exit.
~~~River Residence–Drawing Room-11:05 am~~~
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Inspector Brown says upon entering, “It is very embarrassing for me to say this but, you all have been falsely accused of a horrible crime.”
Several looks of wonder and confusion fill the room.
“You see,” Inspector Brown begins, “We only looked at the main crime scene, and little did we realize that the killer has already slipped out of our fingers. Fabrics from black gloves were found on the wooden window sill of the Study. There are some foot prints out side directly under the Study window. We assume that a robber broke in last night and killed Mr. Rivers.”
Jayne Meadow-Brooke gasps and stands up.
“This is an outrage!” she shouts
“Is it?” asks Inspector Brown, “It seems very likely, and this manor is a very popular place, anyone in and outside of London knows how to get here.”
Candice looks up at Inspector Brown shocked, “So what are you to do with us?”
“I’d like all of you to stay in London.” Inspector Brown says
“No murderer?” asks Pamela, “That’s why you told me you didn’t suspect me.”
“Will you ever catch who did this?” asks Shane
“Oh yes, I certainly will.” Inspector Brown says
Candice and Pamela exchange glances of relief…
TO BE CONTINUED