“Fall Into Their Trap”
~~~River Residence Grounds–Front Lawn-1:27 pm~~~
Police cars are still lined up. A news van is outside of the gates, with a news announcer standing in front of the black iron gates.
“I am standing in front of the gates of the River Residence, where late last night someone broke into the upstairs window and stabbed the owner, Sebastian Rivers.” The newscaster says. Jayne and Miles Meadow-Brooke exit the mansion only to see the newscasters and cameras.
“As much as I like to make a public appearance I don’t think this is the place I’d like to make it at.” Jayne whispers to Miles
“… friends and family gather to mourn over the death of their dear beloved friend.” The newscaster continues
“Oh please.” Nathaniel Meadow-Brooke rolls his eyes as he comes outside, hearing the newscaster’s last sentence.
~~~River Residence–Hall-continuous ~~~
Since Jayne, Miles, and Nathaniel are clogging the door, everyone else is mingling in the Hall.
“This is crazy.” Pamela rolls her eyes, “Less than 24 hours since Sebastian’s murder and the reporters are flooding the grounds.”
“That’s just the way things are.” Carl says, patting his wife on the back. She rolls her eyes as they make it outside, only to see the flash of cameras, twenty feet away, behind the gates.
“They are like animals.” Jacob says to Lucy, who remains quiet. Candice smiles at Jacob. Jacob glances back at Inspector Brown and Lieutenant Zaffer, who are in the Library doorway. Shane paces around in the Hall.
~~~River Residence Grounds-Front Porch-1:30 pm~~~
Someone has opened the gates and the newscasters are now at the front door of the mansion, Jayne, Miles, Nathaniel, Pam and Carl are all having questions thrown at them.
“Mrs. Lilac, what made you go into his study?” a man asks
“Well…” she stutters, “I…”
“Mr. Meadow-Brooke, what is a famous American lawyer doing in the suburbs of London?” a woman asks in a Scottish accent
“Family matters…” Miles says
“How long will you be staying?” asks another person
“Until after the funeral.” Jayne Meadow-Brooke says
“Nathaniel, is it true that your wife was a suspect to this murder?” asks a newscaster
“We all were…” Nathaniel rolls his eyes again. He leans closer to his father, “Is this really necessary for us to be out here?”
“Yes.” Jayne leans in towards her son and husband
~~~River Residence Grounds-Back Yard-1:32 pm~~~
The sound of the media frenzy is not silenced by ricks and mortar. Everyone is looking out the windows.
“How much longer will this last?” asks Shane
“Hours and hours.” Jacob says not taking his eyes off the crowd…
One of the people still remaining in the Hall slowly departs from the group and heads to the Kitchen…
~~~River Residence Grounds-Back Yard-1:34 am~~~
The figure exits through the Kitchen’s back door. The person cautiously walks over to the side of the house… where the garage is, the person looks up to the window above… it is the Study window… the figure looks around to see tire tracks in the mud on the side of the driveway. The person takes a small branch and messes up the mud with the point of the stick. The figure then notices a shadow come behind them. The person turns and drops the stick. Inspector Brown and Lieutenant Zaffer come behind the person.
“Really, I though we set up the trap too easily.” Inspector Brown says, “You were right Nigel.” He says to Lieutenant Zaffer
“But really, Candice.” Lieutenant Zaffer crossed his arms.
The person, Candice Meadow-Brooke suddenly lunges the sharp stick at Inspector Brown’s abdomen. He grabs it before she can pierce his stomach.
“Very fast, but not fast enough.” Inspector Brown says
“You have no proof that I killed Sebastian.” She says
“The hotel you stayed at has video tape evidence of you leaving the hotel around the time of Sebastian’s death.” Lieutenant Zaffer smirks
“I went out to have a cigarette.” She says putting her hands on her hips
“I knew you’d say that.” Inspector Brown says, “The parking lot cameras show you leaving the hotel, and if that isn’t solid evidence then how about: you just attempted to impale me with a small branch.”
Candice runs from them, heading to the front yard.
“She won’t get very far.” Inspector Brown smirks
“You mean?” Lieutenant Zaffer asks
“The gates have been opened…” Inspector Brown beams
~~~River Residence Grounds-Front Yard-continuous ~~~
Candice runs along the side of the house, only to get lost in the crowd of the media. She pulls up to the front of the crowd and does the most unexpected thing… She pulls out a pistol from her pocket and shoots the news camera. Nathaniel, in desperate shock and fear for the move his wife did throws himself on top of her. A gun shot rings and Nathaniel rolls down the remaining steps of the porch. Candice’s shoe falls off during the struggle. She pulls herself to her feet and shoots three more times into the audience. This time a larger figure jumps at her. The gun slides across the side walk and Inspector Brown pulls himself off of Candice.
“Candice Ebony-Meadow-Brooke, you are under arrest for the murder of Sebastian Rivers, the injuries of several pedestrians, and the attempted assault of a police officer. You have the right to remain silence…” Inspector Brown continues to read her her rights.
Jayne Meadow-Brooke rushes down to the side walk where Nathaniel lays motionless. Lucy, Shane, and Jacob come outside.
Lucy takes her brother’s pulse and looks grimly at the news cameras.
“Turn them off.” She shouts angrily. The cameramen reluctantly oblige.
“Oh my God!” Jayne cries, “Nathan!”
Miles stoops down to Nathaniel’s body.
Shane and Jacob both are lost for words. Pam and Carl embrace each other and look over to the gates as Candice gives them one finale looks before the police car drives her away.
“And just to think.” Jayne says, “He didn’t want to be out here.”
Miles puts her hands on her back, his thoughts still raging on her affair with Mr. Ash, merely nights ago…
Lucy, her mother, and Miles all stand up from around Nathaniel’s dead body.
The police sirens turn on as to medics take Nathaniel’s body onto a stretcher. Jayne sits on the ledge of the porch, watching the ambulance and the police car… one holds her dead son, the other holds the person in charge of her son’s death…
TO BE CONTINUED