“The Funeral: Low Attendance”
~~~Lead Funeral Home -Unit 3-7:00 pm (GMT) ~~~
Sebastian Rivers lies in a coffin. He is wearing a blue shirt. Lucy looks down at her husband with tears in her eyes. Pam Lilac puts her hand on her sister’s shoulder.
“If only Nathaniel could be here.” Lucy says, her voice cracking.
Shane and Carl sit at the other end of the room.
“I don’t know why everyone’s putting on this big act!” Shane says
“What do you mean?” Carl asks his nephew
“My mom is over their bawling her eyes out when she wanted dad dead as much as I did!” Shane says angrily
Across the room, Miles Meadow-Brooke looks at some photos of Sebastian.
Inspector Brown enters from the west door leading into the lobby.
“Inspector.” Miles nods to him
“I have some bad news.” Inspector Brown says
“What is it?” asks Miles as they step into the Lobby.
“The police car that Candice was in crashed off a bridge into a river.” Inspector Brown says rather bluntly
“Oh my God!” Miles gasps, “Is everyone… you know… alive?”
“The policeman is dead, and Candice is nowhere to be found. There are some foot prints in the mud matching the high heels she was wearing.” Inspector Brown sighs, “But they go on the road and we don’t know which way she went.”
“So there is a killer on the loose?” Miles asks shocked
“It appears so.” Inspector Brown says solemnly
“Is Lieutenant Zaffer here?” asks Miles
“No, he is heading to the states.” Inspector Brown says, “Once again I offer my condolences to you and your family.” Inspector Brown leaves
A reverend comes up to Miles Meadow-Brooke.
“Mr. Meadow-Brooke, I’ve been meaning to ask about Sebastian.” The reverend says
Miles is still in shock from the news about Candice.
“Mr. Meadow-Brooke?” asks the reverend
“Oh, I’m sorry Reverend Olivine, what was that?” asks Miles
“Sebastian, how did he die?” he asks
“He was stabbed…” Miles says briefly, his voice trails off
“Did they ever catch the killer?” asks Reverend Olivine
“No… I mean yes, but she escaped.” Miles walks away and over to Lucy.
“Dad, what’s wrong?” asks Lucy
“Candice escaped.” Miles says
“What?” Lucy shouts, her voice ringing through the quiet room.
~~~O’Hare Airport- Terminal-1:03 pm (CST) ~~~
Mrs. Meadow-Brooke gets in the back of a limo with Sir Black and Prince Azure.
“Al, what about the police?” Mrs. Meadow-Brooke asks
“I’ve got that under control.” Sir Black says, “You won’t mind letting the Prince and I stay at your manor for a couple months?”
“Until Miles returns.” Jayne says
Mme. Rose gets in a taxi behind their limo.
“Follow that limousine.” She says to the cab driver.
~~~Green Estate- Sitting Room-1:09 pm (CST) ~~~
Their game of poker has been temporarily stopped. Thallo stand in the far corner, talking on the phone with Mrs. Maraschio.
“This place is packed with guards and doctors.” She says
“So how are you going to do it?” Mr. Green asks angrily as he enters his Library and closes the door.
“Maybe I’ll sneak into her surprise party and do it there.” Chelsea says
“Wait.” Thallo says, “I’ve got an idea! Forest was invited by John Boddy, you can go with Forest.”
“And I’ll lure Vera into a quiet room and kill her there.” Chelsea says, “It just might work, but how do you suppose I dispose of her?”
“Hide her body in a closet and stand near enough so that no one opens it.” Thallo says, “After the mansion clears out you put her in Forest’s car and bring her here.”
“Okay, I’ve got my gun, but I need a silencer.” Chelsea says
“Improvise!” Thallo becomes frustrated, “Hit her with a book end, stab her with a cake knife, or strangle her with the Hall rug for all I care! Just make sure she is dead by the end of tonight, or you’ll be dead!”
“I’ll do my best.” Chelsea says
“Oh you better!” Thallo shouts closing his cell phone and tossing it to his arm chair. He walks over to a mini bar in the corner and pours himself a gin and tonic.
~~~Lake Michigan- Piers-1:15 pm~~~
Inspector Silverson and Detective Pine walk about the piers. They stop a crusty sea captain.
“Excuse me, do you have a moment?” Inspector Silverson asks
~~~Peacock Residence- Billiard Room-1:16 pm~~~
Colonel Mustard is talking to Senator Peacock, anxiously.
“I tell you there was blood on his yellow jacket.” Michael says, “He had a beard and a pale face.”
“Are you sure this isn’t just the stress from the party preparations?” Senator Peacock asks
“I saw him with my eyes.” Colonel Mustard says, “I’ve phoned the porter but he didn’t answer.”
“Should we go down there to check?” Senator Peacock asks
“We don’t know if this guy is dangerous!” Colonel Mustard says
“Not to worry.” Senator Peacock reaches into his sports coat and pulls out a small black pistol.
Colonel Mustard nods and they leave the Billiard Room.
~~~Lead Funeral Home -Lobby -7:20 pm (GMT) ~~~
Shane picks at the leather on the sofa he is sitting on. Reverend Olivine sits next to him.
“How are you getting along?” the Reverend asks
“Without a tear shed.” Shane says
“You shouldn’t feel so much hatred towards your father.” Reverend Olivine says
“If you even knew him…” Shane’s voice trails off again.
“No I don’t, but I’d like you to tell me about him.” Reverend Olivine says
“Not much to say, I only wish I could have properly thanked Aunt Candice before the police arrested her. I mean after all, if she didn’t kill my dad I would have.” Shane gets up and heads towards the front of the Lobby. Shane rests his head against the wall, his mind flashing back two nights ago…
~~~FLASHBACK, CAVENDISH HOTEL-UPSTAIRS HALLWAY-11:02 PM~~~
Shane sneaks out of the hotel suite he is staying in with Jayne and Miles, taking off his shoe, he places it in the door frame; the door stays slightly ajar.
Candice comes out the elevator, almost as if on cue. Shane walks over to her.
“Are you really going to do it?” asks Shane
“Yes,” Candice says, “If Nathaniel asks where I am, I’m going to tell him I needed to place a call with your mom.”
“Is she in on the plan?” asks Shane
“She caught your father cheating on her with your Aunt Pam.” Candice says, “Be quiet and careful.”
Shane nods, going back to the hotel room that he came from…
~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~
Shane sighs and sees his mother through the window.
~~~Lead Funeral Home -Front Drive - continuous ~~~
Lucy lights a cigarette, Carl Lilac is next to her. Shane comes out.
“You should go back inside, it’s freezing out here.” Lucy says to Shane.
“Actually I need to talk to you.” Shane says to his mom, “Alone.”
“Honey, it’s going to have to wait, I’m in the middle of a conversation.” Lucy says
Shane sighs and goes back inside.
“Just like you.” Carl chuckles
“Yep, just like his sister…” Lucy says blowing smoke from her mouth into the air.
TO BE CONTINUED