“The Body of a Body”
~~~Black Estate-Billiard Room-8:01~~~
Mrs. Peacock buries her head into Colonel Mustard’s shoulder, “I want to go home!” Mrs. Peacock shouts miserably
“Beryl, call the police.” Mr. Boddy says
“Right.” Mrs. White says exiting the Billiard Room
“Sit down over here Alice.” Mr. Boddy says motioning to the sofas at the end of the room.
“Get your hands off me!” Mrs. Peacock shouts, “I want to get out of this mansion!”
“We just can’t do that.” Colonel Mustard says, “This is a crime scene and you cannot leave a crime scene.”
“I wasn’t here when the murder took place!” Mrs. Peacock shouts
“How do you know the murder didn’t take place while we were looking for…” Colonel Mustard stops in mid sentence
“Colonel?” Mr. Boddy asks
“Why would Black be missing if he is dead?” Colonel Mustard points to the bar.
~~~Black Estate-Billiard Room-8:05~~~
Mrs. White hangs up the Library phone and turns around to see Sir Black standing before her.
“Al! You’re alive!” Mrs. White throws her arms around his neck and begins to kiss him
“Beryl… What are you talking about? Of course I’m alive.” Sir Black says
“But you were missing for so long!” Mrs. White says, “And the blood in the Dining Room.”
“Blood, what blood?” asks Sir Black
“The blood from Mr. Scarlet. He’s dead.” Mrs. White looks at him, “Perhaps you didn’t hear… well, of course you didn’t hear…”
“What? James? He left!” Sir Black says, “Professor Plum and Miss Peach were coming up to the mansion and he left.”
“Well… he’s dead behind the bar in the Billiard Room…” Mrs. White raises and eyebrow, “Where were you?”
Sir Black walks over to a book case and slides it aside, “I was paceing the passageway, I guess I lost track of time.”
“Lost track of…?” Mrs. White looks at him, very confused, “Al, you’d been missing from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm! How could you lose track of time?”
“I had a lot to think of.” Sir Black says
“Al? Do you know how scared I was.” Mrs. White says
“I think I can make it up to you.” Sir Black pulls Mrs. White closer.
“Not now! There’s been a murder.” Mrs. White says
“Alright.” He sighs, disappointed
~~~Black Estate-Drawing Room-8:10~~~
Miss Peach, Mr. Boddy, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard are sitting about on the luxurious couches and armchairs. Mr. and Mrs. Meadow-Brooke enter. Mrs. Meadow-Brooke is beaming.
“What are you so jolly about?” asks Mrs. Peacock, who wipes her nose.
“Obviously Al’s alive.” Jayne says sitting next to Colonel Mustard
“But where could he be?” Colonel Mustard asks
Mrs. White enters with Sir Black on her arm. Most people gasp.
“Inspector Clarence Silverson will be arriving shortly.” Mrs. White says, “Is everyone here?”
“We are now.” Miss Peach says, “Uncle Al.” she throws her arms around him. Sir Black still is confused.
“Who are you and what do you want?” asks Sir Black
“I’m your niece, Emily…” Miss Peach says, half smiling.
“John is the only relative I have…” Sir Black says, “You must be mistaken…”
“But…” Miss Peach begins to cry, “Mom, told me…”
“I only had one sister, Margaret and she died during child birth.” Sir Black says, “You can’t be John’s twin, I was there when Margaret gave birth, giving her last request… only one baby was there.”
Miss Peach begins to cry, “You need to help me find my mom!” Miss Peach shouts, clearly falling apart, “She said she talked to you last! What it wrong with you?”
Mrs. Peacock turns to Professor Plum who is sitting on her left, “I think she’s lost it.” Professor Plum nods. The doorbell rings.
~~~The Next Morning~~~
~~~Green Estate-Billiard Room-8:30 am~~~
Thallo takes a shot at the pool table. Forest comes in with the news paper. The headlines read “Body found at Black Estate”.
“Whose?” Thallo asks, walking around the Billiard table.
“‘The body of a body was found last night behind the bar of the Billiard Room in the Black Estate. Officials have not yet released information as to who the body is, but all we know is that this person was presumed dead years ago.’” Forest reads
“Then it’s not Black.” Thallo says
“As many enemies as he has…” Forest says, “You didn’t do anything did you?”
“I was at The Drake with my lawyer last night.” Thallo says
“The paper says, ‘Anyone that knows the owner, or has access to the Black Estate will be questioned pertaining their alibi the night of the murder.’” Forest reads, “Will Mr. Wisteria be able to prove you were there.”
“That’s just the thing.” Thallo becomes angry, “I got down there and he called, stating that he had an emergency in his family.”
“So you don’t have an alibi?” Forest asks, nervously
“Forest, when will you learn, the Green’s get alibi’s whether they did the crime or not.” Thallo says
~~~Black Estate-Billiard Room-8:45 am~~~
The Medical Examiner looks at the body of James Scarlet. His head is pressed forward into his chest from the angle he is in the corner. Detective Emma Pine takes photographs of all angles she can. There are some blood smears on the back of the bar.
~~~Arlington Heights Police Station-Interrogation Room-9:00 am~~~
Inspector Clarence Silverson stands before a desk, behind the desk is Sir Black.
“You claim to have been home in the secret passages?” Inspector Silverson rights this down
“Yes.” Sir Black says, “I thought Mr. Scarlet had left the mansion, but he didn’t. Do keep in mind the passageway is furnished nicely!”
“You claim that he threatened you with a silver plated letter opener?” asks Inspector Silverson, “This one.” He picks up a bag with the Letter Opener inside.
“Yes.” Sir Black says, “That is one of the three I have.”
“Three?” Inspector Silverson asks, writing in his notebook
“One in my bedroom, one in the Drawing Room, and one in the Library, where you found it.” Sir Black says
“Does anyone else know about the other ones?” Inspector Silverson asks
“I’m sure they know about the one in the Drawing Room, but only… only I know about the one in my bedroom.”
“Did Miss Peach and Professor Plum ever see you before the body was found?” Inspector Silverson asks
“They came in the Library shortly after Mr. Scarlet allegedly left. I told them to go to the Drawing Room before I talked to them. Then I went to the passages and lost track of time.”
“Why were you so upset to find out Mr. Scarlet was alive?” asks Inspector Silverson
“Well…… I inherited a little and I thought I would get sued for digging into his will while he was still alive…” Sir Black lies
“I see.” Inspector Silverson makes a bunch of notes…
“I also talked on the phone with Miles Meadow-Brooke.” Sir Black says, “We set a meeting with my accountant, I'm sure he'll concur... ”
~~~Black Estate-Dining Room-9:02 am~~~
Detective Pine and the other officers have made it to the Dining Room. Detective Pine continues taking pictures.
“Have blood samples been taken on the rug?” asks Detective Pine in a firm voice.
“Yes.” An officer says, “The coroners report should be at the station by now.”
“Excellent.” Detective Pine says putting on a pair of rubber gloves and examining the table.
“This is very interesting indeed.” Detective Pine points to a silver candlestick with a decorative base…
TO BE CONTINUED