“Blood of Whom”
~~~Boddy Mansion-Conservatory-9:00 pm~~~
The storm is very bad. Lightning practically flashes light beams one after the next. The cards are lying on the table, but not one person is in the room.
~~~Boddy Mansion-Lounge-continuous~~~
Mr. Boddy stands in front of the fireplace. He adjusts the clock to the correct time. Mr. Ash serves drinks to the guests. Everyone is present, sans Mrs. White.
“Well, Mrs. Peacock.” Mr. Boddy says, “You were certainly on fire during the card game.”
“Thank you.” She blushes, glancing at Miles Meadow-Brooke.
“I now know why Miles switched to be your partner on the second game.” Jayne says
“I now wish I was still you partner.” Colonel Mustard says
“You don’t like me?” Jayne fakes disappointment
“Shall we go to the Billiard Room and stretch our wallets?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I love a good game.” Mr. Meadow-Brooke says. Colonel Mustard nods
“Ladies?” Mr. Boddy asks
“We’ll watch.” Mrs. Meadow-Brooke says
“Well, Mr. Ash.” Mr. Boddy says, “It looks like we need you, if we are going to do teams.”
“Very well.” He says in his usual drab tone.
~~~Black Estate-Drawing Room-9:03 pm~~~
The sound of rain hitting the window is loud. Miss Scarlet tries to move but has trouble. Blood has stopped flowing from the side of her head. She is clotting it with a cushion from the couch. She has also managed to get the phone. It is clutched in her hand. In the distance the sound of an ambulance is coming.
~~~Boddy Mansion-Billiard Room-9:30 pm ~~~
Mr. Meadow-Brooke sets up the billiard balls in the triangle. Thunder crackles. Mrs. Meadow-Brooke and Mrs. Peacock are at the table. They are sipping their cocktails whilst watching the men play.
Colonel Mustard takes his shot, breaking the billiard balls away from one another. Mrs. White enters.
Several turns go by; the sound of the balls knocking into one another, going into pockets, and the sound of beer bottles hitting the bar. Mrs. White stands in front of the window, a close streak of lightning illuminates behind her.
Mrs. Peacock downs her cocktail. Mrs. Meadow-Brooke notices the awkward silence.
“Nice weather we’re having.” She offers. Thunder interrupts her, the room falls dark.
“So much for that.” Mr. Meadow-Brooke says, the sound of a billiard cue slams into the floor. Mr. Boddy feels his way up the table.
“There are some candles in the dining room, maybe by the light of the fire in the dining room fireplace, I can find them.” Mr. Ash says. The power just then comes on. Mr. Meadow-Brooke bends over and picks up his billiard cue.
“On with the game.” He says
Suddenly the telephone rings from the hall. John exits and answers, his voice heard clearly.
“John Boddy…” He answers, “Inspector…” there is a pause, “Are you sure…… Vera? Oh my God!” There is another long pause, “I’ll be down there.” He enters the Billiard Room with a grim look on his face.
“John, what’s wrong?” asks Mrs. Peacock
“It seems the detectives were right about Uncle Al. He did kill Mr. Scarlet, and now Vera is in critical condition…”
“What happened?” asks Mrs. Peacock standing up
“He was brief, but he said something about head trauma.” John says
“Were is she?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Michael Reese.” John says, “Alice I can drive you and the Colonel…”
“Yes, that would be good!” she says, “I’ll get our coats.”
“Mrs. White, Mr. Ash, you two are in charge until I get back. Feel free to enjoy yourselves.” John says exiting
“How are we supposed to enjoy ourselves with the Meadow-Brooke’s present?” Mrs. White mumbles to herself
Jane offers a smile, “Who’s up for another game of cards?”
Thunder crashes…
~~~Green Estate-Library-10:00 pm~~~
Thallo is sitting in front of the fireplace smoking a cigar. Forest is sitting across from him in a matching armchair, reading ‘List Firearms’. Mr. Yale is sitting on a settee in the back of the room. He is startle as thunder cracks across the sky. The French door opens and Sir Black enters, cold and wet.
“Al?” Thallo stands, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m now a fugitive from the police, what better place to come than here?” Sir Black says
“They’ll find you.” Thallo Green says
“I have a plan.” Sir Black says, “And you won’t be at risk. I’m going to use one of your guest bedrooms tonight and leave before it is even light outside.”
“Where will you go?” Forest asks
“I here Green Bay is nice.” Sir Black says
“Are you serious?” asks Thallo
“I’ll be in touch. I’ll show myself to the room I always stay in.” Sir Black says, “Don’t expect to see me tomorrow morning… unless you plan to be up at 4:30…”
“4:30?” Thallo says, “Green Bay isn’t that far.”
“I have some unfinished business at my mansion before I leave…” he smirks
~~~Michael Reese Hospital-Waiting Room-10:20 pm~~~
Mr. Boddy sits in a chair next to Colonel Mustard.
“How’s Alice?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Holding up.” John says, “Vera is stable, and she’ll be released in a couple days.”
“That’s great!” Colonel Mustard says
“Most of the blood came from her ear, which was what got hit.” Mr. Boddy says
“Is that bad?” asks Colonel Mustard
“She’ll be able to hear out of that ear if that’s what your asking.” John says, “Her neck is going to be stiff for a while…”
“At least she alright.” Colonel Mustard says; Alice comes out of the room.
“She’s awake.” Miss Scarlet says, “She’s asking for Robert… Do you know a Robert?”
“The only Robert I know of is Mr. White.” John says, “Why would she want to see him.”
~~~Black Estate-Courtyard-10:24 pm~~~
Detective Pine searches the hedges, “It seems that Sir Black has escaped to God knows where…” he says to an officer.
“Detective, we’ve got something you might like to see.” An officer says motioning to Miss Scarlet’s car.
Detective Pine looks in the back seat to see blood splattered on the leather seats…… but the sea captain is not there…
TO BE CONTINUED