“Secrets and Failure”
~~~Peacock Residence -Hall -6:02 pm~~~
Jayne Meadow-Brooke enters followed by Prince Azure and Sir Black. Alice gasps at the sight of Sir Black.
“Al!” Alice pulls her revolver from her belt, “Another step and you’re dead!”
Several gasps are heard from the crowd.
“Alice, let me explain!” Jayne stands in front of the revolver, “Al didn’t mean to hurt Vera! Vera tried to steal some silver from his Drawing Room and they had a fight.” Jayne lies, “Al hit Vera during the fight.”
“That’s not what Vera told me!” Alice says
“What do you expect someone caught in the act to say?” asks Prince Azure
“Excuse me? Who are you?” asks Alice pointing the revolver at him
“Alice, this is Prince Danni Azure of Ostrov Kolguyev.” Jayne says
“Prince Danni Marc Azure IV.” Sir Black adds
Colonel Mustard and Mr. Tenné exchange confused glances.
“Alright, Jayne,” Alice lowers her gun, “You are telling me that you traded your husband for an arrogant Russian Prince and happened to meet the assailant of my step-daughter?”
“Give it up Alice!” Sir Black says, “Jayne shared with me the true relation between Vera and you.”
The gun slips from Alice’s hand and goes off. Several screams are heard. The bullet rests in the wall near Sir Black’s leg.
“You know?” Alice utters, barely legible, picking up the gun
“I’m sorry Alice.” Jayne says
Jayne opens her study door allowing Sir Black and Mrs. Meadow-Brooke to enter.
~~~Peacock Residence -Study -continuous ~~~
Alice slams the door and sits behind her desk, placing the revolver on her desktop.
“Does the Prince know?” asks Alice
“No.” Sir Black and Jayne say in unison
Alice leans forward in her seat, “If the word gets out the Vera and I are sisters… You’ll both be sorry for ever spreading this.”
“I’m sorry, Alice.” Jayne says, “But I told him about a month ago.”
Alice’s mouth drops, “This is old news to him!” she shouts her voice ringing through the small room.
“It was late!” Jayne says, “I was drunk. All I remember was mentioning that you and Vera are sisters and that it was a devious plan for a 23-year-old to pass her baby sister off as her daughter.”
“So you told him during your love affair?” Alice stands up and faces the window… oblivious to the fact that Detective Pine lays unconscious several feet away.
“Vera can’t know.” Alice repeats, closing the curtains firmly. The tie-back slips off. Alice picks it up and begins twisting it in her hands, “You to must swear to me that this conversation will never leave this room,” she picks up her revolver, “Or I will personally plant a bullet into each of your aortas!”
Jayne gulps, “And what if I tell you that Miles knows.”
Alice shoves the revolver into Jayne’s face, “Then you better consider yourself great full that I didn’t pull this trigger!”
Alice exits her study, “And to think I was worried about Forest being here!” she mumbles
~~~Peacock Residence -Drawing Room -6:09 ~~~
The word of Alice’s outburst has travelled here…
“I’m sure it was only protection.” Mrs. Alabaster says to two others next to her
“I don’t know, the man in the tuxedo seemed familiar.” One woman says, “You don’t suppose he’s Al Black, the infamous stockbroker and murderer of James Scarlet!”
“I think I’ll talk to Alice.” Mrs. Alabaster says
~~~Highway -Alice’s Car -6:47 ~~~
Vera sits in the passenger’s seat. Alice Peacock drives.
“I can’t believe this!” Vera says, “Exactly what happened to Robert?”
“I told you, Robert isn’t feeling like himself and it would be best if he stayed with his wife tonight.” Alice says
“Since when are you the expert on marital counseling?” Vera asks snidely, “Beryl and Robert are like water and oil! Robert and I are like cereal and milk… we go good together.”
“Hmmp.” Alice grumbles
“And why are you dressed so fancy?” Vera asks, “Are you going to a cocktail party tonight so you can meet a man, get drunk, and live together in sickness and in wealth?”
“Vera, I thought you’d be happy to be released from the hospital.” Asks Alice
“Oh I am, I’m just not with the person of my dreams…” Vera fingers her hair…
~~~Peacock Residence-Hall -6:54 ~~~
Evelyne and Senator Peacock stand near the base of the stairs. The hall is quiet.
“Everyone.” Colonel Mustard announces, “Vera and Alice will be here in six minutes.”
Mrs. Alabaster is crowded by the Drawing Room door.
Forest and Chelsea are in the Billiard Room, listening from the open door. Chelsea takes a shot at the billiard ball with a cue. Forest takes a drink from his glass.
Mr. Tenné stands next to Mrs. Copper in the Kitchen doorway. Mrs. Meadow-Brooke stands with Prince Azure and Sir Black near the Dining Room doorway. The front doors are closed and there is a large gap near the front door… where Colonel Mustard waits to welcome Vera home. Captain Mist stands on the second floor balcony (looking down on the hall) from the shadows.
A car door slams and Vera throws open the front doors.
“Surprise!” everyone shouts; several cameras flash Alice follows behind her.
“Welcome home Vera.” Alice says
“Michael?” Vera gasps, “Mother? Why? Why all this?” she shouts angrily, “Is my return from the hospital an excuse for you to invite all these snobby rich people?”
Vera pushed through the crowd shouting at them. She hurries up the stairs and enters her bedroom, slamming the door. Captain Mist glances at the door, smirking slightly.
Alice is speechless. There is a deathly silence in the room. It is broken by Evelyne who begins laughing.
TO BE CONTINUED