“Confusion in the Air”
~~~Peacock Residence- Vera’s Bedroom-7:29 ~~~
The room is empty… except for the dark figure standing over Vera’s dresser. The figure takes the same gun Vera pointed at Chelsea and turns towards the door. The figure exits.
~~~Peacock Residence- Dining Room-7:34 ~~~
Forest enters with Mrs. Greys-Cale on his arm. John Boddy stands with his back to them, looking out the window.
“John.” Forest says, “This is Anna Greys-Cale.”
Mr. Boddy turns to show that he is not happy.
“Hello.” Mrs. Greys-Cale smiles
John doesn’t return the pleasure and quickly exits, brushing past them.
“Charming.” Mrs. Greys-Cale says walking over to the table. She cuts herself a slice of cake.
Forest looks out the window to see someone rush past.
“Stay here.” Forest alerts her. He opens the French door, rain sprinkles in the room as Forest darts after the person, who is limping. The person is at least four feet ahead of Forest and trips near the lamppost. Forest sees the person’s face.
“Evelyne?” he looks shocked. Lightning lights up the sky, illuminating the shadowed side of her. He sees blood on her leg.
“Oh God, what happened.” Forest lifts her up
“Someone hacked me.” She says struggling to stand, “With an axe.” Forest looks around at the grounds. It is silent except for the occasional thunder rumble and the constant patter of rain.
“Here, let’s get you in there.” He motions for the nearest building, the Gate House.
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds- Gate House-continuous~~~
A dark figure watches Forest and Evelyne approach the Gate House. The figure goes to the staircase leading to the servant’s quarters and waits in a parlor, a blood glistening axe in hand.
~~~Peacock Residence - Drawing Room- 7:35 ~~~
Mrs. Alabaster stands up from the card table… bored. She is the only one in the room. She goes over to the coffee table and picks up the Eiffel Tower statue. She finds it unamusing and sets it back on the table. She goes to the hall to find it empty.
“Goodness, the house has cleared out.” She says to herself. A loud thud comes from upstairs, “I wonder what that was?”
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds - Gate House- 7:36 ~~~
The room is dark, except for a desk lamp, which illuminates the desk which wraps around the wall, viewing the gates and the road. There is a closed laptop and some papers scattered along with dried blood on the dark wall from the incident earlier… though it isn’t noticeable in the yellow glare that fills the room. Evelyne sits down at the chair in front of the large desk.
“You stay here.” Forest says
“Must you go?” she asks wincing.
“I don’t have my cell phone to call for help and I can’t seem to find a phone here.” Forest says looking around the long desk.
“What if the person that hurt me comes back?” Evelyne asks in panic
Forest, oblivious to the deeds Evelyne has done earlier, feels sympathy for her and opens several drawers.
“What are you looking for?” Evelyne asks
“Most porters will keep a gun near in case of intruders.” Forest says pulling out a small black revolver. He hands it to Evelyne, “Fire only if necessary.” Forest exits not giving Evelyne a chance to talk. Evelyne winces again as she holds her bleeding leg. The figure descends the stairs.
~~~Peacock Residence - Dining Room- 7:38 ~~~
Forest Green races in. Mrs. Greys-Cale is rather shocked.
“What happened?” she asks
“Someone got hurt.” Forest says, “Call the police and call an ambulance.”
“Good Heavens!” Mrs. Greys-Cale says, “There’s a phone in the Hall.”
The both enter the hall. Mrs. Greys-Cale picks up the phone and is about to dial 9-1-1 when the front door opens and Detective Pine comes in soaking wet and holding his head.
“Benjamin?” Forest helps him to a chair, “What happened?”
“I was escorting Mrs. White out back and suddenly… everything went black.”
“Oh God!” Mrs. Greys-Cale gasps coming over to him
“Someone tried to kill Mrs. Peacock.” Forest says
“Alice?” asks Detective Pine
“No, her sister-in-law, Evelyne.” Forest says
“What happened?” asks Pine
“According to her, someone slashed her leg open with a hatchet.” Forest says
“Where is she?” asks Mrs. Greys-Cale
“The Gate House.” Forest says
~~~The Drake - Miss Peach’s room- 7:41 ~~~
In a much better environment, Miss Peach and Professor Plum passionately kiss. Professor Plum stops and looks at his cell phone.
“What wrong?” asks Miss Peach
“Something doesn’t seem right.” Professor Plum says
“How so?” asks Miss Peach
“I’ve backed out of several of Alice’s parties and she always calls me to tell me how they are going and if I want to join.” Gregory Plum says
“It’s only twenty to eight.” Miss Peach says
“I know.” Professor Plum says, “Maybe I should call…” He gets up and walks over to the table wear his cell phone lays.
~~~Peacock Residence - Hall- 7:43 ~~~
“Beryl is the only one who could have hit you.” Forest says
“I just don’t see when she did…” Detective Pine thinks, “We were walking…”
“What about Evelyne.” Mrs. Greys-Cale says, “The killer may have found out where she is.”
“You mean Beryl.” Forest says
“Not necessarily!” Mrs. Greys-Cale says.
“After all the mansion is thinning out…” A voice says from the stairs
The turn to see Mrs. Alabaster coming down the stairs
“Eileen?” Mrs. Greys-Cale says, “Did you hear about Evelyne?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.” Mrs. Alabaster says
“Shouldn’t we go out and help her back here?” asks Mrs. Greys-Cale, “Or at least call the police?”
“You are going to have to call the police regardless to what happens to Evelyne.” Mrs. Alabaster says, “I’m so sorry Forest.”
“What?” Forest begins to panic, “What’s wrong?”
“Chelsea’s dead.” Mrs. Alabaster says
TO BE CONTINUED