“Blood, Secrets, Theft, and Murder”
~~~Peacock Residence - Hall- 7:49 pm~~~
Mrs. Alabaster, Mr. Green, Mrs. Greys-Cale, and Detective Pine are still arguing what to do when Alice Peacock comes from her Study.
“What is going on?” she asks
“There’s been a murder.” Detective Pine says solemnly
“What? Who?” Mrs. Peacock asks rather frightened
“Cheslea.” Forest sighs
“How did she die? Where is she?” Mrs. Peacock asks
“She’s upstairs in a spare bedroom.” Mrs. Alabaster says, “Strangled!”
“Oh God!” Alice says, “And everyone else?”
“Either upstairs or outside… or maybe they left.” Mrs. Greys-Cale says
“No.” Forest says, “There were quite a few cars outside when I helped Evelyne.”
“Evelyne?” Alice looks shocked
“Yes, Evelyne got hurt.” Mrs. Alabaster says
“Where is she?” Alice asks,
“The Gate House.” Mrs. Alabaster and Forest Green say in unison
“Is she alright?” asks Mrs. Peacock
“She’s loaded.” Forest says
“I beg your pardon?” Alice Peacock raises an eyebrow
“She has a gun.” Mr. Green says
Mrs. Peacock pats her waistband, slowly, “From where?”
“The Gate House.” Mr. Green says
“Oh.” Mrs. Peacock frowns, “I hate to break it to you but that gun only has blanks in it.”
Mr. Green and Detective Pine give each other a worried look.
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds - Front of the Manor- 7:51 pm~~~
Alice Peacock holds an umbrella over her head as Detective Pine and Mrs. Greys-Cale slowly lag behind. Mrs. Alabaster and Forest briskly walk several feet a head of them. Mrs. Alabaster takes off her shoes and runs towards a mushy heap of blue, red, and gray resting near the gates.
“Oh no!” Forest whispers
Mrs. Alabaster reaches the front gates to see Evelyne Peacock clutching the revolver, her chest and stomach smashed and blow flowing out, mixing with the rain. A blood drizzled axe lays only feet from Evelyne’s lifeless corpse. The thing that stands out the most is Evelyne’s wig… which rests over half of her face. Mrs. Alabaster turns as Mr. Green and Alice Peacock arrive. Detective Pine stops several feet back.
“Dear Lord!” Detective Pine says
“Poor Evelyne.” Forest reaches down and closes her eyes, moving her wig to see that her forehead and face had been sliced also.
Alice Peacock smirks slowly as she sees the body of her sister-in-law.
~~~Peacock Residence - Billiard Room-8:02 pm~~~
Sir Algernon Black throws a dart at the dart board which hangs in the back of the room. Miss Curio (Mme. Rose) enters from outside doors. She pulls her hair tightly around her face… as if hiding her true identity.
“Hello.” Sir Black smiles, “Hey… don’t I know you from somewhere.”
Miss Curio feels her disguise is not working so well.
“It’s me, Rhoda Curio.” She says
“I don’t believe I know a Rhoda…” Sir Black picks up another dart and chucks it towards the dart board, missing the bulls eye by an inch.
“I was your father’s secretary.” ‘Miss Curio’ says
“That must have been when I was in college.” He says, “You must have been very young.”
“Yes.” She lies, “I met you on several occasions.”
“I don’t seem to remember.” Sir Black says, “Ah well, it’s a pleasure to meet you either way.”
“Yes.” She smirks
“May I ask what you were doing outside?” asks Sir Black
“I went walking around the Croquet Field and it started raining, then I heard voices near the garage and went to investigate.” She says, “Now here I am.”
“I see, well, maybe we should sit in front of the fire in the Drawing Room.” Sir Black says flirtatiously
“Perhaps.” Miss Curio smiles as he leads her out of the room… taking a dart with…
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds- Garage-8:05 pm~~~
The rain is now a light mist. Miss Scarlet and Mrs. White come from the side door and see the commotion. Mrs. White opens her umbrella as they head over.
“What’s happened?” Mrs. White asks
“Beryl?” Alice says
Detective Pine looks at Mrs. White, “You’ve got some explaining to do!”
Miss Scarlet screams upon seeing the body
Mr. Green and Mrs. Alabaster come out of the gate house.
“Detective.” Forest calls, “A trail of blood leads up the staircase in there.”
“So the killer may be up there?” Mrs. Peacock gasps
“No, we checked.” Forest says
“Who could have done this?” Miss Scarlet asks
“Obviously Evelyne made someone unhappy.” Mrs. Greys-Cale says
“Someone?” Mrs. Peacock laughs, “I guess now is the best time to say it.”
“Say what?” asks Detective Pine
“Evelyne has made many enemies since she’s arrive from Michigan.” Alice says, “Including myself.”
“Can you explain what it pertains to?” asks Detective Pine
Mrs. Peacock looks at the body of Evelyne, then at Vera, “I’m afraid I can’t.”
“But I think I can!” a voice calls
The turn to see Jayne Meadow-Brooke standing near the house.
“Jayne?” Mr. Green raises an eyebrow.
Mrs. Meadow-Brooke comes up to them, “Alice, it’s time to let the cat out of the bag.”
“Jayne, no!” Alice says
“What’s going on?” asks Detective Pine
“Alice, she needs to know.” Mrs. Meadow-Brooke says
“Jayne don’t you dare!” Alice walks over to Jayne, “I swear you will be lying next to Evelyne if you tell!”
Mrs. Meadow-Brooke looks at Mrs. Peacock’s concern and then at Vera. After several moments of awkward silence Mrs. Meadow-Brooke speaks, “Then let’s hope Sir Black doesn’t spill the beans.” Mrs. Peacock sighs of relief.
~~~Peacock Residence- Library-8:09 pm~~~
Prince Azure sits on the sofa drinking a martini. Mr. Boddy fingers the statuette. Senator Peacock enters through the doors leading outside.
“Senator?” Mr. Boddy is rather jumpy
“John, I didn’t know you were still here!” Senator Peacock says
“As am I.” Prince Azure says taking a drink
“I’m afraid I don’t remember you from earlier.” Senator Peacock says
“I came with Jayne and Sir Black.” Prince Azure stands up… drunk
“Ah yes.” Senator Peacock says
“What were you doing outside?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I needed a place to make some phone calls, I was in the stable.” Senator Peacock says
“Why not your own suite?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I did call someone there, but I had this feeling of being watched… or at least listened to.” Senator Peacock shrugs, putting his hand in his pocket… He is alarmed to realize his gun is missing. He smiles at Mr. Boddy to cover the concerned look on his face.
~~~Peacock Residence- Upstairs Balcony around the Hall-8:11 pm~~~
Mr. Tenné comes out of a guest room carrying some sheets, folded up. He walks carefully along the balcony but trips. The sheets slip out of his hand and unfold. Strings of pearls and diamond earrings fall out of the sheets.
“Ah!” he shouts gathering them quickly; he runs down the stairs.
On the floor where he trips lays a limb foot, sticking out of an open doorway. In the dark room the sea captain lays, plastic wrap sealed tightly around his face. Is his hand is a bloody earring.
TO BE CONTINUED