“The Lovers Triangle”
~~~Peacock Residence-Library- 8:49 pm~~~
“Mrs. Peacock, did you hear me?” asks Inspector Silverson, “Who is Kasandra’s father?”
“If you tell a soul…”
“Mrs. Peacock, you have my word!” Inspector Silverson says
“Miles Meadow-Brooke.” Mrs. Peacock says
~~~Peacock Residence-Drawing Room - 8:52 pm~~~
Miss Curio stands at the back of the room, watching Prince Azure and Sir Black talk on the sofa. Officer Rolf Malachite stands at the door. Officer Turner Turquoise stands at the other end of the room, surveying the suspects. Senator Peacock stands in the back of the room near Miss Curio, thoughts racing through his head. Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlet sit on the sofa. Mrs. Alabaster, Mr. Green, Mrs. Greys-Cale, and Jayne Meadow-Brooke are playing cards. Mr. Boddy and Mrs. White talk near the fireplace. Mr. Tenné and Mrs. Copper play chess on the chess board near the French Doors leading outside. Thunder dims the lights for a brief second. Inspector Silverson returns with Mrs. Peacock.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Inspector Silverson talks over the noise. Everyone turns their attention to the man of law standing in the doorway, “Alice Peacock has helped me out greatly. Tonight I am only going to run through some brief information with the staff and people who are living or boarding here. All others are free to go to your hotels or homes.”
Mrs. Greys-Cale, Mrs. Alabaster, Mr. Green, Mrs. Meadow-Brooke, Prince Azure, Sir Black, and Mr. Boddy get up from their places and leave the Drawing Room. Miss Curio leaves after the rest do. Inspector Silverson steps out in the hall.
~~~Peacock Residence-Hall- continuous~~~
“Before you all go!” Inspector Silverson announces, “I’d like everyone to write down their contact numbers and places you are currently staying. I’d like to ask that none of you leave the suburbs of Chicago.”
After several minutes of people writing on the pages from the hall guest book, Inspector Silverson is satisfied and dismisses everyone. He heads back to the Drawing Room.
~~~Peacock Residence-Drawing Room - 9:02 pm~~~
“Well, now that we’ve dismissed the guest, it’s just us eight… and some officers, I’d like to question some of you.” Inspector Silverson says, “I’d like to ask Miss Scarlet to come to the Library with me.”
Vera stands up from the sofa where she sat by Colonel Mustard. She exits the Drawing Room with Inspector Silverson.
~~~Peacock Residence-Library - 9:03 pm~~~
Miss Scarlet lies on the couch and lights a cigarette. Inspector Silverson sits in the same armchair as before.
“So this party was a surprise for you?” asks Inspector Silverson
“More like an excuse for my mom to invite her snobby, drunk, arrogant friends!” Vera says blowing smoke up to the ceiling
“Vera, do you know how many times I’ve caught you on the street, carrying on with…… business?” Inspector Silverson asks
“And do you know how many discounts I’ve given you?” Miss Scarlet asks
“Vera, prostitution is illegal! You could go to prison!” Inspector Silverson says
“And your pretty little badge could be ripping off of you if A. H. P. D. found out about you not only taking bribes, but then inviting a prostitute home…” Vera puts her cigarette in a marble ashtray
“Point made!” Inspector Silverson closes his notebook, “Vera why are you here under you s… mother’s house.” He hopes she didn’t catch his slip up.
“Business hasn’t been going well and my ex-boyfriend kicked me out.” Miss Scarlet says
“Hmm.” Inspector Silverson says, “Now tell me about your relationships with the people at the mansion?”
“Tell you?” she stands up and leans out to him, “How about I show you.” She kisses him passionately…
~~~Peacock Residence-Drawing Room - 9:07 pm~~~
Alice Peacock sits at the card table, watching Copper and Tenné play their game of chess. Mrs. White looks around at the tired and bored faces.
“Would one of you lovely officers like to escort me to the kitchen while I make some coffee?” Mrs. White asks
Officer Malachite nods and opens the Drawing Room door, putting a hand on his gun. Mrs. Peacock looks over at Senator Peacock who stares aimlessly at the dying fire in the fireplace. Mrs. Peacock glances at Colonel Mustard who gets up and scans some antiques on display. He then comes over to the card table and picks up a deck of cards.
“Bridge?” he asks shuffling the cards
“Of course.” Mrs. Peacock glances at Senator Peacock, “Robin, would you like to join?”
Senator Peacock continues to stare at the dying fire.
~~~Peacock Residence-Kitchen - 9:09 pm~~~
The coffee pot is lifted off the coffee maker. Mrs. White pours it in a silver pot and puts the pot on a silver tray. She gets light blue coffee cups from the shelf and puts them on the tray.
“So Pine’s last thoughts were that you hit him?” Malachite chuckles
“It’s a viscous lie!” Beryl White shouts
“I’m sure.” He says, “Nice kitchen…”
“Do you drink coffee, Mr. Malachite?” she asks the officer
“Can a police officer get away with not drinking it?” He chuckles
“I’m sure they have bottled water at the station.” Mrs. White says
“If you want to pay $2.50 for water, then yes, but instead we go for the free coffee Sergeant Gray makes. He’s kind of like our secretary…”
“Well, the coffee’s done.” Mrs. White interrupts his story, “If you’ll get the kitchen door?”
“Yes of course.” He opens the door. Suddenly she drops the tray and grabs the silver coffee pot. She swings it down and the silver pot hits his head with a steamy sizzle from the hot coffee. The officer drops. Mrs. White smirks as she unbuttons the top two buttons of her shirt. She then screams. Inspector Silverson rushes out of the library, fixing his shirt. Officer Turquoise, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard come from the Drawing Room.
Mrs. White begins crying, “He tried to rape me.” She says quickly buttoning her top. She drops the pot on the ground. I was struggling with the door and he grabbed me from behind!” Mrs. Peacock comes over and Mrs. White buries her head in her shoulder.
Inspector Silverson bends down and touches the side of his neck, “He’s alive.”
Officer Malachite begins to move on the floor.
Mrs. White lets out a shriek as he sits up.
Mrs. Peacock leads Mrs. White to the Drawing Room, “It’s alright Beryl.” She soothes
Inspector Silverson motions for Colonel Mustard to go back to the Drawing Room. He does.
“What happened Rolf?” asks Inspector Silverson
“I opened the door for the old bat and she hit me! I don’t even know why?” Officer Malachite says
“Rolf, we’ve had problems with you before.” Inspector Silverson says
“Are you saying you believe her?” Officer Malachite asks in disbelief
“Rolf, I’m sorry but before you were an officer you were arrested for rape.” Inspector Silverson says, “I’m afraid you are no longer on our force.”
~~~Peacock Residence-Drawing Room - 9:13 pm~~~
Officer Malachite solemnly returns with Inspector Silverson. Mrs. White sits with Mrs. Peacock at the other end of the room.
“I will be taking Officer Malachite to the station.” Inspector Silverson says, “Everyone else may retire for the night. I will be back tomorrow morning around eight o’clock.”
Inspector Silverson motions for Officer Turquoise to follow him and Malachite out of the Drawing Room.
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds-Gate House - 11:09 pm~~~
The rain has stopped and the air is tick and foggy. A bedroom light on the third floor turns off.
~~~Peacock Residence-Alice Peacock’s Bedroom - continuous~~~
Mrs. Peacock stands at her vanity and lets her hair down to her shoulders. She buttons her blue night gown and begins to comb her long brown hair. A knock at the door startles her. She crosses the room and opens the door to see Colonel Mustard standing in his golden-brown robe.
“Is it too late for me to visit?” he asks
“It’s never too late.” Alice smirks letting him in.
~~~Peacock Residence-Vera Scarlet’s Bedroom - 11:29 pm~~~
Vera lays awake in bed. She glances over at her closet and then back at the ceiling. She sighs and gets up. She goes to her vanity and picks up a volleyball trophy.
“It’s been a while since I played.” she says, “I should probably call the coach after this hassle dies down…”
Vera turns the trophy over and unscrews the nut from the marble base. The trophy comes apart and Vera slips a finger in the hollow trophy. She pulls out a small silver key. She puts the trophy back on the vanity and goes to her closet. Once inside she goes to a tall shoe rack. She moves a pair of red stilettos and sees a key hole. She slips the key in the hole and pushes the shoe rack in. The shoe rack goes back and gently slides over. Vera slides it in the thick hollow wall and finds herself in another closet. She wraps on the door and enters. She is in Colonel Mustard’s bedroom.
“Mike?” she whispers, there is no response, “Mike, are you in here?” she looks around at the empty bedroom.
She goes to the door and steps out in the hallway. She heads back to her room through the hallway rather than the closet. She passes her mother’s room and hears a voice much too familiar. Without giving a second thought Vera throws open the bedroom door.
Vera drops the key at the sight of Colonel Mustard and Alice Peacock in bed together. She hurries out of the room. Colonel Mustard quickly gets up and slips his robe back on.
“Vera!” he calls. He picks up the key and goes to her room. Vera cries at her vanity
“Get away from me!” she shouts
“What the devil is going on?” Alice asks entering
“You tramp!” Vera shoves Alice out into the hallway and slams the door. Alice knocks, “Open this door Vera!”
Vera opens it, “Why, so you can take your Colonel back to your bed!” Alice pushes past and goes to the middle of the room.
“This is my house and you’ll do as I say!” Mrs. Peacock says
“Not for long!” Vera shouts, “I’m so sick of you! Once I get back to my job and start making money…”
“Vera I hardly call your street business a job!” Alice says
“And I hardly call killing off your husbands for their money a job either!” Vera shouts through tears
Alice slaps Vera across the face. Vera pushes Alice in the chest, sending her to the ground.
“You never gave a damn about me or my life!” Vera shouts, “Who are you to judge?”
Alice stands up and sees the closet door open.
“Don’t you dare!” Vera shouts as Alice goes to the closet
Colonel Mustard becomes alarmed as well. Alice enters and sees the secret door leading to Colonel Mustard’s room is open.
“Mike!” Alice shouts
“Alice, it isn’t how it seems!” Mike says
“I became suspicious of your actions towards my daughter, that’s why I put you on opposite ends of the house, only for both of you to make a door attaching your bedrooms!”
“Alice I can explain!” Michael says
“There’s no need!” Alice says, “For all I know, you could be Vera’s most popular customer!”
“That just isn’t so!” Mike says
“Then tell me Mike! Why is your room attached to Vera’s?” Alice leaves the room without giving the Colonel enough time to defend himself. Miss Scarlet smirks slowly.
TO BE CONTINUED