“Dirt, Mud, and Truths”
~~~ Rose Estate- Parlor-12:30 pm ~~~
Mme. Rose sits in the lovely parlor, fingering a decorative handbag at her side. The shadow of streams of rain from the window cast over the floor… A man in a dark red sweater enters with a blonde woman at his side.
“Clairell?” the man looks shocked, “When the maid said we had an unsuspected visitor, I had no idea!”
“I came here to tell you something.” Mme. Rose says
“I told you never to come here again!” the man says
“I thought you’d like to know what your dear sister has done?” asks Mme. Rose
“Unless you are leading away from your cultic arts, I don’t want anything to do with you!” the man says
“I killed three people.” Mme. Rose says bluntly, “And unless your pretty little wife would like to hear some of your stories, I’d like a moment with you.”
“Mary.” He nods to his wife
Mary Rose exits the parlor. The man, Dr. Carl Rose goes to a small bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey.
“What happened?” asks Dr. Rose
“The police won’t suspect a thing unless they find out who Miss Rhoda Curio is.” Mme. Rose smirks
“Oh God!” Dr. Rose goes pale, “You didn’t take that name!”
“Oh but I did!” Mme. Rose says, “Evelyne was about an inch close to figure out that you murdered Miss Curio. I did you a favor!”
“But why now of all times?” asks Dr. Rose
“She got the invitation to Vera’s get well party and started poking around.” Mme. Rose says
“What did you do?” asks Dr. Rose
“Let’s just say I ‘axed’ her off.” Mme. Rose smirks
“And if the police find out?” asks Dr. Rose
“The same as when Miss Curio was murdered… I was your alibi… now you are mine.” Mme. Rose says
“I don’t understand…” Dr. Rose says
“You are a doctor! Use your imagination!” Mme. Rose says
Dr. Rose sits quietly in his chair and stares blankly out the window. The mail truck passes by the gates.
Mme. Rose stands up and hands him her handbag.
“Inside you will find the wig and dress I wore as Miss Curio.” Mme. Rose says, “I think I know the way to my old bedroom… after all, we grew up here!”
Mme. Rose exits the parlor and Mary Rose ‘Rosemary’ enters.
“What the hell is she doing here? And why are all those suitcases at the foot of the stairs?!” Mary asks
“It seems that my sister will be staying with us for a while…” Dr. Rose says, “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Mary shouts, her voice echoing through the Parlor.
“Will you keep your voice down?” Dr. Rose raises his voice, “She’s my sister!”
“Biologically…” Mrs. Rose says
“Rosemary, I don’t want to hear another word about it!” Dr. Rose walks over to the Piano Alcove in the Parlor, “She will be staying and we will reminisce some times we shared together…”
“And I?” Mrs. Rose asks
“You can march over to the Peacock Residence and gossip with Alice, Jayne, Eileen, and Anna.” Dr. Rose says
“Fine!” she says, heading to the door, “I have to change. Eileen and I are playing tennis at her house!”
“It’s raining!” Dr. Rose points to the windows, which are being pattered with rain.
The parlor door slams.
~~~ Green Estate- Library-12:45 pm ~~~
Forest locks the door and closes it, stepping into the Sitting Room. Ms. Magenta sips a cocktail.
“So are we cancelling the plans of eviction of the residents in South Cicero?” Ms. Magenta asks
“We have to wait until my father is claimed dead.” Mr. Green says, “I’m really starting to regret shooting him.”
“Is there any chance that he will survive?” asks Ms. Magenta
“Unless someone followed us to the forest and shortly after we left, dug up dad… then no.” Mr. Green says
“What about Don Yale?” asks Ms. Magenta
“If he survived Chelsea’s attack… then he is probably in Florida… That’s where his family lives.”
“Suppose he followed you…”
“Madeline, that’s ridiculous!” Mr. Green says, “Donald would never…”
Mr. Green ponders whether or not Madeline’s story is likely…
~~~ Professor Plum’s Car- 12:49 pm ~~~
Miss Scarlet sits in the front seat. Professor Plum drives. Rain continues to beat on the window.
“Tell me why you think that ‘Miss Curio’ is the murderer.” Miss Scarlet asks
“It’s really simple. Miss Rhoda Curio was a student of mine. She died in the chemical explosion that cost me my job. It is hardly likely that this ‘Miss Curio’ is legitimate!”
“But why does this make her the murderer?” asks Miss Scarlet
“Someone obviously found out that she wasn’t who she said she was so she went on a berserk killing rampage!” Professor Plum says
“But how does her death tie in with the sea captain and Forest’s escort?” asks Miss Scarlet
“I’ll leave that one for the police to figure out.” Professor Plum turns at the next exit
“Where are we going?” asks Miss Scarlet
“To the police station! I could go to jail for holding evidence!” Professor Plum says
Miss Scarlet rolls her eyes.
~~~ Peacock Residence- Library- 1:02 pm ~~~
The rain has lightened into a faint drizzle. Mr. Tenné pours tea for Mrs. Meadow-Brooke and Sir Algernon Black. Prince Azure sits with a glass of brandy in his hand.
“Isn’t it a bit early to be drinking?” asks Sir Black
“Never to early in my house.” Mrs. Peacock says finishing her tea.
“So should we let his highness in on your little secret?” asks Jayne
“Jayne, I have agreed to let you try to talk to me and convince me why I shouldn’t kill you!” Mrs. Peacock says, “Don’t ruin it.”
“Actually, I’m rather nosy as to what my mother is doing at her brother’s mansion.” Prince Azure sets his glass on the butler’s tray and exits the library.
“I’ll see to it he gets and umbrella.” Mr. Tenné leaves the library
Alice sits back and looks over at Sir Black.
“What if Vera finds out?” Sir Black asks
“Then I’ll tell her it’s a viscous lie.” Alice says
“But what if Mrs. Greys-Cale is united with Melody and explains to her that you are her mother?” asks Jayne, “What are you going to tell Vera?”
“I don’t know.” Alice looks down
“This is what I’m trying to prepare you for.” Jayne says, “You need to have a story with you.”
“I don’t see any harm in telling Vera.” Sir Black says
“You tried to murder her, Al!” Mrs. Peacock casts a dirty look at him
“I thought I explained that to you!” Sir Black stands up
“You did, I just don’t buy it!” Mrs. Peacock says
“It’s as much your fault as it is mine!” Sir Black says
“My fault?” Mrs. Peacock tosses her teacup on the coffee table, it shatters, “How is this my fault? You are the one who slammed a candlestick on James’ scull!”
“After your ‘daughter’ stabbed his stomach!” Sir Black finishes her sentence
“This conversation is over!” Mrs. Peacock says, “I’ve already kicked Michael out of the house; don’t make me kick out my best friend and old love partner too!”
“You can do whatever suites you.” Sir Black walks over to the library door, “If you wouldn’t have insisted on killing Philip Whyte, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“You killing the PI had nothing to do with James’ apparent death!” Mrs. Peacock says
Sir Black leaves, slamming the library door.
“I best drive him back to my house.” Mrs. Meadow-Brooke says, “His house isn’t exactly the safest place…”
“I understand.” Mrs. Peacock says
~~~ Rose Estate- Cellar- 1:15 pm ~~~
Dr. Rose takes a pick axe from Mme. Rose and goes over to a wall.
“Are you sure this won’t affect the structure of the house?” asks Mme. Rose
“Are you kidding, I built this wall myself… after the house was built.” Dr. Rose hits the pick axe against the bricks. After several energy filled swings, there is a small hole. A dusty, moldy smell floats from the hole. He reaches inside and feels for something. A loud clank echoes as a section of the wall pops out a couple inches. He carefully pushes the hinged brick wall aside and turns on his flashlight. Mme. Rose pokes her head in the small long area they are in. Ahead on the ground lays a bony heap. Dr. Rose shines his flashlight on the decayed scull of the body.
“There she is.” Dr. Rose says
“Are you sure it was wise to dig up Miss Curio?” asks Mme. Rose
“Hey, you impersonated her last night. It’s time to get rid of her for good!”
~~~ Jackson Park- East Lagoon- 1:30 pm ~~~
The rain has stopped; the ground is wet; as is the man standing over a gaping hole in the earth. A tattered garbage bag lies at the bottom of the hole. The man moves the bag as a muddy hand rolls out…
TO BE CONTINUED