Episode 19 – “The Shattered Remnants”
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: Miss Ecru insists on being with Mrs. Myrtle at the dinner party. Mrs. Sylvia Black and Mr. Reginald Ash suggest killing Sir Bradford Black before he has a chance to claim his inheritance. That night at the party, Mrs. Peacock becomes anxious when she realizes that all the suspects of Hugh’s murder will be gathered once again. Miss Peach recognizes Miss Thorn, but it isn’t until Colonel Mustard recognizes her that she realizes she is Dame Constance Olivine, Colonel Mustard’s wife. Miss Thorn merely states that all will be revealed in time. Mrs. Black pulls Mr. Meadow-Brook aside and finds out that Sir Bradford Black is truly the beneficiary. Mr. Meadow-Brook suggests stalling the will and informs Mrs. Black that if Bradford dies before he claims the estate the money and mansion will go to Jet. Chandler arrives and confronts Miss Scarlet about hiring Dante Egret to attack him. He breaks off their engagement and leaves the house, telling her that he slept with Mrs. Peacock. When Mrs. Peacock tries to defend her actions, Miss Scarlet races upstairs angrily. Miss Scarlet finds a note from Mrs. Peacock stating that she needs to let Cynthia know something. Miss Peach follows Chandler outside in the hopes to calm him down. Mrs. Peacock accidentally spills wine on Scott and takes him to the Kitchen to clean him up. Miss Scarlet goes to the Study where she finds Miss Francesca Thorn strangled on the floor. She finds a note on the desk from Mrs. Peacock stating that she and Miss Thorn killed the people around Hampshire. In the letter Miss Scarlet learns that Mrs. Peacock and her brother, Professor Plum are the twins that Hugh Black and Celeste Curry (Estelle Black) had. Miss Scarlet is instructed to burn the letter. At the train depot, Mrs. Peacock gets on a train with Scott Black, whom she kidnapped…
-Tuesday, April 19, 1949-
-Afternoon-
At the Lilly Funeral Home, Mrs. Sylvia Black stands at the back of the visitation room in the midst of her husband’s wake. She looks at her wrist watch and she gently wipes her eyes with the corner of her handkerchief as the mourners politely greet her and say their farewells to Hugh Black. Inspector Winfield Brown enters holding his hat at his side.
“Mrs. Black,” he approaches her
“Oh, Inspector,” Mrs. Black stands up and embraces him, “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Inspector Brown says
“Have you any leads?” asks Mrs. Black twisting her handkerchief nervously
“We are doing everything we can, but we still haven’t been able to locate Mrs. Peacock or your son.” Inspector Brown says
“It figures.” Mrs. Black lowers her head, “He’s probably dead by now!”
“We haven’t given up.” Inspector Brown says, “We won’t give up until your little boy is found and Mrs. Peacock is put to justice.”
“Will she hang?” asks Mrs. Black angrily
“Pardon?” Inspector Brown is caught off guard
“She deserves to hang for what she put this town through.” Mrs. Black says
“Her sentence has not yet been decided.” Inspector Brown says
Mrs. Black adjusts her veiled hat as she remembers how she acquired it that morning.
-FLASHBACK – EARLIER THAT MORNING –
In her Bedroom of Tudor Close, Mrs. Sylvia Black stands before a floor length mirror. She is wearing a simple black blouse and a skirt that ends just below her knees. She is wearing dark nylons and black heels. She sighs deeply as the sound of knocking on the door fills the room.
“Come in.” she says softly
“Ma’am,” Mrs. Blanche White enters the room carrying a hat box, “I found this in the attic. It was Hugh’s mother’s hat. I thought you might like to wear it to Hugh’s wake.”
Mrs. Black takes the box and sets it on her dressing table. She opens it and finds a black veiled hat.
“Thank you, Mrs. White,” Mrs. Black forces a smile as she runs her hand over the fabric, “It’s lovely.”
Mrs. White nods with a smile, “Mr. Ash will be driving Bradford, John, and Jet to the funeral home in half an hour. Will you be riding with them?”
“No,” Mrs. Black says, “I’ll walk. It’s a nice day. The fresh air will do me good.”
“As you wish.” Mrs. White says exiting the bedroom.
Mrs. Black sighs as she looks deeply into her reflection in the mirror. She lifts it up and hears something heavy fall from where it was caught on the veil. She lifts the hat all the way out and sees a German War Pistol at the bottom of the box.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
“Is there anything you know about their whereabouts?” asks Mrs. Black as she is lead away from the memories of that morning, “Any leads whatsoever?”
“On the night of their disappearance, a woman and a young boy that matches Mrs. Peacock and Scott Black’s descriptions were seen docking a ferry from Hampshire to Port Wells.” Inspector Brown says, “I’ve got men interrogating ticket sellers in Port Wells. Trust me; they couldn’t have gotten very far.”
In a rundown apartment in Paris, France, Scott Black opens his eyes and looks around him to find he is lying on the sofa with a wool blanket draped over his legs and partially on the floor. The first thing to greet his nose is the smell of paint. He sits up nervously and feels the crustiness of dry tears on his face. More tears begin to work up as he looks around the messy environment. Wild, random canvases leaning against the walls with exotic women painted on them. Some of which are quite familiar to Scott. He can’t place his finger on it but the face of one woman in the painting nearest the window is strikingly familiar. He nervously puts both feet on the area rug under the sofas and coffee table. He sees that the other sofa has been slept on too.
“Are you hungry?” a voice asks
Scott quickly turns around and sees Mrs. Penelope Peacock standing in the doorway of the small kitchenette. He stands up slowly as he back away from her.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m family after all.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I want to go home.” Scott says through tears, “I want my mother.”
“There’s nothing to be frightened about.” Mrs. Peacock says with an eerie smile, “You’ll be home soon enough. I’m just waiting for something I want. Then you will get something you want.”
“Where are we?” asks Scott
“Paris, darling,” Mrs. Peacock says with a dramatic pose, she realizes the boy is too frighten and sad to find humor in this situation, “But for now it would be best if you remain calm and just follow the simple orders of my friend and me.”
“You’re friend?” asks Scott glancing around through the empty living room.
“You’ll meet him soon enough.” Mrs. Peacock says with a slight frown, “Are you hungry.” She asks again
Scott nervously surveys the room. His eyes fall on the front door which contains only a chain lock and a regular lock on the handle. He quickly darts over to the door and unlocks them both quickly. As he pulls open the door, Mrs. Peacock slams it, trapping him in the corner near the front door. She relocks it.
“Don’t think about escaping, Scott.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I need you here more than anyone else.”
“Why?” he asks as tears stain his shirt
“You ask too many questions.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Are you hungry?” She asks for the third time
At the Mayfield Divisional Police Department, Miss Cynthia Scarlet sits before the desk of a tall man with brown, balding hair. He is wearing a dark green shirt with a seven pointed star badge over his heart. He is Commissioner Stewart Forest.
“You aren’t telling me everything.” Commissioner Forest slams his hands on the desk
“I have.” Miss Scarlet says with a jump.
“Everyone at the party heard you threaten your step-mother, and then a few moments later she disappears and her best friend is found dead smack bang in the center of her Study.” Commissioner Forest says looking over the crime reports from the night of the murder.
“Didn’t Colonel Mustard and Emily Peach tell you who she really is?” asks Miss Scarlet angrily
“I’ve asked them numerous times,” Commissioner Forest says, “Neither of them know where you are getting this story about a Dame from Italy.”
“He lied to me.” Miss Scarlet mutters, “That back stabbing bastard!”
“I beg your pardon?” Commissioner Forest asks quite alarmed by her sudden outburst.
-FLASHBACK – THREE DAYS AGO-
In the Study of the Peacock Residence, Miss Cynthia Scarlet looks up from the note.
“I can’t believe it.” Miss Scarlet whispers
“Neither can I.” Colonel Mustard says from the shadows. Rope burns are visible on his palms.
“Oh,” Miss Scarlet jumps, “You scared me.” Her eyes fall on the burns on his hands and she panics, backing against the desk, knocking over a pencil cup.
“I went to jail for murder ten years ago.” Colonel Mustard says looking at the body on the floor, “That’s where I’m going to end up again.”
“You killed her?” Miss Scarlet says breathlessly
“You have to understand.” Colonel Mustard approaches her as she grabs a sharp letter opener form the spilled pencil cup and points it at him, “She broke my heart and lied to me, Cynthia. Now you can’t say a word either.”
“Stay away from me.” Miss Scarlet swings the letter opener at him. He snatches her wrist and takes the letter opener from her dainty grasp.
“What do you think we should we do now?” asks Colonel Mustard
Miss Scarlet quickly, but cautiously hands him the letter.
“We turn my step-mother in.” Miss Scarlet says with her voice quivering and breaking, “She can take the fall for this.”
Colonel Mustard scans over the letter and then hands it back to Miss Scarlet, “She’s the one behind this, eh?”
Miss Scarlet nods vigorously as she sets the letter back down on the desk.
Colonel Mustard pulls her tight against him.
“What are you doing?” she pulls back
“Embrace me and scream.” Colonel Mustard instructs
“What?” Miss Scarlet asks in confusion
“Embrace me and scream.” Colonel Mustard repeats, “Everyone’ll think we came in together and found her like this.”
Miss Scarlet nods and grabs onto the Colonel. She lets out a blood curdling scream.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
“Colonel Mustard killed Francesca Thorn.” Miss Scarlet blurts out after and awkward moment of silence
“These are very strong accusations you are throwing around.” Commissioner Forest says
“I was right when I told you about my step-mother involvement in Hugh’s murder.” Miss Scarlet says with a smirk
At the Green Home, there is a knock at the front door. Mr. Thallo Green sits in his Drawing Room looking over his planner for the week. He sighs as the sound of the knock at the door reaches his ears. He answers the door with frustration to see his sister, Jane Meadow-Brook standing on the doorstep with a surprisingly happy atmosphere about her.
“Jane,” he says opening the door wider for her, “Come in.”
“Thank you, Thallo,” Jane Meadow-Brook enters the house and walks into the Drawing Room. He sets his planner on the coffee table and sits down on the sofa, “You still haven’t unpacked all these boxes yet?”
“What are you doing here?” asks Mr. Green, “Shouldn’t you be at the funeral?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “You and Hugh were rather close after all.”
“I have my reasons to avoid Sylvia Black.” Mr. Green says, “But you are Sylvia’s best friend.”
“I went to the funeral.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says casually picking up his planner and flipping through it, “But with the preparations for Jessica’s funeral underway, I decided to go home. Sylvia agreed it was for the best.”
“Then what are you doing here?” asks Mr. Green grabs his planner from Jane’s grasp and clutches it tightly
“I want to move back home.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I think we both should move back home.”
“Oh, Jane,” Mr. Green says with a long sigh, “Jane, we can’t go back to France. The French police would be following us everywhere once they knew we were back.”
“We haven’t set a good impression on the police officials in Port Wells either,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says matter-of-factly, “Or have you forgotten of that cop we killed.”
“How could I forget?” Mr. Green asks, “You remind me all the time.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Mrs. Meadow-Brook asks standing up
“Jane, the French police know what we did when we left.” Mr. Green says, “For all the police in Port Wells have guessed, a drug kingpin murdered a cop in a random act of fear.”
“That’s what happened, though.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says
“Yes but they don’t have any names.” Mr. Green says
“And neither do the French police,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “Or at least they don’t have our current names.”
“Jane,” Mr. Green says, “We’ve risked a lot to move here. Why in heaven’s name would we go back?”
“Because dad is sick,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I’m not sure how much time he has.”
“How do you know he is sick?” asks Mr. Green angrilly, “I told you not to keep in contact with anyone back home. It isn’t safe.”
“At Hugh Black’s funeral I saw Yuri Gold.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says biting her lip
“Yuri is here?” Mr. Green’s face goes pale as an uneasy feeling in his stomach sets in.
“He told me that dad got in a serious boating accident.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says
“It’s not my problem.” Mr. Green says angrily as he walks across the Drawing Room to the Hall
“Please, Thallo, you are my brother,” Jane begs as she follows him
“I’m your half-brother.” Mr. Green corrects her as he stops at the Study door, “Your father is not related to me and his death will leave no effect on me.”
“Are you mad because I suggested going back or are you mad because Yuri is in Hampshire?” asks Mrs. Meadow-Brook as she rings her hands
“This isn’t about you anymore, Jane?” Mr. Green shouts, “Stay away from him.”
In his flat, Chandler Weiss wakes up in bed and immediately looks at the clock. He quickly panics as he sees it is nearly 3 in the afternoon.
“Good morning,” a voice says, “Or should I say afternoon.”
Chandler quickly turns around to see Miss Emily Peach standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
“Emily,” Chandler says, “How did I get here?”
“What?” she chuckles as she sits next to him
“I don’t remember much after leaving Mrs. Peacock’s house last night.” Chandler says
“That’s because we went to the bar.” Miss Peach says, “You got a little drunk and spilled your heart out to me. We got back really late.”
“We?” Chandler says nervously, “You spent the night?”
“Of course I did, silly.” Miss Peach says patting his knee, “Don’t you remember?”
“No,” Chandler stands up, “Oh God, Cynthia is going to kill me?”
“Cynthia?” Miss Peach stands up, “You told her you never wanted to see her again after she hired a hit man to attack you.”
“How do I know it really was her?” asks Chandler he sees the morning’s issue of the newspaper on the nightstand, “Oh my God.” He reads the headline:
“PENELOPE PEACOCK MISSING AND RESPONSIBLE FOR HAMPSHIRE MURDERS.”
“It could have been her.” Chandler says with nervousness
“Chandler, you shoved Cynthia to the ground and called her a bitch and told her that you slept with her step-mother.” Miss Peach says, “I think that relationship is pretty much over.”
“I wasn’t in my right mind.” Chandler says pacing the room while gently touching the bandaged wound on his neck, “Cynthia would never hurt me. I have to make this right.”
“Chandler,” Miss Peach says, “That’s not what you said last night.”
“I know what I said…” Chandler holds his head
“No, I mean at the bar.” Miss Peach says, “You told me that you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of your life with me.”
Chandler is speechless as he looks at Miss Peach in confusion.
“You did mean everything you said to me, didn’t you?” asks Miss Peach innocently as she walks over to him and puts her hands on his
“I need time to sort out my thoughts.” Chandler says
Miss Peach smiles as she exits his bedroom. Her smile turns to a frown.
Back at the Lilly Funeral Home, Sir Bradford Black stands in the hallway outside the Visitation Room. He is pacing back and forth nervously. At that moment a young man with messy dark hair and thick eyebrows approaches him. The young man has a youth-like appearance about him and isn’t a day older than twenty-two. He is wearing a dark black coat with a fur trim around the neck. Underneath the coat is the visible collar of a brilliant yellow shirt. His outfit contrasts the outfits of the mourners around him.
“Sir Bradford,” the young man says in a thick Russian Accent
“Mr. Gold,” Sir Bradford Black says, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“How is the progression?” asks Mr. Gold
“My damned daughter-in-law told me that my son’s lawyer doesn’t have the most recent version of the will.” Sir Bradford says
“Did Hugh have it changed like he said?” asks Mr. Gold
“I’m certain he did.” Sir Bradford says, “You needn’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Mr. Gold says, “But you should be. If the progression on Tudor Close doesn’t start by Friday, I will tell my father that you are unreliable and this plan will fall flat on its ass.”
“Everything will work out.” Sir Bradford says firmly
“You’re pay has already been decreased.” Mr. Gold says
“I beg your pardon?” Sir Bradford Black
“You are down to 20% of anything we make with Tudor Close.” Mr. Gold says, “Any further delays and it’ll be down to 15%.”
“You can’t do that!” Sir Bradford Black says drawing attention to their conversation by mourners.
Yuri Gold crosses his arms and picks an invisible piece of lint from his jacket, “You’ve got till Friday, or you’ll be back at this Funeral Home with everyone saying farewell to you.”
Next door to the Mustard Home at the Oakwood Residence, Lady Elizabeth Oakwood stands in the Hall. The Hall of the Oakwood Residence is much more elaborate than the other homes on Ceil Drive. The atmosphere is much more cold and airy than the other homes as well. Rather than hard wood floors, the Hall is lined with marble. Lady Oakwood is wearing a dark black blouse and skirt and diamond earrings. An older man in a wheel chair comes from the Study. He is Lord Edward Oakwood, Lady Oakwood’s husband.
“Don’t you think the earrings are a bit much?” asks Lord Oakwood
“I want to look nice. After all, it isn’t every day that a well-known doctor is murdered.” Lady Oakwood says looking at herself in the mirror above the mail table, “There will be so many important people there.”
“We are going to a funeral.” Lord Oakwood says disapprovingly
“Where are the kids? They always take so long getting ready. I know I never took nearly as long as they do when I was their age.” Lady Oakwood rambles on, ignoring her husband as she adjusts her greying brown hair which is pulled back in a bun.
“Upstairs getting ready I assume.” Lord Oakwood says
In the Upstairs Hallway, two young adults stand looking at each other in concern. They are the Oakwood’s children, Julia and Percival.
“You are certain?” Percival asks
Julia nods her head in despair, “I’m scared, Percy.”
“It’ll be fine.” Percival says, “I’ll figure something out.”
“This isn’t something you can figure out!” Julia says with panic
“I told you, I will take care of it.” Percival snaps
The two turn the corner to see their mother standing at the top of the stairs.
“It took you two long enough.” Lady Oakwood says, “We need to leave. I won’t have either of you making a scene. We must keep ourselves presented perfectly for the Sir Hugh Black’s wake. When you see Mrs. Black be sure to express your deepest sympathies as we rehearsed yesterday. I want this afternoon to go by without a flaw.”
“As always.” Percival mutters under his breath.
Lady Oakwood glides elegantly down the stairs as Julia and Percival lag behind.
“Shouldn’t I tell her?” asks Julia as she nervously fingers with the tightness of the black dress she is wearing.
“She wants this afternoon to go without a hitch,” Percival says, “Tell her at dinner.”
At the Peacock Residence, Miss Scarlet slowly enters the house to see her Uncle, Professor Gregory Plum sitting on the sofa smoking a pipe. Mrs. Melinda Myrtle sits in the armchair by the fireplace holding her feather duster gently.
“Any word of where they may be heading?” Professor Plum asks as Miss Scarlet enters the room
“Not so far.” Miss Scarlet says silently sitting down in the other armchair. She gazes towards the Study door where yellow crime scene tape is covering the doorway.
“Wherever they are, I’m sure they are safe.” Mrs. Myrtle says
“I’m not so worried about their safety as much as I am the safety of those they encounter.” Professor Plum says
“What about Scott’s safety?” Miss Scarlet asks
“She won’t hurt him.” Professor Plum says, “She didn’t harm him when she caught him outside of the Ms. Curry’s home.”
“The poor child.” Mrs. Myrtle says, “He must be terrified.”
Back in Paris, Scott Black is lead to a back room of the apartment by Mrs. Peacock who looks like a wreck in her ruffled evening gown. She knocks on the door and hears a deep male’s voice tell them to come in. Mrs. Peacock opens the door and Scott Black sees a man in a black beret painting an exotic woman on a large canvas.
“He’s perfect.” Mrs. Peacock says admiring the beauty of the small child
The man stands up and forcefully takes the boy’s face and examines it.
“Come, boy.” The man says motioning to the divan near the window, “Sit.”
“Mrs. Peacock?” Scott Black asks nervously
“Do as he says and you’ll be home quicker.” Mrs. Peacock says as the man takes down the canvas and leans it against the wall. He takes a clean canvas and places it on the easel.
“Scott, this is my friend, Monsieur Brunette.” Mrs. Peacock introduces him, “Listen to everything he tells you.”
“Oh he is perfect.” Monsieur Brunette says with a deep breath
“He is.” Mrs. Peacock says softly as Scott sits nervously on the divan, “We’ll be getting our money regardless of whether we go with Plan A or Plan B.”
“Stay perfectly still.” Monsieur Brunette says to Scott as he begins to outline the shape of Scott’s face on the canvas.
-Tuesday, April 19, 1949-
-Afternoon-
At the Lilly Funeral Home, Mrs. Sylvia Black stands at the back of the visitation room in the midst of her husband’s wake. She looks at her wrist watch and she gently wipes her eyes with the corner of her handkerchief as the mourners politely greet her and say their farewells to Hugh Black. Inspector Winfield Brown enters holding his hat at his side.
“Mrs. Black,” he approaches her
“Oh, Inspector,” Mrs. Black stands up and embraces him, “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Inspector Brown says
“Have you any leads?” asks Mrs. Black twisting her handkerchief nervously
“We are doing everything we can, but we still haven’t been able to locate Mrs. Peacock or your son.” Inspector Brown says
“It figures.” Mrs. Black lowers her head, “He’s probably dead by now!”
“We haven’t given up.” Inspector Brown says, “We won’t give up until your little boy is found and Mrs. Peacock is put to justice.”
“Will she hang?” asks Mrs. Black angrily
“Pardon?” Inspector Brown is caught off guard
“She deserves to hang for what she put this town through.” Mrs. Black says
“Her sentence has not yet been decided.” Inspector Brown says
Mrs. Black adjusts her veiled hat as she remembers how she acquired it that morning.
-FLASHBACK – EARLIER THAT MORNING –
In her Bedroom of Tudor Close, Mrs. Sylvia Black stands before a floor length mirror. She is wearing a simple black blouse and a skirt that ends just below her knees. She is wearing dark nylons and black heels. She sighs deeply as the sound of knocking on the door fills the room.
“Come in.” she says softly
“Ma’am,” Mrs. Blanche White enters the room carrying a hat box, “I found this in the attic. It was Hugh’s mother’s hat. I thought you might like to wear it to Hugh’s wake.”
Mrs. Black takes the box and sets it on her dressing table. She opens it and finds a black veiled hat.
“Thank you, Mrs. White,” Mrs. Black forces a smile as she runs her hand over the fabric, “It’s lovely.”
Mrs. White nods with a smile, “Mr. Ash will be driving Bradford, John, and Jet to the funeral home in half an hour. Will you be riding with them?”
“No,” Mrs. Black says, “I’ll walk. It’s a nice day. The fresh air will do me good.”
“As you wish.” Mrs. White says exiting the bedroom.
Mrs. Black sighs as she looks deeply into her reflection in the mirror. She lifts it up and hears something heavy fall from where it was caught on the veil. She lifts the hat all the way out and sees a German War Pistol at the bottom of the box.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
“Is there anything you know about their whereabouts?” asks Mrs. Black as she is lead away from the memories of that morning, “Any leads whatsoever?”
“On the night of their disappearance, a woman and a young boy that matches Mrs. Peacock and Scott Black’s descriptions were seen docking a ferry from Hampshire to Port Wells.” Inspector Brown says, “I’ve got men interrogating ticket sellers in Port Wells. Trust me; they couldn’t have gotten very far.”
In a rundown apartment in Paris, France, Scott Black opens his eyes and looks around him to find he is lying on the sofa with a wool blanket draped over his legs and partially on the floor. The first thing to greet his nose is the smell of paint. He sits up nervously and feels the crustiness of dry tears on his face. More tears begin to work up as he looks around the messy environment. Wild, random canvases leaning against the walls with exotic women painted on them. Some of which are quite familiar to Scott. He can’t place his finger on it but the face of one woman in the painting nearest the window is strikingly familiar. He nervously puts both feet on the area rug under the sofas and coffee table. He sees that the other sofa has been slept on too.
“Are you hungry?” a voice asks
Scott quickly turns around and sees Mrs. Penelope Peacock standing in the doorway of the small kitchenette. He stands up slowly as he back away from her.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m family after all.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I want to go home.” Scott says through tears, “I want my mother.”
“There’s nothing to be frightened about.” Mrs. Peacock says with an eerie smile, “You’ll be home soon enough. I’m just waiting for something I want. Then you will get something you want.”
“Where are we?” asks Scott
“Paris, darling,” Mrs. Peacock says with a dramatic pose, she realizes the boy is too frighten and sad to find humor in this situation, “But for now it would be best if you remain calm and just follow the simple orders of my friend and me.”
“You’re friend?” asks Scott glancing around through the empty living room.
“You’ll meet him soon enough.” Mrs. Peacock says with a slight frown, “Are you hungry.” She asks again
Scott nervously surveys the room. His eyes fall on the front door which contains only a chain lock and a regular lock on the handle. He quickly darts over to the door and unlocks them both quickly. As he pulls open the door, Mrs. Peacock slams it, trapping him in the corner near the front door. She relocks it.
“Don’t think about escaping, Scott.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I need you here more than anyone else.”
“Why?” he asks as tears stain his shirt
“You ask too many questions.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Are you hungry?” She asks for the third time
At the Mayfield Divisional Police Department, Miss Cynthia Scarlet sits before the desk of a tall man with brown, balding hair. He is wearing a dark green shirt with a seven pointed star badge over his heart. He is Commissioner Stewart Forest.
“You aren’t telling me everything.” Commissioner Forest slams his hands on the desk
“I have.” Miss Scarlet says with a jump.
“Everyone at the party heard you threaten your step-mother, and then a few moments later she disappears and her best friend is found dead smack bang in the center of her Study.” Commissioner Forest says looking over the crime reports from the night of the murder.
“Didn’t Colonel Mustard and Emily Peach tell you who she really is?” asks Miss Scarlet angrily
“I’ve asked them numerous times,” Commissioner Forest says, “Neither of them know where you are getting this story about a Dame from Italy.”
“He lied to me.” Miss Scarlet mutters, “That back stabbing bastard!”
“I beg your pardon?” Commissioner Forest asks quite alarmed by her sudden outburst.
-FLASHBACK – THREE DAYS AGO-
In the Study of the Peacock Residence, Miss Cynthia Scarlet looks up from the note.
“I can’t believe it.” Miss Scarlet whispers
“Neither can I.” Colonel Mustard says from the shadows. Rope burns are visible on his palms.
“Oh,” Miss Scarlet jumps, “You scared me.” Her eyes fall on the burns on his hands and she panics, backing against the desk, knocking over a pencil cup.
“I went to jail for murder ten years ago.” Colonel Mustard says looking at the body on the floor, “That’s where I’m going to end up again.”
“You killed her?” Miss Scarlet says breathlessly
“You have to understand.” Colonel Mustard approaches her as she grabs a sharp letter opener form the spilled pencil cup and points it at him, “She broke my heart and lied to me, Cynthia. Now you can’t say a word either.”
“Stay away from me.” Miss Scarlet swings the letter opener at him. He snatches her wrist and takes the letter opener from her dainty grasp.
“What do you think we should we do now?” asks Colonel Mustard
Miss Scarlet quickly, but cautiously hands him the letter.
“We turn my step-mother in.” Miss Scarlet says with her voice quivering and breaking, “She can take the fall for this.”
Colonel Mustard scans over the letter and then hands it back to Miss Scarlet, “She’s the one behind this, eh?”
Miss Scarlet nods vigorously as she sets the letter back down on the desk.
Colonel Mustard pulls her tight against him.
“What are you doing?” she pulls back
“Embrace me and scream.” Colonel Mustard instructs
“What?” Miss Scarlet asks in confusion
“Embrace me and scream.” Colonel Mustard repeats, “Everyone’ll think we came in together and found her like this.”
Miss Scarlet nods and grabs onto the Colonel. She lets out a blood curdling scream.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
“Colonel Mustard killed Francesca Thorn.” Miss Scarlet blurts out after and awkward moment of silence
“These are very strong accusations you are throwing around.” Commissioner Forest says
“I was right when I told you about my step-mother involvement in Hugh’s murder.” Miss Scarlet says with a smirk
At the Green Home, there is a knock at the front door. Mr. Thallo Green sits in his Drawing Room looking over his planner for the week. He sighs as the sound of the knock at the door reaches his ears. He answers the door with frustration to see his sister, Jane Meadow-Brook standing on the doorstep with a surprisingly happy atmosphere about her.
“Jane,” he says opening the door wider for her, “Come in.”
“Thank you, Thallo,” Jane Meadow-Brook enters the house and walks into the Drawing Room. He sets his planner on the coffee table and sits down on the sofa, “You still haven’t unpacked all these boxes yet?”
“What are you doing here?” asks Mr. Green, “Shouldn’t you be at the funeral?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “You and Hugh were rather close after all.”
“I have my reasons to avoid Sylvia Black.” Mr. Green says, “But you are Sylvia’s best friend.”
“I went to the funeral.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says casually picking up his planner and flipping through it, “But with the preparations for Jessica’s funeral underway, I decided to go home. Sylvia agreed it was for the best.”
“Then what are you doing here?” asks Mr. Green grabs his planner from Jane’s grasp and clutches it tightly
“I want to move back home.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I think we both should move back home.”
“Oh, Jane,” Mr. Green says with a long sigh, “Jane, we can’t go back to France. The French police would be following us everywhere once they knew we were back.”
“We haven’t set a good impression on the police officials in Port Wells either,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says matter-of-factly, “Or have you forgotten of that cop we killed.”
“How could I forget?” Mr. Green asks, “You remind me all the time.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Mrs. Meadow-Brook asks standing up
“Jane, the French police know what we did when we left.” Mr. Green says, “For all the police in Port Wells have guessed, a drug kingpin murdered a cop in a random act of fear.”
“That’s what happened, though.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says
“Yes but they don’t have any names.” Mr. Green says
“And neither do the French police,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “Or at least they don’t have our current names.”
“Jane,” Mr. Green says, “We’ve risked a lot to move here. Why in heaven’s name would we go back?”
“Because dad is sick,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I’m not sure how much time he has.”
“How do you know he is sick?” asks Mr. Green angrilly, “I told you not to keep in contact with anyone back home. It isn’t safe.”
“At Hugh Black’s funeral I saw Yuri Gold.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says biting her lip
“Yuri is here?” Mr. Green’s face goes pale as an uneasy feeling in his stomach sets in.
“He told me that dad got in a serious boating accident.” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says
“It’s not my problem.” Mr. Green says angrily as he walks across the Drawing Room to the Hall
“Please, Thallo, you are my brother,” Jane begs as she follows him
“I’m your half-brother.” Mr. Green corrects her as he stops at the Study door, “Your father is not related to me and his death will leave no effect on me.”
“Are you mad because I suggested going back or are you mad because Yuri is in Hampshire?” asks Mrs. Meadow-Brook as she rings her hands
“This isn’t about you anymore, Jane?” Mr. Green shouts, “Stay away from him.”
In his flat, Chandler Weiss wakes up in bed and immediately looks at the clock. He quickly panics as he sees it is nearly 3 in the afternoon.
“Good morning,” a voice says, “Or should I say afternoon.”
Chandler quickly turns around to see Miss Emily Peach standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
“Emily,” Chandler says, “How did I get here?”
“What?” she chuckles as she sits next to him
“I don’t remember much after leaving Mrs. Peacock’s house last night.” Chandler says
“That’s because we went to the bar.” Miss Peach says, “You got a little drunk and spilled your heart out to me. We got back really late.”
“We?” Chandler says nervously, “You spent the night?”
“Of course I did, silly.” Miss Peach says patting his knee, “Don’t you remember?”
“No,” Chandler stands up, “Oh God, Cynthia is going to kill me?”
“Cynthia?” Miss Peach stands up, “You told her you never wanted to see her again after she hired a hit man to attack you.”
“How do I know it really was her?” asks Chandler he sees the morning’s issue of the newspaper on the nightstand, “Oh my God.” He reads the headline:
“PENELOPE PEACOCK MISSING AND RESPONSIBLE FOR HAMPSHIRE MURDERS.”
“It could have been her.” Chandler says with nervousness
“Chandler, you shoved Cynthia to the ground and called her a bitch and told her that you slept with her step-mother.” Miss Peach says, “I think that relationship is pretty much over.”
“I wasn’t in my right mind.” Chandler says pacing the room while gently touching the bandaged wound on his neck, “Cynthia would never hurt me. I have to make this right.”
“Chandler,” Miss Peach says, “That’s not what you said last night.”
“I know what I said…” Chandler holds his head
“No, I mean at the bar.” Miss Peach says, “You told me that you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of your life with me.”
Chandler is speechless as he looks at Miss Peach in confusion.
“You did mean everything you said to me, didn’t you?” asks Miss Peach innocently as she walks over to him and puts her hands on his
“I need time to sort out my thoughts.” Chandler says
Miss Peach smiles as she exits his bedroom. Her smile turns to a frown.
Back at the Lilly Funeral Home, Sir Bradford Black stands in the hallway outside the Visitation Room. He is pacing back and forth nervously. At that moment a young man with messy dark hair and thick eyebrows approaches him. The young man has a youth-like appearance about him and isn’t a day older than twenty-two. He is wearing a dark black coat with a fur trim around the neck. Underneath the coat is the visible collar of a brilliant yellow shirt. His outfit contrasts the outfits of the mourners around him.
“Sir Bradford,” the young man says in a thick Russian Accent
“Mr. Gold,” Sir Bradford Black says, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“How is the progression?” asks Mr. Gold
“My damned daughter-in-law told me that my son’s lawyer doesn’t have the most recent version of the will.” Sir Bradford says
“Did Hugh have it changed like he said?” asks Mr. Gold
“I’m certain he did.” Sir Bradford says, “You needn’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Mr. Gold says, “But you should be. If the progression on Tudor Close doesn’t start by Friday, I will tell my father that you are unreliable and this plan will fall flat on its ass.”
“Everything will work out.” Sir Bradford says firmly
“You’re pay has already been decreased.” Mr. Gold says
“I beg your pardon?” Sir Bradford Black
“You are down to 20% of anything we make with Tudor Close.” Mr. Gold says, “Any further delays and it’ll be down to 15%.”
“You can’t do that!” Sir Bradford Black says drawing attention to their conversation by mourners.
Yuri Gold crosses his arms and picks an invisible piece of lint from his jacket, “You’ve got till Friday, or you’ll be back at this Funeral Home with everyone saying farewell to you.”
Next door to the Mustard Home at the Oakwood Residence, Lady Elizabeth Oakwood stands in the Hall. The Hall of the Oakwood Residence is much more elaborate than the other homes on Ceil Drive. The atmosphere is much more cold and airy than the other homes as well. Rather than hard wood floors, the Hall is lined with marble. Lady Oakwood is wearing a dark black blouse and skirt and diamond earrings. An older man in a wheel chair comes from the Study. He is Lord Edward Oakwood, Lady Oakwood’s husband.
“Don’t you think the earrings are a bit much?” asks Lord Oakwood
“I want to look nice. After all, it isn’t every day that a well-known doctor is murdered.” Lady Oakwood says looking at herself in the mirror above the mail table, “There will be so many important people there.”
“We are going to a funeral.” Lord Oakwood says disapprovingly
“Where are the kids? They always take so long getting ready. I know I never took nearly as long as they do when I was their age.” Lady Oakwood rambles on, ignoring her husband as she adjusts her greying brown hair which is pulled back in a bun.
“Upstairs getting ready I assume.” Lord Oakwood says
In the Upstairs Hallway, two young adults stand looking at each other in concern. They are the Oakwood’s children, Julia and Percival.
“You are certain?” Percival asks
Julia nods her head in despair, “I’m scared, Percy.”
“It’ll be fine.” Percival says, “I’ll figure something out.”
“This isn’t something you can figure out!” Julia says with panic
“I told you, I will take care of it.” Percival snaps
The two turn the corner to see their mother standing at the top of the stairs.
“It took you two long enough.” Lady Oakwood says, “We need to leave. I won’t have either of you making a scene. We must keep ourselves presented perfectly for the Sir Hugh Black’s wake. When you see Mrs. Black be sure to express your deepest sympathies as we rehearsed yesterday. I want this afternoon to go by without a flaw.”
“As always.” Percival mutters under his breath.
Lady Oakwood glides elegantly down the stairs as Julia and Percival lag behind.
“Shouldn’t I tell her?” asks Julia as she nervously fingers with the tightness of the black dress she is wearing.
“She wants this afternoon to go without a hitch,” Percival says, “Tell her at dinner.”
At the Peacock Residence, Miss Scarlet slowly enters the house to see her Uncle, Professor Gregory Plum sitting on the sofa smoking a pipe. Mrs. Melinda Myrtle sits in the armchair by the fireplace holding her feather duster gently.
“Any word of where they may be heading?” Professor Plum asks as Miss Scarlet enters the room
“Not so far.” Miss Scarlet says silently sitting down in the other armchair. She gazes towards the Study door where yellow crime scene tape is covering the doorway.
“Wherever they are, I’m sure they are safe.” Mrs. Myrtle says
“I’m not so worried about their safety as much as I am the safety of those they encounter.” Professor Plum says
“What about Scott’s safety?” Miss Scarlet asks
“She won’t hurt him.” Professor Plum says, “She didn’t harm him when she caught him outside of the Ms. Curry’s home.”
“The poor child.” Mrs. Myrtle says, “He must be terrified.”
Back in Paris, Scott Black is lead to a back room of the apartment by Mrs. Peacock who looks like a wreck in her ruffled evening gown. She knocks on the door and hears a deep male’s voice tell them to come in. Mrs. Peacock opens the door and Scott Black sees a man in a black beret painting an exotic woman on a large canvas.
“He’s perfect.” Mrs. Peacock says admiring the beauty of the small child
The man stands up and forcefully takes the boy’s face and examines it.
“Come, boy.” The man says motioning to the divan near the window, “Sit.”
“Mrs. Peacock?” Scott Black asks nervously
“Do as he says and you’ll be home quicker.” Mrs. Peacock says as the man takes down the canvas and leans it against the wall. He takes a clean canvas and places it on the easel.
“Scott, this is my friend, Monsieur Brunette.” Mrs. Peacock introduces him, “Listen to everything he tells you.”
“Oh he is perfect.” Monsieur Brunette says with a deep breath
“He is.” Mrs. Peacock says softly as Scott sits nervously on the divan, “We’ll be getting our money regardless of whether we go with Plan A or Plan B.”
“Stay perfectly still.” Monsieur Brunette says to Scott as he begins to outline the shape of Scott’s face on the canvas.