Episode 41 – “An Eye for an Eye” Part I
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: Rusty Naylor has been secretly keeping Jessica Meadow-Brook alive and kept as a hostage in his Cabin beyond the Lake behind Tudor Close. Miss LeBlanc and Mr. Biddle are revealed to be Georgia Peach and Monsieur Brunette in disguise. Mr. Boddy kept Brunette alive. All three hold grudges against the Black family. After an emotional breakdown, Jane realizes that Miles is only fighting for her because he doesn’t want to let the family fall apart completely. He realizes that Jessica is gone and the family is torn apart. Jane signs the divorce papers. Commissioner Forest becomes suspicious of Inspector Brown’s involvement with Mr. Green. Sylvia Black makes the decision that Jet and Scott need a proper life and decides that come next semester they will be enrolled into boarding schools. She also informs Madame Rose that she will have to find a new place to live. Alone in her room Sylvia is grabbed from behind by and unknown assailant. …
-Monday, May 9, 1949 –
-Night-
In her Bedroom at Tudor Close, Sylvia Black sits at her vanity combing her hair with an ornate brush.
“Will you need anything else tonight?” asks Mr. Ash from the doorway
“You may retire for the night.” Sylvia dismisses the butler
She stands up and walks over to her bedroom window which is open. She allows the breeze to blow off the lake and rustle her nicely combed hair. She doesn’t hear the footsteps behind her as a figure enters the room. Sylvia gazes out at the cloudless night sky at the full moon above her. The silver moonbeams sparkle in her big brown eyes. She smiles at the stars above her as the figure draws nearer.
“Hugh,” Sylvia closes her eyes, “I know that you would agree with me that getting our sons away from a murder-filled town is what is best.”
The figure grabs Sylvia by the shoulder and turns her around with force. Sylvia’s eyes widen in fear and shock.
“It’s you…” Sylvia says in shock.
Prince Philippe Azure stands holding Sylvia by the shoulders. He pulls her forward and lets go of her wrists. Sylvia catches herself from falling by grabbing onto the side of the bed. Prince azure grabs her left arm and twists it behind her back.
“If you scream I will break your arm.” Prince Azure says softly
“What do you want?” Sylvia whimpers
“You know what I want.” Prince Azure says
“Killing Scott won’t give you the comfort that you are after.” Sylvia says
“Won’t it? It will allow my vengeance to be carried out.” asks Prince Azure, “Hugh Black is responsible for the death of my son… my heir. It is only justice that I take away his heir. An eye for an eye.”
“Think of me.” Sylvia says, “Hugh is dead. He can’t feel any more pain. I will feel the pain.”
“No but you deserve the pain as well.” Prince Azure says, “You and Hugh eagerly wasted away the money that was made during the illegal ivory trade that resulted in the death of my only son.”
“Philippe I know you have a heart.” Sylvia says, “The man I once knew cared more about family than anything else.”
“That was before my family was taken from me.” Prince Azure says, “Now the sweet man from so many years ago is gone. The thoughts of making Hugh pay for my son’s death is the only thing keeping me going.”
“It’s been thirteen years.” Sylvia says
“Yes,” Prince Azure says, “My son would be thirteen right now. It’s a shame Scott will never live to be that age.”
Outside Tudor Close at the exterior cellar doors beneath the Kitchen window, Mr. Boddy walks through the fog leading Miss Peach and Monsieur Brunette to the doors.
“Once you are inside you are on your own.” Mr. Boddy says, “Find out what you need to.” He addresses Miss Peach, “There are some old boxes in the attic. Maybe something in there can help you find what you need to know.”
“And I’ll have a talk with someone who thought me long dead.” Monsieur Brunette says
“And I will sit back and wait for this family to fall apart once and for all.” Mr. Boddy says
In his bedroom down the Hall, Scott Black lays with his head on his pillow. He is fast asleep. The door to his bedroom opens slowly and a shadowy figure walks over to the side of his bed. Scott finds himself awakened quickly by hands seizing him and pulling him to his feet.
“Auntie Claire?” Scott’s eyes adjust as he quickly realizes that Madame Rose is the one dragging him by the arm out of his room into the hallway.
“Hush now,” Madame Rose says, “You must be quiet. They are after you!”
“Who?” asks Scott with fear in his eyes
“Prince Azure.” Madame Rose says, “I saw his Royal Advisor searching the West Wing.”
“Where are you taking me?” asks Scott
“Quiet.” Madame Rose says, “I know somewhere that you will be safe.”
In the Servant’s Wing of the Mansion, Mrs. White kneels at her bedside holding a rosary. She hears the door open behind her and finishes her prayer.
“I told you Mr. Ash, I don’t need anything else tonight,” Mrs. White turns around and gasps as she sees Monsieur Brunette standing in the doorway.
“You’re supposed to be dead!” Mrs. White gasps as she quickly grabs a nail file from her side table and points it at him.
“Yes,” Monsieur Brunette says, “You would like me to be dead. Wouldn’t you, mother?”
“You aren’t my son!” Mrs. White says
“No,” Monsieur Brunette walks over to her and takes the nail file from her, “You disowned me years ago.”
“I was right to disown you after the horrid schemes and cons that you got yourself into.” Mrs. White says
“I thought we were past all of that.” Monsieur Brunette says, “You were pinching the silverware and I was embezzling. We aren’t all that different.”
“You should have been shot in April.” Mrs. White says
“I see you haven’t changed a bit.” Monsieur Brunette says, “But I came back for answers.”
“I figured there was some underlying reason.” Mrs. White says as she sits down on the edge of the bed and takes off her slippers, “On with it so I can get some sleep.”
“Where is my daughter?” asks Monsieur Brunette
“I have absolutely no idea.” Mrs. White says
“That’s a lie.” Monsieur Brunette says, “You know something…”
“I don’t,” Mrs. White says, “Honestly, I don’t. It was twenty-odd years ago. I was still dealing with Bradford battling with Hugh over what Helena was planning on leaving him.”
“I guess I’ll have to find out everything on my own.” Monsieur Brunette says
In the Study of Tudor Close, Sylvia Black and Prince Azure enter and turn on the lights.
“I promise you,” Sylvia says, “You will get your revenge. You will be stealing Scott from Hugh… without physically stealing him.”
“Fine.” Prince Azure says “Get dressed.”
“Now?” asks Sylvia
“You can’t wear a nightgown.” Prince Azure points out
“We’re doing this now?” asks Sylvia
“Yes,” Prince Azure says, “My royal advisor will be coming along. Is there anyone you trust that you want to bring, a butler, neighbor, maybe Scott himself?”
“I’ll go alone.” Sylvia says
“You trust me?” asks Prince Azure, “Why?”
“Because I remember you on the day we met.” Sylvia says walking over to the minibar by the bookcase, “I know that you are reasonable and would never murder Scott.”
“If you didn’t propose this new idea of yours to me Scott would be lying face down in a pool of his own blood.” Prince Azure says
“That’s why I’m willing to go through these drastic measures to be sure you can’t steal him from me.” Sylvia says fixing two drinks
Prince Azure chuckles, “Just think… in twenty-four hours you will be my wife and Scott will technically be my son, the heir of my throne.”
Sylvia turns around with two glasses of Scotch in her hands. She gives one to Prince Azure.
“In time Sylvia, you will love me like you once did.” Prince Azure says
“It was an affair.” Sylvia says, “That’s not love, trust me.”
“Yet here you are, eloping with me.” Prince Azure says taking a drink of Scotch.
“I’m going to change.” Sylvia says placing her glass on the desk, “I’ll be down in about fifteen minutes.”
In her Bedroom of Tudor Close, Madame Rose hides Scott in the back of her closet.
“Are you sure I’m safe in here?” asks Scott
“Yes but you must be silent.” Madame Rose says
“What about my mother and Jet?” Scott says, “Are they safe?”
“I’ll check on them.” Madame Rose says
In the Attic of Tudor Close, Miss Peach carefully climbs the stairs. The minute she reaches the top floor she is greeted by a foul smell. She finds it growing stronger as she approaches the back of the Attic. She notices a large box with ‘Family Albums’ written on the outside of it. Many albums lie around the box and on the floor.
“This should have something about Helena.” Miss Peach picks up a book and flips through it. She sees it is dated last year. There is a picture of Sylvia, Hugh, Jet, and Scott standing in the Library in front of a large Christmas tree. Madame Rose, Mr. Boddy, and Bradford Black stand off to the side by the fire place. Opposite of them Mr. Ash and Mrs. White stand by the door leading to the terrace. She notices the happy faces on all of the people, but realizes that their true emotions must have been further from what was visible. She puts down the book and picks up one dated 1903. She opens the first page to see a large picture. The names of the people are on a tag beneath the picture. According to the tag the man and woman are Bradford Black and Helena Black. Hugh Black is seven-years-old and sitting upon teenage Estelle Black’s lap. Helena Black is holding baby Claire Black.
“Helena.” Miss Peach whispers. She puts the book down, “How is this supposed to help me.”
She picks up several other books and flips through them finding nothing of importance. Sylvia and Hugh having a picnic under a large tree, Jet, Scott, Hugh, and Sylvia playing in the pool while Mr. Ash fixes lunch at a large table, a string quartet in the gazebo during what appears to be a garden party with high society guests, Bradford and Helena boating on the lake, Rusty with his award winning roses, and other pictures along that line.
“This is just showing me the family I missed out on…” Miss Peach says with spite
She picks up another family album marked 1923. She sees a large picture of Helena Black riding a light colored horse. In the background of the picture is a young teenage boy moving hay with a pitchfork. He looks towards the camera with an angry expression on face. Miss Peach reads the tag ‘Helena riding Rockwell’. She can’t help but recognize the young man in the background. Miss Peach shrugs and puts the album down on top of the box. She is reminded of the horrible odor in the Attic and then realizes all the books are outside of the box that is supposed to contain them.
“If they aren’t in the box…” Miss Peach begins to wonder. She lift the lid and lets out a blood curdling scream as she is met with the rotting body of Sergei Gold.
Scott Black hears the sound of Miss Peach’s screams from Madame Rose’s closet. He backs up against the wall behind the long colorful smocks that Madame Rose is seen parading around the house in. He holds his breath as he hears footsteps above him. He quickly races out of the closet and into the upstairs hallway.
In her bedroom, Sylvia Black finishes buttoning her blouse as she hears the scream. She steps into her black shoes and walks over to her nightstand. She pulls out the German War Pistol from a hallowed out dictionary. She puts it in her purse, which she puts over her shoulder. She cautiously walks into the dark upstairs hallway and down the grand staircase where she sees a light on under the Study door. She makes mental note that Prince Azure is in there. She cautiously looks around at each door downstairs for any signs of light coming from inside. She notices that the Kitchen light is on. She slowly enters.
In the upstairs hallway, Jet quietly exits his room, alarmed by the scream that awoke him. His feet touch the cold hardwood floor as his eyes dart around the hallway at every shadow. He pushes open the door to his mother’s bedroom to find her bed is empty aside from her black night gown tossed in a heap along the foot of the bed. From the other end of the Hallway, Monsieur Brunette watches him with a steady eye. In the darkness Jet does not notice he is being watched. He walks slowly towards the grand staircase leading to the ground floor. He reaches the railing that looks over the hall and is somewhat relieved by the brightness of the silvery moonbeams that pour in through the stained glass windows above the large oak front doors. He reaches the top of the stairs and bumps into another person. Both he and the other person shriek. He realizes the shrieks belong to Mrs. White.
“Jet you startled me.” Mrs. White says
“Didn’t you hear screaming?” asks Jet
“I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me.” Mrs. White says, “I’ve been a bit uneasy tonight.”
“I think it came from downstairs.” Jet says
“Maybe your mother saw a mouse.” Mrs. White says as they descend the stairs
“It didn’t sound like my mother’s scream.” Jet says
“Perhaps your brother,” Mrs. White says, “Boys that age have higher pitched screams.”
“Maybe…” Jet says with doubt as they reach the ground floor, “The question is, which room did it come from.”
In the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Sylvia Black sees Mr. Boddy standing at the counter drinking a glass of red wine and slicing some cheese with a knife.
“What are you doing down here?” asks Sylvia
“Eating cheese,” Mr. Boddy says as he clumsily slices off a large piece
“We have cheese wire in the drawer over there.” Sylvia indicates a drawer next to the sink.
“I always found cheese wire awkward to use.” Mr. Boddy says, “Seems more like a strangling implement. Wine?”
“No thank you.” Sylvia says sitting at the kitchen table with Mr. Boddy
“Why are you all dressed up?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I thought I heard a woman screaming earlier.” Sylvia avoids the question
“I didn’t.” Mr. Boddy says, “Maybe it’s from reading all those murder mystery books you are so fond of.”
“It wasn’t in my mind.” Sylvia says
“Well no one else is awake from it.” Mr. Boddy says finishing off his wine
“You shouldn’t drink so soon before going to bed.” Sylvia says
“You are such a mother hen.” Mr. Boddy chuckles pouring himself another glass of wine, “Who said anything about going to bed. The night is young.”
“Yes,” Sylvia says, “It is going to be a very long night.”
“Oh?” Mr. Boddy says, “It’s about time you went out for a night on the town. Hugh’s been dead for about a month.”
“I’m not going out for a night on the town.” Sylvia says with anger in her voice, “I’m taking a train to London.”
“London?” Mr. Boddy says, “At midnight? I doubt any trains will be passing through.”
“I’ll worry about that.” Sylvia says
“We haven’t really talked much lately.” Mr. Boddy says
“There hasn’t really been much to talk about.” Sylvia says
“Well rumor has it that you are sending the boys away to boarding school and are kicking Claire out.” Mr. Boddy says
“I see you’ve been talking to Claire.” Sylvia says
“I’m just curious as to when I have to pack my bags?” Mr. Boddy asks
“You’ve done a lot of heavy lifting around here.” Sylvia says, “I don’t see why you shouldn’t stay.”
“But you are sending your late husband’s sister out flat on her bum?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Claire and I never really got along.” Sylvia says, “The boys are going to boarding schools because Hampshire just doesn’t seem safe. With Mr. Green’s thugs, the murders left and right, and all the memories, I think it would be best for them to live out the rest of their childhood as normal children.”
“I went to boarding school.” Mr. Boddy says, “If there’s one thing I learned from it was to never send my children there if I have any.”
“I’ll bite,” Sylvia says, “Why is that?”
“Because you always feel left alone,” Mr. Boddy says, “Sure you’ve got friends during most the day and the schooling is wonderful, but your emotional needs are forgotten.”
“You think I should keep them in Hampshire and risk more damage?” asks Sylvia
“The damage is done.” Mr. Boddy says, “Scott was kidnapped, Jet’s had a gun pointed at him more times that anyone should. Abandoning them at boarding school will just make them feel more alone and hurt.”
“We should talk more.” Sylvia says, “There’s a lot that I could learn from you.”
“Anytime.” Mr. Boddy says, “A glass of wine and we can talk about how fucked up… err excuse me, how upsetting our childhoods were.”
“Trust me, John,” Sylvia says taking a swig from the wine bottle, “It doesn’t get any more fucked up than what it is now.”
Jet and Mrs. White push open the Study door to see a man lying face first on the Study carpet.
“Oh my god,” Mrs. White gasps closing her robe even tighter.
“Murders are happening again.” Jet says, “Mum was right.”
“Jet go get your mother.” Mrs. White bends over and checks the man’s pulse. She recoils her shaking hand from his neck.
In the Hall, Jet rushes to the Kitchen where he sees a light on under the door. He frantically pushes the door open to see his mother with her arms around Mr. Boddy. They are locked in a passionate kiss.