Episode 44 – “No Longer Let Me Languish”
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: Monsieur Brunette explains to Sylvia that he and Miss Peach just found out that they are father and daughter. Sylvia leads them both down to the Hall. Outside the mansion Prince Azure is knocked unconscious by Madame Rose who takes Scott back into the house. Sylvia is about to kill Monsieur Brunette for the second time when Mrs. White stops her, explaining that she is his mother. Monsieur Brunette reveals that his mother lied to Madame Rose about her son’s death and that Jessica is still alive. Sylvia knocks him unconscious. Madame Rose confesses to having killed Mr. Rivers. The next morning, the police have gotten a full confession from Brunette but Prince Azure is nowhere to be found. The next morning Sylvia is in an extremely high spirited mood, which is the result of the morphine that she inject late last night in order to prevent herself from having a nervous breakdown…
-Tuesday, May 10, 1949 –
-Afternoon-
Sylvia Black sits behind the desk in the Study of Tudor Close; her eyes are fixated on a mockingbird that rests on the windowsill. She is twirling a pen between her fingers. She turns her attention back down to the paper in front of her.
‘I cordially invite you to attend a beginning of summer garden party on Saturday, May 14th at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Dress will be casual. RSVP. Sylvia Black.’
She smiles and places the invitation on a stack of identically written ones. There is a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Sylvia says
Mr. Ash enters the room, “You asked for me?”
“Would you deliver these?” asks Sylvia
“Of course.” Mr. Ash picks up the stack of invitations, “None of these are addressed.”
“I want them delivered personally.” Sylvia says
“To whom?” asks Mr. Ash
“Mrs. Peacock,” Sylvia says, “That includes her brother and step-niece… or step-daughter… whatever she refers to Cynthia as.”
Mr. Ash makes note.
“Also the Meadow-Brooks, Colonel Mustard, Mr. Pearl and his family, the Oakwoods, the Prussians, and that girl from last night. And of course the Mayor.”
“Miss Peach?” asks Mr. Ash
“Yes.” Sylvia says, “I have a great deal to talk to her about.”
“How do I reach her?” asks Mr. Ash
“I asked her that very question last night,” Mrs. Black says, “She’s staying with a friend, a Dr. Olive I believe.”
“Where can I find him?” asks Mr. Ash
“I think the Barrett Flats.” Mrs. Black says
“What about Mr. Green?” asks Mr. Ash viewing over the list of invited guests
“No,” Sylvia says, “I’m not inviting him. No doubt he’ll show up anyway once he realizes that half of Hampshire is coming.”
“Then why not send him a courtesy invitation?” asks Mr. Ash
“Because I honestly don’t want him to come.” Sylvia says, “He’s a common killer…”
Mr. Thallo Green and Mr. Dante Egret walk along an old fog-covered pier on the East Side of Port Wells.
“So,” Mr. Egret says, “I take it that you are handling things ethically and cleanly?”
“I don’t know about ethically,” Mr. Green says, “But I have left no trails whatsoever. On the off chance that anything does need investigating we have Inspector Brown of the Hampshire Police on our side.”
“Are you certain he is trustworthy?” Mr. Egret says
“He tried blackmailing Miles Meadow-Brook.” Mr. Green chuckles, “He isn't above breaking the law.”
“And Inspector Brown told you about the man who tried reporting us?' Mr. Egret asks
“Yes.” Mr. Green says, “Imagine the trouble we'd be in if this man had gone to a different official.”
They walk to the end of the foggy pier to see two henchmen standing with a thin man in a business suit. The thin man has his hands bound tightly together.
“So,” Mr. Green says standing in front of the thin man, “You tried to work your way into the business in order to rat us out to the police.”
“Please,” the man begs, “I have a family.”
“Yes,” Mr. Green says, “Let's hope you said goodbye to them this morning.”
“Don't hurt them!” the man shouts
“It's a little late for that.” Mr. Green says, “They have already been buried in the woods.”
The man stands mortified.
“We all know you shared your findings with your wife and perhaps your children.” Mr. Green says, “There are no exceptions when it comes to witnesses with potential evidence to take us down.”
Mr. Egret eyes Mr. Green with an upset look on his face.
“Let's hope you've made up for your wrongs.” Mr. Green says as the henchmen fasten a bag of bricks to the ropes around his hands, “Farewell, Mr. Pearl.”
The henchman let go as Mr. Green shoots him in the knee. Mr. Pearl stumbles backwards with his busted knee cap. He falls off the pier into the water. He kicks around helplessly as the weight of the bricks pull him under the surface. Mr. Green watches as blood rises to the surface with the bubbles of the last breaths of air from the man.
“Another snuff story for the books.” Mr. Green says, “I'll take you out for lunch.” he addresses the henchmen.
“There was a child?” asks Mr. Egret
“Two,” Mr. Green says, “A boy and a girl.”
“I didn't want children to get hurt.” Mr. Egret says angrily
“Dante,” Mr. Green says, “You have been working for years. You know what happens. If a man joins us and turns out to be a spy we elliminate him and anyone who he would have shared his findings with.”
“But his children...” Mr. Egret is clearly angry.
“Things like this happen every day.” Mr. Green says, “You have just been behind the desk so long that you forgot what it takes to do the dirty work.”
“I thought you were handling things?” Mr. Egret says
“I am,” Mr. Green says defensively, “Thanks to me everyone in our line of work is safe.”
Mr. Egret walks with Mr. Green towards the shore.
“Interestingly,” Mr. Green says, “This man was a really quiet neighbor living on my street. He probably suspected something based on all the nonsense that has happened lately and tried to get me in prison so his family could be safe.”
Mr. Egret is still disgusted
“They would have been safe if they'd just kept their noses in their own business.” Mr. Green says
Back in Hampshire at the Barrett Flats, Dr. Olive enters the kitchen with an untied tie. Miss Peach sits sleepily at the kitchen table.
“You didn’t get home till late last night.” Dr. Olive says
“I got delayed.” Miss Peach says
“Did you find out anything about Helena?” asks Dr. Olive
“No but I found out about my father.” Miss Peach says
“Your father?” Dr. Olive is surprised
“Alphonse Brunette.” Miss Peach says, “He’s the son of the Black’s maid.”
“Did he shed any whereabouts on Helena?” asks Dr. Olive as he ties his tie
“He was knocked unconscious and arrested before I got a chance to talk to him.” Miss Peach says, “I plan on going down to the police station in the next few days.”
“What exactly happened last night?” asks Dr. Olive
“A murder.” Miss Peach says nonchalantly
At the Ceil Drive Park, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard walk arm in arm. Several people play tennis in the background.
“So I said to him,” Colonel Mustard concludes his lengthy story, “If you are going to serve me lamb, make sure it’s dead before you cook it!”
Mrs. Peacock laughs, “I hate it when the chef doesn’t cook your meal fully.”
“I swear a veterinarian could have brought that lamb back to life.” Colonel Mustard says
“Oh Algernon,” Mrs. Peacock says, “It’s funny how simple tales can bring two people so close together.”
“The best stories are the ones we’ve never shared with anyone.” Colonel Mustard says as they take a seat on the bench
“Well,” Mrs. Peacock says, “You told me about how your father always favored your brother over you; did I ever tell you about how my father favored my sister over me?”
“You may have mentioned it briefly a few times.” Colonel Mustard chuckles, “But I never got the full details.”
“He said he could never love me as much as her because I wasn’t really his daughter. I being adopted wasn’t worthy of his love.” Mrs. Peacock says, “But she was the queen of his universe. He loved her more than my adopted mother, which really infuriated her.”
“I would imagine.” Colonel Mustard says
“So that’s why I wasn’t very upset when she died.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I read the note you left Cynthia.” Colonel Mustard says, “I know you killed her.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Peacock says looking down at her feet
“Don’t worry, my dear,” Colonel Mustard says, “We’ve all done things that we aren’t proud of.”
“Have you ever stabbed someone to death?” asks Mrs. Peacock
“No but I shot someone to death.” Colonel Mustard says, “During the war. He was a close friend of mine. We had a falling out and I was a little drunk. I never think straight when I’m drunk.”
“I find I think clearer when I have a strong drink.” Mrs. Peacock says
“But anyway,” Colonel Mustard says, “That’s all past! It’s time to live in the present and look ahead at the future.”
“And what do you see in the future?” asks Mrs. Peacock with hope in her eyes
“Let’s find out,” Colonel Mustard squeezes her hand tightly
From the Window of the Drawing Room of the Peacock Residence, Miss Scarlet watches them with a sour look on her face.
“Will you look at those two,” Miss Scarlet scowls
“We aren’t jealous are we?” Professor Plum taunts from the piano bench where he is looking at some sheet music
“I just can’t see what a distinguished war veteran sees in a three time widow and blatantly obvious serial killer.” Miss Scarlet turns away from the window and plops down on the sofa, “What is that you’re looking at?”
“Lasciatemi Morire,” Professor Plum says playing a few bars, “It’s a Claudio Monteverdi piece.”
“What’s it about?” asks Miss Scarlet
“It translates to ‘no longer let me languish’ or more or less ‘let me die’,” Professor Plum plays the last few bars of the somber song
“That seems like the perfect summary for my week.” Miss Scarlet says
“You are still thinking about Chandler.” Professor Plum says
“I know I should have hated him from the moment he jumped into bed with my step-mother,” Miss Scarlet says, “But I could tell he was just as sorry as I was angry. I couldn’t help but forgive him.”
“So why did he end it?” asks Professor Plum
“I guess he let everything process.” Miss Scarlet says, “He realizes that this family is completely crazy and that he didn’t want to be an accessory to murder, aiding and abetting a former fugitive, and then there were my hallucinations.”
“Those were rather random,” Professor Plum says
“At least they are gone now,” Miss Scarlet says as Professor Plum begins playing the piano again. Miss Scarlet gets up and walks behind him, “Can you transpose it to soprano?”
“I wasn’t aware that you sang,” Professor Plum says
“Whenever I get a chance,” Miss Scarlet says
“B minor?” asks Professor Plum
Miss Scarlet smiles as Professor Plum plays the introduction.
In the Garden of Tudor Close, Mrs. White and Sylvia Black walk together while Rusty trims the hedges.
“Make sure to have the croquet game set up here.” Mrs. Black indicates a large spot of grass that is mowed flat and clean.
“Croquet,” Mrs. White says, “Yes ma’am.”
“You can also stop trying to impress me with your promptness and precision,” Sylvia says, “I’m not going to fire you.”
“You aren’t?” Mrs. White is somewhat nervous
“No,” Sylvia says, “I highly advise that you get your little dispute with Madame Rose over with though.”
“She still won’t speak with me.” Mrs. White says
“I wouldn’t blame her,” Sylvia says, “Though I’m not sure if I believe what that Brunette man said about her son anyway. I mean he insists that Jessica is alive.”
Rusty’s garden shears slip and he chops off a perfectly good rose
“Pardon me,” he says picking it up from where Sylvia was about to step.
“Rusty,” Sylvia turns to him
“Yes ma’am,” he turns back to her
“How are your award winning roses coming along?” asks Sylvia
“Quite beautifully,” Rusty says removing his dusty cap
“Will they still be in full bloom come this Saturday?” asks Sylvia
“I shouldn’t see why not,” Rusty says, “Unless a heavy rain comes ‘round and knocks off all the petals.”
“Let’s hope not,” Sylvia says biting her lip, “Well anyway, I think that is all for now. If you’ll excuse me both I need to tend to some business inside the house.”
Sylvia Black leaves Mrs. White and Rusty Naylor standing alone in the garden.
“That was odd,” Rusty comments
“She’s been in a strange mood most of the morning,” Mrs. White says
“I wouldn’t be surprised after the hectic night all of you had.” Rusty says
In her room at the convent, Miss Julia Oakwood finishes reading a book and sets it on a stack of other books that she’s finished in the time she’s been at the convent. There is a knock on her door.
“Come in,” she says with a bored tone on her voice
“Miss Julia,” Sister Mary Marjorie says in a hushed tone
“Do you have anything else for me to read?” Julia asks, “Something more exciting perhaps?”
“Miss Julia, there is a man here to see you,” Sister Mary Marjorie says
“And you are allowing that?” asks Julia
“You know I have nothing wrong with you having a little freedom so long as you don’t tell Mother Superior.” Sister Mary Marjorie says
“How did you get him in?” asks Julia
“Mother Superior was out in the garden,” Sister Mary Marjorie says, “You’ll have to talk quickly. I can’t get caught sneaking a man into the convent.”
“Oh very well, who is it anyway?” asks Julia
“Hello Julia,” the man says entering the small room
“Dante,” Julia gasps upon seeing Dante Egret standing in the doorway
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Sister Mary Marjorie says, “I’ll be in the hallway.”
With that Sister Mary Marjorie leaves the room and closes the door.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Julia asks
“That’s no way to talk in this place.” Mr. Egret says picking up a crucifix from the wall.
Julia takes it from him and places it on top of the stack of books, “I told you I didn’t want to talk to you ever again.”
“I just wanted to see how you were doing,” Mr. Egret says
“I’m fine,” she says crossing her arms and sitting down
“How’s our baby?” Mr. Egret asks
“How did you…” Julia stops short, “Why should I ask. You are in the mob. You can find out anything.”
“I just realized today that I’m not as bad as you might think.” Mr. Egret says
“You’re a murderer.” Julia says
“There are worse things than that.” Mr. Egret says
“Like what?” asks Julia
“A child murderer.” Mr. Egret says softly
Julia looks at him with confusion
“One of my associates killed two children today.” Mr. Egret says with obvious anger on his tone
“Charming,” Julia says, “You’ve killed the fathers of children before. I don’t see how that makes you a saint compared to your associate.”
“I never wanted children to get involved in my work.” Mr. Egret says, “Sure people will get hurt and sure even a few will turn out to be rats that need to be silence, or incompetent dealers who snort, smoke, and inject whatever they are supposed to sell…”
“Can you get to the point before I go into labor?” Julia says sarcastically
“When is the baby due?” asks Mr. Egret
“December,” Julia says
“You are barely a month pregnant,” Mr. Egret says, “How did your mother find out?”
“I was honest with her.” Julia says
“Does she know who the father is?” asks Mr. Egret
“No,” Julia says, “And she’ll be in for an even bigger shock when a mixed race baby comes out.”
“Our baby,” Mr. Egret says softly
“It was a one night stand that resulted in me being bloated and locking in an abbey for the next nine months,” Julia says, “What makes you think I’m keeping it or raising it with the most notorious man in Mayfield, Essex, and Suffolk.”
“You aren’t going to keep me away from my child.” Mr. Egret says
“Dante,” Julia says, “I’m giving it up for adoption. It’s your choice whether or not you are going to adopt the baby.” Julia says
In the Library of Tudor Close, Madame Claire Rose sits in the window seat and looks out at Rusty Naylor and Mrs. White talking. She stares angrily at Mrs. White.
-FLASHBACK- LAST NIGHT-
Madame Rose walks down the grand staircase and sees the Study door open. She sees Prince Azure and another man talking. She waits in the shadows near the Lounge door as she listens.
“Rivers, If I’m not back in ten minutes I want you to grab the boy and take him to the car.” Prince Azure instructs, “Wait in here for Sylvia.”
He leaves Mr. Rivers in the Study and walks past Madame Rose and up the grand staircase. Madame Rose steps out of the shadows and enters the Study. She grabs the marble bust from the table near the door and rushes over to Mr. Rivers.
“No one is taking Scott anywhere!” she shouts as she knocks Mr. Rivers over the head with the bust. She hears the sound of a bone cracking as the bust makes contact with his temple. He hits the ground in a rubbery heap. His arms don’t prevent him from falling, his knees buckle, and his face hits the carpet with a loud thud. It is obvious he is dead. Madame Rose looks at the bust to see that no blood was drawn. She sets it back down on the table and exits the Study just as Miss Peach screams from upstairs.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
Madame Rose stares at Mrs. White with hatred in her eyes.
“Soon,” she whispers with hate, “Soon you will pay for making me believe my son was dead…”