Episode 51 – “The Séance”
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: At dusk after the explosion, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Mrs. Meadow-Brook, and Rusty bury the body of Miles Meadow-Brook in the Rose Garden. They all begin interrogating each other trying to figure out which of them bludgeoned Miles. During this conversation they learn that Mr. Green was planning on killing Miles, they learn that Mrs. White was previously in love with Miles, and they learn that Rusty thought the only way to get to Jane’s heart was to get Miles out of the way. They decide it doesn’t matter since the world is better off without Miles. At the Hospital, Roxanne Prussian is being monitored for the head wound that she received from the explosion. Professor Plum comes to visit her but finds her husband is already there. Miss Peach finds a letter from Helena Black to Madame Rose. At the Oakwood’s, Percival and Mr. Crimson continue their plan to slowly kill Lady Oakwood so that they can finally be in love. Meanwhile at Tudor Close, Inspector Brown comes to find out what happened to Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash. Madame Rose suggests they conduct a séance to communicate with Hugh Black to find out where they might be…
-Saturday, May 14, 1949 –
- Night-
Tudor Close is dark except for the lights on in a few rooms on the second floor. Clouds begin to stir above the large mansion as stars disappear in a fog. Rusty Naylor walks towards away from the Rose Garden as he feels the arthritis in his wrist begin to flare up in pain from the impending storm. He glances up at the imposing night sky as large clouds begin to fill the once clear area. He quickly walks past the Garage and begins to walk around the edge of the Lake heading towards his Cabin.
The candles flicker in the Dining Room of Tudor Close as the small group joins hands. Jet looks at Madame Rose with hope and anxiousness. Officer Ebony stares impatiently at the stack of Tarot Cards lying on the table in front of Madame Rose. Inspector Brown glances back and forth nervously.
“Maybe I should step out of the room,” Inspector Brown says, “This seems more like something that should only involve family.”
“The circle of hands has been made.” Madame Rose says silently, “It cannot be broken until we are finished.” Madame Rose’s eyes close shut as she goes into a meditative trance.
Mr. Boddy exhales deeply as he squeeze on to Inspector Brown’s had for encouragement. Inspector Brown takes a deep breath and exhales, “This goes against everything I believe in.”
“Silence I ask from the voices beyond,” Madame Rose chants in a low deep voice, “May the veil be cut between the worlds as we speak with a spirit who has gone before.”
The loud howl of wind begins to pick up outside of the Dining Room windows. Inspector Brown shuts his eyes and squeezes his hands tightly around Mr. Boddy’s and Jet’s.
“Our beloved Hugh, we bring you gifts from life into death. Commune with us, Hugh, and move among us.” Madame Rose speaks clearly. The candles flicker even more even though all the windows are closed. Madame Rose opens her eyes and focuses on the spiritual messages coming to her.
“There is a presence in the room.” Madame Rose says to the group, “Hugh, if it is you please speak to us. Use my body as a channel for your voice. Turn over the cards. Show us a sign. Give us the answers.”
The wind howls loudly outside the window as a distant sound of thunder is heard.
“Christ.” Inspector Brown swallows hard as he opens his eyes to see the candlelit faces around him.
“You’re wife and son is missing,” Madame Rose says looking at the flickering flames of the candles, “Show us how to find them and bring them home safe and sound.”
The windows of the Dining Room blow open and the candles flicker until they are blown out. Madame Rose’s Tarot Cards begin to blow off the table.
“Hugh,” Madame Rose calls over the loud roar of the wind, “Dear departed brother, be with us. Help us in our time of need.”
The vase of white narcissus rattles and knocks over and the wind stops. There is moment of silence, in which Inspector Brown closes his eyes in fear.
“I knew she was alive.” A voice echoes in the darkness, “I never believed she was dead.”
“It’s not Hugh,” Officer Ebony whispers. Inspector Brown clenches his hands tightly on Jet and Mr. Boddy’s
“It sounds like Mr. Meadow-Brook,” Jet says with fear and confusion
“But he isn’t dead,” Officer Ebony says, “Is he?”
“Find her and bring her home.” The voice echoes, “My sweet, sweet baby girl.”
The voice disappears followed by a loud crash of thunder outside.
“Baby girl?” Jet is confused
“Spirit,” Madame Rose calls, “Come to us. Come back to us. Tell us where you’d daughter is.”
“Jessica,” Jet comes to a realization
“Commune with us once more, spirit, move among us and tell us what we can do to bring your daughter home.”
“Jessica Meadow-Brook is alive?” Inspector Brown asks in fear
Madame Rose breaks her hands away from the group in aggravation. A loud clap of thunder comes from the dark storm clouds about the mansion.
“Stay here,” Madame Rose says, “I need to get something from upstairs.”
Madame Rose hurries out of the Dining Room. Inspector Brown stands up from the table.
“Perhaps I should go,” Inspector Brown says
“We have officer’s at all roads leaving Hampshire,” Officer Ebony says, “Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash would be taken far.”
Jet bends over and picks up a Tarot Card that has fallen to the floor. He looks at the image to see a grinning skeleton wearing the grim reaper’s cloak.
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Jet says setting the card back on the table next to the other cards.
In her bedroom at the Peacock Residence, Miss Cynthia Scarlet lets her hair down as she stares into her reflection. She smiles slightly at her flawless beauty. She places her diamond studded hair barrette next to her purse. She takes a seat at her vanity and begins to comb through her hair with her fingers, untangling the knots. She picks up an ivory handled comb and sighs deeply. There is a knock at her door.
“Come in,” she says
Mrs. Peacock steps into the room, “Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Meadow-Brook, and Mr. Green are staying for coffee. I would like it if you would join us.”
“Coffee after murder?” Miss Scarlet chuckles, “Seems rather strange.”
“Miss Peach saw you cleaning off a Hammer in the Lake.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I overheard her talking about it with Mrs. White and Mrs. Meadow-Brook before the explosion.”
“Are you asking me if I murdered Miles?” Miss Scarlet turns around in her chair and stares into Mrs. Peacock’s beady eyes.
“I’m asking you so I can take precautions in case people start getting suspicious of Miles Meadow-Brook’s disappearance.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I didn’t kill him,” Miss Scarlet stands up, letting her hair flow gracefully over her shoulders, “I’m not sure I even have the upper body strength to bludgeon a man to death.”
“You had no problem strangling Lena Hawthorne.” Mrs. Peacock reminds her
“Hawthorne was an old woman.” Miss Scarlet says, “A wicked old woman who should have thought twice about her own bodily weaknesses before threatening someone as young and active as I am.”
“You got lucky about killing Ms. Hawthorne.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Let’s just hope we all stay lucky about what happened in the Rose Garden tonight.”
“So I take it you didn’t kill him?” Miss Scarlet asks
“I wanted to,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I would have, but I couldn’t find him.”
“How would you have done it,” Miss Scarlet asks with tears in her eyes
“I would make that bastard pay for ever laying a hand on you.” Mrs. Peacock says
“So,” Miss Scarlet chokes back her tears, “After all these years of silently pulling yourself away from me and not showing any emotion whatsoever…”
“Cynthia,” Mrs. Peacock hushes her, “I care about you.”
“You took the blame for my father’s death all those years,” Miss Scarlet says with spite, “You told me the truth in a letter when you skipped town with the boy!”
“I know.” Mrs. Peacock says sitting down on the ottoman at the foot of Miss Scarlet’s bed.
“I killed daddy…” Miss Scarlet sits back down at her vanity
“It was an accident.” Mrs. Peacock says, “He should have had better lids for his medications. Any child would quickly put the pills back into the bottles after knocking them over in order to stay out of trouble.”
“What about Isabelle?” asks Miss Scarlet, “She was cheating on you with daddy.”
“I hated my sister, yes,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I killed her and felt no remorse.”
“Would you have done the same to daddy?” asks Miss Scarlet
Mrs. Peacock gets up and kisses Miss Scarlet on the forehead, “Come join us down in the Drawing Room for coffee. We’ll talk more about this later.”
“Answer my question.” Miss Scarlet demands
“Keep your voice down, the guests will hear you.” Mrs. Peacock says
“It’s still only about our outward appearance, isn’t it?” Miss Scarlet turns back to the mirror and stares angrily at her reflection
“When we have guests in our house we will act with grace and dignity.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I’ve always taught you that.”
“But it’s okay for you to go off and murder your lover who turned out to be your father.” Miss Scarlet says
Mrs. Peacock slaps Miss Scarlet across the face.
“Clean up those tears and come with me to the Drawing Room.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I’m not in the mood for coffee,” Miss Scarlet dabs her eyes with a handkerchief
“I didn’t ask you if you were thirsty,” Mrs. Peacock bites her bottom lip, “I told you to come downstairs and join me and our guests for coffee.”
“You can’t over me around anymore,” Miss Scarlet says, “I’m not a child anymore.”
“I have put everything on the line for you, you ungrateful little bitch,” Mrs. Peacock says calmly, “I have risked going to jail numerous times just to secure a comfortable life for the both of us. I am getting married and I expect you to show Colonel Mustard that you are an impressionable young lady. You will come downstairs and have coffee with us, or so help me God, I will throw your ungrateful ass out onto the streets.”
“No you won’t.” Miss Scarlet laughs
“Oh really?” Mrs. Peacock puts her hands on her hips, “What makes you so certain?”
“You are too afraid of what the neighbors would say.” Miss Scarlet says, “But I will have coffee with you, Penelope.”
“You will not call me by my first name in front of guests.” Mrs. Peacock stomps her foot, “You will call me stepmother, or auntie, whichever you choose.”
Miss Scarlet brushes past her and enters the upstairs hall. Mrs. Peacock follows her with agitation on her face.
In the forest outside of Tudor Close, Rusty Naylor sees the lights of his cabin as the wind and lightning pick up even stronger. He pulls out his key and unlocks the door. He opens it and is met by the forcefulness of a shovel swinging at his head. His ears are filled with a ringing sound that grows louder and louder as he stumbles to the floor. Above him, Jessica Meadow-Brook stands in her tattered clothing holding the shovel. She is panting long and hard. The chair in the corner is knocked over and the ropes are frayed and cut. A screwdriver lies on the floor amongst the frayed ropes. Jessica quickly puts a pair of Rusty’s gardening boots over her bare feet. She rushes out of the cabin and runs right into Mrs. White.
“Jessica?” Mrs. White gasps in shock
“Mrs. White, please you have to help me!” Miss Meadow-Brook says
“What are you doing here?” asks Mrs. White as she notices Rusty unconscious on the ground, “What happened?”
“Please you have to help me,” Miss Meadow-Brook explains, “Rusty has had me locked up in her for over a month. I have to tell my parents I’m alive.”
Mrs. White bends over and examines Rusty checking his pulse.
“Mrs. White, we have to go before he hurts you too.” Miss Meadow-Brook says glancing out of the door of the cabin.
Mrs. White secretly pulls a syringe from her pocket, “He isn’t moving. Rusty, can you hear me?”
“Mrs. White,” Miss Meadow-Brook says, “I understand you have a business relationship with him, but he has kept me from my family for a long time and I don’t know why.”
“It’s about the baby,” Mrs. White says as she puts her thumb on the Syringe’s plunger.
“Baby?” Miss Meadow-Brook is confused and anxious, “What baby? What are you talking about.”
“The baby you are having,” Mrs. White says turning and sticking the Syringe into her arm and quickly injecting the fluid into her arm. Jessica pulls away with a gasp.
“You are in on this.” Miss Meadow-Brook gasps in fear
“You better sit down,” Mrs. White says, “The effects of the belladonna will be kicking in soon?”
“Why are you doing this?” asks Miss Meadow-Brook as she becomes weaker and sinks to the floor
“To get revenge.” Mrs. White says, “You just fell into the crosshairs of my vengeance.”
Miss Meadow-Brook becomes limp and falls into a heap on the wooden floor near Rusty’s unconscious body. Mrs. White walks over to the black telephone on Rusty’s kitchen counter. She dials a number and waits patiently.
“Hello, Miss Popov,” Mrs. White says, “It’s Blanche White.”
“What could you possibly want at this hour?” a young woman with a Russian accent responds on the other end of the line
“It is time for you to come to Hampshire.” Mrs. White says
“Now?” Miss Popov says, “I currently am in the process of setting my father’s estate in order.”
“I’m sorry to hear of his passing,” Mrs. White says
“The bright side of life would be that my brother died recently and I don’t have to worry about splitting my father’s fortune.” Miss Popov says
“That is good news.” Mrs. White says, “I was fortunate enough that my siblings were too young to care about money when my parents died.”
“When I get done with my father’s affairs I will come to Hampshire.” Miss Popov says
“So until then I continue to drug the girl with small traces of belladonna?” Mrs. White asks, “We need your hypnosis skills to make her believe she is pregnant with Julia Oakwood’s baby!”
“Like I said,” Miss Popov sighs deeply, “Once everything is taken care of here I will be in Hampshire. Try putting in a good word with Sylvia so I might be able to stay at Tudor Close.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Mrs. White says
In the Drawing Room of the Peacock Residence, Miss Scarlet and Mrs. Peacock enter the room. They are both well composed and appear at ease with each other.
“Sorry it took so long,” Mrs. Peacock apologizes to her guests, “We couldn’t get the hair clip out of Cynthia’s hair.”
“Yes, it was a bit tangled.” Miss Scarlet lies
“I would appreciate your discretion with everything tonight,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says silently as she sips her coffee
“Of course,” Mrs. Peacock says sitting down as Colonel Mustard hands her a cup of coffee, “I thought that was blatantly obvious in the Rose Garden. What we discussed there shall remain between the eight of us that were there.”
“It’s still a haze to me.” Colonel Mustard says
“You clearly aren’t used to dealing with…” Mr. Green clears his throat, “Waste management.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” Miss Scarlet smirks
“So what are your plans now?” Mrs. Peacock turns to Mr. Green
“I’m taking a morning train to London and then a plane to New York.” Mr. Green says
“I’ve been wanting to go to New York,” Miss Scarlet smiles dreamily, “I’ve worked up a nice resume acting in local theatre productions as well as a few shows in London.”
“Cynthia wants to be a Broadway Actress,” Mrs. Peacock says sipping her coffee
“You’ve got the look,” Mr. Green says, “And the voice. I remember you sang at Hugh Black’s Christmas party last year.”
“That was a lovely aria you sang,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook compliments
“Thank you,” Miss Scarlet smiles enjoying the attention
“Unfortunately,” Mrs. Peacock breaks the moment of joy with a negative tone, “She won’t amount to much unless she works harder and actually becomes independent on her own.”
“Mr. Green,” Miss Scarlet ignores her stepmother, “Would you enjoy some company on the way to New York?”
“Well,” Mr. Green stumbles over his words, “I don’t see why it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wonderful,” Miss Scarlet says glaring at Mrs. Peacock, “I’ll pack my things.”
“Are you sure this is a wise decision.” Mrs. Peacock asks
“Like you said, I need to start acting more independent.” Miss Scarlet says
“This is great time for new beginnings,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I’m free from my emotionless marriage and Thallo and Cynthia are beginning new chapters of their lives in America!”
“Shall we crack open the champagne?” Colonel Mustard suggests standing up
“No,” Mrs. Peacock says coldly
Everyone turns to her in shock.
“What I meant to say,” Mrs. Peacock recants her words, “Is that we should all stay level headed tonight. We just went through a stressful ordeal and we don’t need too much excitement going to our heads.”
Miss Scarlet smirks as she exits the Drawing Room and heads back upstairs.
In the Dining Room of Tudor Close, Madame Rose reenters with a large black cloth wrapped around a wooden box. Jet Black turns the Tarot Card of the grim reaper through his fingers as he notices Madame Rose presence in the room. Inspector Brown and Officer Ebony both talk with Mr. Boddy near the windows. Madame Rose unfolds the cloth and opens the wooden box. She takes out a large golden colored Crystal Ball and places it in the center of the table.
“If you would all join hands once more,” Madame Rose speaks up over the commotion
Everyone gathers around the table once more.
“Silence I ask from the voices beyond,” Madame Rose chants once again in a low deep voice, “May the veil be cut between the worlds as we speak with a spirit who has gone before.”
Thunder crashes outside as if on cue with her words.
“Spirit from beyond, we bring you gifts from life into death. Commune with us, spirit, and move among us.” Madame Rose speaks clearly. The Crystal Ball is filled with the image of a young blonde woman wearing a jade necklace around her neck. She has fiery eyes and a wicked smile on her face. She is dangling a small golden pendulum in front of her face. She closes her eyes as it begins to swing back and forth. The sound of a baby crying fills the room as the Crystal Ball fades to its original color.
“What the hell was that?” asks Inspector Brown
-Saturday, May 14, 1949 –
- Night-
Tudor Close is dark except for the lights on in a few rooms on the second floor. Clouds begin to stir above the large mansion as stars disappear in a fog. Rusty Naylor walks towards away from the Rose Garden as he feels the arthritis in his wrist begin to flare up in pain from the impending storm. He glances up at the imposing night sky as large clouds begin to fill the once clear area. He quickly walks past the Garage and begins to walk around the edge of the Lake heading towards his Cabin.
The candles flicker in the Dining Room of Tudor Close as the small group joins hands. Jet looks at Madame Rose with hope and anxiousness. Officer Ebony stares impatiently at the stack of Tarot Cards lying on the table in front of Madame Rose. Inspector Brown glances back and forth nervously.
“Maybe I should step out of the room,” Inspector Brown says, “This seems more like something that should only involve family.”
“The circle of hands has been made.” Madame Rose says silently, “It cannot be broken until we are finished.” Madame Rose’s eyes close shut as she goes into a meditative trance.
Mr. Boddy exhales deeply as he squeeze on to Inspector Brown’s had for encouragement. Inspector Brown takes a deep breath and exhales, “This goes against everything I believe in.”
“Silence I ask from the voices beyond,” Madame Rose chants in a low deep voice, “May the veil be cut between the worlds as we speak with a spirit who has gone before.”
The loud howl of wind begins to pick up outside of the Dining Room windows. Inspector Brown shuts his eyes and squeezes his hands tightly around Mr. Boddy’s and Jet’s.
“Our beloved Hugh, we bring you gifts from life into death. Commune with us, Hugh, and move among us.” Madame Rose speaks clearly. The candles flicker even more even though all the windows are closed. Madame Rose opens her eyes and focuses on the spiritual messages coming to her.
“There is a presence in the room.” Madame Rose says to the group, “Hugh, if it is you please speak to us. Use my body as a channel for your voice. Turn over the cards. Show us a sign. Give us the answers.”
The wind howls loudly outside the window as a distant sound of thunder is heard.
“Christ.” Inspector Brown swallows hard as he opens his eyes to see the candlelit faces around him.
“You’re wife and son is missing,” Madame Rose says looking at the flickering flames of the candles, “Show us how to find them and bring them home safe and sound.”
The windows of the Dining Room blow open and the candles flicker until they are blown out. Madame Rose’s Tarot Cards begin to blow off the table.
“Hugh,” Madame Rose calls over the loud roar of the wind, “Dear departed brother, be with us. Help us in our time of need.”
The vase of white narcissus rattles and knocks over and the wind stops. There is moment of silence, in which Inspector Brown closes his eyes in fear.
“I knew she was alive.” A voice echoes in the darkness, “I never believed she was dead.”
“It’s not Hugh,” Officer Ebony whispers. Inspector Brown clenches his hands tightly on Jet and Mr. Boddy’s
“It sounds like Mr. Meadow-Brook,” Jet says with fear and confusion
“But he isn’t dead,” Officer Ebony says, “Is he?”
“Find her and bring her home.” The voice echoes, “My sweet, sweet baby girl.”
The voice disappears followed by a loud crash of thunder outside.
“Baby girl?” Jet is confused
“Spirit,” Madame Rose calls, “Come to us. Come back to us. Tell us where you’d daughter is.”
“Jessica,” Jet comes to a realization
“Commune with us once more, spirit, move among us and tell us what we can do to bring your daughter home.”
“Jessica Meadow-Brook is alive?” Inspector Brown asks in fear
Madame Rose breaks her hands away from the group in aggravation. A loud clap of thunder comes from the dark storm clouds about the mansion.
“Stay here,” Madame Rose says, “I need to get something from upstairs.”
Madame Rose hurries out of the Dining Room. Inspector Brown stands up from the table.
“Perhaps I should go,” Inspector Brown says
“We have officer’s at all roads leaving Hampshire,” Officer Ebony says, “Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash would be taken far.”
Jet bends over and picks up a Tarot Card that has fallen to the floor. He looks at the image to see a grinning skeleton wearing the grim reaper’s cloak.
“I have a bad feeling about this.” Jet says setting the card back on the table next to the other cards.
In her bedroom at the Peacock Residence, Miss Cynthia Scarlet lets her hair down as she stares into her reflection. She smiles slightly at her flawless beauty. She places her diamond studded hair barrette next to her purse. She takes a seat at her vanity and begins to comb through her hair with her fingers, untangling the knots. She picks up an ivory handled comb and sighs deeply. There is a knock at her door.
“Come in,” she says
Mrs. Peacock steps into the room, “Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Meadow-Brook, and Mr. Green are staying for coffee. I would like it if you would join us.”
“Coffee after murder?” Miss Scarlet chuckles, “Seems rather strange.”
“Miss Peach saw you cleaning off a Hammer in the Lake.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I overheard her talking about it with Mrs. White and Mrs. Meadow-Brook before the explosion.”
“Are you asking me if I murdered Miles?” Miss Scarlet turns around in her chair and stares into Mrs. Peacock’s beady eyes.
“I’m asking you so I can take precautions in case people start getting suspicious of Miles Meadow-Brook’s disappearance.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I didn’t kill him,” Miss Scarlet stands up, letting her hair flow gracefully over her shoulders, “I’m not sure I even have the upper body strength to bludgeon a man to death.”
“You had no problem strangling Lena Hawthorne.” Mrs. Peacock reminds her
“Hawthorne was an old woman.” Miss Scarlet says, “A wicked old woman who should have thought twice about her own bodily weaknesses before threatening someone as young and active as I am.”
“You got lucky about killing Ms. Hawthorne.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Let’s just hope we all stay lucky about what happened in the Rose Garden tonight.”
“So I take it you didn’t kill him?” Miss Scarlet asks
“I wanted to,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I would have, but I couldn’t find him.”
“How would you have done it,” Miss Scarlet asks with tears in her eyes
“I would make that bastard pay for ever laying a hand on you.” Mrs. Peacock says
“So,” Miss Scarlet chokes back her tears, “After all these years of silently pulling yourself away from me and not showing any emotion whatsoever…”
“Cynthia,” Mrs. Peacock hushes her, “I care about you.”
“You took the blame for my father’s death all those years,” Miss Scarlet says with spite, “You told me the truth in a letter when you skipped town with the boy!”
“I know.” Mrs. Peacock says sitting down on the ottoman at the foot of Miss Scarlet’s bed.
“I killed daddy…” Miss Scarlet sits back down at her vanity
“It was an accident.” Mrs. Peacock says, “He should have had better lids for his medications. Any child would quickly put the pills back into the bottles after knocking them over in order to stay out of trouble.”
“What about Isabelle?” asks Miss Scarlet, “She was cheating on you with daddy.”
“I hated my sister, yes,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I killed her and felt no remorse.”
“Would you have done the same to daddy?” asks Miss Scarlet
Mrs. Peacock gets up and kisses Miss Scarlet on the forehead, “Come join us down in the Drawing Room for coffee. We’ll talk more about this later.”
“Answer my question.” Miss Scarlet demands
“Keep your voice down, the guests will hear you.” Mrs. Peacock says
“It’s still only about our outward appearance, isn’t it?” Miss Scarlet turns back to the mirror and stares angrily at her reflection
“When we have guests in our house we will act with grace and dignity.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I’ve always taught you that.”
“But it’s okay for you to go off and murder your lover who turned out to be your father.” Miss Scarlet says
Mrs. Peacock slaps Miss Scarlet across the face.
“Clean up those tears and come with me to the Drawing Room.” Mrs. Peacock says
“I’m not in the mood for coffee,” Miss Scarlet dabs her eyes with a handkerchief
“I didn’t ask you if you were thirsty,” Mrs. Peacock bites her bottom lip, “I told you to come downstairs and join me and our guests for coffee.”
“You can’t over me around anymore,” Miss Scarlet says, “I’m not a child anymore.”
“I have put everything on the line for you, you ungrateful little bitch,” Mrs. Peacock says calmly, “I have risked going to jail numerous times just to secure a comfortable life for the both of us. I am getting married and I expect you to show Colonel Mustard that you are an impressionable young lady. You will come downstairs and have coffee with us, or so help me God, I will throw your ungrateful ass out onto the streets.”
“No you won’t.” Miss Scarlet laughs
“Oh really?” Mrs. Peacock puts her hands on her hips, “What makes you so certain?”
“You are too afraid of what the neighbors would say.” Miss Scarlet says, “But I will have coffee with you, Penelope.”
“You will not call me by my first name in front of guests.” Mrs. Peacock stomps her foot, “You will call me stepmother, or auntie, whichever you choose.”
Miss Scarlet brushes past her and enters the upstairs hall. Mrs. Peacock follows her with agitation on her face.
In the forest outside of Tudor Close, Rusty Naylor sees the lights of his cabin as the wind and lightning pick up even stronger. He pulls out his key and unlocks the door. He opens it and is met by the forcefulness of a shovel swinging at his head. His ears are filled with a ringing sound that grows louder and louder as he stumbles to the floor. Above him, Jessica Meadow-Brook stands in her tattered clothing holding the shovel. She is panting long and hard. The chair in the corner is knocked over and the ropes are frayed and cut. A screwdriver lies on the floor amongst the frayed ropes. Jessica quickly puts a pair of Rusty’s gardening boots over her bare feet. She rushes out of the cabin and runs right into Mrs. White.
“Jessica?” Mrs. White gasps in shock
“Mrs. White, please you have to help me!” Miss Meadow-Brook says
“What are you doing here?” asks Mrs. White as she notices Rusty unconscious on the ground, “What happened?”
“Please you have to help me,” Miss Meadow-Brook explains, “Rusty has had me locked up in her for over a month. I have to tell my parents I’m alive.”
Mrs. White bends over and examines Rusty checking his pulse.
“Mrs. White, we have to go before he hurts you too.” Miss Meadow-Brook says glancing out of the door of the cabin.
Mrs. White secretly pulls a syringe from her pocket, “He isn’t moving. Rusty, can you hear me?”
“Mrs. White,” Miss Meadow-Brook says, “I understand you have a business relationship with him, but he has kept me from my family for a long time and I don’t know why.”
“It’s about the baby,” Mrs. White says as she puts her thumb on the Syringe’s plunger.
“Baby?” Miss Meadow-Brook is confused and anxious, “What baby? What are you talking about.”
“The baby you are having,” Mrs. White says turning and sticking the Syringe into her arm and quickly injecting the fluid into her arm. Jessica pulls away with a gasp.
“You are in on this.” Miss Meadow-Brook gasps in fear
“You better sit down,” Mrs. White says, “The effects of the belladonna will be kicking in soon?”
“Why are you doing this?” asks Miss Meadow-Brook as she becomes weaker and sinks to the floor
“To get revenge.” Mrs. White says, “You just fell into the crosshairs of my vengeance.”
Miss Meadow-Brook becomes limp and falls into a heap on the wooden floor near Rusty’s unconscious body. Mrs. White walks over to the black telephone on Rusty’s kitchen counter. She dials a number and waits patiently.
“Hello, Miss Popov,” Mrs. White says, “It’s Blanche White.”
“What could you possibly want at this hour?” a young woman with a Russian accent responds on the other end of the line
“It is time for you to come to Hampshire.” Mrs. White says
“Now?” Miss Popov says, “I currently am in the process of setting my father’s estate in order.”
“I’m sorry to hear of his passing,” Mrs. White says
“The bright side of life would be that my brother died recently and I don’t have to worry about splitting my father’s fortune.” Miss Popov says
“That is good news.” Mrs. White says, “I was fortunate enough that my siblings were too young to care about money when my parents died.”
“When I get done with my father’s affairs I will come to Hampshire.” Miss Popov says
“So until then I continue to drug the girl with small traces of belladonna?” Mrs. White asks, “We need your hypnosis skills to make her believe she is pregnant with Julia Oakwood’s baby!”
“Like I said,” Miss Popov sighs deeply, “Once everything is taken care of here I will be in Hampshire. Try putting in a good word with Sylvia so I might be able to stay at Tudor Close.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Mrs. White says
In the Drawing Room of the Peacock Residence, Miss Scarlet and Mrs. Peacock enter the room. They are both well composed and appear at ease with each other.
“Sorry it took so long,” Mrs. Peacock apologizes to her guests, “We couldn’t get the hair clip out of Cynthia’s hair.”
“Yes, it was a bit tangled.” Miss Scarlet lies
“I would appreciate your discretion with everything tonight,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says silently as she sips her coffee
“Of course,” Mrs. Peacock says sitting down as Colonel Mustard hands her a cup of coffee, “I thought that was blatantly obvious in the Rose Garden. What we discussed there shall remain between the eight of us that were there.”
“It’s still a haze to me.” Colonel Mustard says
“You clearly aren’t used to dealing with…” Mr. Green clears his throat, “Waste management.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” Miss Scarlet smirks
“So what are your plans now?” Mrs. Peacock turns to Mr. Green
“I’m taking a morning train to London and then a plane to New York.” Mr. Green says
“I’ve been wanting to go to New York,” Miss Scarlet smiles dreamily, “I’ve worked up a nice resume acting in local theatre productions as well as a few shows in London.”
“Cynthia wants to be a Broadway Actress,” Mrs. Peacock says sipping her coffee
“You’ve got the look,” Mr. Green says, “And the voice. I remember you sang at Hugh Black’s Christmas party last year.”
“That was a lovely aria you sang,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook compliments
“Thank you,” Miss Scarlet smiles enjoying the attention
“Unfortunately,” Mrs. Peacock breaks the moment of joy with a negative tone, “She won’t amount to much unless she works harder and actually becomes independent on her own.”
“Mr. Green,” Miss Scarlet ignores her stepmother, “Would you enjoy some company on the way to New York?”
“Well,” Mr. Green stumbles over his words, “I don’t see why it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wonderful,” Miss Scarlet says glaring at Mrs. Peacock, “I’ll pack my things.”
“Are you sure this is a wise decision.” Mrs. Peacock asks
“Like you said, I need to start acting more independent.” Miss Scarlet says
“This is great time for new beginnings,” Mrs. Meadow-Brook says, “I’m free from my emotionless marriage and Thallo and Cynthia are beginning new chapters of their lives in America!”
“Shall we crack open the champagne?” Colonel Mustard suggests standing up
“No,” Mrs. Peacock says coldly
Everyone turns to her in shock.
“What I meant to say,” Mrs. Peacock recants her words, “Is that we should all stay level headed tonight. We just went through a stressful ordeal and we don’t need too much excitement going to our heads.”
Miss Scarlet smirks as she exits the Drawing Room and heads back upstairs.
In the Dining Room of Tudor Close, Madame Rose reenters with a large black cloth wrapped around a wooden box. Jet Black turns the Tarot Card of the grim reaper through his fingers as he notices Madame Rose presence in the room. Inspector Brown and Officer Ebony both talk with Mr. Boddy near the windows. Madame Rose unfolds the cloth and opens the wooden box. She takes out a large golden colored Crystal Ball and places it in the center of the table.
“If you would all join hands once more,” Madame Rose speaks up over the commotion
Everyone gathers around the table once more.
“Silence I ask from the voices beyond,” Madame Rose chants once again in a low deep voice, “May the veil be cut between the worlds as we speak with a spirit who has gone before.”
Thunder crashes outside as if on cue with her words.
“Spirit from beyond, we bring you gifts from life into death. Commune with us, spirit, and move among us.” Madame Rose speaks clearly. The Crystal Ball is filled with the image of a young blonde woman wearing a jade necklace around her neck. She has fiery eyes and a wicked smile on her face. She is dangling a small golden pendulum in front of her face. She closes her eyes as it begins to swing back and forth. The sound of a baby crying fills the room as the Crystal Ball fades to its original color.
“What the hell was that?” asks Inspector Brown