Episode 52 – “Tying Up Loose Ends”
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: Madame Rose conducts a Séance to commune with Hugh Black but instead Miles Meadow-Brook comes through, speaking of Jessica Meadow-Brook and her being alive. Jessica Meadow-Brook, in the meantime, has found a way out of her confinement and knocks Rusty unconscious. As she proceeds to escape Mrs. White comes in and drugs her. She then talks on the phone with a Russian woman named Miss Popov about beginning the hypnosis to make Jessica believe she is pregnant with Julia Oakwood’s baby. Mrs. Peacock and Miss Scarlet get into another altercation which results in Miss Scarlet deciding to go to New York with Mr. Green so she can pursue her career on Broadway. Madame Rose decides it would be best to conduct her crystal ball. Instead of hearing from Miles Meadow-Brook the see a young blonde woman wearing a green necklace holding a golden pendulum.…
-FLASHBACK- APRIL 1949-
A young blonde woman with a jade colored necklace sits on the couch of an elaborate parlor. She is dressed in a tight fitting, low cut sea green colored dress. She is looking through a fashion magazine. Gaspodin Sergei Gold enters the room.
“Daddy,” she sits up, “You need to do something about Yuri.”
“What has that half-brother of yours done this time?” asks Sergei Gold
“He has been talking to this man named Bradford Black.” The young woman says
“What?” Sergei Gold becomes alert, “Where did you hear this?”
“I overheard him on the phone last night.” The young woman says, “It was a long distance call. I think it was to England.”
“What exactly did you hear?” Sergei Gold asks with annoyance in his voice
“He was talking about finding a better offer.” The young woman says, “Is he involving himself with another crime family.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” Sergei Gold kisses her on the forehead, “I’ll talk to your brother.”
“You’ll have to go to London,” the woman says, “He left this morning.”
“Darling,” he walks quickly towards the doorway, “I’m sorry to leave so abruptly but I need to go to England. I have a theory as to what town his is visiting.”
Sergei Gold leaves the room quickly. The young woman smiles wickedly, “The poo naïve fool. Mother will be happy now.”
-END OF FLASHBACK-
-Sunday, May 15, 1949 –
- Morning-
In Russia, the same young blonde woman lies asleep in a large bed. She breathes calmly under the soft blankets, surrounded by goose feather pillows. She stretches and opens her eyes. She is Miss Marina Popov. She sits up and steps out of bed, slipping on her slippers. She walks over to her dressing table and puts on an ornate jade colored necklace. She walks over to her writing desk and picks up the ivory colored phone from the receiver. She dials a number and taps her fingernails against the wood of the writing desk.
“Hello mother,” Miss Popov greets, “Can you settle everything with the lawyers about daddy’s will. Ever since him and Yuri have been declared dead we finally have cleaned up one half of this mob war.”
“I still don’t understand how the baby will clean up the other end of the crime ring.” a woman asks from the other end of the phone
“Oh it’s simple. The baby and daddy have one person in common.” Miss Popov says, “Thallo Green.”
“Mr. Green is the uncle to this unborn baby.” The woman says, “Regardless I can’t exactly help you with your little plan to keep the world at peace.”
“Mother!” Miss Popov whines, “I just need you to make sure the money is taken out of his accounts and put into mine! I’ll be sure to give you your fair share of the money. Can’t you just do that one simple task?”
“Marina,” The woman says, “I am in Ireland with my sister. Your aunt asked me to help her out for a few months since she is up there in her years. Besides, my gift is knowing that I won’t have to deal with your father and his wicked ways anymore.”
“Everyone is wicked on one level or another.” Miss Popov says, “You of all people should know that.”
“We all change.” The woman says
Back in England, in Tudor Close, Mrs. Blanche White rolls the breakfast cart into the Dining Room to see Jet Black, Mr. Boddy, and Madame Rose sitting around the table with somber looks on their faces.
“If I am expected to get anything done around here I expect to have Mr. Ash helping me.” Mrs. White says, “I checked his room but apparently he took it upon himself to stay out late last night. He wouldn’t answer his door this morning.”
“Blanche,” Mr. Boddy stands up
“Where is Sylvia and Scott?” asks Mrs. White looking around the Dining Room, “I single-handedly make breakfast and no one is here to enjoy it.”
“Mrs. White,” Mr. Boddy says trying to quiet the frantic maid
“I mean I understand my cooking might not be the best in the world, but I at least make an effort.” Mrs. White says, “If my skills aren’t appreciated then they should stop dragging me along under the false impression that I am good at my job.”
“Sylvia, Scott, and Mr. Ash are gone.” Mr. Boddy says interrupting her
“Gone?” Mrs. White sets the breakfast plates on the table, “Why on earth would they go out to this early? Church doesn’t even start for another hour, and Mr. Ash isn’t exactly the religious type. I highly doubt he would have taken to attending Reverend Hunter’s lengthy sermons. Scott is hard enough to control when we go to the market to pick out strawberries. Why would Sylvia drag him along to Church. Come to think of it, Sylvia isn’t exactly the religious type either…”
“No Mrs. White,” Mr. Boddy says, “They aren’t with us anymore.”
“Dead?” Mrs. White looks at him confused, “That is a sick joke. We’ve had enough death and murder. I think saying that about them is in poor taste; especially after what happened with Scott over the past month. Being kidnapped by Mrs. Peacock twice only to have her wandering freely around Hampshire because Bradford was a more ‘believable’ kidnapper and man in charge of the operation…”
“They were kidnapped by Azure!” Jet shouts over her
“What?” Mrs. White lets a plate of food slide through her fingers and drop to the floor, “Kidnapped? All of them? By Azure? Oh this can’t be happening again. What kind of leverage will he have with all three of them.”
“Where the hell were you last night?” Jet asks with anger in his voice, “If you’d been doing your bloody job they might not have been kidnapped! No one from the party was allowed to enter the house!”
“I was making sure all the guests were okay after the explosion.” Mrs. White says bending over and picking up the plate and spilled food, “There were bruises, scrapes, and a couple twisted ankles. Most of the guests were packed in the Kitchen while I fetched bandages and ice wrapped in linens.”
“I wonder if Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash’s disappearances are related to Mr. Meadow-Brook’s death” Mr. Boddy turns to Madame Rose
Mrs. White freezes with the plate in her hand, “Miles is dead?” she chokes on her words at the thought of anyone finding out that they buried Mr. Meadow-Brook the night before.
“I held a séance last night,” Madame Rose explains, “I was hoping to communicate with Hugh in order to find out if he might have been able to shed some light as to where Azure may have taken them. Miles Meadow-Brook came through. We assume now that his spirit must be trapped somewhere within Tudor Close.”
“But Miles isn’t dead! He can’t be!” Mrs. White protests, “Who would want to murder Miles?”
“It isn’t completely unbelievable.” Jet says, “He wasn’t the most adored man in town and murder has happened before.”
“I just don’t understand when or why it happened.” Madame Rose says
“I haven’t seen Mr. Meadow-Brook since before the explosion,” Mrs. White says, “No one has… Mrs. Meadow-Brook said he left.”
“Then that doesn’t explain why his spirit was lingering near the mansion if he died somewhere else.” Mr. Boddy says turning to Madame Rose, “Are you certain it was Meadow-Brook? Our ears could have been playing tricks on us.”
“He talked about Jessica,” Jet says, “He told us she’s still alive. Miles was the only one who could have been summoned.”
Mrs. White’s face becomes hot with fear of being found out, “I don’t want to hear any more about this séance nonsense! Miles is alive and well and Jessica died months ago! I think it’s a bunch of hogwash… sheer and utter nonsense.”
“Mrs. White, are you alright?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I just don’t like all this talk about murder! Especially with Sylvia, Scott, and Reggie missing!” Mrs. White says throwing the plate forcefully onto the serving cart.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Madame Rose says
“I need to lie down.” Mrs. White says, “Help yourselves to breakfast. You know how to serve yourselves.”
Mrs. White takes off her apron and throws it onto a Dining Room chair. She exits the room quickly.
“She seems upset.” Jet says
“She’s hiding something,” Madame Rose says, “And I’m going to find out what it is.”
“Aunt Claire,” Mr. Boddy says, “We all know you dislike Mrs. White, but I doubt she’s hiding anything about this. She seemed just as surprised as we did.”
“You didn’t notice what I noticed.” Madame Rose says
“What exactly did you notice?” asks Mr. Boddy
“She was the first one to mention Miles being murdered,” Madame Rose says, “All we told her is that he was dead. She knows something…”
At the Hampshire Train Station, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard wave as the train departs from the loading platform. Smoke wafts through the air as the train disappears into the distance.
“I hope she finds what she’s looking for.” Colonel Mustard says referring to Miss Scarlet
“She won’t,” Mrs. Peacock says, “She’s only doing this to spite me.”
“I thought your relationship with her was a lot stronger.” Colonel Mustard states as they walk arm in arm back to Mrs. Peacock’s blue Rolls Royce.
“My relationship with Cynthia has always been hard to keep under a steady control.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She’s always detested me, thinking that I’m trying to replace her mother.”
“What ever happened with her mother?” asks Colonel Mustard, “I never heard the full story.”
“I’m not exactly proud of what I did,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I basically ruined James and Josephine’s marriage.”
“We all do things we aren’t proud of.” Colonel Mustard says
“Cynthia doesn’t realize this, but James and I started seeing each other while he was still married to her mother.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She never knew for a fact that her father was cheating on her mother, but I think deep down she has always resented me for replacing her.”
“Why didn’t Josephine get custody of Cynthia?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Because she had a mental break down.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She went bizarre and smashed the windows of his car and cut the brakes of my own car.”
“She sounds like a homicidal maniac.” Colonel Mustard says, “Was she locked away for good?”
“Actually she died at the Dark Hill Sanitarium.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I used to go over there and check on her condition.”
“How recently did she die?” asks Colonel Mustard, feeling nervous about the discussion of Dark Hill Sanitarium, the place where his thought-to-be dead wife is imprisoned.
“Several Winters ago.” Mrs. Peacock says
“Back before I moved here.” Colonel Mustard says with assurance
“Yes,” Mrs. Peacock says
There is a moment of silence and relief.
“But regardless to what has happened in the past,” Mrs. Peacock sighs as they open the doors of her car, “I’m ready to move on to a better future.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Colonel Mustard says
“It’s too early to dive into drinking.” Mrs. Peacock says sitting in the driver’s seat as Colonel Mustard takes the passenger seat.
“Then perhaps,” Colonel Mustard says in a mellow voice, “We can celebrate our future together in a different way.”
“Are you suggesting pre-wedding night activities?” Mrs. Peacock feigns shock
“We the wedding date hasn’t been picked yet and my love for you is strong.” Colonel Mustard says
“Then let’s make haste and get home.” Mrs. Peacock eyebrows lower seductively as they both drive off in the direction of Ceil Drive.
In his Cabin at the lake behind Tudor Close, Rusty Naylor walks back and forth with an ice pack on his head.
“You thought you could escape from here,” Rusty says to a frightened Jessica Meadow-Brook who kneels bound tightly to a wooden support beam - her back bent as her head dangles tiredly over the floor.
“I tried to make you feel more comfortable with the chair and the less coarse ropes but you took advantage of my hospitality.” Rusty says
“I just want to go home!” Miss Meadow-Brook moans miserably
“I know, sweetheart,” Rusty says sitting on a wooden chair near her, “Only a few more months to go. Then you will give birth to a beautiful baby and break your mother’s heart once and for all.”
“What are you talking about?” Miss Meadow-Brook asks, “I’m not pregnant.”
“Of course not,” Rusty says, “But you are going to think you are. Cling on to what little sanity you have left. By the time we are done with you, you will be a whole new person.”
“I’ll never fall for whatever scheme you are planning.” Miss Meadow-Brook says
“Oh but you will.” Rusty says picking up a syringe of full of belladonna, “In fact it’s time for another little blackout.”
“No,” Miss Meadow-Brook begs, “Please, don’t do this to me.”
Rusty stabs the girl in the arm and she begins to fade.
“Maybe you’ll be a little more willing to rewrite your life after you wake up.” Rusty says as Jessica’s head drops, “Sleep calmly, Bryce Black.”
Jessica’s arms and legs go limp as she succumbs to the hallucinogen coursing through her veins.
“Poor child,” Rusty says, “It’s a shame that she is the perfect pawn for this game.”
At the Oakwood Residence, in the Garden, Lady Elizabeth Oakwood walks along the stepping stones that lead through her private garden. Butterflies mingle and flutter from flower to flower as she inhales the crisp air of the Spring day. Mr. William Crimson trims the hedges near the Kitchen window.
“The gardeners are coming on Tuesday,” Lady Oakwood says, “You shouldn’t mess with their work.”
“The hedges were blocking the garden view from the Kitchen window.” Mr. Crimson says, “I like to see outside when I work.”
“Is this Mrs. Crabtree’s day off?” asks Lady Oakwood
“She is at church,” Mr. Crimson says, “Though all the prayers in the world won’t save us from the immoral things we’ve done for you. We’ll all be going to hell for what we’ve helped you with.”
“Oh stop it! You treat me like an evil queen from some fairy tale.” Lady Oakwood bites her lip, “I’m not some evil woman out there with an ulterior motive. I’m just protecting what is mine.”
“I apologize,” Mr. Crimson says, “I forgot you murder people with candlesticks, not poisoned apples.”
“Shouldn’t you clean the breakfast dishes before they are damaged from the buildup of food?” Lady Oakwood asks ignoring his insult
“I intend to,” Mr. Crimson says, “I just needed to take care of the damned shrubbery.”
With that Mr. Crimson tosses the hedge clippers angrily into the tool shed. Lady Oakwood walks over to the hedges and picks up a wayward sprig of leaves from the hedges. She lets it fall out of her fingers as the sound of Church bells in the distance are heard.
At the First Catholic Church of Hampshire, Reverend Hunter stands at the doors bidding the congregation goodbye. Mrs. Blanche White walks up the steps of the church.
“Mrs. White,” Reverend Hunter smiles, “I didn’t see you today.”
“I wasn’t able to make it today,” Mrs. White says, “I need to talk with you if you have a few moments though.”
“Of course,” Reverend Hunter says, “I was hoping I could ask for your help during the summer bake sale. Everyone who has tasted your peach scones loves them.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time to talk about baked goods,” Mrs. White says, “I have something of a greater importance to discuss with you.”
Reverend Hunter smiles as the last of the people leave the church.
“Let’s go inside,” Reverend Hunter suggests as he leads Mrs. White into the building.
“Is it true that a priest is not allowed to speak about what is said during confession?” Mrs. White asks
“The conversation between a priest and penitent is strictly private.” Reverend Hunter says, “You have nothing to worry about. I cannot and will not disclose anything you say.”
“Shall we move along to the confession box?” asks Mrs. White
“If that would make you feel more at ease.” Reverend Hunter says motioning for her to head over in that direction.
In Russia, Miss Marina Popov stands at the loading platform of the transcontinental express from Moscow to Paris. She is wearing a seafoam colored sundress and dark sunglasses. She has two suitcases by her side.
“This way, Madame,” a steward takes her hand and helps her step onto the plane, “Shall these suitcases go into the storage cart?”
“No,” Miss Popov says, “They will stay with me in my private room. Room 5.”
“I know you,” the steward says after a moment of silence
“I do take the Transcontinental Express often.” Miss Popov says
“No it isn’t that,” the steward says, “Aren’t you the daughter of Gaspodin Gold?”
“I don’t like talking about my family tree with strangers.” Miss Popov says
“I didn’t wish to be rude,” the steward says, “I just thought that your mother was…”
“Please sir,” Miss Popov interrupts him again, “I said I do not like talking about my family with people who don’t understand everything we’ve been through. I’m tired of people passing judgment on me.”
“I apologize, Miss Popov.” The steward says as she boards the train. The mention of her name startles her. She shrugs off the odd encounter and walks towards her private room.
In the Billiard Room of Tudor Close, Jet Black angrily slams the billiard stick into the cue ball.
“Care for a friendly game?” Mr. Boddy asks as he enters the room
“If Madame Rose is right and Mrs. White is hiding something, maybe we can find the body.” Jet says as the cue ball breaks apart the cluster of colorful snooker balls on the table.
“Jet we don’t know Mrs. White killed Mr. Meadow-Brook.” Mr. Boddy says taking a billiard stick from the wall.
“We can’t just sit around and do nothing!” Jet says lining up his next shot
“Maybe Azure took Mr. Meadow-Brook too,” Mr. Boddy says chalking the end of the billiard stick
“But his spirit…” Jet begins to become overwhelmed and slams the billiard stick on the table, “If he was just kidnapped his spirit wouldn’t have come through.”
“For all we know Prince Azure could have shot Mr. Meadow-Brook for no cooperating or trying to intervene with the kidnapping. We both know Azure would have done worse.”
“What about his home in Africa?” Jet says
“That is the first place to check.” Mr. Boddy says
“Do you know what country he is Prince of?” Jet asks, “Do you even know where to find his castle or palace or whatever it is that he could have taken everyone?”
“No,” Mr. Boddy says, “But I know someone who might be able to help us.”
“Who?” asks Jet with hope in his voice
“Bradford.” Mr. Boddy says
“You think we should visit Bradford in prison?” asks Jet
“Not we,” Mr. Boddy says, “I will go. You are going to stay here.”
“I want to help!” Jet says angrily
“Bradford hates everyone, especially anyone directly tied to Hugh.” Mr. Boddy says, “I’d say I’m the one he hates the least… even after helping confine him beneath the Conservatory several times. What I’m trying to say, if he will give anyone information it will be me.”
“Why did you turn against Bradford so quickly?” asks Jet
“Because I realized that he was lying about you and your family. He made everyone seem so evil and greedy, when it was really his own selfishness and hatred that poisoned his own judgment.” Mr. Boddy says, “Once I realized that I wondered what else he may have lied about.”
At the Peacock Residence, Professor Gregory Plum sits at the piano and relights his pipe. He begins to play a brief medley when Mrs. Myrtle enters the Drawing Room with Dr. Rex Prussian.
“Dr. Prussian is here to see you, Professor.” Mrs. Myrtle announces
“Thank you Melinda.” Professor Plum says dismissing the housekeeper.
“Professor,” Dr. Prussian fully enters the Drawing Room, “I apologize for the unexpected intrusion, but I needed to have a word with you.”
“Oh dear,” Professor Plum says, “I hope it’s nothing about my health.”
“No,” Dr. Prussian says, “I take it the pills have relieved headache pressure?”
“Yes they have worked well.” Professor Plum says
“Well I’m afraid I’m here on a much more urgent matter.” Dr. Prussian says
“Something more urgent than my health?” asks Professor Plum
“Stay away from my wife.” Dr. Prussian says
“A bit melodramatic don’t you think?” asks Professor Plum
“If she wouldn’t have gone to Sylvia Black’s garden party, none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t have needed to go to the hospital.” Dr. Prussian says
“You are blaming me for your wife’s decision to go to the garden party?” Professor Plum says, “I think you are really over thinking this.”
“Professor,” Dr. Prussian says, “This unrequited love you are feeling towards my life will come to a stop. If she loved you she would have left me for you by now. I understand you are trying to start fresh but you being around my wife will only bring back sour memories from your time together in New York.”
“Thank you for your concern Dr. Prussian,” Professor Plum says, “But you are sorely mistaken. I do not, nor have I ever wanted to steal your wife away from you.”
Dr. Prussian walks towards the Drawing Room doorway, “See to it that I don’t find you two sneaking around anymore.”
“Trust me, Rex,” Professor Plum says smugly, “There will be no sneaking in how I spend my free time.”
Mrs. White sits down in the confession box in First Catholic Church of Hampshire. She glances at the rosary hanging from a pin.
“Forgive me father, for I have sinned.” Mrs. White says
“Go ahead my child.” Reverend Hunter says
“I have done so many wrong things in my life and the guilt is eating me alive.” Mrs. White says
“True penance will set you free.” Reverend Hunter says, “Our Lord is very forgiving to those who seek forgiveness with a true heart and conscious.”
“I led my son down a path of crime.” Mrs. White says, “I intervened with Claire Rose’s search for her biological son. I helped cover up my son’s murder even though he turned out to be alive.”
“Oh my,” Reverend Hunter sighs
“And to top it off,” Mrs. White says, “I helped cover up another murder, this one is certainly dead.”
“My dear Blanche,” Reverend Hunter says, “I would first suggest helping your son down the right path in life.”
“That will be a challenge.” Mrs. White says
“Then I would recommend sorting things out with his sham death cover-up.” Reverend Hunter says
“We’ve made peace over it.”
“Wonderful,” Reverend Hunter says, “Then the only thing left to do would be going to the police about this new murder that you assisted in hiding.”
“I can’t do that.” Mrs. White says
“In order to free yourself from the stress and anxiety of a guilty conscious it would be a good idea to come forward with the truth.” Reverend Hunter says
“I can’t do that!” Mrs. White says
“The family members of this victim must be mourning.” Reverend Hunter says, “God may not be forgiving for you allowing them to suffer in sorrow.”
“I will go to jail.” Mrs. White says
“I’m sure that under the circumstances your punishment will be lessened for coming forward with the truth.” Reverend Hunter says
“Thank you for your help,” Mrs. White says, “But I think I’m going to need to sort this out on my own.”
“At the end of the day you will still feel the guilt,” Reverend Hunter says, “I strongly encourage you to confess your sins and your crimes.”
Mrs. White pushes open the curtain to the confessional box and walks towards the front doors of the church.
In his bedroom at the Mustard Home, Colonel Mustard and Mrs. Peacock lay in each other’s arms on his bed. Their clothes scattered on the bearskin rug at the foot of the bed.
“Out of all three husbands I’ve had,” Mrs. Peacock says, “You have to be the most satisfying.”
“I suppose that is meant to boost my ego.” Colonel Mustard chuckles, “Will you be moving in to my home, or will I be moving into yours?”
“I haven’t really given it much thought,” Mrs. Peacock sits up in bed as Colonel Mustard gets up and walks to the wet bar next to the fireplace.
“I think we may have discussed it briefly, but I had an idea.”
“Do tell.” Mrs. Peacock says as Colonel Mustard fixes two drinks
“Well my grandfather left my father with his hunting lodge in Blackwell Heights.” Colonel Mustard hands her a glass of champagne, “After my father’s death he left the lodge to me. I’ve been paying caretakers to keep it up and running. Sadly only five people have stayed there in the past three years.”
“Do you want to fix it up and run it together?” Mrs. Peacock asks
“Is that something you want?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Well with my adoptive parent’s inheritance going all to my brother, and seeing how he has been generous enough to give me a small pension, I think it’s the perfect start to our marriage.” Mrs. Peacock smiles
“This town brings nothing but bad memories. The only positive thing is meeting you.” Colonel Mustard says
“You act as though we’ve never met before.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I remember meeting you at a dinner party years ago at Hugh Black’s back when I was Penelope Scarlet.”
“I do remember that.” Colonel Mustard says, “But you see, I don’t go after married women.”
“Well rumor has it that I am going to be a married woman quite soon!” Mrs. Peacock laughs
At the Port Wells Penitentiary, Bradford Black is brought to the visitation room.
“What could a backstabbing, ungrateful bastard such as you possibly want?” asks Bradford Black upon seeing Mr. Boddy
“Let me catch you up on everything you missed out on,” Mr. Boddy sits down across from Bradford, “Prince Azure and his advisor broke in only for his advisor to be murdered, your psychic daughter contacted the spirit of Miles Meadow-Brook who is apparently dead, Prince Azure put a bomb in the garden and tried to kill a lot of important people in Hampshire, and he kidnapped Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash and took them God-knows-where.”
“Good for him,” Bradford says, “Now he gets everything he has wanted a new son, a new wife, and…” Bradford’s voice turns sarcastic, “Oh my! Look that, he replaced his dead advisor with a new a butler. It must be his lucky year!”
“Bradford,” Mr. Boddy says, “I’m not going to begin to understand why you hate this family so much but I need you understand one important thing.”
“What is that?” asks Bradford
“I hate them too.” Mr. Boddy says
“Oh really?” Bradford rolls his eyes
“They are just too damn perfect. Happy, smiling, living off of the life that we deserved…” Mr. Boddy clenches his teeth, “Moving on past murder. Taking everything we built up for so long for granted! I despise them all.”
“So you do understand why I hate them so much.” Bradford says, “You should have learned by now, there are two types of people in this family. The bottom feeders and the ones who had the rug yanked out from under them. We are the latter.”
“I want to watch them burn.” Mr. Boddy says, “I want to watch them fall apart and suffer the way we had to. I want them to work to get to the top.”
“Then answer two questions,” Bradford says, “Why did you turn against me and why do you want to help get them back from Azure.”
“I can answer both questions with one answer,” Mr. Boddy says, “In order for me to watch them fall; I have to be on their good sides.”
“How do you plan on watching them fall?” asks Bradford
“It starts with me being the hero.” Mr. Boddy says, “Saving them from Azure for the final time. Killing Azure in the process… then I get Sylvia to fall in love with me.”
“How does that make the family fall and burn?” Bradford says
“Once I am the man of the house I will obviously be able to dip my paws into their money.”
“Maybe you aren’t completely useless after all.” Bradford says
“We’ll send those boys off to boarding school like Sylvia suggested.” Mr. Boddy says, “Only this time they aren’t exactly going to boarding school. I will arrange for it that Scott is returned to your care so that you can raise a true Black.”
“What about the other one… Jet.” Bradford says
“Jet isn’t a Black.” Mr. Boddy says, “He is the result of an affair between Thallo Green and Sylvia. Jet will die quick and painlessly. Then you can raise Scott the same way you raised me.”
“And if I do a good enough job raising him, maybe he will be as smart as you are to come up with this fool proof plan.” Bradford says
“I’m flattered that you feel proud of me,” Mr. Boddy says, “But in order to get anywhere, we need to find out where Azure has taken them.”
“Get me out of this hell hole,” Bradford says, “And I’ll tell you where he took them.”
In the Study of the Mustard Home, Colonel Mustard is typing on his typewriter. Mrs. Peacock comes downstairs and enters the room.
“Would you like to have lunch at my home?” asks Mrs. Peacock
“That sounds lovely.” Colonel Mustard says, “I just want to finish this chapter of my memoir.”
“I’ll let Ms. Myrtle know you are staying for lunch.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Come over when you are ready.”
“It’ll only be a moment.” Colonel Mustard smiles.
Mrs. Peacock pats him on the back and exits the house through the front door. As soon as she leaves the telephone begins to ring on his desk.
“Algernon Mustard speaking,” he answers
“This is Dr. Olive from Dark Hill Sanitarium,” he responds, “I’m afraid I have some urgent news about your wife.”
Colonel Mustard watches Mrs. Peacock walk away from his house and towards her own.
“Go on?” Colonel Mustard urges
“She and another patient tried to escape.” Dr. Olive says
“They were both caught and confined?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Yes,” Dr. Olive says, “I need you to come here and sign some paperwork so that we can proceed to move her to a more secure mental institution.”
“She needs to stay in Mayfield.” Colonel Mustard says
“That is highly unadvised.” Dr. Olive says
“I am her husband,” Colonel Mustard says, “I will decide what is best for her. Will the other patient be relocating?”
“The other patient is being supervised by Inspector Brown.” Dr. Olive says
“Why would Inspector Brown be supervising a mental patient.” Colonel Mustard asks
“Because that mental patient is Sergeant Gray.” Dr. Olive says
“Thank you for letting me know about this.” Colonel Mustard hangs up the phone and angrily pounds his fists against the desk in front of him, “Blast it all to hell.”
-FLASHBACK- APRIL 1949-
A young blonde woman with a jade colored necklace sits on the couch of an elaborate parlor. She is dressed in a tight fitting, low cut sea green colored dress. She is looking through a fashion magazine. Gaspodin Sergei Gold enters the room.
“Daddy,” she sits up, “You need to do something about Yuri.”
“What has that half-brother of yours done this time?” asks Sergei Gold
“He has been talking to this man named Bradford Black.” The young woman says
“What?” Sergei Gold becomes alert, “Where did you hear this?”
“I overheard him on the phone last night.” The young woman says, “It was a long distance call. I think it was to England.”
“What exactly did you hear?” Sergei Gold asks with annoyance in his voice
“He was talking about finding a better offer.” The young woman says, “Is he involving himself with another crime family.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” Sergei Gold kisses her on the forehead, “I’ll talk to your brother.”
“You’ll have to go to London,” the woman says, “He left this morning.”
“Darling,” he walks quickly towards the doorway, “I’m sorry to leave so abruptly but I need to go to England. I have a theory as to what town his is visiting.”
Sergei Gold leaves the room quickly. The young woman smiles wickedly, “The poo naïve fool. Mother will be happy now.”
-END OF FLASHBACK-
-Sunday, May 15, 1949 –
- Morning-
In Russia, the same young blonde woman lies asleep in a large bed. She breathes calmly under the soft blankets, surrounded by goose feather pillows. She stretches and opens her eyes. She is Miss Marina Popov. She sits up and steps out of bed, slipping on her slippers. She walks over to her dressing table and puts on an ornate jade colored necklace. She walks over to her writing desk and picks up the ivory colored phone from the receiver. She dials a number and taps her fingernails against the wood of the writing desk.
“Hello mother,” Miss Popov greets, “Can you settle everything with the lawyers about daddy’s will. Ever since him and Yuri have been declared dead we finally have cleaned up one half of this mob war.”
“I still don’t understand how the baby will clean up the other end of the crime ring.” a woman asks from the other end of the phone
“Oh it’s simple. The baby and daddy have one person in common.” Miss Popov says, “Thallo Green.”
“Mr. Green is the uncle to this unborn baby.” The woman says, “Regardless I can’t exactly help you with your little plan to keep the world at peace.”
“Mother!” Miss Popov whines, “I just need you to make sure the money is taken out of his accounts and put into mine! I’ll be sure to give you your fair share of the money. Can’t you just do that one simple task?”
“Marina,” The woman says, “I am in Ireland with my sister. Your aunt asked me to help her out for a few months since she is up there in her years. Besides, my gift is knowing that I won’t have to deal with your father and his wicked ways anymore.”
“Everyone is wicked on one level or another.” Miss Popov says, “You of all people should know that.”
“We all change.” The woman says
Back in England, in Tudor Close, Mrs. Blanche White rolls the breakfast cart into the Dining Room to see Jet Black, Mr. Boddy, and Madame Rose sitting around the table with somber looks on their faces.
“If I am expected to get anything done around here I expect to have Mr. Ash helping me.” Mrs. White says, “I checked his room but apparently he took it upon himself to stay out late last night. He wouldn’t answer his door this morning.”
“Blanche,” Mr. Boddy stands up
“Where is Sylvia and Scott?” asks Mrs. White looking around the Dining Room, “I single-handedly make breakfast and no one is here to enjoy it.”
“Mrs. White,” Mr. Boddy says trying to quiet the frantic maid
“I mean I understand my cooking might not be the best in the world, but I at least make an effort.” Mrs. White says, “If my skills aren’t appreciated then they should stop dragging me along under the false impression that I am good at my job.”
“Sylvia, Scott, and Mr. Ash are gone.” Mr. Boddy says interrupting her
“Gone?” Mrs. White sets the breakfast plates on the table, “Why on earth would they go out to this early? Church doesn’t even start for another hour, and Mr. Ash isn’t exactly the religious type. I highly doubt he would have taken to attending Reverend Hunter’s lengthy sermons. Scott is hard enough to control when we go to the market to pick out strawberries. Why would Sylvia drag him along to Church. Come to think of it, Sylvia isn’t exactly the religious type either…”
“No Mrs. White,” Mr. Boddy says, “They aren’t with us anymore.”
“Dead?” Mrs. White looks at him confused, “That is a sick joke. We’ve had enough death and murder. I think saying that about them is in poor taste; especially after what happened with Scott over the past month. Being kidnapped by Mrs. Peacock twice only to have her wandering freely around Hampshire because Bradford was a more ‘believable’ kidnapper and man in charge of the operation…”
“They were kidnapped by Azure!” Jet shouts over her
“What?” Mrs. White lets a plate of food slide through her fingers and drop to the floor, “Kidnapped? All of them? By Azure? Oh this can’t be happening again. What kind of leverage will he have with all three of them.”
“Where the hell were you last night?” Jet asks with anger in his voice, “If you’d been doing your bloody job they might not have been kidnapped! No one from the party was allowed to enter the house!”
“I was making sure all the guests were okay after the explosion.” Mrs. White says bending over and picking up the plate and spilled food, “There were bruises, scrapes, and a couple twisted ankles. Most of the guests were packed in the Kitchen while I fetched bandages and ice wrapped in linens.”
“I wonder if Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash’s disappearances are related to Mr. Meadow-Brook’s death” Mr. Boddy turns to Madame Rose
Mrs. White freezes with the plate in her hand, “Miles is dead?” she chokes on her words at the thought of anyone finding out that they buried Mr. Meadow-Brook the night before.
“I held a séance last night,” Madame Rose explains, “I was hoping to communicate with Hugh in order to find out if he might have been able to shed some light as to where Azure may have taken them. Miles Meadow-Brook came through. We assume now that his spirit must be trapped somewhere within Tudor Close.”
“But Miles isn’t dead! He can’t be!” Mrs. White protests, “Who would want to murder Miles?”
“It isn’t completely unbelievable.” Jet says, “He wasn’t the most adored man in town and murder has happened before.”
“I just don’t understand when or why it happened.” Madame Rose says
“I haven’t seen Mr. Meadow-Brook since before the explosion,” Mrs. White says, “No one has… Mrs. Meadow-Brook said he left.”
“Then that doesn’t explain why his spirit was lingering near the mansion if he died somewhere else.” Mr. Boddy says turning to Madame Rose, “Are you certain it was Meadow-Brook? Our ears could have been playing tricks on us.”
“He talked about Jessica,” Jet says, “He told us she’s still alive. Miles was the only one who could have been summoned.”
Mrs. White’s face becomes hot with fear of being found out, “I don’t want to hear any more about this séance nonsense! Miles is alive and well and Jessica died months ago! I think it’s a bunch of hogwash… sheer and utter nonsense.”
“Mrs. White, are you alright?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I just don’t like all this talk about murder! Especially with Sylvia, Scott, and Reggie missing!” Mrs. White says throwing the plate forcefully onto the serving cart.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Madame Rose says
“I need to lie down.” Mrs. White says, “Help yourselves to breakfast. You know how to serve yourselves.”
Mrs. White takes off her apron and throws it onto a Dining Room chair. She exits the room quickly.
“She seems upset.” Jet says
“She’s hiding something,” Madame Rose says, “And I’m going to find out what it is.”
“Aunt Claire,” Mr. Boddy says, “We all know you dislike Mrs. White, but I doubt she’s hiding anything about this. She seemed just as surprised as we did.”
“You didn’t notice what I noticed.” Madame Rose says
“What exactly did you notice?” asks Mr. Boddy
“She was the first one to mention Miles being murdered,” Madame Rose says, “All we told her is that he was dead. She knows something…”
At the Hampshire Train Station, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard wave as the train departs from the loading platform. Smoke wafts through the air as the train disappears into the distance.
“I hope she finds what she’s looking for.” Colonel Mustard says referring to Miss Scarlet
“She won’t,” Mrs. Peacock says, “She’s only doing this to spite me.”
“I thought your relationship with her was a lot stronger.” Colonel Mustard states as they walk arm in arm back to Mrs. Peacock’s blue Rolls Royce.
“My relationship with Cynthia has always been hard to keep under a steady control.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She’s always detested me, thinking that I’m trying to replace her mother.”
“What ever happened with her mother?” asks Colonel Mustard, “I never heard the full story.”
“I’m not exactly proud of what I did,” Mrs. Peacock says, “I basically ruined James and Josephine’s marriage.”
“We all do things we aren’t proud of.” Colonel Mustard says
“Cynthia doesn’t realize this, but James and I started seeing each other while he was still married to her mother.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She never knew for a fact that her father was cheating on her mother, but I think deep down she has always resented me for replacing her.”
“Why didn’t Josephine get custody of Cynthia?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Because she had a mental break down.” Mrs. Peacock says, “She went bizarre and smashed the windows of his car and cut the brakes of my own car.”
“She sounds like a homicidal maniac.” Colonel Mustard says, “Was she locked away for good?”
“Actually she died at the Dark Hill Sanitarium.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I used to go over there and check on her condition.”
“How recently did she die?” asks Colonel Mustard, feeling nervous about the discussion of Dark Hill Sanitarium, the place where his thought-to-be dead wife is imprisoned.
“Several Winters ago.” Mrs. Peacock says
“Back before I moved here.” Colonel Mustard says with assurance
“Yes,” Mrs. Peacock says
There is a moment of silence and relief.
“But regardless to what has happened in the past,” Mrs. Peacock sighs as they open the doors of her car, “I’m ready to move on to a better future.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Colonel Mustard says
“It’s too early to dive into drinking.” Mrs. Peacock says sitting in the driver’s seat as Colonel Mustard takes the passenger seat.
“Then perhaps,” Colonel Mustard says in a mellow voice, “We can celebrate our future together in a different way.”
“Are you suggesting pre-wedding night activities?” Mrs. Peacock feigns shock
“We the wedding date hasn’t been picked yet and my love for you is strong.” Colonel Mustard says
“Then let’s make haste and get home.” Mrs. Peacock eyebrows lower seductively as they both drive off in the direction of Ceil Drive.
In his Cabin at the lake behind Tudor Close, Rusty Naylor walks back and forth with an ice pack on his head.
“You thought you could escape from here,” Rusty says to a frightened Jessica Meadow-Brook who kneels bound tightly to a wooden support beam - her back bent as her head dangles tiredly over the floor.
“I tried to make you feel more comfortable with the chair and the less coarse ropes but you took advantage of my hospitality.” Rusty says
“I just want to go home!” Miss Meadow-Brook moans miserably
“I know, sweetheart,” Rusty says sitting on a wooden chair near her, “Only a few more months to go. Then you will give birth to a beautiful baby and break your mother’s heart once and for all.”
“What are you talking about?” Miss Meadow-Brook asks, “I’m not pregnant.”
“Of course not,” Rusty says, “But you are going to think you are. Cling on to what little sanity you have left. By the time we are done with you, you will be a whole new person.”
“I’ll never fall for whatever scheme you are planning.” Miss Meadow-Brook says
“Oh but you will.” Rusty says picking up a syringe of full of belladonna, “In fact it’s time for another little blackout.”
“No,” Miss Meadow-Brook begs, “Please, don’t do this to me.”
Rusty stabs the girl in the arm and she begins to fade.
“Maybe you’ll be a little more willing to rewrite your life after you wake up.” Rusty says as Jessica’s head drops, “Sleep calmly, Bryce Black.”
Jessica’s arms and legs go limp as she succumbs to the hallucinogen coursing through her veins.
“Poor child,” Rusty says, “It’s a shame that she is the perfect pawn for this game.”
At the Oakwood Residence, in the Garden, Lady Elizabeth Oakwood walks along the stepping stones that lead through her private garden. Butterflies mingle and flutter from flower to flower as she inhales the crisp air of the Spring day. Mr. William Crimson trims the hedges near the Kitchen window.
“The gardeners are coming on Tuesday,” Lady Oakwood says, “You shouldn’t mess with their work.”
“The hedges were blocking the garden view from the Kitchen window.” Mr. Crimson says, “I like to see outside when I work.”
“Is this Mrs. Crabtree’s day off?” asks Lady Oakwood
“She is at church,” Mr. Crimson says, “Though all the prayers in the world won’t save us from the immoral things we’ve done for you. We’ll all be going to hell for what we’ve helped you with.”
“Oh stop it! You treat me like an evil queen from some fairy tale.” Lady Oakwood bites her lip, “I’m not some evil woman out there with an ulterior motive. I’m just protecting what is mine.”
“I apologize,” Mr. Crimson says, “I forgot you murder people with candlesticks, not poisoned apples.”
“Shouldn’t you clean the breakfast dishes before they are damaged from the buildup of food?” Lady Oakwood asks ignoring his insult
“I intend to,” Mr. Crimson says, “I just needed to take care of the damned shrubbery.”
With that Mr. Crimson tosses the hedge clippers angrily into the tool shed. Lady Oakwood walks over to the hedges and picks up a wayward sprig of leaves from the hedges. She lets it fall out of her fingers as the sound of Church bells in the distance are heard.
At the First Catholic Church of Hampshire, Reverend Hunter stands at the doors bidding the congregation goodbye. Mrs. Blanche White walks up the steps of the church.
“Mrs. White,” Reverend Hunter smiles, “I didn’t see you today.”
“I wasn’t able to make it today,” Mrs. White says, “I need to talk with you if you have a few moments though.”
“Of course,” Reverend Hunter says, “I was hoping I could ask for your help during the summer bake sale. Everyone who has tasted your peach scones loves them.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time to talk about baked goods,” Mrs. White says, “I have something of a greater importance to discuss with you.”
Reverend Hunter smiles as the last of the people leave the church.
“Let’s go inside,” Reverend Hunter suggests as he leads Mrs. White into the building.
“Is it true that a priest is not allowed to speak about what is said during confession?” Mrs. White asks
“The conversation between a priest and penitent is strictly private.” Reverend Hunter says, “You have nothing to worry about. I cannot and will not disclose anything you say.”
“Shall we move along to the confession box?” asks Mrs. White
“If that would make you feel more at ease.” Reverend Hunter says motioning for her to head over in that direction.
In Russia, Miss Marina Popov stands at the loading platform of the transcontinental express from Moscow to Paris. She is wearing a seafoam colored sundress and dark sunglasses. She has two suitcases by her side.
“This way, Madame,” a steward takes her hand and helps her step onto the plane, “Shall these suitcases go into the storage cart?”
“No,” Miss Popov says, “They will stay with me in my private room. Room 5.”
“I know you,” the steward says after a moment of silence
“I do take the Transcontinental Express often.” Miss Popov says
“No it isn’t that,” the steward says, “Aren’t you the daughter of Gaspodin Gold?”
“I don’t like talking about my family tree with strangers.” Miss Popov says
“I didn’t wish to be rude,” the steward says, “I just thought that your mother was…”
“Please sir,” Miss Popov interrupts him again, “I said I do not like talking about my family with people who don’t understand everything we’ve been through. I’m tired of people passing judgment on me.”
“I apologize, Miss Popov.” The steward says as she boards the train. The mention of her name startles her. She shrugs off the odd encounter and walks towards her private room.
In the Billiard Room of Tudor Close, Jet Black angrily slams the billiard stick into the cue ball.
“Care for a friendly game?” Mr. Boddy asks as he enters the room
“If Madame Rose is right and Mrs. White is hiding something, maybe we can find the body.” Jet says as the cue ball breaks apart the cluster of colorful snooker balls on the table.
“Jet we don’t know Mrs. White killed Mr. Meadow-Brook.” Mr. Boddy says taking a billiard stick from the wall.
“We can’t just sit around and do nothing!” Jet says lining up his next shot
“Maybe Azure took Mr. Meadow-Brook too,” Mr. Boddy says chalking the end of the billiard stick
“But his spirit…” Jet begins to become overwhelmed and slams the billiard stick on the table, “If he was just kidnapped his spirit wouldn’t have come through.”
“For all we know Prince Azure could have shot Mr. Meadow-Brook for no cooperating or trying to intervene with the kidnapping. We both know Azure would have done worse.”
“What about his home in Africa?” Jet says
“That is the first place to check.” Mr. Boddy says
“Do you know what country he is Prince of?” Jet asks, “Do you even know where to find his castle or palace or whatever it is that he could have taken everyone?”
“No,” Mr. Boddy says, “But I know someone who might be able to help us.”
“Who?” asks Jet with hope in his voice
“Bradford.” Mr. Boddy says
“You think we should visit Bradford in prison?” asks Jet
“Not we,” Mr. Boddy says, “I will go. You are going to stay here.”
“I want to help!” Jet says angrily
“Bradford hates everyone, especially anyone directly tied to Hugh.” Mr. Boddy says, “I’d say I’m the one he hates the least… even after helping confine him beneath the Conservatory several times. What I’m trying to say, if he will give anyone information it will be me.”
“Why did you turn against Bradford so quickly?” asks Jet
“Because I realized that he was lying about you and your family. He made everyone seem so evil and greedy, when it was really his own selfishness and hatred that poisoned his own judgment.” Mr. Boddy says, “Once I realized that I wondered what else he may have lied about.”
At the Peacock Residence, Professor Gregory Plum sits at the piano and relights his pipe. He begins to play a brief medley when Mrs. Myrtle enters the Drawing Room with Dr. Rex Prussian.
“Dr. Prussian is here to see you, Professor.” Mrs. Myrtle announces
“Thank you Melinda.” Professor Plum says dismissing the housekeeper.
“Professor,” Dr. Prussian fully enters the Drawing Room, “I apologize for the unexpected intrusion, but I needed to have a word with you.”
“Oh dear,” Professor Plum says, “I hope it’s nothing about my health.”
“No,” Dr. Prussian says, “I take it the pills have relieved headache pressure?”
“Yes they have worked well.” Professor Plum says
“Well I’m afraid I’m here on a much more urgent matter.” Dr. Prussian says
“Something more urgent than my health?” asks Professor Plum
“Stay away from my wife.” Dr. Prussian says
“A bit melodramatic don’t you think?” asks Professor Plum
“If she wouldn’t have gone to Sylvia Black’s garden party, none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t have needed to go to the hospital.” Dr. Prussian says
“You are blaming me for your wife’s decision to go to the garden party?” Professor Plum says, “I think you are really over thinking this.”
“Professor,” Dr. Prussian says, “This unrequited love you are feeling towards my life will come to a stop. If she loved you she would have left me for you by now. I understand you are trying to start fresh but you being around my wife will only bring back sour memories from your time together in New York.”
“Thank you for your concern Dr. Prussian,” Professor Plum says, “But you are sorely mistaken. I do not, nor have I ever wanted to steal your wife away from you.”
Dr. Prussian walks towards the Drawing Room doorway, “See to it that I don’t find you two sneaking around anymore.”
“Trust me, Rex,” Professor Plum says smugly, “There will be no sneaking in how I spend my free time.”
Mrs. White sits down in the confession box in First Catholic Church of Hampshire. She glances at the rosary hanging from a pin.
“Forgive me father, for I have sinned.” Mrs. White says
“Go ahead my child.” Reverend Hunter says
“I have done so many wrong things in my life and the guilt is eating me alive.” Mrs. White says
“True penance will set you free.” Reverend Hunter says, “Our Lord is very forgiving to those who seek forgiveness with a true heart and conscious.”
“I led my son down a path of crime.” Mrs. White says, “I intervened with Claire Rose’s search for her biological son. I helped cover up my son’s murder even though he turned out to be alive.”
“Oh my,” Reverend Hunter sighs
“And to top it off,” Mrs. White says, “I helped cover up another murder, this one is certainly dead.”
“My dear Blanche,” Reverend Hunter says, “I would first suggest helping your son down the right path in life.”
“That will be a challenge.” Mrs. White says
“Then I would recommend sorting things out with his sham death cover-up.” Reverend Hunter says
“We’ve made peace over it.”
“Wonderful,” Reverend Hunter says, “Then the only thing left to do would be going to the police about this new murder that you assisted in hiding.”
“I can’t do that.” Mrs. White says
“In order to free yourself from the stress and anxiety of a guilty conscious it would be a good idea to come forward with the truth.” Reverend Hunter says
“I can’t do that!” Mrs. White says
“The family members of this victim must be mourning.” Reverend Hunter says, “God may not be forgiving for you allowing them to suffer in sorrow.”
“I will go to jail.” Mrs. White says
“I’m sure that under the circumstances your punishment will be lessened for coming forward with the truth.” Reverend Hunter says
“Thank you for your help,” Mrs. White says, “But I think I’m going to need to sort this out on my own.”
“At the end of the day you will still feel the guilt,” Reverend Hunter says, “I strongly encourage you to confess your sins and your crimes.”
Mrs. White pushes open the curtain to the confessional box and walks towards the front doors of the church.
In his bedroom at the Mustard Home, Colonel Mustard and Mrs. Peacock lay in each other’s arms on his bed. Their clothes scattered on the bearskin rug at the foot of the bed.
“Out of all three husbands I’ve had,” Mrs. Peacock says, “You have to be the most satisfying.”
“I suppose that is meant to boost my ego.” Colonel Mustard chuckles, “Will you be moving in to my home, or will I be moving into yours?”
“I haven’t really given it much thought,” Mrs. Peacock sits up in bed as Colonel Mustard gets up and walks to the wet bar next to the fireplace.
“I think we may have discussed it briefly, but I had an idea.”
“Do tell.” Mrs. Peacock says as Colonel Mustard fixes two drinks
“Well my grandfather left my father with his hunting lodge in Blackwell Heights.” Colonel Mustard hands her a glass of champagne, “After my father’s death he left the lodge to me. I’ve been paying caretakers to keep it up and running. Sadly only five people have stayed there in the past three years.”
“Do you want to fix it up and run it together?” Mrs. Peacock asks
“Is that something you want?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Well with my adoptive parent’s inheritance going all to my brother, and seeing how he has been generous enough to give me a small pension, I think it’s the perfect start to our marriage.” Mrs. Peacock smiles
“This town brings nothing but bad memories. The only positive thing is meeting you.” Colonel Mustard says
“You act as though we’ve never met before.” Mrs. Peacock says, “I remember meeting you at a dinner party years ago at Hugh Black’s back when I was Penelope Scarlet.”
“I do remember that.” Colonel Mustard says, “But you see, I don’t go after married women.”
“Well rumor has it that I am going to be a married woman quite soon!” Mrs. Peacock laughs
At the Port Wells Penitentiary, Bradford Black is brought to the visitation room.
“What could a backstabbing, ungrateful bastard such as you possibly want?” asks Bradford Black upon seeing Mr. Boddy
“Let me catch you up on everything you missed out on,” Mr. Boddy sits down across from Bradford, “Prince Azure and his advisor broke in only for his advisor to be murdered, your psychic daughter contacted the spirit of Miles Meadow-Brook who is apparently dead, Prince Azure put a bomb in the garden and tried to kill a lot of important people in Hampshire, and he kidnapped Scott, Sylvia, and Mr. Ash and took them God-knows-where.”
“Good for him,” Bradford says, “Now he gets everything he has wanted a new son, a new wife, and…” Bradford’s voice turns sarcastic, “Oh my! Look that, he replaced his dead advisor with a new a butler. It must be his lucky year!”
“Bradford,” Mr. Boddy says, “I’m not going to begin to understand why you hate this family so much but I need you understand one important thing.”
“What is that?” asks Bradford
“I hate them too.” Mr. Boddy says
“Oh really?” Bradford rolls his eyes
“They are just too damn perfect. Happy, smiling, living off of the life that we deserved…” Mr. Boddy clenches his teeth, “Moving on past murder. Taking everything we built up for so long for granted! I despise them all.”
“So you do understand why I hate them so much.” Bradford says, “You should have learned by now, there are two types of people in this family. The bottom feeders and the ones who had the rug yanked out from under them. We are the latter.”
“I want to watch them burn.” Mr. Boddy says, “I want to watch them fall apart and suffer the way we had to. I want them to work to get to the top.”
“Then answer two questions,” Bradford says, “Why did you turn against me and why do you want to help get them back from Azure.”
“I can answer both questions with one answer,” Mr. Boddy says, “In order for me to watch them fall; I have to be on their good sides.”
“How do you plan on watching them fall?” asks Bradford
“It starts with me being the hero.” Mr. Boddy says, “Saving them from Azure for the final time. Killing Azure in the process… then I get Sylvia to fall in love with me.”
“How does that make the family fall and burn?” Bradford says
“Once I am the man of the house I will obviously be able to dip my paws into their money.”
“Maybe you aren’t completely useless after all.” Bradford says
“We’ll send those boys off to boarding school like Sylvia suggested.” Mr. Boddy says, “Only this time they aren’t exactly going to boarding school. I will arrange for it that Scott is returned to your care so that you can raise a true Black.”
“What about the other one… Jet.” Bradford says
“Jet isn’t a Black.” Mr. Boddy says, “He is the result of an affair between Thallo Green and Sylvia. Jet will die quick and painlessly. Then you can raise Scott the same way you raised me.”
“And if I do a good enough job raising him, maybe he will be as smart as you are to come up with this fool proof plan.” Bradford says
“I’m flattered that you feel proud of me,” Mr. Boddy says, “But in order to get anywhere, we need to find out where Azure has taken them.”
“Get me out of this hell hole,” Bradford says, “And I’ll tell you where he took them.”
In the Study of the Mustard Home, Colonel Mustard is typing on his typewriter. Mrs. Peacock comes downstairs and enters the room.
“Would you like to have lunch at my home?” asks Mrs. Peacock
“That sounds lovely.” Colonel Mustard says, “I just want to finish this chapter of my memoir.”
“I’ll let Ms. Myrtle know you are staying for lunch.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Come over when you are ready.”
“It’ll only be a moment.” Colonel Mustard smiles.
Mrs. Peacock pats him on the back and exits the house through the front door. As soon as she leaves the telephone begins to ring on his desk.
“Algernon Mustard speaking,” he answers
“This is Dr. Olive from Dark Hill Sanitarium,” he responds, “I’m afraid I have some urgent news about your wife.”
Colonel Mustard watches Mrs. Peacock walk away from his house and towards her own.
“Go on?” Colonel Mustard urges
“She and another patient tried to escape.” Dr. Olive says
“They were both caught and confined?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Yes,” Dr. Olive says, “I need you to come here and sign some paperwork so that we can proceed to move her to a more secure mental institution.”
“She needs to stay in Mayfield.” Colonel Mustard says
“That is highly unadvised.” Dr. Olive says
“I am her husband,” Colonel Mustard says, “I will decide what is best for her. Will the other patient be relocating?”
“The other patient is being supervised by Inspector Brown.” Dr. Olive says
“Why would Inspector Brown be supervising a mental patient.” Colonel Mustard asks
“Because that mental patient is Sergeant Gray.” Dr. Olive says
“Thank you for letting me know about this.” Colonel Mustard hangs up the phone and angrily pounds his fists against the desk in front of him, “Blast it all to hell.”