Embedded Files
The phone at the school of the arts rings and is answered by Gertrude Berg the ditzy old woman who runs the school office.
Mrs Berg: “School of the arts, Mrs Berg speaking, how may I help you?”
Elizabeth: “Mrs Berg it’s Elizabeth Sherwood here....”
Mrs Berg excitedly interrupts: “Oh Miss Sherwood, how lovely to hear from you. I'm so looking forward to your new book. I keep looking in all the book stores for you latest novel, is it finished yet?”
Elizabeth sighs: “No Mrs Berg, not yet! Listen Mrs Berg I want you to give Lydia a message. Tell her something has come up and I can’t make lunch.”
Elizabeth can hear the old woman making strange noises to herself as she make a note of the message and becomes concerned: “Is everything okay Mrs Berg?”
Mrs Berg sounds a little flustered: “Why Miss Sherwood, yes. It’s just that I'm afraid Miss Grant isn't going to be happy to hear she’s been stood up.”
Elizabeth quips: “Tell her I have a good reason.”
Mrs Berg sounds relieved: “Oh Miss Sherwood, why didn't you say so? If you have a good reason then I'm sure that will be fine.” After a brief pause the old woman continues: “Do you want me to tell Miss Grant what your good reason is?”
Elizabeth becomes frustrated: “No Mrs Berg!”
Elizabeth realises that she’s beginning to shout so pauses for a moment calm herself and then continues: “If you can just tell Miss Grant the message? That will be all for today.”
Mrs Berg: “Yes dear, of course I can. You know you can always count on me.”
Elizabeth rubs her head in despair, knowing how unreliable Mrs Berg can be: “We’ll Mrs Berg it’s been lovely chatting but I'm in a dreadful hurry so I really must go. Bye.”
Mrs Berg: “Okay dear and don’t forget I want a signed copy of your book the moment it’s published.”
As Elizabeth hangs up the phone she looks across at the blank piece of paper sitting in her typewriter. There was no chance of her book even being started let alone finished, well not this weekend anyway. After a strange visit from old friend David Reardon, Elizabeth had reluctantly and against her better judgement agreed to pay a visit to David’s family home with him. David had some nonsense notion in his head that his Grandfather had been murdered by a member of his own family, after receiving a mysterious note from his Grandfather, written on the day he had died. Elizabeth was convinced it was the mindless ramblings of an old man but when put on the spot by David she had agreed to help him. When she agreed she hadn't realised that David had wanted to go away the very next day, so was now frantically packing some clothes ready for the trip. She had no idea what to expect from the trip or what clothes she may need. In the end she decided to air on the side of caution and pack for every occasion, which resulted in two very full suitcases.
As she finished packing the phone rang and Elizabeth rushes to answer it.
Lydia Grant spoke, without waiting for Elizabeth to even say Hello, with a sharp tone to her voice: “What is all this about you cancelling our lunch date? What is this mysterious good reason you have? Have you finished your book?!”
Elizabeth laughs imagining the conversation that must have occurred between Mrs Berg and Lydia: “Hello Lydia, I see you got my message.”
Lydia snaps pretending her feelings are hurt by being stood up: “So what’s the big mystery?”
Elizabeth answers coyly: “Well if you must know I’m going away for the weekend with David Reardon!”
Lydia is surprised and intrigued: “What? You haven’t seen him in years and now you’re suddenly going away for the weekend with him. What’s going on?”
Elizabeth tries to explain: “I wish I knew, David has this strange idea that one of his family has murdered his Grandfather. He doesn’t feel he has enough evidence to go to the police, can’t afford a private investigator and having read my last book thinks I can help him solve the mystery. He somehow managed to make me feel guilty enough to agree to help him.”
Lydia laughs out loud: “My goodness Elizabeth if nothing else maybe you’ll get a story idea for your book!”
Elizabeth agrees: “Well that thought had occurred to me too and to be honest was the only reason I said yes.”
Lydia starts to hum a tune.
Elizabeth is puzzled: “What are you doing?”
Lydia quips: “Don’t you recognise it? It’s the theme tune to Murder She Wrote!”
Elizabeth is not amused: “Well that’s enough of that. Thank you!”
Lydia laughs again: “Well your weekend certainly sounds far more interesting than the one I've got planned working out the staging for the next show.”
Elizabeth sighs: “I don’t know I just hope I don’t get involved in some ridiculous family argument.”
Lydia teases: “Well give David his dues. I struggled to even get an hour of your precious time and he walks in and gets a whole weekend. Remind me to ask him how he did it the next time I see him. Anyway I have to go, I have a class to teach. I can’t wait to hear what happens so call me as soon as you get back. Bye.”
Elizabeth agrees: “Okay, I’ll speak to you soon, Bye”
Later that day Elizabeth and David are en route to the Reardon family home by taxi, which had picked them up at the airport.
Elizabeth asks: “So you haven’t told me how your Grandfather died?”
David shrugs: “They don’t know yet. He was found at the bottom of the main staircase but there were no visible signs of death like a knife or a gunshot wound so we are waiting for the autopsy report, which should take about a week.”
Elizabeth questions: "Do you think he could have just fallen, or had a heart attack or something?
David Shrugs: "I really hope it's something so straight forward!
The taxi turns in to the grounds of a very large, old, white building typical of the style of buildings in the south.
Elizabeth takes a good look at her surroundings: “Well the house is gorgeous, very impressive and certainly highlights that your family has money but are you really sure someone tried to murder your grandfather?”
David becomes a little alarmed by the conversation: “Sssh! keep your voice down won’t you!”
Elizabeth is surprised: “David, apart from us there’s only the taxi driver here.”
David snaps: “Exactly, and walls have ears!”
Elizabeth shakes her head: “You think the taxi driver may have killed your Grandfather? Why? Because he didn't tip enough?!”
David shrugs: “I don’t know who killed him, so I think we should treat everyone as a suspect!”
Elizabeth sighs: “David, let’s be realistic about this. If your grandfather had an issue with the taxi company, wouldn't he just switch companies?”
David agrees: “Maybe you’re right and maybe I'm being over cautious but I just think we should be careful.”
As they get out of the taxi, David pulls out some cash to pay the driver. Elizabeth snatches an extra $10 out of David’s hand and gives it to the driver.
Elizabeth sarcastically quips: “Maybe we should tip more than usual, just to be on the safe side. We don’t want to make any enemies do we?”
David pulls a face at her.
Elizabeth smirks: “Well, I'm just trying to be careful like you asked!”
As the taxi pulls away David rings the front door bell to the house and they wait for it to be answered. After a couple of moments the door is opened by a smartly dressed, grey haired women who looks to be in her 60’s. Her face lights up at the sight of David.
David smiles and gives the woman a hug: “Mrs Wainwright, how are you?”
Mrs Wainwright: “Oh Master David it’s so very good to see you. I’m sorry it’s in such terrible circumstances. Your Grandfather was a good man and I shall miss him greatly...”
Her voice trails off as she starts to get emotional. She quickly dries her tears with a handkerchief.
Mrs Wainwright is apologetic: “Oh excuse me sir, I'm just being a silly old woman. What must your friend think of me, I'm so sorry Miss...”
Elizabeth smiles: “Sherwood, but please call me Elizabeth and there’s no need to apologise."
Mrs Wainwright smiles back: “Thank you Miss Elizabeth, may I take your bags.”
Elizabeth feels uncomfortable allowing an older woman to carry her bags: “No, no Mrs Wainwright David will carry them, won’t you?”
David picks up the two cases and quips: “You’d never know we were only staying for the weekend, by the amount you've packed. What have you got in here anyway?”
Elizabeth pulls a face: “Well maybe if I’d been given more notice of this trip and some advice on what kind of things I might need then I wouldn't have packed so much would I?”
Mrs Wainwright interjects: “Now, now you two we don’t want any lover’s tiffs, not when you've just arrived. Come in and I’ll show you to your room.”
Elizabeth is puzzled by Mrs Wainwright’s “lovers tiff comment” and looks at David questioningly. David just shrugs as they follow the housekeeper up the large marble staircase to the bedrooms. Elizabeth looks around the hallway to see if there are any visible signs of what may have killed David’s grandfather, but everything has been spotlessly cleaned. At the top of the stairs Mrs Wainwright opens the door to one of the rooms and proudly shows it off.
Mrs Wainwright: “There you Master David, when you said you were coming I got your old room ready for you. So I hope you’ll both be very comfortable in here. If you need anything you only have to ask. I’ll leave you two to settle in.”
David smiles: “Thanks Mrs Wainwright.”
Elizabeth looks around the room and feels concerned: “David are we sharing a room? And why does the housekeeper think we are a couple?”
David grimaces: “Well, erm, I guess I sort of told her you were my fiancée".
Elizabeth snaps: "WHAT?!”
David continues: “I'm sorry, I couldn't think of any other way to explain why you were here. I didn't realise she put us in the same room.”
Elizabeth protests: “David, I'm not comfortable with lying. It’s one thing I'm here to spy on these people but it’s another to be pretending we are in a relationship. I don’t like it and I'm not sharing a bed or even a room with you! I'm sorry that wasn't part of the deal.”
David sighs: “Well, I can’t go and ask for separate rooms now, can I? That would certainly look very strange and we don’t want to arouse any suspicion. I tell you what I’ll give you as much privacy in the room as you like. I’ll stay up late and keep out of the room and when I’m here I’ll sleep on the floor. I know it’s not ideal but it’s only for a couple of nights. Come on, what do you say?”
Elizabeth isn't pleased but reluctantly agrees to David’s suggestions.
Later that evening as David and Elizabeth finish their supper, Mrs Wainwright begins to clear away the dishes.
Elizabeth: “Mmmm, that was delicious Mrs Wainwright.”
Mrs Wainwright smiles: “Thank you Miss, can I get you anything else?”
Elizabeth shakes her head: “Oh no thank you that was more than enough for me."
David asks: “Would you like another glass of wine or something stronger?”
Elizabeth thinks for a moment: “Oh, I think wine please. I don’t want a hangover tomorrow."
David pours more wine for Elizabeth and a glass of whisky for himself.
Elizabeth asks: “I thought I’d be meeting the rest of your family tonight?”
Mrs Wainwright interrupts: “Miss Davina and Mr Arthur aren't arriving until tomorrow.”
David adds: “That’s my sister and her husband. What about Dad, Mrs Wainwright, when’s he arriving?”
Mrs Wainwright: “Mr Thomas wasn't sure, he hopes to be here tomorrow evening.”
Elizabeth is puzzled: “Doesn't your aunt live here?”
David nods: “Yes Aunt Bea lives here. Where is she Mrs Wainwright?”
Mrs Wainwright hesitates before answering: “Erm, Miss Beatrice is always out for the whole day on Fridays, I'm not sure what she does but she will be back later tonight.”
Elizabeth yawns: “Oh please excuse me, I guess I'm tired from the journey. I think I’ll call it a night as it looks like I’ll meet everyone else tomorrow.”
Mrs Wainwright leaves the room and Elizabeth finishes her glass of wine.
Elizabeth: “David, do you mind if I go up to bed?”
David shakes his head: “No of course not. I’ll sit down here for awhile and read so you can have some privacy.”
Elizabeth smiles: “Thank you. Goodnight then.”
David: “Goodnight.”
As Elizabeth makes her way into the hallway she stands at the bottom of the marble stairs wondering exactly where they found the body of David’s grandfather and what actually happened to him. The natural explanation was that he slipped and fell on the stairs and hit his head. Elizabeth shrugs her shoulders and wearily makes her way up the elaborate staircase. The lights in the corridor at the top of the stairs are off and she fumbles in the dark looking for a light switch. Suddenly there is a noise and Elizabeth sees the shadow of a person moving along the corridor.
Elizabeth nervously calls out: “Who’s there?”
Her words are met by an eerie silence and Elizabeth calls again: “Mrs Wainwright is that you?”
Still there is no reply and the figure quickly moves into one of the bedrooms. Elizabeth’s eyes have adjusted to the darkness slightly and intrigued she quickly follows the figure into the bedroom. However, once she is inside there is no sign of anyone else. Elizabeth finds a light and turns it on and discovers the room is empty.
For a moment Elizabeth ponders the thought that maybe she’d imagined the whole thing. She was after all in an unfamiliar old house, it was dark, she was tired and had a couple of glasses of wine. Turning to leave Elizabeth spots something on the floor and as she bends to pick it up she realises it is a letter containing a photograph. As Elizabeth stands back up she notices the date of the letter is from 40 years ago but the photo looks modern. She places the letter and photo into her pocket and turns to leave.
Suddenly she feels something heavy strike the back of her neck. Then everything goes black as she falls unconscious to the floor.
To Be Continued.....
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