A Murder in the Family Part 4

While Elizabeth was out riding with Davina, David sat in the study going through old family photo albums looking for other photos of the mysterious man. Mrs Wainwright seemed to be keeping out of his way. It was obvious she knew more than she was saying but David thought he’d wait and tackle her at a later date. After about half an hour there was a knock on the door and an older man pops his head around it.

The Man: “Morning son.”

David looks up to see his father, Thomas Reardon standing there. There’s was an uneasy relationship. After being close when David was a child, things had become strained when David went off to college. Both men seemed to want the other to be an important part of their lives but neither really knew how to communicate with the other and so long periods of time went by where they had no contact at all, and things often seemed strained.

David approaches his father and for a few silent seconds they both feel awkward not knowing whether to hug each other or not. Thomas breaks the silence and opens up his arms to hug is son. David moves closer and hugs his father.

Thomas: “It’s good to see you son. What are you up to?”

David motions to the photo albums: “I’m just looking at some family photos.”

Thomas sighs: “It’s hard to believe the old man has gone. He always seemed so strong and I thought he’d outlive all of us.”

David gives a knowing smile as he remembers his grandfather.

Thomas smiles as he looks at one of the photos: “Remember this?”

David nods as he looks at the photo of when he was a small child sat on his father’s shoulders both of them laughing.

Thomas suddenly feels saddened: “We were so close then. What happened I wonder?”

David feels uncomfortable with the conversation and shrugs: “I don’t know Dad. I don’t know.”

Thomas reaches out to his son: “You know if you just let me in your life a little.”

David becomes frustrated: “So it’s my fault? You know you blaming me is part of the problem Dad.”

Thomas tries to calm his son down: “David please I didn’t mean it’s all your fault. I know I’m just as much to blame. I just mean, I hear you’ve bought a fiancée for the weekend. I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone!”

David pulls a face and feels awkward, “Erm, yeah I see. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything it’s just very early days with Elizabeth. We don’t even know what we are yet and people keep calling her my fiancée. I just asked her to come for some support. You know things aren’t always easy in this family.”

Thomas laughs: "You can say that again!”

At that moment Arthur enters looking a little sheepish: “Tom can I have a word with you... in private?”

David closes up the photo albums: “Don’t mind me, I was just leaving.”

David moves to the door and pulls it behind him, but doesn’t close it properly. Curious as to what his father and Arthur have to discuss he listens at the doorway.

Mrs Wainwright is in the hallway and quickly rushes up the stairs so he doesn’t have the opportunity to speak to her. David turns his attentions to the conversation going on in the study.

Arthur is nervous: “Tom, I was just wondering if you’d given any thought to that business proposition I put to you?”

Thomas shakes his head: “I don’t know Art, it’s a lot of money. I don’t really think it’s for me.”

Arthur uncharacteristically raises his voice and sounds a little desperate: “Oh come on Tom. You know it’s a good deal. When the old man’s Will is read the money isn’t going to be a problem for you either.”

Thomas feels frustrated by the pressure his son in law has been putting on him: “I didn't say the money was a problem, just that’s it’s a lot and I’m not sure it’s something I want to get into!”

Arthur snaps: “You mean it’s not something you want to get into with me? I know you’ve never really liked me. Davina has told me plenty of times, you don’t think I’m good enough for her!”

Thomas is puzzled: “Come on Art, I don’t know what Davina’s been saying but I’ve never had a problem with you. If the truth be known it’s Davina that I don’t think is good enough for you! Look son if it’s the money that you need then I’d rather give you a loan than get into some kind of business deal.”

Arthur is a little angry: “Thanks but no thanks, I don’t want charity from anyone!”

Thomas is surprised by Arthur’s reaction: “Come on Art it’s not charity. It’s just family helping family!”

Arthur snaps as he storms out the room: “Well, whatever it is I don’t want it!”

David rushes over to the front door and steps outside so as not to let Arthur see he was listening in. He smiles as Elizabeth and Davina approach.

Davina remarks: “You ride very well Lizzie for someone who hasn’t ridden in years.”

Elizabeth: “Well I used to ride all the time when I was growing up. I think I’m going to be pretty stiff in the morning though.”

Davina: “Well I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you Lizzie.”

As they approach the front entrance David calls out: “Have you had a good ride.”

Davina replies: “Excellent! It’s been very informative.”

Davina watches David and Elizabeth and is surprised they don’t greet each other with a kiss: “It’s okay for you two to kiss. You don’t have to be shy just because I’m around.

Elizabeth feels embarrassed as David slowly leans forward and kisses her on the check.

Davina raises an eyebrow of surprise at how restrained they are: “Well I’m off to get changed. I’ll see you later Lizzie.”

After she’s gone, Elizabeth breathes sigh of relief: “I feel like I’ve been interrogated by the KGB. She had so many questions about our relationship and I was evasive as I could be but that only seemed to make her worse."

David laughs: “Well that’s my sister for you!”

Elizabeth isn’t amused: “It’s not funny David. I really didn’t like being in the situation of having to lie to her and her expecting you to kiss me, it’s all very awkward and embarrassing."

David laughs again: “Stop taking it so seriously, it’s just like an acting exercise!”

Elizabeth corrects him: “But I’m a writer not an actor so it doesn’t feel comfortable for me.”

David smirks: “You should have told her we are having hot sex, that would have shut her up!”

Elizabeth gives him a look of disgust. "You may find that funny but I don’t."

David becomes more serious: “Come on Elizabeth, It’s only for a couple of days and then you’ll never see these people again.”

Elizabeth takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out: “I suppose so.... Were you ever close to your sister?”

David contemplates the question for a few seconds before answering: “Yeah, I guess we were close as kids and would play make believe together. I guess that’s when I first became interested in acting. Davina would always want to be a princess and I...”

Elizabeth interrupts: “Don’t tell me you were always the handsome prince?”

David shakes his head laughing: “No not exactly. Davina always wanted me to be her servant! She had delusions of grandeur and self importance even back then.”

They both laugh and at that moment the door opens and Stacey leaves the house. She sees David and rushes over to him.

Stacey: "Oh David there you are, Davina said you were out here. I really need your help.”

As she continues talking she places a finger on Davis’ chest and lightly moves her finger across his chest and down to his arms: “I have a job that only a big strong man can help me with.”

David squirms with embarrassment: “Well, erm, I think it’ll have to be later as Elizabeth needs my help with something.”

After the embarrassment Elizabeth had been feeling earlier in the day she is rather enjoying seeing David squirm: “Oh no David you go along and help Stacey. I’m sure I can manage on my own.”

Stacey claps her hands with excitement and rushes inside the house: "Come along then it’s in my bedroom.”

David glares at Elizabeth and whispers to her: “What are you doing?”

Elizabeth laughs: “Why not think of it as an acting exercise!”

Stacey comes back outside and takes David by the hand and leads him into the house: “Come on then!”

As he goes David looks back at Elizabeth with a false smile on his face.

Elizabeth laughs to herself as she stands admiring the view across the open fields that belong to the property. After a few minutes she heads back into the house. As she opens the door she sees an agitated Beatrice on the phone.

Beatrice: “You know I’m good for the money, I always have been in the past haven’t I? You also know that my father has just died and this is a very difficult time for me and my family. Besides when the will is read, I should be a very wealthy woman again.”

Elizabeth hesitates in the doorway not wanting to disturb Beatrice but she soon realises that her hesitation could be seen as though she was listening in to the conversation. In dilemma as to whether to go back outside or whether to go up the stairs to her room, Elizabeth eventually decides upon the latter. She makes her ways to the stairs as quietly as she can but Beatrice has spotted her and throws her a stern look. As Elizabeth gets to the top of the stairs she feels relieved but then a voice from the bottom of the stairs calls to her.

Beatrice snaps: “Elizabeth can I have a word with you please?”

Elizabeth’s heart sinks as she turns and makes her way down the stairs until she is standing in front of Beatrice.

Elizabeth tries to sound as positive as she can: “May I help you?”

Beatrice fixes her with a stern look: “Why were you listening in on my conversation?”

Elizabeth feels embarrassed as is just about to speak when Beatrice interrupts: “Don’t even try and deny it I saw you hovering by the front door listening!”

Elizabeth becomes annoyed and snaps back: “For you information I was actually trying to avoid listening in to your conversation. So when I saw you on the phone I wasn’t sure what to do. My only mistake was hesitation, which I apologise for but I certainly wasn’t trying to eavesdrop and resent the accusation!”

A sly smile crossed Beatrice’s face: “I see you’re pretty gutsy!”

Elizabeth shows her annoyance: “It’s been said many times in the past, so yes I guess I am. All I know is I refuse to be blamed for someone else's bad mood."

At that moment Mrs Wainwright comes down the stairs and Beatrice ushers Elizabeth into the study. Thomas is still in there going through the family photos that David had been looking at previously.

Thomas smiles: “Hello Elizabeth, nice to see you again. I had no idea that you and David we’re romantically involved?”

Elizabeth gives a weak smile: “Hello Mr Reardon, nice to see you again too.”

Thomas: “Oh please call me Tom, everybody does.”

Beatrice snaps: “Thomas, if you wouldn’t mind Elizabeth and I have something we’d like to discuss in private."

Thomas jokes: “Okay, I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll just clear these things away."

Upstairs David is sat on Stacey’s bed with his eyes closed and feeling uncomfortable: “How much longer is this going to take?"

Stacey exuberantly announces: “Okay you can open them now!”

David opens his eyes and is shocked to find Stacey standing there only wearing red lacy underwear. At first he is lost for words and unsure what to do.

Stacey is unaware of his discomfort and embarrassment: “Well what do you think?”

David feels flustered: “Erm... well...”

He sees a dressing gown on the bed and quickly picks it up and wraps it around Stacey: “I think you should cover up. It isn’t appropriate for me to be seeing you dressed like that, you’re my....”

Stacey becomes annoyed and interrupts: “If you use the G word then I’ll have to slap you! I’m not your Grandmother!”

David stumbles a little over his words: “No... erm. No you’re not... but you are my grandfather’s wife so it’s not appropriate for his grandson to see you dressed like this.”

Stacey gives David a look of disdain: “I didn’t realise you were such a prude and gave a damn about what other people think of you! I gave up caring about what people thought about me a long time ago!”

David shakes his head: “It hasn’t got anything to do with being a prude but I don’t want to see my grandmother, step grandmother or grandfather’s wife, whatever you are, in her underwear. For goodness sake the man has just died don’t you have any respect?”

Stacey bursts into tears: “I know he’s dead and that’s why I feel so all alone. He was my soul mate and now I have no one. I’ve never had someone I care about die on me before. I don’t know how I’m supposed to be feeling or how I’m supposed to be acting. All I do know is that in this house whatever I do is wrong! Can I have a hug please?”

Stacey starts sobbing even more and even though David feels the tears are fake, he doesn’t like to see a woman cry, particularly if he feels responsible for the tears so reluctantly wraps his arms around Stacey to comfort her.

Stacey immediately stops crying and holds on to him tightly, too tightly for David’s liking: “Thank you David. You don’t know what it means to feel secure in someone’s manly arms again.”

He quickly pulls away and makes an excuse to leave the room.

Back in the study Beatrice is losing patience with how long Thomas is taking to clear away the photos and mutters under her breath.

Thomas smiles at Elizabeth as he leaves the room: “There that’s all done now. I’ll make myself scarce so you ladies can have your little chat.”

After he’s gone Beatrice turns to face Elizabeth with a stern look on her face: “Look Elizabeth I’ll get straight to the point. I don’t know what is going on with you and David but I’m very suspicious of your so called relationship and I don’t like you!”

Elizabeth snaps back: “With all due respect you’ve only met me briefly and only once, this morning over breakfast, was I with David.”

Beatrice snorts: “I know David and you’re not his type. David is like the rest of the men in this family, they are all weak. You’re a strong woman. Now some of our weak men go for strong women but that’s not what David goes for. He prefers them pretty but with no brains! No one that can show him up for being weak!”

Elizabeth smirks: “Well maybe opposites attract, particularly when the sex is hot!”

Beatrice is startled by the statement and Elizabeth feels her face blush a deep red colour. She wouldn't normally make such a statement but somehow after her conversation with David earlier, it just came out.

Beatrice looks Elizabeth up and down from her head to her toes and back again: “Well, Well, Well! I like your backbone. In different circumstances you and I may have been friends but twice now I‘ve caught you snooping and I don’t like it. Are you here to snoop on me, is that it?”

Elizabeth laughs: “I’ve never heard something so ridiculous and so paranoid. What exactly is it that you have to hide or that you think people might be so interested in anyway?”

Beatrice ignores the question, fearing she is fighting a losing battle: “Well, all I have to say is I don’t trust you and would appreciate it if you stay out of my way for the remainder of your stay here.”

Elizabeth agrees: “Well that’s absolutely fine by me!”

With that Beatrice leaves the room leaving Elizabeth shaking her head in despair. Elizabeth takes a few minutes to gather her composure then notices that there is a strange figure out in the garden taking a large canister from a car into the house through a side door. The person is too far away for her to see him properly but she is convinced it’s a man. Elizabeth moves closer to the window to try to get a better look. She holds on to the side of the fireplace as she pushes herself closer to the window. Suddenly there is a strange dragging noise as though a door was being slid open. As Elizabeth turns round, she sees a panel in the wall has opened, revealing a hidden passage way behind it. Cautiously she moves closer and steps into the passage way to take a closer a look. As she stands there the panel quickly slides back into place. Elizabeth stands in total darkness and becomes alarmed as she has no idea how to get out. She begins to feel trapped and starts to panic, banging on the wall and shouting: “HELP, can somebody please help me?”

To be continued.....