A Murder In The Family Part 8

Elizabeth Sherwood stands nervously watching as the door to Beatrice’s bedroom slowly begins to open. She quickly looks for somewhere to hide and spots there is space under the bed and quickly gets down on her knees and crawls under the bed taking the letter with her. Elizabeth feels like her heart is in her mouth as she notices that she hasn’t closed the draws to the dressing table. She then sees the legs of the person who has entered the room and realises it’s a woman from the high heels they are wearing.

The person lets out a deep sigh as they sit themselves down on the bed and Elizabeth realises its Beatrice. Elizabeth feels like she’s going to sneeze and desperately tries to stop herself. As Beatrice looks at herself in the mirror she notices the draws to her dressing table are open and her financial paper work is actually on the table rather than in the draw. She mutters to herself, angrily: “What’s been going on here?”

She gets up from the bed and approaches the dressing table, picking up her financial paperwork, she cast a quick glance over the paperwork, puts it into the draw, angrily slams it shut and wonders aloud to herself: “I bet it was Stacey, as she’s the one that told the group about my money worries. I knew she’d been snooping. More than likely she’s the murder and is looking for ways to try and pin it on someone else.”

Elizabeth watches and listens to Beatrice. She is relieved that the desire to sneeze has passed.

Beatrice slams another draw on the dressing table with such force that one of the lipsticks on the table falls on to the floor and rolls under the bed. Beatrice snaps: "Damn Her!”

Elizabeth stares at the lipstick, in horror, as it rolls closer to her. Beatrice bends down to look under the bed and screams when she is startled to see another person under there. The scream in turn startles Elizabeth who moves her head too quickly and hits it against the base of the bed, causing her to cry out in pain: "Ouch!”

Beatrice snaps: “Who is that? Come out at once I tell you!”

Elizabeth slowly manoeuvres herself out from under the bed, rubbing her head as she stands up.

Beatrice glares at her: “What on earth are you doing under my bed?”

Elizabeth swallows hard and greets Beatrice with a fake cheery smile as she tries to play down the reason why she was under the bed: “Oh I just dropped something and went to retrieve it!”

Beatrice fixes her with a stare of disbelief: “Yes, but what were you doing in my room in the first place?”

Elizabeth hesitates at first wondering what to say. When she does speak she stutters nervously: “Well, I erm, well it’s... a little embarrassing really. I was...erm... Well I was waiting for you.”

Beatrice is curious: “Waiting for me for what reason?”

Elizabeth smiles flirtingly, remembering how flirting got rid of Beatrice the last time she didn’t want her around and hopes it’ll work again this time. She softens her voice: “Well I thought after our last encounter in the study, where you rushed off so quickly that we should talk. Maybe get to know each other better.”

Beatrice is taken aback and looks at Elizabeth for a long moment before reply: “Elizabeth, are you flirting with me?”

Elizabeth’s face reddens a little with embarrassment as she softens her voice lower: “Well... I er...just thought it would be nice to get to know the real Beatrice”.

Beatrice slowly walks closer to Elizabeth, stopping so their bodies are virtually touching. She then leans in and almost whispers in Elizabeth’s ear: “How well do you want to get to know me dear?”

This time Elizabeth is the one feeling uncomfortable as Beatrice is standing too close to her for comfort.

Beatrice takes Elizabeth’s hand and pulls her gently: “Come dear, come sit with me on the bed.”

Slowly the two sit down next to each other on the bed and Elizabeth wonders how much further she can take this.

Beatrice slowly caresses Elizabeth’s hand: “When you started to flirt with me in the study, I thought I’d misinterpreted your actions after all you are here with my nephew David, so I didn’t think you could have any interest in me. Well not like that anyway. I thought it was all just wishful thinking on my part but now you’re here in my room like this, I’m beginning to think I wasn’t mistaken at all. Was I?”

Elizabeth gives a weak smile in an attempt to hide the panic she is feeling. Hoping the ground would open her up and swallow her she feels she has little choice but to play along: “Well, this is all a little new to me, but I sensed there was something between us.”

A wide smile crosses Beatrice face: “I think there is something there too.”

For a long moment there is silence as the two women sit next to each other on the bed. Beatrice looks deeply into Elizabeth’s eyes and slowly moves her head closer in order to kiss her.

Elizabeth’s eyes widen and instinctively she pulls away and stands up: “I’m sorry I can’t.”

Beatrice softens her voice apologetically and reaches out her hand towards Elizabeth: "It’s okay dear, I’m sorry. I understand it’s your first time and maybe I was taking things a little too quickly. Please come back and sit by me. I promise to take things slower.”

Elizabeth hesitates for a second looking at Beatrice’s outstretched hand and then shakes her head: “No, I’m sorry I can’t do this. It was a mistake.”

Elizabeth rushes towards the door feeling relieved to have a reason to leave. However she is stopped in her tracks by Beatrice’s harsh voice “WAIT!”

Elizabeth turns to find Beatrice glaring at her: “I wasn’t born yesterday you know. I know you aren’t really interested in me but thought I’d play along with your little game just to see how far you were willing to take it. You never know I might have gotten lucky!”

Elizabeth sighs: “I’m sorry.”

Beatrice snaps: “But if all of this you wanted to get me to know me better malarkey was just an act then my original question still stands. What are you doing in my room?”

Elizabeth nods her head slowly realising that the truth is her only option: “Okay, Okay I’ll tell you. I heard you mention that you had a letter to prove you didn’t kill your father and I was intrigued and wanted to see it for myself.”

Beatrice is still puzzled: “But why? Worried that your precious David might have something to hide after all?”

Elizabeth shakes her head: “No. It’s just that David has a letter too. It’s exactly like yours saying that David is the only one in the family his grandfather could trust!”

Beatrice is confused: “Why would David have the same letter that I have? That doesn’t make any sense!”

Elizabeth nods: “Exactly, something is very wrong here. If your father trusted both of you why would he pretend that there was no one else he could trust?”

Beatrice shakes her head slowly: “What? Do you think my Father was lying in this letter?”

Elizabeth shrugs: “I don’t know, but one thing is for sure he wasn’t totally honest in the letter. If you and David each got a letter then who else in the family might he have written to?”

Beatrice taps her fingers against her mouth: “Hmmm, it’s almost as though my father wanted to turn us against each other and have each of us think one of the other’s murdered him.”

Elizabeth agrees: “It certainly does doesn’t it? But the question is why?”

Beatrice shakes her head: “No if my Father knew he was going to die and wanted to set up one of the family as the murder, then the question is, is he really even dead?”

Elizabeth is surprised: “Wait a minute you think this was some kind of set up to test you all?”

Beatrice shrugs: “Maybe!”

For a moment there is silence as the two women try to digest the information. Then the silent void is filled by a woman screaming hysterically.

Elizabeth and Beatrice exchange concerned looks as they then rush towards the door and the stairs where the noise is coming from. They are both shocked to see Mrs Wainwright struggling against two police officers who are escorting her towards the front door. She is yelling: “I didn’t do it, I tell you it wasn’t me.”

Another Police officer is carrying the large canister Elizabeth had seen earlier and is trying to calm the situation down: “No one is saying you did but we’ve found this poison and we just want ask you some more questions at the station. It would be far better on yourself if you came along quietly.”

Elizabeth and Beatrice rush down the stairs and get there just as the Police are leaving. One of the officers explains to Thomas that it’s all routine and they’ll be in touch. David, Davina, Arthur and Stacey stand watching the events as Mrs Wainwright is taken away.

Thomas calls after her: “I’ll arrange for a lawyer to meet you at the station. Don’t worry, it’ll all be okay.".

Mrs Wainwright looks back at Thomas and gives a weak nervous smile. He immediately moves over to the phone to contact the family lawyer.

David greets Elizabeth and Beatrice at the bottom of the stairs: “They found a container of the poison that was used to kill Grandfather, in the kitchen so they've taken Mrs Wainwright away for further questioning.”

Elizabeth shakes her head: “It doesn’t make any sense. If Mrs Wainwright was poisoning your Grandfather then why would she leave the poison just lying around in the kitchen for anyone to find?”

Davina interrupts: “No one said that a murder has to be intelligent. Maybe she didn’t think everything through thoroughly!”

Elizabeth snaps: “Maybe she just didn’t do it in the first place! I saw someone carrying a canister like that into the house earlier!”

Davina raises her eyebrows: “Well Lizzie, if she didn’t do it, do you know who did?”

Elizabeth doesn’t have an answer so falls silent, however Beatrice comes to her defence: “She’s right Davina, there’s more going on than meets the eye. Did you get a letter from my Father, worried for his life and telling you that you’re the only one he can trust?”

Davina is taken back by the question and hesitates before answering.

Beatrice becomes impatient: “Come on it’s a simple question. I had one and so has David. I just want to know if you had one too?”

David is surprised that Beatrice is aware of his letter and looks questioningly at Elizabeth.

Thomas has finished on the phone and overhears the question: “Well I had one too!”

Everyone turns to look at him and Davina finally answers the question: “Yes I got one as well.”

Thomas is confused: “But why would we all get the same letter saying we are the only ones Father could trust?”

Stacey is indignant: “Well I didn’t get one!”

Everyone turns to look at Stacey and Beatrice voices their thoughts: “Are you really surprised after what you put him through?”

Davina quips: “Well maybe the person without a letter is actually the killer?”

Stacey protests: “Oh so it’s me now is it? You thought it was Mrs Wainwright a few minutes ago.”

Davina smiles: “Well that was before I found out you didn’t get a letter and everyone else did. You certainly had as much motive as anyone. If the police were still here I think you’d be the one that they were taking away for further questioning. In fact Arthur I think you should call them right now to tell them what we’ve found out.”

Arthur feels awkward and Stacey pleads with him: “Art you’re not going to listen to her are you?”

Davina snaps her orders again: “Arthur I want to you to phone the police right now!”

Arthur looks at his wife and then at Stacey. At first he hesitates he then clears his throat and snaps: “NO!”

Davina is taken aback: “I beg your pardon?”

Everyone is surprised and watches Arthur: “I said No Davina, we have no evidence to suspect Stacey apart from some stupid letter. Well I didn’t get a letter either so I’m not going to make life difficult for anyone when I’m in the same situation.”

Davina fixes him with a stern glare: “Don’t be ridiculous, you were included on my letter. Stacey is the only one who didn’t get one and I want you to phone the police now.”

Arthur shakes his head: “Well I said I’m not going to do it. I’m sick of your orders and it’s time I stood up for myself.”

Davina mocks him: “Oh have you suddenly grown a back bone? Or was your affair with Stacey more than just sex?”

Arthur raises an eyebrow and Davina laughs: “Oh please don’t tell me you’re in love with her?”

Stacey moves closer to Arthur and looks at him questioningly: “Is that true? Are you in love with me?”

Arthur looks around at the faces watching him and feels uncomfortable: “Well it’s something we can talk about can’t we?”

Stacey smiles excitedly at him: “Yes I’d like that!”

Davina scowls at them and snaps: “Well Arthur I think you and I have something to discuss first. I want a divorce! I’ve met someone else and I’m having his baby. Everything between you and I is over!”

There is a muttering of surprise from the assembled group as Davina announces her pregnancy.

Beatrice: “Well that’ll explain why you keep experiencing nausea then!”

Davina ignores her Aunt and speaks directly to Arthur: “May I speak to you privately in the dining room?”

Arthur nods and jokes: “Do you want to say please?”

Davina scowls and walks ahead of him into the dining room.

Arthur mutters to himself and then follows her: “I guess that was too much to ask for!”

For a moment the others stand watching as the door to the dining room is closed. Thomas breaks the silence: “Well I don’t know about anyone else but I could use a stiff drink!”

Mutters of approval sound throughout the group. Thomas leads the way into the lounge with Beatrice and Stacey following. Elizabeth holds back placing her hand on David’s arm to indicate for him to hold back too.

Thomas asks: “So Bea, what’s all this about the letters?”

Beatrice shrugs as they disappear into the lounge: “I wish I knew.”

After they have gone Elizabeth leads David into the study and shuts the door.

David looks at her questioningly: “I was surprised you’ve told Beatrice about the letter.

Elizabeth sighs: “It’s a long story but basically I found out she had a letter too so told her about yours. I find it very strange that your Grandfather would send out four identical letters don’t you?”

David is silent for a moment and then changes the subject: “I bet you’re also wondering about that rubbish Beatrice said about me?”

Elizabeth is surprised by the statement but shakes her head: “Actually I wasn’t thinking about that at all!”

David gives a weak smile: “But I feel I owe you an explanation!”

Elizabeth laughs: “David I certainly don’t think that whatever it is has anything to do with your grandfather’s death, so you really don’t owe me anything.”

David nods his head: “I know, but I really want to tell you. I don’t want to have any secrets.

Elizabeth raises her eyebrow: “Okay!”

David takes a deep breath: “A couple of years ago I was teaching at a local private school. One of the girls there took quite a shine to me. I didn’t think anything of it at first and thought it would burn itself out but it didn’t. It felt like every time I turned around she was there watching me, making up any excuse to spend time with me. She was always pretending she needed extra help with things. By the time it got out of hand I wasn’t sure what to do about it. Then one day after class I was helping her with something and she kissed me. As soon as I realised what was happening I pulled away. She wasn’t happy, but I thought the rejection might stop things going any further but again I was wrong.”

Elizabeth is curious: “What happened?”

David sighs: “Well, she went to the Principal and claimed I had sex with her. Actually that I’d forced her to have sex with me. She was under age so there was going to be an investigation and they were going to call in the police. “

Elizabeth is sympathetic: “Oh David.”

David smiles: “Tell me about it. Nothing had happened but I was worried that no one was going to believe me. Dad mentioned it to grandfather and he took care of it. I had no idea he’d done anything until suddenly the girl withdrew her accusation. She then changed schools pretty quickly. I guess that was part of the deal. I finished the semester and left the school and they were happy to sweep it all under the carpet. A large donation from Grandfather helped there too”

Elizabeth questions: “So he paid off her family and the school?”

David nods: “I guess so but I never asked any details. I wasn’t happy with what my family had done. I wasn’t happy that it was covered up. Although I was scared I didn’t want it sorted like that. I was going to face it and fight it properly so that hopefully my name would be cleared. I guess the way it was dealt with meant that even some of my own family doubted my innocence.”

Elizabeth places her hand on David’s and squeezes it reassuringly: “I’m sorry all that happened but as I said it doesn’t have anything to do with what we’re doing here.”

David feels relieved: “Thanks.....”

Elizabeth interrupts: “Wait I’ve just had a thought. In the passage way there was a page with signatures on it. I need to see it again. I have a theory!”

David is surprised: “Wow, I spill my guts to you and you change the subject!”

Elizabeth is apologetic: “I’m sorry David, I didn’t mean to belittle your story it’s just this is important. Listen I’m going back into the passage way. I want you to stay here. When I bang on the wall I want you to let me out, okay?”

David nods: “Sure.”

Elizabeth grabs the torch and lets herself into the passage way. The wall closes behind her so Elizabeth turns on the torch and quickly looks around the passage way. She locates the box and rushes over to it and picks up the page that contained all the signatures. Elizabeth studies it and mutters to herself: “I knew it! They’re not the same. Someone was practising Gerald’s signature. They must have been trying to forge it!”

At that moment Elizabeth hears footsteps coming towards her up the stairs. She quickly stands in the corner and switches off the light. Her heart starts to pound as the footsteps get nearer and nearer. As they reach the top a light flashes in her eyes.

Elizabeth gasps surprised by the blinding light which stops her seeing the face of the person who is holding the light.

The person moves closer, holding the light directly into Elizabeth’s eyes. Suddenly her body freezes with terror as she feels something cold and metallic against her head and a man’s voice breaks the silence: “Make one sound and I’ll pull the trigger...”

To be continued....