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Kevin was the first to react. With a gasp, he leapt to his feet and hesitantly approached Zeke’s prone body. “He’s dead!”
“You’re a terrible actor,” Yvette said bluntly.
Kevin’s head swung around. With a hurt expression on his face, he said, “That’s not nice.”
“I wasn’t talking about you,” Yvette said irritably.
Dennis slowly clapped his hands. “Bravo,” he said sarcastically. “You can get up now, you big ham.”
Zeke sat up with a chuckle. “Always a critic, aren’t you, Dennis?” He gripped the back of his chair as he painfully brought himself to his feet. Using the chair for support, he folded his arms across its back and leaned forward as he addressed the table. “For those of you who have never played the game, and for those of you who have, but have forgotten, let’s go over some basics, shall we? One person sitting at this table, designated by yours truly, will play the killer. The killer will receive a packet under their door sometime tomorrow morning, which will contain their backstory and their motivation. A few of you will be suspects. Suspects will also receive a packet containing information about the character they’re to play along with what they should and should not say when interviewed by the rest of the players. The rest of you will be amateur sleuths. Sleuths will be given a brief outline of the plot. Once the game begins, you are free to go anywhere and talk to anyone you choose. The climax of our little game will take place two days from now. If you figure out whodunit before then...” He paused to point to an intercom on the wall. “You can go to one of these intercoms and make an announcement to the whole house that you want everyone to gather in the library, and then we’ll have a good old fashion denouncement. Once everyone appears...” He paused with a grin before adding, “At least everyone who is still alive, you’ll present your case, but remember, you must include means, motive, and opportunity in your presentation. If you have all three correct, I will appear and declare you the winner. If you don’t, the game will continue until Saturday night just before midnight.”
“What happens if no one has figured it out before then?” Arden asked.
“The killer wins,” he said. “But no one wants that so pay attention to the clues. I’ll be the first victim of course. Since I know who the guilty party is,” he said looking at each person in turn, “then it’s not really sporting of me to play.”
“Not unless you play the killer,” Yvette pointed out. “You could do that.”
“There will be other victims of course,” he said with a sharp glance towards Yvette. “Be aware that, while you’re hunting the killer, the killer is hunting you. I’ve given the killer a lot of free rein on this one. If he or she thinks you’re getting too close to catching him or her, you might end up being one of their victims, so watch out.”
“What happens if we’re a victim?” Arden asked.
“Then it’s game over for you, I’m afraid. You will be asked to leave the mansion, but don’t worry. A lovely cottage is about a mile from here where you can enjoy the rest of your vacation. There’s a pool and plenty of room, or if you would rather, I’ll be happy to set you up with a hotel room in town. The only thing I ask is that you not contact any of the participants of the game or interfere in any way. Once the game is over, you may return to the mansion. Now, of course, I can’t say when that will be. It could occur in as little as three hours...” he said throwing a pointed look toward Kevin. “...or at the end of a very long weekend.” He smiled affectionately at Savannah. “If you happen to be The Executioner this time, please try not to eliminate every person playing the game.”
Savannah chuckled. “They shouldn’t make it so easy then.”
“Now, children, there is only one other rule to be aware of. There will be no improvising. There is only one murderer, so don’t get any bright ideas and try to change the script, Kevin,” he said pointedly.
Kevin sank in his seat. “Oh, come on, it only happened that one time. I said I was sorry.”
Zeke pulled out his chair and sat down. “Now all we have to do is wait.”
“For what?” Paige asked.
He lifted an eyebrow up. “For me to die.”
Dennis’ brow furrowed. “That’s it?” He looked around at the other confused faces around the table. “You still haven’t told us the plot. Are we thieves, spies, police officers... Is the story set in the 30s, 40s, 50s, or what?”
“Be patient,” Zeke said.
“Can’t you give us a hint?” Savannah asked.
“No, it’s all part of the mystery.”
Walter raised his hand. “Hey, I’ve got a mystery story for you.” He waited until he had captured everyone’s attention before beginning. With a small grin, he said, “It’s about brotherly love, jealousy, anger and betrayal.”
“I think you should leave the writing to us,” Zeke said bluntly.
“When does the game start?” Yvette asked.
“I told you, tomorrow.”
Yvette sighed. “But what time?”
Zeke groaned. “Oh, for pity’s sakes, Yvette, what do you want from me? An exact time? Fine. Eight o’clock sharp. That’s when it begins. Happy?”
Yvette sat back with a satisfied look on her face. “Thrilled. Well, now that’s out of the way,” she said with a smile, “we have an announcement.”
“Oh goody,” Zeke said leaning back against his chair and crossing his arms, “I’m sure everyone’s been waiting for the official announcement for weeks now.”
Ignoring Zeke, Yvette looked at Dennis expectantly who smiled back at her. “Do you want to tell them?”
“No, you tell them,” Dennis responded.
“But it was your idea,” Yvette said.
Zeke rolled his eyes. “Oh, would you two just spit it out. I’m sure everyone’s already heard the rumors, by now.”
“I haven’t heard any rumors.” Savannah looked expectantly at Dennis and Yvette. “Well, don’t keep us in suspense. What’s the big surprise?”
Yvette took Dennis’ hand. “Dennis and I wrote a Sutton & Grimes story and submitted it to the network. They loved it!”
Arden refrained from clapping, choosing instead to watch everyone’s expressions. Only Savannah seemed surprised by the announcement. Everyone else looked expectantly at Savannah, watching her reaction carefully.
Savannah smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations, you two! Are you all recreating the show?”
Yvette shook her head. “No, the network wants a reunion movie, but there’s just one catch.” She looked hopefully at Savannah then Kevin, almost as an afterthought. “You both would have to be involved, of course.”
“So, that’s why you wanted to throw this little party,” Savannah said with a smile. “I had a feeling it wasn’t just to get the old gang back together.”
Kevin, his eyes bright with excitement, turned in his seat to face Yvette. “When would we start filming?”
“Well, we have to get everyone’s okay.” Yvette glanced over at Savannah.
Savannah held up her glass. “As long as I don’t have to play someone’s mother, I’m in.”
“Me too,” Kevin said his head bobbing up and down.
“Well, count me in too,” Walter said boisterously to Dennis’ annoyance.
Kevin suddenly gasped and his face went pale. “Oh wait,” he said in a horrified whisper. “Didn’t my character die in that TV movie you all did after the show ended?”
“That was a great movie,” Reese said with a smirk.
Moaning, Zeke pinched the bridge of his nose. “It was garbage.”
Yvette’s eyes flashed angrily. “I thought it was our best work, actually.”
“You would,” Zeke said.
“Well,” Dennis said ignoring his brother, “we decided it would be best to go back to our roots and just pretend the TV movie didn’t happen.”
Zeke lifted up his glass of water. “Much like the fans.”
Dennis exchanged a glance with Yvette. “We’ve decided to pick up where we left off twenty-five years ago. The only difference is that instead of a summer hiatus we’re going to fast forward twenty-five years. The network loved the script we pitched to them!”
Yvette slipped her hand out from underneath Dennis’ hand. She turned her attention to Savannah and in a pleading voice said, “We can’t do it without you, Savannah.”
Every eye turned towards Savannah then, their faces hopeful and anxious.
Savannah glanced at Zeke. “Are you involved in the show?”
“Zeke,” Yvette began before Zeke could answer, “has sold us his rights to the show and...”
“Not yet, I haven’t,” Zeke said, cutting her off.
Yvette’s face turned purple. She shifted her gaze to Walter, then back to Zeke. “You indicated...”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t,” Zeke said quickly. “I’m just pointing out that I haven’t actually done it yet.”
“Zeke, why don’t you want to be involved?” Savannah asked.
“I’m retired, sweetheart.” Using his empty glass, Zeke gestured to his brother and sister-in-law. “This movie is Dennis and Yvette’s baby.”
Kevin reached across the table and took Savannah’s hand. “What do you say, Savannah?”
Savannah glanced towards Kevin then, her gaze softening as the eager expression on his face. “Oh, okay. Why not?”
Cheers erupted from the table, followed by excited chatter, interrupted only by Savannah raising her hands. “I have some conditions. First of all, I want to see the script. If...”
“You already have,” Zeke said scooting his chair back and standing up.
Savannah’s brow furrowed. “When did I...”
Yvette tapped her knife against her glass interrupting Savannah. “I think this warrants a toast.” She held up her glass. “To the best...”
A loud jarring boom of thunder interrupted her and everyone looked up as the chandelier swayed above them.
Carrying his empty glass, Zeke walked to the buffet table.
Arden couldn’t help but noticing how his brother followed his every move, even going as far as pushing his chair back a few inches as Zeke neared the table where a bottle of wine sat.
Zeke must have noticed too. He glanced over his shoulder. Then he made a show of picking up the water bottle at the end of the table and pouring himself a drink of water, which he showed to his brother.
Yvette lifted her glass again to resume her toast.
“No, please, let me make the toast.” Zeke said jumping in before she could open her mouth again. “To Sutton & Grimes and all the nasty, jealous, malicious backstabbing vipers lurking in the shadows around them...” His grin widened. “May you figure out the clues before the executioner comes for you.
He laughed at their shocked expressions. He was still laughing as he exited the room.
Yvette and Walter exchanged a glance. “I knew he was going to cause trouble,” she said before calmly taking a sip of wine.
