Get a Clue: Part 8-The Death Toll Mounts
Back at Boddy Manor, the survivors were afraid. And each one had a reason to be frightened. Hadn't Grim promised that more would die? Who would be next?
The trouble was, they were all bound by secrets. And though each plotted ways to extricate themselves from the bargain they'd made with each other, no one knew how to leave without bringing more danger upon themselves. But was there really safety in numbers? So far, that didn't seem to be the case.
_____
Blanche's health was fading fast. She took to her bed. She'd never be able to convince anyone that she hadn't killed her last employer. The police had cleared her of suspicion, but what if someone from the village had followed her? No one there believed her story.
Michael started drinking. Had he hit Plum too hard? Was it his fault the guy had died? It was Bleak's Ridge all over again. The anger. The fight ... and another man lying dead at his feet. His past was always there.
John had better things to do besides question his soul. He had to cover his tracks. He deleted his secret "business" files and cleaned up any evidence he might have left behind. He'd gotten too lax, too sure of himself.
But just his luck, Patricia came crying to him. She was losing it, all right. He'd been afraid of that. She was suppose to be distracting Butler so John could do what needed to be done. But John knew she'd fallen for the old guy.
Patricia: I can't do this anymore! I don't understand what's happening! These murders! Oh, John, tell me you're not behind these deaths!
John: Of course not! I may be a thief and a blackmailer, Patricia, but I'm no murderer! Get a grip, woman. You and I are in this together, remember? We'll be out of here as soon as the roads are clear. The storm's already over.
But Patricia didn't trust John. Yes, she'd been greedy, but now it all seemed so pointless. And if Butler found out what she was really like, that would be the end of that!
Patricia: I'll do what I need to do to survive--like I always have. I just never thought it would come to murder.
Boddy overheard Patricia as she spoke out loud to herself. What had the woman meant? Was she his killer? Was she even capable of killing? Maybe she had a partner. Hmm, Patricia and Butler had gotten very cozy lately.
_____
But as Patricia walked back into the conservatory, she was overwhelmed by a dark cloud of sand! It whirled around her, choking and paralyzing.
She screamed for help!
But in seconds, her body was being ripped apart ...
... she was decaying, losing herself in sand and rotting rags!
Boddy rushed in at the sound of Patricia's cries, but he was too late. She was nothing more than a pile of ash. Death had already come for her!
The others soon arrived, the scene all too familiar now.
Patricia, once a living woman, was now only a shade.
Butler was crushed! He had failed Patricia! He'd failed everyone. Instead of trying to cover up the mascot's death, he should have worked more diligently to find the murderer. Four deaths and two disappearances! What had he done? His Patricia was gone!
More room was made for Patricia's grave. Four mourned, but one person was absent from the burial.
That one person was John. After Patricia's death, he'd approached Grim as if they were old friends.
John: All right, Grim. We had a deal. I've delivered souls for you to Reap. I know you said you needed five, but it's not my fault the gypsy brought Boddy back from the grave!
John: I'll help arrange for one more soul, then I'm outta here. Tonight! ... So it's time you keep your end of our bargain. I want what's coming to me!
Death: Our agreement is near its end, mortal. Prepare to depart this evening.
_____
Over at Charlie's place, a worried Josephine talks to Charlie. They'd watched the cam recording and seen Peter's death in the den, but they didn't know what had happened after that. The Inspector had already taken a copy of the video and Charlie's and Josephine's statements to law enforcement. An investigation was underway.
Joshephine: Charlie, I want to go back to the manor. I want to talk to Michael and Butler. I'm scared for them. I think they're in danger. And I don't want them worrying about me either.
Charlie: I'll take you back, Josey, but we have to tell the Inspector. If your friends are innocent, he'll help. If they aren't--well, he'll be able to tell. He's smart that way. I've learned a lot from him since he became my guardian.
So a plan was formed. Contact would be made with Butler Didit. A trusted insider could facilitate the take-down. Charlie hoped it would all soon be over!
Back at Boddy Manor, the survivors were afraid. And each one had a reason to be frightened. Hadn't Grim promised that more would die? Who would be next?
The trouble was, they were all bound by secrets. And though each plotted ways to extricate themselves from the bargain they'd made with each other, no one knew how to leave without bringing more danger upon themselves. But was there really safety in numbers? So far, that didn't seem to be the case.
_____
Blanche's health was fading fast. She took to her bed. She'd never be able to convince anyone that she hadn't killed her last employer. The police had cleared her of suspicion, but what if someone from the village had followed her? No one there believed her story.
Patricia: I can't do this anymore! I don't understand what's happening! These murders! Oh, John, tell me you're not behind these deaths!
John: Of course not! I may be a thief and a blackmailer, Patricia, but I'm no murderer! Get a grip, woman. You and I are in this together, remember? We'll be out of here as soon as the roads are clear. The storm's already over.
Patricia: I'll do what I need to do to survive--like I always have. I just never thought it would come to murder.
But as Patricia walked back into the conservatory, she was overwhelmed by a dark cloud of sand! It whirled around her, choking and paralyzing.
John: All right, Grim. We had a deal. I've delivered souls for you to Reap. I know you said you needed five, but it's not my fault the gypsy brought Boddy back from the grave!
Death: Our agreement is near its end, mortal. Prepare to depart this evening.
Over at Charlie's place, a worried Josephine talks to Charlie. They'd watched the cam recording and seen Peter's death in the den, but they didn't know what had happened after that. The Inspector had already taken a copy of the video and Charlie's and Josephine's statements to law enforcement. An investigation was underway.
Joshephine: Charlie, I want to go back to the manor. I want to talk to Michael and Butler. I'm scared for them. I think they're in danger. And I don't want them worrying about me either.
Charlie: I'll take you back, Josey, but we have to tell the Inspector. If your friends are innocent, he'll help. If they aren't--well, he'll be able to tell. He's smart that way. I've learned a lot from him since he became my guardian.
