Get a Clue: Part 9-Time's Up
Colonel Michael Mustard's courage was failing him. He had pegged the corrupt doctor as an enemy, but Michael had never meant to be his executioner. Was that what had happened? At his age, was the Colonel still unable to control his temper? He couldn't have hit the man that hard. Something else was going on here.
Michael walked over to the garden fountain to get his head straight. As he watched the water in the fountain, he noticed time slowing down, his body freezing in place. It was a warm Spring day, but Michael knew his own personal Winter had come.
The rest of the household found Michael's body where he'd fallen stone cold dead.
No one knew what had caused his death. And they were all afraid to touch him.
The Reaper would soon appear.
Grim lost no time before he began his mocking eulogy.
The voice of Death rose in command, tearing the Colonel's spirit away from his useless body.
Michael's ghost was seen but briefly. Then he disappeared with the Reaper.
But Boddy noticed that John's mourning didn't seem genuine, less than usual even. John was distracted, furtive.
John jumped in terror as Boddy snuck up behind him and bellowed. Oh yes, John's mind was very much elsewhere.
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And where John's thoughts were centered was back in the den. He had run off from the others, locking the room's door behind him. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He'd soon be away from this madhouse.
Punching two small grooves on the pedestal of the Egyptian sculpture, John quickly released a hidden chest that slid out from the base of the stand.
This is where he'd stashed his stolen treasure and the blackmail he'd collected. It was his now. All his. There was no one left to bribe or share his loot. Just as he'd planned from the beginning.
John collected everything in the chest and sealed the pedestal back up. Nobody would ever know what had been secreted away in there. More fools them!
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But Boddy had his suspicions. John was up to no good, Boddy was sure! When John left the den, Boddy entered and tried to check the computer. He found nothing. Little did he know that a certain Tattle Bear camera had already recorded passwords and document names. Those erased files would be recovered by experts.
But it would be a race across back roads and waterways for both law enforcement and criminal. The storm had left streets flooded and main thoroughfares blocked.
John rushed to the lake's shore where he kept his jet ski concealed among the rushes and shrubs.
He had one more business meeting to conduct with a master forger. Maybe Death would get his fifth soul after all! Why leave this last witness?
Then John would confront Death himself. Grim owed him something ... and John was eager to collect!
_____
Meanwhile, Charlie had brought Josephine back to the manor to talk to Butler. Josey was heartbroken when she heard about Michael's death. The faithful Butler was determined to make things right. Boddy had warned the others about John, but a search had revealed that Green had already fled!
Butler informed Inspector Gray of this latest news, and Gray in turn told Butler about the blackmail files and the hidden loot. Law Enforcement had learned that John Green was to meet a man that night in the cemetery to buy a counterfeit passport. But now they'd need to hurry to intercept Green!
Butler: There's a faster way, Inspector. An old tunnel below the manor leads straight to that graveyard. It was used in the past as an escape route in times of trouble. We just need to find out if the passage is clear or if it's flooded.
Gray: Ah hah! That must be the tunnel Charlie was talking about. He found it damp, but passable late last night. How fortuitous! I do believe we have a chance! Lead the way, Mr Didit! We have a criminal to catch!
Colonel Michael Mustard's courage was failing him. He had pegged the corrupt doctor as an enemy, but Michael had never meant to be his executioner. Was that what had happened? At his age, was the Colonel still unable to control his temper? He couldn't have hit the man that hard. Something else was going on here.
Michael walked over to the garden fountain to get his head straight. As he watched the water in the fountain, he noticed time slowing down, his body freezing in place. It was a warm Spring day, but Michael knew his own personal Winter had come.
And where John's thoughts were centered was back in the den. He had run off from the others, locking the room's door behind him. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He'd soon be away from this madhouse.
But Boddy had his suspicions. John was up to no good, Boddy was sure! When John left the den, Boddy entered and tried to check the computer. He found nothing. Little did he know that a certain Tattle Bear camera had already recorded passwords and document names. Those erased files would be recovered by experts.
Meanwhile, Charlie had brought Josephine back to the manor to talk to Butler. Josey was heartbroken when she heard about Michael's death. The faithful Butler was determined to make things right. Boddy had warned the others about John, but a search had revealed that Green had already fled!
Butler: There's a faster way, Inspector. An old tunnel below the manor leads straight to that graveyard. It was used in the past as an escape route in times of trouble. We just need to find out if the passage is clear or if it's flooded.
