AN: Well happy 4th of July to all you Americans! I was gonna write this tomorrow because today is my sister's birthday, but we celebrated early so I have extra time today. I am sorry if there's any grammar/spelling issues, when I translate most of my writing from French sometimes I miss a few things and my word program sucks. Obviously I made up all the crimes, they are in no way canon but are necessary for the story. xoxo
Chapter 3: Secrets Never Stay Buried
A silver haired man in a tuxedo introduced himself as Giles, the Butler. He had been hired to cook, clean, and cater to every need of all the guests. He told them he wasn't sure who had hired him, but assured them that their host would dine with them tonight. There were a few questioning glances, but everyone seemed to accept the idea with little resistance. Giles served them baked salmon with a fresh salad and roasted potatoes, before returning to the kitchen
"Do you think this is some part of a game? Our host wants us to find them? Or they're trying to see who will lose it first?"
Rick smiled as he looked at all the already nervous faces around him. If their host wanted to play a game, he'd be the last one standing.
"Or maybe it's really a murder mystery game and we have to find out who killed them!"
Esposito looked over at Ryan and raised his eyebrows
"Hey! Why are you looking at me? I'm not the one who reached for a gun the second I heard an voice"
Esposito shrugged and looked at Jenny
"You know what they say about new parents. Much more likely to kill"
Martha laughed and got up from her seat.
"Does anyone want some wine? I'm gonna need if I want to survive with all of you for weeks"
Martha winked at them, and wandered into the kitchen to find out where the wine was stored.
Giles returned with dessert, apple pies and fresh fruit. Just as he placed it on the table, Martha returned with a bottle of red wine in one hand and a bottle of white wine in the other.
"I don't think even I could drink all the wine in this house, I guess I have to share"
Martha joked as she began to pour the wine.
"Sorry, can I have white? I don't really like red wine, it doesn't mix well with my pills."
Meredith held out her glass to Martha, who muttered something that sounded a lot like "spoiled brat" but Meredith didn't seem to hear.
Just as Martha finished and sat down, the electronic voice started speaking, giving everyone a scare.
"Did you enjoy dinner? I hope you did, because now It's time to sit back and chat. You do know why you're all here, right? Or maybe you've forgotten, I might as well remind you all."
Everyone looked at each other, trying to remember any big events that would get them invited to this party.
"We all make mistakes, don't we? But sometimes you have to pay for those mistakes. Meredith, what ever happened to that man you hit after your huge movie premiere party? His poor widow and child, all alone in the world now..."
Meredith went white and opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Martha, are you always in a hurry? Like when you let that young women be crushed to death by a light because you were too busy learning lines? And you didn't even give a good performance..."
Martha dropped her wine glass, her hand shaking
"That-that was an accident... so long ago, I didn't meant for it to happen-"
"Lanie, you sure love socializing and enjoying life to the fullest, I wonder how you'd feel if you were imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit. Like that man who lived his last years in a small cell, all alone, because of you..."
"But- I just followed the evidence, I didn't know-"
Lanie could barely speak, tears already forming in her eyes.
"I wonder how hard it is to make up evidence... Oh wait, I can just ask Kate. Did you feel guilty, or did you just think about how good you'd look?"
Kate felt the breath go out of her, no one knew about that.
"She was guilty, I just helped the DA put her away. I'm not a criminal-"
"Speaking of criminals, how does it feel to let one go and watch innocent people die Esposito? Was it difficult talking to their families, knowing you were the reason their loved one died?"
Esposito threw his wine glass at the wall, trying to take deep breaths.
"Rick, you know what it's like to abandon people and things. You've been divorced twice, you're always leaving people to do whatever you want, it's almost sad. But not as sad as your friend you left in the forest as a child. They never found the body, did they? How tragic..."
Rick stood up and hit his fist on the table
"I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE-"
"I suggest you sit down before someone gets hurt. Now where were we? Oh yes, Ryan. Did you ever visit the man you shot and paralyzed, or are you too much of a coward?"
"I didn't mean- I-I-I- um"
Ryan stuttered as he tried to explain himself
"Speaking of cowards, do you ever regret hurting that girl Alexis? You want to be the perfect child, but did you ever tell your parent about that girl who committed suicide at your school? The one you teased and refused to help?
Alexis burst into tears and ran out the room, leaving everyone silent.
"Well, who's left? Jenny, do you still drive while distracted? Or did hitting and killing that mother of three give you a wake up call?"
Jenny froze and looked around at everyone
"I just wanted to call Ryan and tell him Sarah Grace was sick-"
"So many excuses, no wonder you all got away with what you did. Now Victoria, the stern but fair boss. Well, fair most of the time anyways. Did you get the case of the man you fired because you were having a day, and he went home and killed his wife and children, then himself? Or did you justfile it away and continue on like everything was normal?"
For the first time anyone could remember, Victoria was speechless.
"Now that all your secrets are out in the open, I'm sure you'll all be much more relaxed. Doesn't it feel good to let it off your chest? But that's enough of such a depressing subject. I'll see you all in the morning. If you don't die of course. Good night!"
The whole room went quiet, no one knowing just what to say.
"I don't know what kind of sick joke this is, but I'm going to sleep. Goodnight everyone."
Meredith broke the silence as she got up from the table. She gulped down her wine, and picked up her purse before stopping.
She looked confused for a moment, then her eyes went wide.
"What's the problem Meredith? Cat got your tongue?"
Castle made a feeble attempt at a joke, but no one laughed. Meredith shook her head and started pointing at her throat, getting more frantic.
"Guys, I think she really is choking."
Lanie got up and rushed over to Meredith ust as she collapsed.
"Someone go call an ambulance, I can't find her pulse!"
Lanie began CPR, while Rick pulled out his phone and started dialing.
"Um, Lanie? There's no reception her, I can't call-"
"THEN GO FIND ANOTHER PHONE, I'M TRYING TO SAVE A LIFE HERE"
Lanie screamed, starting to push harder on Meredith's chest. Rick jumped and ran out the room.
After a minute Lanie stopped, and Kate ran over.
"Is she gonna be okay? Can I help-"
Lanie shook her head, and stood up
"She's gone. There's nothing we can do now Kate"
Just then, Rick ran back into the room, breathless.
"The phones... they, they don't work...You can save her, right?"
Rick stopped when he aw Meredith lying on the ground, not breathing.
"Rick, Rick I'm so sorry, Lanie tried to do something, but she's gone."
Kate reached out to put her hand over Rick's, but he flinched and stepped back
"This is just a cruel joke, Meredith will wake up any second and laugh and tell me I'm such a idiot-"
Kate could only watch Rick fall apart, unable to do anything.
"I hate to ask this, but how did she die?"
Ryan said as he slowly approached the body.
"Well it looked like she choked to death, but there had to be something that would close up her throat for that to happen. Something was put in her drink that killed her, but I can't be sure what..."
Everyone turned to stare at Giles, who looked confused.
"Wait, you think it was me? I promise you, this is the one story where the butler didn't do it"
"I think we should all go to sleep, we won't get anything done tonight. We can talk more tomorrow, right?"
Jenny looked around, and everyone nodded their agreement.
They all returned to their rooms, hoping it was all just a bad dream. Giles quietly moved Meredith's body to the room by the kitchen, cleaned up the spilled wine and broken glass, before retiring for the night.
...
The killer smiled as they planned their next murder. Meredith was so easy, but there was now a loose end that had to be tied up...
