I do not own most of this plot. It is very similar to the movie/board game of Clue, owned by Hasbro. I also do not own the characters or plot of Twilight, owned by Stephenie Meyer.
Enjoy.
ed.cullenator
Previously:
"Well," Edward interjected, answering her question, "I think it's obvious. I mean, at least, for the three of us." He pointed between Bella, Emmett, and himself. "We three are tied to the government somehow. We all live off the government. So… I don't know where that leaves the rest of you…" he said, looking to Rosalie (Scarlett), Alice (White) and Jasper (Green) for some answers.
THREE
Bella sighed angrily. Why wouldn't they reveal anything about themselves. Okay, so she knew why. Wadsworth had told them not to reveal too much, but still. She wanted to know. She was a curious creature.
"So, Mr. Green, what do you do in Washington D.C?" He didn't answer her. She sighed yet again. "Come on, what do you do? I mean, if we don't say anything about ourselves how are we supposed to get acquainted?"
Rosalie snarled, "Perhaps he doesn't want to get acquainted with you. I mean, he already told you where he lives and his name. I think that's enough of a revelation."
Bella was a bit upset. "Well, I'm sure I don't know, but if I wasn't trying to keep the conversation going, then we would just be sitting her in an embarrassed silence." She hated awkward silences, so she always found ways to create conversation.
As if reading her mind, Edward asked, "Are you afraid of silence, Mrs. Peacock?"
"Yes!" she answered. Then, she realized what she said, "What?" she stammered. "No, why?"
"Oh, it just seems to me that you seem to suffer from what we call pressure of speech," he explained intellectually.
Rosalie turned to him, "Is that what they teach you in doctor school?" He just made a face at her.
"What about you, Mrs. White?" he asked Alice. "What does your husband do?"
If it was possible, her already stark white face paled even more. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" Bella questioned.
"He, well, he just… lies around on his back all day."
"Well," said Rosalie, "it sounds like hard work to me."
The colonel stood up suddenly, and roared off at Wadsworth, who had been standing silently in the corner. Bella hadn't even noticed his presence until now. "Wadsworth, where's our host, and why have we been brought here?"
Before Wadsworth could reply, the doorbell rang, a peaceful sound compared to the thunder and rain which had started up as the later of the guests had arrived.
Bella could hear him speaking with someone in the next room.
"Ah, good evening," she heard him say. "You are eagerly awaited."
The other person was a man. "You lockin' me in? I'll take the key." He said.
"Over my dead body sir," Wadsworth replied. She sucked in a deep breath at that. "May I take your bag?"
"No," the man said, "I'll leave it here 'til I need it."
"It contains evidence, I presume?" Bella struggled to release her heavy breath.
The man let out a dry laugh. "Surprises, my friend. That's what it contains—surprises!"
They were suddenly entering the room, Wadsworth in front, followed by the man. He was of an average build, with dark black hair, which was slowly receding. He looked like he could be a member of the mafia, or some sort of foreign mob.
Wadsworth cleared his throat, although he already had everybody's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. Boddy."
The man introduced looked a little surprised. "What are they all doin' here?" he asked.
Wadsworth replied, "Eating dinner. Do sit down, Mr. Boddy."
He smiled at Wadsworth, and took a seat beside Bella. "Thanks." Just as he sat down, Yvette entered the room, with a plate of food for him. As she went to place it down, he interrupted her. "Oh, no thanks, honey."
Bella was getting frustrated with this man. With everyone! She wanted to know why she was here! In her frustration, she hit the table with a fist. "Look, can somebody please tell me what is going on? Why have we been brought to this horrible place?"
Without missing a beat, Wadsworth replied. "Well, I believe we all received a letter. Mine says, 'it will be to your advantage to be present on this date because a Mr. Boddy will bring to an end a certain long-standing confidential and painful financial liability.' It is signed, 'A friend.'"
Mr. Green spoke up. "I received a similar letter."
"As did I," said Miss Scarlett.
"Me too," Bella announced.
The professor nodded his head. He too received a similar letter.
"I also received a letter," proclaimed Mr. Boddy. Yvette tried placing food down on his plate. "No thank you, Yvette. I already ate."
"How did you know her name?" Emmett demanded.
"We know each other," he said, smirking. His hand slowly hitched up the back of her skirt. Bella's eyes widened, and she gasped softly. What a rude and masochistic man? He was probably the blackmailer. "Don't we dear?"
Yvette responded in her own way: recoiling from his touch. She skittered from the room. Serves her right, thought Bella, she has enough cleavage hanging out.
"Mr. Boddy," Wadsworth started, "forgive my curiosity, but did your letter say the same thing?"
He shook his head. "No."
"I see." His face brightened as he turned to us. "May I interest any of you in a fruit or dessert?"
Bella was way past dessert now. She just wanted to get the heck out of this horrid place, but that probably was not an option right now. She should have just stayed home, she thought, and continued paying blackmail. Anything was better than this.
Nobody responded to Wadsworth, so he continued. "In that case, may I suggest that we head into the study for some coffee and brandy, at which point I believe our host will reveal the meaning of his intentions."
Edward stood up first. He looked handsome in his black suit. His green eyes sparkled like his green tie. Rosalie got up next, and envy surged through Bella. Rosalie was stunning from head to toe. Bella died to have a figure like that. Not that she was over-weight… She just had an ordinary body.
Even Alice, too. She was extremely thin, and petite, in a way that made her look like a little gothic fairy. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress, along with dark make-up.
Bella was the second to last person to get up. She was too busy studying the others. Jasper was rather tall, she observed. He must be of Swedish descent, she though. He possessed the blonde hair, pale skin, and blue eyes, much like Rosalie's.
As she stood next to Emmett, Bella compared herself to tiny Alice. He was at least a solid foot taller than her, maybe more. He could have also been twice as wide as her. He wasn't fat, just muscular in the extreme.
Mr. Boddy filed out behind Bella, which made her extremely anxious as they crossed the hall into the study, where they had been seated before dinner started.
Bella felt a bit more comfortable once they were in the study. It was coordinated in neutral colors. There were a couple of love seats, a lounge chair, and book shelf. In the corner sat a record player, and in the back of the room was a table, where the liquor sat.
She continued to look around the room, in search of the host, but it was just the eight of them.
"It doesn't look like anybody's here," said Jasper, voicing her thoughts.
Wadsworth turned toward the guests. "Please help yourself to some Brandy, and take a seat."
She took a seat next to the colonel on the love seat. Rosalie and Edward were seated together, and Jasper sat on the other side of Emmett. Alice was on the lounge chair.
Wadsworth walked over to the table, picking up a manilla folder. He opened it up, and studied the contents, pursing his lips.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "I'm instructed to tell you what you have in common with one another. Unless, of course, you would like to do the honors, Mr. Boddy."
He was seated by the bookshelf, and when his name was mentioned, he looked surprised. "Why me? They know who I am?"
"I don't believe so," replied Wadsworth, "you haven't actually properly introduced yourself."
Suddenly, he jolted up to his feet. "It's a hoax! I suggest we all leave!" He bolted out of the door to the study, into the hall.
Wadsworth stormed out of the room in a flash, scurrying after him. "I'm sorry sir," she heard him call, "but you cannot leave this house!"
The others stood up from their seats and ran to the door. Bella got stuck in the back, and being five foot two wasn't much of a help at this moment. Luckily, they filtered out into the hall. Mr. Boddy was running for the front door, and he called back to Wadsworth, behind him. "No? Who's gonna stop me?"
Wadsworth smirked. "There's no way out." Proving his statement, Mr. Boddy futilely tried to open the front door, but it was locked.
Exasperated, Mr. Boddy turned around, facing Wadsworth. "This is an outrage! You can't hold us prisoner!"
Bella shouted in agreement, though she was a bit confused.
Wadsworth turned sternly towards them, and tried shouting over them. "Ladies and gentlemen! If you could please return to the study, everything will be explained."
She sighed, and followed the others back into the study. "You too, Mr. Boddy," added Wadsworth, but it was useless. Mr. Boddy was already running.
Thank you for reading and please leave tons of REVIEWS!! I really appreciate them, and they always help improve the story, and my esteem as a writer!
