iClue
Disclaimer: You don't own them; I don't own them. Great, we've got that out of the way. Let the storytelling commence!
Author's Notes: Okay... you can just skip the part where I rant about how tough school is, how little time I have, how disruptive my friends are... etc. and go straight onto the good part. Whats sadder, is that you wasted your time reading this author's note.
Chapter 11:iTalk with Carlotta Peacock
My dreams here are pretty much my only portal to the world of the living. No, I'm not gonna refer to it like that. Makes me feel like I'm dead. I'll just say land of the conscious. In these dreams, I've seen Sam, Spencer, Mom, Carly, even Nevel from time to time. I wish I could go back and just give them the answer, but I've got my own mystery to solve.
And solved it shall become.
Once again Scar and I are heading off in different directions. Scar's gonna find out more about the building, the past owners, the current owner, and the secret passageways. To be truthful, I doubt anything will come of that research, but it keeps her busy, and that's good enough for me! Myself, well, today I shall be dealing with the lovely Carlotta Peacock. Question her about her older relative, and his relation with every living being in this household. Well... excluding the rats and bugs, of course.
I direct Scar to the observatory, which has multiple books on shelves built into the walls, "There, you should be able to find out SOMETHING from all the books in this room!" Scar didn't seem as ecstatic as I did.
"I have to read ALL of these? WHY? WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU?" Okay, Fredward, you can get yourself out of this one. Just some clever words, and Scar will leave you alone.
"Uh, well, because..." Oh, just say something, Freddork! Wait, Freddork? Oh lord, I'm becoming more like Sam! "You can probably memorize these things faster than I can! You have always been smarter than me..." Ugh, I can't believe I just said that.
However, it has the desired effect: Making Scar want to do the work I've assigned her. She smirks, muttering a, "Duh," Before beginning to read a book about the house's architecture. Happy with the setup (For now), I head to the only bedroom in the house I'd never seen before.
Carlotta Peacock's.
Well... what had I expected?
Carlotta's room, much like the other rooms, is unique and has it's own special character. The walls are an off-white color, and have multiple paintings adding color to the otherwise much too common looking room. That's not what gives this room it's character though. It's the many statues and statuettes placed seemingly randomly around the room. They're all Spencer's work, I can tell. It's just one of those things you know the moment they happen. Each statue is carved with care, while putting the touches of Spencer-ness into them. Defiantly Spencer's work.
"Well," The somewhat impatient voice of Carlotta interrupts my thoughts, "Are you gonna sit there and gawk at me, or are we gonna talk?" I blush out of embarrassment, sitting next to her and muttering a half-heartfelt apology.
"No," She sighs, "I'm sorry; I've been a little on edge since Spencer... you know," I nod sympathetically. The poor girl had lost the only family she truly had. To be truthful, I can't help but pity her, though pity is the last thing she needs at the moment.
"It's alright," I respond, then, mostly to change the subject, "Did Spencer do these?" Did I imagine it, or was that the ghost of a smile that flickered upon the girl's tear-stained face?
"Yeah, he was always quite the artist; That's how he got his fortune, in fact," Carlotta, beams at me, looking a little less depressed looking back at the good times. I suddenly remember why I'm here.
I clear my throat, catching her attention, "Pardon my asking, but, could you tell me Mr. Boddy's relation with the rest of the guests?" Carlotta smiles weakly, probably expecting this turn of events, and turns to the window, watching the rain that was falling. Was it raining a moment ago?
"My brother... was infinity kind. Perhaps too much, really. Everyone here he helped out at one point. I'm here because I'm his little sister, of course,"
"Miss Scarlet had met Spencer by accident. She was trying to find a way to pay herself through acting school. It was her lifelong dream, to be an entertainer. My brother, of course, couldn't deny someone's dream, and gave her the loan she needed to pay her way through school. She always did seem to thank my brother too much," I remember Scar mentioning that once. Spencer helped her through Acting School. Okay, but what about the others?
"You know Reverend Green? He isn't really a reverend. It's just a title he used to have. He sells firearms to people who need protection. The problem?...His license to sell was revoked. My cousin helped him get it back. He used to be a lawyer, but quit. Long story. But anyways, Green got his license back, and my brother got his eternal gratitude,"
"Mustard is a completely different story. A colonel for the army, he was fired and re-hired by my cousin as a bodyguard. That.. didn't roll over too well. The two fought constantly, and it ended with Spencer letting Mustard go. A week later, he was re-hired by the military. Turns out, my brother pulled some strings and got him re-admitted. I'm not sure Mustard knew about that, but it made Spencer happy to help out an old friend... if you could consider Mustard a friend," True that.
"I'm sure you know your own story, but since it's next I'll tell it anyways. You know that big discovery you made? The one you're famous for? The research was funded for by Spencer Boddy. That's right; MY Spencer! You came here, begging for a little extra cash to help with your research, and Spence gives you enough to drain the Red Sea!" Should I tell her that's not possible? Nah.
"The last one on my list is White. As you know, she was a famous child actress when she was a little girl, and she never let's anyone forget that she was once a superstar! Long story short, she ran out of money, and my cousin took pity on her and gave her a job here at the manor. Actually, this little get-together was her idea. Bring the people he's closest to together for a few evenings. Now, I wish he'd have never hired her!" Carlotta looks down, sad, "But I can't really blame her now, can I? Now, get out of my room, it's almost time for Lunch!" I realize, quite stunned, that she's right. Lunch's in a few hours. Without wasting a beat, I bolt out, ignoring Carlotta's giggling.
I sigh, as I finish writing my notes down. Carlotta gave me a bunch of useful information today. I still have no idea who the murderer is, but I have some ideas as to the characters' pasts. Speaking of characters', where's Scar? She promised me she'd be back here before lunch...
And suddenly, the door bursts open. There stands Scar, grinning like she'd won the lottery. Makes ya curious, considering we're trying to solve a murder here.
"Hey Freddie, you'll never believe what I'd found researching the house!"
Well whadaya know?
Sorry, Sam lovers, about the very little Scar in this chapter. But on the bright side, she's figured out something that might just help Freddie!
Sam and Freddie want you to review. Think of the tech-nerds/bullies who get no love!
