AN: Yeah, lol sorry this is late. I was sorta busy this weekend. BUUUT Here tis for all of you who AREN'T reading it. lol Hey, firsties rarely are all that good anyway. No matter how much I like it! Well if you are reading, have fun.

Chapter 11

The Phone is Dead

POV Miss Scarlet

TheWhitePrincess1:

As the solemn group headed to the phone doubts assailed Colonel Mustard. "She couldn't have done it. I know I haven't known her for too long but…I just can't and WON'T believe it." Colonel Mustard, having reached this conclusion pulled the police officer to the back of the group while Mr. Boddy kept leading.

"Officer, there is no way it could truly be Scarlet. I don't know how to prove it but well I've got a gut feeling that whatever's going on around here certainly isn't over yet."

Just as Mustard finished his statement they arrived at the kitchen to use the phone. The officer, whose nametag professed him to be I. B. Barney, gave Mustard a peculiar look but nodded to the Colonel's relief and then moved forward and picked up the phone. He gave Mr. Boddy an odd look and replaced the handset on the receiver.

"It's dead."

"WHAT?" Mr. Boddy exclaimed grabbing the handset and listening for the nonexistent dial tone. The group looked at each other knowingly and moved back toward the Ballroom. Looming quietly at the back of the brigade was Professor Plum whose slight smile belied his previous concern.

Ms. Scarlet just didn't get it. How could they blame her? Sure she practically hated White but she'd never stoop so low as to actually harm her. Not that she hadn't thought about it of course, but to tell the absolute truth her bark was often times worse than her bite. Ms. Scarlet looked up at White, hurt plainly written across her features.

"No matter what you might think," Scarlet began a slight quiver in her voice though she pushed herself to sustain as normal a voice as possible, "I'd never really hurt you. Even though you helped tear my heart out without a second thought, I'd never, ever willingly hurt another human being." At that Scarlet, lifted herself from the cold floor, imagining what happiness and sweet words must have once graced the beautiful room instead of the hate and accusations that now seemed to fly around like annoying house flies one can never be rid of.

White glanced at Scarlet completely suspicious of her. "Say what you like Scarlet. I know it was you." Scarlet turned and glared fire at Ms. White but before anyone could say another word the Colonel and the rest of the group walked back into the room.

Colonel smiled reassuringly at Scarlet who was taken aback but as relief flooded her she smiled a timid smile at him. If nothing else she knew that at least the one person she truly trusted here believed her to be innocent and that was enough to keep her fighting. "I won't give in to this!" She thought.

"Well the phone's dead." Ian piped up. Gaining everyone's attention. "What now Barney?"

"Well let me run out to my car and I'll use my radio to contact the Police Station and then we'll take it from there." Barney stated as he turned to leave the ballroom. Before he could even make it out though, Mrs. Peacock suddenly teetered and slumped down into Glenn's arms.

"Mrs. Peacock…MRS. PEACOCK!" He shouted as he placed her carefully on the floor. He tapped her face repeatedly trying to rouse her but she would not stir. Scarlet dashed over to Peacock and attempted to find her pulse but Glenn shoved her back and she fell to the floor. She looked at him tearfully but understood his concern somewhat.

"Put your index finger and your pointer finger together and check for her pulse. It should be right below her jaw bone and to the either side of the underside of her chin." If he wouldn't allow her to help physically at least she could talk him through it and now wasn't the time to start shouting at him that she hadn't done a thing to her. There would be time enough for that later…she hoped.

"It's there…but it's weak." Glenn whispered and looked up to Scarlet. She could tell he was measuring her up at that moment and deciding on whether or not she truly was guilty. An eternity seemed to pass before he nodded his head slightly and said, "Thank you."

Scarlet just nodded in return. Scarlet regarded Peacock from afar but Glenn got up and beckoned her over. She walked up and kneeled near Ms. Peacock feeling her skin and doing a few other things to assess the situation. Cop Barney watched her like a hawk but knowing that she didn't have anything to hide helped her to remain calm. Coming to a conclusion she looked up at the people gathered in the ballroom nonplussed. "Please don't let them blame me." Where her last thoughts before she uttered her diagnosis.

"She's been poisoned."