The Playmaker's Naked Truth

Chapter III

The Death

Everybody has a motive to end the life of the playmaker. She suddenly turned their lives into hell and they couldn't have that. They had reputations to protect in their own circles and exposing their secrets wasn't something everyone was privy to.

Gabriella was fuming in the library, absentmindedly knotting and re-knotting a long piece of cord she found by the curtain. When Kelsi told them about her book, she slowly looked into everyone's eyes and she could swear she saw the look of triumph Kelsi gave her.

Troy entered the library and went over to his fiancée. He could tell she was seething in anger, but then, she didn't have anything to hide, did she?

"Gabby?" he asked approaching her tentatively. She turned her head and glared at Troy.

"What?" she snapped and Troy sat down beside her on the couch, noticing the cord in her hands.

"Why were you so mad at Kels? It's not like you have anything to hide?" he said.

"It's not right Troy! I couldn't believe she'd even write something like that!" she exclaimed. Troy was all the more confused – what could Kelsi dig up in their private lives?

"Oh c'mon, I find it strange but let's face the facts. How could she even write about our private lives when she lives a thousand miles from us? You know everyone's starting to act like they've got something to hide." Troy told her and Gabriella thought that he had a point.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed Troy, she's rich and to quote her 'embittered'. She could hire a hundred detectives to watch over us and we wouldn't even know it." Gabriella explained to him and Troy looked a bit crestfallen.

"What's the matter Troy? It's not like you have anything to hide?" she said with a smirk. Troy looked in her eyes trying to hide his nervousness. She didn't know about his affair.

"I don't…" he said and Gabriella rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Troy, what can she get against you? The game plan for the next season?" she joked and laughed. Troy let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding in.

"You're funny…" he said sarcastically and told her he'll go check the theater. Gabriella watched him go and left a few minutes later thinking she could confront Kelsi and maybe even stop her plan.

~***~

Chad and Taylor went to the theater instead of their room and tried to discuss what to do with Kelsi. He was evidently disturbed, especially when Troy told him about Ted Pringle. Apparently, his bestfriend didn't know what went down. The door opened and Troy walked inside. Chad and Taylor turned to him Troy stopped in his tracks looking back at them.

"Hey Hoops." Chad said sadly and motioned for Troy to sit beside him.

"Hey yourself, I feel like I'm going to a confession." Troy joked but Taylor hushed him.

"I owe you an explanation man." Chad continued sadly and told him the tale of how psychotic Ted Pringle was. Troy was shocked but he hugged Chad like a brother.

"Its cool man just wished you let me in on that." Troy said.

"Hey Hoops, I'm really sorry about not telling you." Chad couldn't get over his apology.

"C'mon, I never knew Pringle had problems!" Troy was assuring his bestfriend.

"So going back on our current situation, I'm worried about what Kelsi said." Taylor remarked. Troy and Chad looked at her and nodded. They were all having the same problem.

"Does that mean she can point out to Pringle where you live?" Troy asked and they nodded.

"Damn!" Troy remarked and was starting to feel disappointed in Kelsi. She used to be sweet…

"I know, she changed a lot since high school." Taylor muttered.

"The fame went up to her head; just like Sharpay!" which made Troy grimace but he didn't say anything. Nobody knew about their affair and he didn't want to start a scandal.

"She doesn't seem as stuck up as before…" Taylor defended the Broadway queen.

"Yeah…" Troy added and Chad looked at him with a raised eyebrow and Troy shrugged.

"Why?" he asked. He was getting rattled with the look Chad was giving him.

"Nothing man…" Chad assured him and looked away. Taylor stood up and walked around the room surveying the chairs and the mini-bar.

"Wow, the last time I've been in a room like this was when me and Chad lived in a penthouse. We've been living humbly ever since." Taylor said as she went around picking up a stiletto knife, wondering what it was doing there. Chad suddenly groaned and Taylor rushed to his side.

"Baby! What's the matter?!" she cried as Chad clutched his busted knee. He pointed at it and Taylor frowned. "You didn't take your medication?" she hissed and apologized to Troy as she half-carried, half-dragged her husband up to their room for real now.

Troy watched as he was left alone once again and decided to take a tour of the estate once more. He was amazed at how rich Kelsi had become and the house was just like Sharpay's. He left the theater and went toward a door that was ajar. He peeked inside and saw that it was the music room, and the place looked a bit messier than the last he saw. He shrugged it off. Troy was not one to judge since he wasn't sure of what he saw. He continued his walk.

~***~

After Sharpay left Troy in the study, she went straight to the kitchen to find her brother. She found Ryan rummaging the cupboards for something and saw a teacup on the counter. She figured he wanted to make tea and waited for him to finish.

Ryan spun around and was startled to see his sister and his hand accidentally brushed two boxes from the cupboard. He picked them up flustered and went over to get her another cup. The water in the kettle boiled and he poured her some and proceeded to get the teabags from a box when he heard Sharpay shriek and grab his hand.

"Ryan! That's rat poison!" she cried and he looked down at the box. Sure enough it was a box of rat poison and he put in on the side so he won't touch it again.

"I'm sorry Shar, I was flustered." Ryan mumbled and Sharpay took charge of making tea.

"That's alright Ry, she's obviously got you stressed." Sharpay handed his cup and he smiled.

"I mean, she's changed! Ever since her first concert she's been getting punch drunk on the fame… much like we were when we used to 'want it all'." Ryan said sadly.

"I can see that but what can we do about it?" she asked absentmindedly and brought out the dagger hidden in her pocket. Ryan's eyes went wide and he snatched the dagger from her hands.

"We are not murderers Shar!" he cried with fear and Sharpay looked at the dagger with shock.

"You're right…what was I thinking…" she muttered.

"I know she hit our nerves but we don't have to get dirty…" he said in a soothing voice.

"She's trying to mess with our lives; you know I hate anyone doing that!" Sharpay growled.

"I hate that too but I don't go around wielding daggers and stabbing people." Ryan said.

Gabriella walked into the kitchen fuming. She saw the Evans twins and tried to act calm and even smiled at them. Sharpay raised an eyebrow at her and Ryan smiled back.

"What brings you here?" Sharpay asked.

"I just want to calm down, is there anymore tea?" Gabriella replied bitingly.

"No need to be rude, cups are over there and Ryan will boil you some water." Sharpay snapped. Ryan sighed and did his task as Gabriella went for a cup spying the rat poison on the counter. When her tea was ready, Gabriella tried to have a conversation with the twins but Sharpay brushed her off and Ryan wasn't really in a talking mood. He just listened to her rant about how stuck-up Kelsi has become and told her he'll sit in the music room in the meantime.

~***~

Troy was making his way into the spa when Sharpay came out of the kitchen. She spotted him and rushed over and the two went into the spa. Troy made sure the door was locked before pinning Sharpay on the wall, his hands on either side of her head and started kissing her passionately.

She kissed him back as he started to trail kisses down her neck and she moaned as her hands fumbled for the buckle of his belt and undo his pants. Troy slid his hands under her dress and started caressing her thighs as his hands roamed up her body.

Sharpay managed to pull down his pants and saw a bulge in his boxers. She grinned dragged him over to a massage table. Troy groaned, he wanted to take her then and there. She rolled her eyes and proceeded to lay him down and decided to tease him. She straddled his waist and began kissing his neck and chest. Troy purred with pleasure and rubbed circles on her back.

He couldn't take it any longer. After waiting for an opportunity like this, his patience snapped. He quickly flipped them over and looked Sharpay in the eye. She looked back at him and he saw that her hazel orbs were filled with as much passion and lust as his. He fused their lips together as she fumbled to take away both their undergarments at the same time.

But before anything else could happen, they both heard a terrible scream.

~***~

Chad was being berated by Taylor. She was annoyed that he doesn't drink his medication on time. His knee would always hurt if continued that habit of his. Chad winced in pain and told her it won't happen again. Taylor stopped berating him and told him she'll get something for him to eat.

Going down the magnificent stairway, she spotted Kelsi walking towards the study. She went up to her and tapped her shoulder. Kelsi turned around with an angry expression – but it softened when she saw who it was.

"Tay…" she muttered and she changed direction, going instead to the lounge.

"Hey Kels, are you busy?" Taylor asked, not wanting to intrude.

"No, just trying to let off some steam." Kelsi replied and the two sat on opposite couches.

"Kels, hon, why'd did you decide to write such a book?" Taylor asked.

"I'm just so bitter Tay. I don't think I deserve to die! I just wanted to spread misery all around me… I couldn't take it; even if not all your lives are perfect to." Kelsi confessed as she started to cry. Taylor wrapped her arms around her friend.

"We are always here for you Kels, you don't have to be so mean…" Taylor soothed her hoping that she'd changer her mind about the book.

"You mean that?" her friend asked and looked at Taylor hopefully.

"I do." Taylor assured her with a nod and Kelsi smiled.

"Oh geez, I feel like such a bitch Tay…" she whimpered.

"Your not… are you still gonna publish it?" Taylor asked and Kelsi shook her head. Taylor sighed with relief and hugged Kelsi harder.

"C'mon, let's enjoy a cup of tea together." Kelsi nudged Taylor and the two went ahead to the kitchen.

~***~

Gabriella finished making tea when Chad went in the kitchen. He looked like he was in pain and she immediately fixed him a cup. The reverend smiled and thanked her as he sipped his tea. After downing his cup, he stood up and made his way to the door.

"Do you need some help Chad?" Gabriella called up to him.

"Wha-? Oh, thanks Gabs." Chad said gratefully and took her arm as he hobbled out the door and into his room.

After Gabriella helped her friend, she went back to the library to put back the cord she found by the curtain. Chad noticed it and gave her a skeptical look as she was going out the door.

~***~

Taylor and Kelsi entered the kitchen and saw the pot of tea. Kelsi smiled thinking that Armando must have prepared it, he deserves a raise, she thought. Taylor poured them both a cup when she suddenly remembered Chad.

"Oh my gosh Kels! I forgot that I promised Chad a snack!" Taylor said distractedly and put down her cup. Kelsi looked up from her cup and went over to the fridge and help Taylor arrange a snack on a tray.

"Thanks Kels, I'll be back after I feed him." Taylor said and took the tray up to their room. Kelsi sighed and finished her tea feeling somehow weak. The cancer always took much of her energy.

She strode over to her haven – the music room and entered to find Ryan playing a tune. She watched him as he sang and played the song which brought them together. She remembered him playing that particular song for her before he asked her to be his girlfriend in Julliard.

Her eyes filled with tears as she watched him play on her piano. Kelsi realized how much she changed right after that first concert which changed everything in her life. She approached him from behind and covered his eyes with her hands. Ryan immediately stopped playing and tensed.

"Cat got your tongue?" she joked and giggled.

"Oh! You scared me…" he whined as she laughed again.

"Evidently, you still scare easy." Kelsi joked and smiled. Ryan smiled too.

"Some things never change…" he said and she shook her head.

"A lot of things have. You and me, we went our separate ways." Kelsi whispered sadly.

"Yeah…" Ryan agreed and looked down at the black and white keys of the piano.

"You know I admit I still wish it didn't happen. I would've been happy living in an apartment over a dance slash yoga studio with three kids who can play the piano." Kelsi muttered and Ryan felt his heart melt – after all those years, Kelsi still remembered the dreams they planned in Julliard.

"I've been meaning to put up one, I already got the money, and then dad just dumped everything on me. I didn't even have time to say no." Ryan told her, remembering his father's perfect timing to retire.

"That's why you've dropped out of the face of the earth and resurfaced as Ryan Evans, CEO. I was shocked you know, you always said that you didn't want anything to do with your family business." Kelsi nudged him. Ryan sighed sadly and stood up and paced around the room.

"I know that, but then Sharpay didn't want anything to do with the family business either. Dad didn't just want his legacy to go to waste and he couldn't resist his darling princess. Mom would be retiring with him so it was up to me…" he said.

"You could've told me that sooner, not when I'm dying…" she joked and Ryan pouted.

"Please don't remind me…" he told her somberly and Kelsi nodded.

"Alright, let's talk more tomorrow Ry, I'm feeling incredibly sleepy…" she yawned and made her way out. Ryan watched her go and sat back down on the piano. He noticed a piano book he gave Kelsi for her birthday and started playing a few long pieces.

Suddenly, after about seven pieces, he felt stupid for letting her go, again! He quickly rushed out of the room and dashed to the staircase. He nearly tripped on something and glanced down to see his beloved Kelsi's body sprawled on the bottom of the grand staircase, her face contorted in sever pain.

Ryan quickly put two fingers on her wrist, trying to feel a pulse – there was none. He let out a strangled yelled and buried his face onto her lifeless body sobbing hysterically. Armando quickly rushed out of nowhere and carried his employer's body to her room. Troy and Sharpay were rushing towards Ryan as Gabriella came out of the Hall and Taylor rushed down the stairs quickly followed by Chad who was limping.

Everyone was shocked at Kelsi's untimely demise. An ambulance was called in followed by Kelsi's doctor. After examining her corpse, he suggested that someone call the cops because he suspected foul play. Kelsi didn't die because of her original illness. It was murder…

This is the part where I now need you to send me reviews before I finish my tale..

Who killed Kelsi Nielsen?

There are six suspects : Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, Sharpay Evans, Ryan Evans, Chad Danforth and Taylor McKenzie
There are four weapons : dagger, cord, poison and stiletto (in the actual Cluedo there are six and none of which I used. These are the revolver, the knife, the candlestick, the rope, the lead pipe and the wrench.)
There are nine rooms: Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, Spa, Music Room, Theater, Library and Study (three of these rooms were changed, in the actual Cluedo the Spa is the Ballroom, the Theater is the Billiard Room and the Music Room is the Conservatory. I felt the need to change the rooms a bit to make it seem more modern.)

Now is the time to test your sleuth skills! :)
This is by far, a very easy mystery to solve and I think you could all pinpoint her murderer. I'm sorry I haven't provided much of a challenge but this is my first mystery fanfic and I hope you like it! :)

Now in the board game, when a player has deduced who, with what and where the killing takes place, he/she announce it like: (suspect) killed (victim) with the (weapon) in the (room). If your interested, you can tell me in your review who you think killed her.. :)
I'll update as soon as possible with the killer's confession! :)

And I hope you all like the little Troypay moment! :) It just didn't seem right if I didn't put one..

But then it won't be fun if you guys don't take a guess.. :D
So pretty please do! :)