Chapter 6
An Unexpected Caller
"You afraid of the dark?" Niles asked as they looked down the stairs into the pitch black basement.
"O-of course not!" shivered the terrified maid.
"Good, then you can go ahead of me," the doctor urged. "After all, ladies first."
"What?" gasped Felicia. "No, no, you lead! I insist!"
"No, I insist."
Whimpering, the pink-haired woman tip toed down the stairs, "Hello?" she called out meekly.
Together, the doctor and the maid ventured down into the darkness that was the lowest level of the mansion.
"Let's try the conservatory?" Xander suggested.
Camilla gestured, "After you. I trust you enough to let you lead."
The businessman snorted, "Sure. You just would rather me die first."
"Mr. Night! I am aghast you would be so callous!" the duchess exclaimed in mock horror. "I just know that I have people that would be very sad if I didn't make it home."
Xander rolled his eyes, "If I go first, will it make you be quiet?"
"Oh, you are too cute," giggled Camilla, nodding as she spoke.
Sighing, Xander Night led the way to the conservatory. The glass-covered room was home to a wide variety of plant life… and hiding places.
"You can go check around the dirty plants; I will look over the tools," Camilla quickly said as she dashed away.
"Tch," Xander grunted, "typical nobility."
"This dress costs more than you make in a year, sweetheart; I can't afford to ruin it," the duchess called back.
The businessman shook his head, "I'm corrupt, remember? I make a lot more than you think."
"Fair point."
After a few minutes past, Camilla exclaimed "Xander! Come over here!"
The black-clad man kicked dirt off his boots as he got to the duchess' side. She gripped a sconce and pulled down.
Part of the brick wall opened up.
"A secret passage!" Camilla declared.
Jakob bit his lip as he stepped into the master bedroom. It was completely dark, without a light switch in sight.
Because it was dark.
A hand touched his shoulder, and the butler turned around with a yelp.
"Shh!" Kagero commanded, and pulled him deeper into the room.
"Ow!" Jakob muttered, rubbing his sore arm.
"Have you been following this mystery?" she whispered. "Because I think I've figured out a few things."
The silver-haired man pushed his hands into the empty pockets in his pants, "Such as?" he asked.
"Ms. Silver is going to try and murder Felicia," Kagero said. "I guarded her late husband for a time. I know for a fact she killed him."
"Oh? And what does Felicia have to do with this?" Jakob cocked his head to the side.
"Laslow Silver loved Felicia. Selena Silver was jealous. One thing led to another," the bodyguard shrugged. "My point is, watch out for Ms. Silver."
Kaze flicked the light on, illuminating the single light at the top of the stairs.
"I'm not going up that," huffed Selena muttered. "You go first."
"Alright," the green haired man said.
A few moments passed, and Kaze did not move.
"Go on," Selena snapped, "I'll be right behind you."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Kaze admitted.
Selena groaned, "Then we'll go together."
Side by side, the two walked up the narrow staircase with increasing difficulty.
A gloved hand opened up the fuse box on the wall of the hall. The hand gripped the long black lever and pulled it down, dousing all the lights in the manor.
Cries from the others sounded above and below the main floor. The figure tip toed to the study and slipped a key out from their pocket.
Opening the cabinet, the figure removed the lead pipe.
The person walked to a large painting, and pushed on the side. It swung open, revealing a secret passageway.
Climbing into the tunnel, the person crept through the wet hallway. At the end, they pulled a switch. The wall in front of them began to turn.
Covered in darkness, the lounge was revealed. Gunter was sitting in a chair, next to the phone. He grumbled to himself as he repeatedly tried the device.
His back was to the intruder. The figure sneaked up behind Gunter and lifted the lead pipe, bringing it down with crashing force.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The knocking echoed through the mansion. Every person within its walls heard the loud noise, repeating over and over again.
The front door opened, revealing a young man with silver hair.
"I am deputy Silas of the Krakenburg police!" he announced, pride in his voice. "I am here to bring Selen—"
BANG!
The policeman fell to the ground, dead.
Xander flipped the switch back on after some time spent fumbling on his way to find it.
One by one, the guests gathered in the hall. Each had questions they wanted to ask, but simply looked to Jakob as he descended the stairs, last to arrive.
Without speaking, the butler walked over to the lounge door. When he passed Felicia, she held out a key to him. Jakob accepted it, and opened the door to the lounge.
Mr. Gunter's body lay sprawled out on the floor, blood trickling from the back of his skull.
"Not shot," Kaze commented.
"I thought I heard a door slam," remarked Kagero.
Felicia opened the dual doors in the foyer, and revealed the dead policeman, shot in the head.
"Four murders," Niles supplied.
Jakob turned around, and made eye contact with each person in the hall. All six guests, and Felicia.
He grinned.
"I know who did it," the butler chuckled.
"You do!?" exclaimed the seven others.
"Oh, yes," Jakob said. "But seeing as I doubt any of you have been following along as closely as I, I'm going to need to take you through the evening, step by step."