PAGE 2 — THE BLUE ROOM

The entire house erupted into chaos.

Thomas ran upstairs.

Charlotte followed.

Eleanor stood frozen beside the dining table.

Ruth remained near the doorway.

She knew immediately where they would find him.

The blue room.

Nobody else understood why.

Thomas reached the second floor and pushed open the door.

His father wasn’t there.

But the window was open.

The curtains moved in the night breeze.

On the floor lay Edward’s pocket watch.

The glass was cracked.

There was blood on the carpet.

“Father!”

Thomas searched the room.

Nothing.

No body.

No weapon.

No explanation.

Then Charlotte noticed something.

“Thomas…”

She pointed toward the desk.

A drawer was open.

Inside had been a collection of documents.

Now they were gone.

“What documents?” Eleanor asked.

Thomas looked at his mother.

“The family papers.”

“What family papers?”

“My father’s will.”

Silence filled the room.

Ruth finally spoke.

“He didn’t keep his will in that drawer.”

Everyone turned toward her.

Thomas frowned.

“How would you know?”

Ruth looked at the floor.

“Because I cleaned this room every morning.”

Thomas stepped toward her.

“Where was it?”

Ruth didn’t answer.

“Ruth!”

She slowly looked at him.

Then she said:

“Your father told me never to tell anyone.”

Before Thomas could respond, a car horn sounded outside.

A black automobile stopped in front of the house.

A man stepped out.

He was a stranger.

And he was carrying a suitcase.

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