The Marsh Madness

Our challenge was the number of possible exits. Summerlea was awash in French doors, sliding partitions, cleverly hidden staircases for servants, closets and so much more. I needed my watchers to make sure our key player didn’t vanish into the night if he spotted us. We needed to have every eventuality covered. Apparently, we also should have been able to see in the dark. Or at least count steps accurately.

Seconds later, we were all feeling our way along walls, counting steps and in some cases praying. There was no way to know if everyone was in the right place. All we had to do was wait.

When it’s important to keep quiet and not twitch, itch, squirm, moan, yawn or otherwise betray your presence, your body will do its best to blow your cover. The damp sent chills through my spine. I felt a sneeze coming on. I was pretty sure the others were fighting burps, flatulence and sudden spasms. Life’s like that.

What felt like a week later, our play began. Well, it was probably half an hour.

The front door rattled. We heard what sounded like a lock turning. The door squeaked a bit too. Good, if anyone had dozed off, that should have jolted them awake.

The soft pad of footsteps was next, getting closer. My heart was racing. If our plan was successful, we’d be face-to-face with a murderer.

As the footsteps stopped by the security console and someone presumably keyed in the secret code, I switched on the grand chandelier.

The hallway flooded with light. Frozen in front of us, was our target. “Jackpot,” as the uncles would say.

“Hello, Lucas,” I said. “Or should I say Ward Lucasky?”

His jaw dropped. That gave me a lot of satisfaction, but I knew better than to let down my guard. The glow from the chandelier highlighted the face that could break a heart and empty a bank account before you could blink. A handsome and dangerous face.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I added jauntily. I leaned against the mahogany paneled wall. I was hoping to convey an air of insouciance, but really my legs were about to buckle. Lucas could always have that effect on me. Okay, maybe some of it was because he had a gun in his hand. Guns and legs are a bad combo.

He found his voice. “I hear the police are about to catch up with you.”

“I have the best lawyer anywhere,” I gloated. “Too bad he’s mine, because you’re going to need someone exceptional when they get through charging you.”

He snorted. “Charging me with what?”

“Where to start?”

“Why not start with what are you doing here?”

“Nice one. I like the arrogant touch, as if you owned the place. The real question is what are you doing here?”

“I followed you. You had no business coming to Summerlea. I wanted to warn you off. There was a time when we were very fond of each other. I would hate to see you rot in prison.”

“Nice attempt at a save,” I shot back. “But I will now be able to inform the police that you are here, as I told them you would be.” I lifted my iPhone and started to key in 911.

He shook his head. With the slightest of sneers, he said, “I don’t think so. Unless you want me to shoot you.”

I let the hand with the phone drop to my side, dramatically.

“It’s a shame,” he said, “really. You’re beautiful but you’re a real pain in the—”

“Lucas, I don’t believe you would really shoot me.”

“I’m afraid I have to. You know too much, and, as you said, you’ll lead the cops to me. I can’t have that.”

I said with a calm I did not feel, “You brought it on yourself. Why did you drag me into this in the first place? What was the purpose of the whole elaborate setup with the luncheon and the books and all that?”

“Well, it was April Fool’s Day, and you know I love a good joke.”

“Right. You love any joke at someone else’s expense.”

“What’s the point of a practical joke if it’s not at someone else’s expense? Sometimes you’re a bit dim, Jordan.”

“No doubt, but why pick on me?”

“You really shouldn’t have tried to turn me in after that misunderstanding about your bank account.”