The Reverend’s protests were to no avail. Sebastian Gold was already at the Grange, casually rearranging the library to use it as a make-shift studio. He had a few paintings to finish before the exhibition that evening. Vivienne Scarlett watched him from the door, smiling. So gorgeous... He always had been. And an artist! Bohemian, exciting, something to lighten the drudge of the house. Sebastian turned to her and smiled.
"Thank you, Viv."
"What for?"
"For convincing that old battleaxe to let me use the house."
He walked over to her, pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Oh yes, she thought, things are definitely looking better. Sebastian broke the kiss but kept her close and said "You’re so beautiful, Viv. Will you model for me?"
She pulled away, shocked. "What?"
"I’m doing a new study called Dangerous Women. Photographs. You’ve got that blend of sweetness and danger that’s so appealing. Come on, Viv... you’d look fantastic."
After a few seconds hesitation, Miss Scarlett sighed "Oh, alright..."
"Brilliant," Sebastian smiled. "I’ll just get my camera."

The problem of Sebastian’s attendance was also being debated by Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard over a quick game of billiards.
"I’m not happy about this, Mike, not happy at all."
"Calm down, Plum."
"I can’t. Surely you can’t be happy about this either."
"Hmmm... I will admit Gold’s presence has set Vivienne’s eyes roaming. She’s always been like that though, had an eye for the gentlemen."
"That’s true. Mrs Peacock seems rather taken too"
"Yes," Colonel Mustard said shortly as he took his shot. "Anyway, Peter, why are you so worried?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"About Gold. What’s got you so het up?"
"Oh, he’s just... well... it’s of no importance..."
But the force of the Professor’s shot betrayed him.

The lounge was a scene of total chaos. Most of the heavy antique furniture had been moved aside and several easels had been put up in readiness for Gold’s canvasses. Reverend Green gasped. "What a mess!"
"Isn’t it just? Good morning, Reverend."
He turned around to see Elizabeth Peacock standing in the lounge door, carrying a cup and saucer. She walked past him, sat demurely on the sofa and took a sip of her tea.
"Good morning, Mrs Peacock. May I ask what is going on?"
"One of Vivienne’s artist friends is using the house as an exhibition hall tonight."
"That is what I mean. How could you allow it?"
"Oh, Vivienne can be very persuasive on occasions, Reverend. Better that than she spends the rest of the month moaning at me."
Reverend Green sat down next to her. "But... Sebastian Gold. Please! He’s a notorious trouble-maker. And you can’t call those daubings art, for heaven’s sake!"
"His photographic work is very good."
"Mrs Peacock, I cannot believe you are championing this."
"As a mark of his gratitude, Gold has taken some photos of me which he’s turning into a painting to be unveiled tonight."
Reverend Green’s voice became low and earnest. He took Mrs Peacock’s hand. "Elizabeth, we’ve been friends for such a long time. I implore you, do not allow Sebastian Gold to hold his exhibition here. No good will come of it, I assure you."
"Jonathan... I appreciate your concern. But it really isn’t necessary, everything will be fine. Come along this evening and see for yourself."
"I intend to. But mark my words, Mrs Peacock. Nothing good will come of this."

Miss Scarlett stood seductively by the library windows wielding the gleaming dagger that usually lay on the table. Sebastian snapped away with his camera.
"Fantastic, Viv. Brilliant. Head back a bit, love."
"Wait a second, Seb. I’ve got an idea. Let’s make me a really dangerous lady."
She strode out of the room and went to the study. She unlocked the third drawer of the bureau and took out the small revolver that was in there. It glinted dangerously under the study light. She smiled and walked back into the library. Seb whistled when he saw the revolver.
"Wow... a pretty little piece. Do you know how to use it?"
"Oh, yes."
"Dangerous lady..." Seb smiled.

Mrs Peacock wandered into the ballroom. She stopped dead in her tracks and screamed "What on earth have you done?"
The entire room was packed with easels and frames. The place was a complete mess. Dark scuff marks scarred the floor. Her eyes set to stone and she screamed for Miss Scarlett. Miss Scarlett insolently strolled in from the library with Sebastian in tow.
"Vivienne. What on earth has he done to my room?"
"Calm down, Mother. You allowed him to use the Grange."
"Not to this extent. This is insufferable. I cannot use my library, my lounge and now my ballroom. You will leave immediately, Mr Gold!"
"I won’t, Mrs Peacock. I’m here for the duration."
Mrs Peacock advanced on Sebastian. "How dare you, you cheap little..."
Miss Scarlett adeptly moved in front of her lover. "That is enough, Mother. You agreed for Sebastian to be here. You knew it would cause a little disruption."
"Not this much. You will regret this, Mr Gold. You will regret this!"
With that, Mrs Peacock swept out in a rage.
Miss Scarlett hugged Sebastian. "If that got her riled, imagine what she’ll do when she sees the painting..."
Sebastian silenced her with a kiss. "Never mind that, Viv. I’m going to have a look around this mausoleum. See if you can rustle up something to drink and some props for my montage."
Miss Scarlett smiled and headed off to the kitchen.

Professor Plum was still taking pot-shots in the billiard room when Sebastian wandered past. He stuck his head through the door and smiled wolfishly.
"Well, hello, Professor."
"Oh, it’s you" said the Professor disinterestedly.
"Is that any way to greet an old friend?"
"Friend is hardly the term I’d use for you, Mr Gold."
Sebastian moved around to the other side of the table. "It had better be the term you’d use, Professor, if you don’t want to end up in a lot of trouble."
"Not this nonsense again, Sebastian. Quite frankly, I’m tired of it." Professor Plum took his shot.
"Plagiarism is a very serious accusation."
Professor Plum instantly bridled. "It was never proved."
"Mud sticks, Prof. Your reputation would be dragged right through it. And as they say, there’s no smoke without fire."
Professor Plum slammed his billiard cue down on the table. "What do you want?"
"Money. I need extra financing. Unless you pay, I’ll expose you."
"You’ve had your last penny from me, Gold. Besides, blackmail isn’t a nice thing to be accused of."
The two men were at a stand-off. Gold was the first to break. He smiled slyly at the Professor, tuned his back and headed out. "I’ll be speaking to you soon, Peter. Enjoy the rest of your game."
Professor Plum picked up the cue, but his mind was racing. He put the cue back in its holder and hurried out of the room.

Mrs White and Reverend Green were sitting at the kitchen table, preparing vegetables for dinner when Miss Scarlett came in. Mrs White looked up and smiled.
"How are you, Miss Vivienne?"
"I’m very well, Mrs White. Could you do me a favour?"
"Anything, Miss."
"Could you make some tea for myself and Mr Gold. And he needs some plate and such for a montage. One of the candlesticks from the dining room and some silver plate should do nicely."
Reverend Green looked up. "I cannot believe you are involved in this."
"Ah well, Reverend. I don’t suppose you’ve ever been in love."
The Reverend blenched but said nothing.
"As soon as I finish this, Miss Vivienne, I’ll put the kettle on."
"You’re an angel, Mrs White" Miss Scarlett said as she left the room.

Twenty minutes later, Mrs White was in the dining room picking up pieces of plate for Sebastian Gold’s montage. She had taken one of the candlesticks from the dresser cupboard and was rooting out plates and cups. They’d had their tea and were happy for five minutes. Mrs White pulled out a slightly tarnished small gold plate and stared at it. How much would that fetch?
She was distracted by Sebastian Gold standing at the dining room door. "Well, I never," he said. "Faithful retainer caught with her hands in the till. Well, well, well."
"I wasn’t thinking of stealing it at all." Mrs White stood up.
"Wouldn’t be the first time, though, would it, Mrs White?"
She stopped dead in her tracks, the candlestick in her hand. "How dare you..."
"Cut the nonsense, Mrs White. I know that’s how you got the money to invest in me. Well, I need some more backing, so you’ll have to play the little magpie again."
"I can’t, Mr Gold. I can’t!" Mrs White said, her eyes filled with terror.
"You’ll have to. Or would you like your mistress to know where her little valuables are going?"
"You wouldn’t!" Mrs White said, half in shock and half in challenge.
"Try me. I’ll leave it up to you. See you later, Mrs White."
Sebastian sauntered out of the room. Mrs White sat at the dining room table, head in hands. Her heart was racing with fear and anger. There was only one thing to do, she thought as she picked the plates and the candlestick up and hurried out of the room.

After a thorough look around, Mrs White had accumulated one of the dining room candlesticks, two smaller silver plates, a large pewter fruit bowl and some gold and silver trinkets. That would do him for his hoity-toity montage, she thought. Horrible little weasel. Trying to wheedle more money from her? He’d hang before he got another penny out of her.
She piled the lot together and walked across to the library, precariously balancing them all. She opened the library door and walked in. When she saw what was going on, she dropped the lot. Without apologising or stopping to pick anything up, Mrs White ran to the dining room to have a stiff drink.

Colonel Mustard and Mrs Peacock were sitting in the study. Mrs Peacock looked drawn, and Colonel Mustard was trying to comfort her.
"Elizabeth, please calm down."
"I can’t, Mike. That odious little runt. I wish I’d never agreed to let him in here. Have you seen what he’s done to the ballroom? He’s completely wrecked it. And I’m sure he’s trying to get money out of Vivienne. He has to be stopped, Mike."
"OK, Elizabeth. Leave it to me. I’ll see what I can do."
They were interrupted by a tap on the door. It was Miss Scarlett.
"I hope I’m not interrupting anything. It’s just... Sebastian is ready to unveil some of his paintings for this evening."
"We’ll come and look at the ones in the lounge first’ Colonel Mustard said.
"Where is my painting, Vivienne?" Mrs Peacock asked.
"In the ballroom. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it" Miss Scarlett said and left.
"Shall we?" Colonel Mustard asked.
"We’d better" Mrs Peacock said shortly and they went to the lounge.

Reverend Green sat at the kitchen table, looking pale. He turned the letter that had been preying on his mind over in his hands. They’d be here soon. Then they’d find out. Oh, dear Lord... He went to the cupboard and pulled out the spanner. One thing to do...
As he turned around, Mrs White rushed in. The shock of seeing the other made them drop what they were carrying. The spanner and several small silver ornaments clattered to the ground. In shock, they both stooped to pick up the offending items.
Reverend Green looked at the ornaments, then to Mrs White’s shocked, shamed face. "Oh, Blanche... what have you been doing?"

The paintings in the lounge were not as bad as had been envisaged. They were abstract, almost impressionist but were quite good. Mrs Peacock appraised them with a keen eye, Miss Scarlett looked at them with adoration whilst Colonel Mustard saw them with something bordering on contempt. Sebastian Gold stood proud, observing all.
"Well?" he asked.
"Fantastic" breathed Miss Scarlett.
"Not bad" muttered Colonel Mustard.
"Well... they’re not quite as bad as I thought. I’m rather impressed" Mrs Peacock grudgingly acknowledged.
"What do you think, Professor?" Miss Scarlett asked.
Professor Plum had been stood in front of a painting for a while, a look of disgust and unmistakable rage on his face.
"That one’s called Purple Deceit, Professor. Do you like it, it’s rather fitting, don’t you think?" Sebastian said snidely.
Professor Plum wheeled on him and said in a bitter, low voice "It is the worse piece of art I’ve ever seen. I know what you’re up to and it won’t work. I’ll see you get what you deserve for this, Gold, don’t you worry!"
Professor Plum stormed out.
"Well, honestly. Some people just can’t take a joke," Sebastian said. "Let’s go and see the ones in the ballroom..."

Reverend Green stood in the conservatory, twisting a greasy piece of lead piping in his hands. Oh now, things had gone from bad to worse. Poor Mrs White was involved, far too deep. So was he... why couldn’t that wretched man just go away? The heavy weight of the lead piping provided a cool, comforting feeling. Yes... why didn’t Sebastian Gold just go away...

Sebastian led Colonel Mustard, Mrs Peacock and Miss Scarlett to the ballroom. Most of the paintings were set up, and one had a piece of material thrown over it to obscure it from view. The paintings were mostly in the same vein as the ones in the lounge, but some were more abstract than before, bordering on weird. Mrs Peacock raised an eyebrow at these canvasses but was intrigued by what was beneath the impromptu veil.
Sebastian grinned devilishly. "The piece de resistance is underneath the veil. Come on, Viv, let’s leave them to it."
Sebastian and Miss Scarlett left the room. Colonel Mustard sighed and pulled the material off the frame to reveal the painting. Mrs Peacock took a horrified look at it and ran from the room in tears. Colonel Mustard stayed to look at it a little closer. Rage and anger was building inside him.
The painting was grotesque, a huge ocean of blue in the shape of a dragon with a vaguely recognisable face. Colonel Mustard was so angry. After all Elizabeth’s kindness to the little runt and this was how he repaid her... well, he’d be laughing on the other side of his face when Colonel Mustard had finished with him.
Colonel Mustard took another look at the painting, snatched the length of rope that was tying back one of the curtains and stormed out of the room.

Back in the library, Sebastian and Miss Scarlett were rowing. Despite usually enjoying Mrs. Peacock's discomfort, Vivienne was starting to worry whether Gold had gone too far.
"Why did you have to do that, Seb? The Professor hasn’t hurt you, neither has my stepmother!"
"Lighten up, for God’s sake, Viv. It’s just a joke. That’s all it is!"
"It’s not funny. You’ve upset them both. I won’t be surprised if they’re both baying for your blood right now. And I don’t blame them. Pull that trick on me and I’ll kill you."
"Then kill me. The pictures I’ve taken today are going to be converted into a set of pictures of Ladies Of The Night. I couldn’t have picked a better subject than you, Viv, because you’re nothing but a cheap tart!"
Miss Scarlett slapped him across the face and pointed the revolver at him. "You’ll pay for this!"
She stormed out of the room, still carrying the revolver.

Mrs White sat at the kitchen table, looking thoughtful when Professor Plum barged in, looking very angry.
"I’m sorry, Mrs White. I didn’t realise there was anyone in here."
"That’s quite alright, Professor. Are you okay?"
"Not really. Sebastian Gold has made a fool out of me."
"Join the club. Someone ought to teach him a lesson."
"Yes, someone should."
"Excuse me, Professor, I’ve got to go and set the dining room table."
Professor Plum leaned against the worktop where the spanner had been left. Maybe someone should teach Sebastian Gold a lesson... His thoughts were disturbed by three loud shots coming from somewhere inside the house.

Sometime later, Mrs Peacock was sat in her study drinking a glass of brandy with Colonel Mustard. Mrs White came barging in without even knocking.
"I’m sorry for not knocking, Mrs Peacock, but something terrible has happened. Mr Gold’s paintings in the lounge... somebody’s destroyed them!"
"What?" Colonel Mustard stood up from where he was sitting on the table.
"Who?" Mrs Peacock asked, concerned.
"I don’t know, ma’am. I came looking for you to tell you that dinner was ready to be served and I found them."
Miss Scarlett rushed in. "Mother! Something’s happened. Sebastian’s paintings have been ruined. The pictures in the ballroom have been slashed beyond recognition. Who did it?"
"We don’t know, Vivienne. Mrs White has just told us that the pictures in the lounge have been destroyed."
Reverend Green appeared at the door, wiping his hands on a handkerchief. "I say, there’s an awful mess in that ballroom. Someone’s had a right go at those canvasses."
Pandemonium ensued as everyone tried to talk over one another. The bedlam was silenced by Professor Plum walking into the room, looking dazed.
"Peter, what’s wrong?" Mrs Peacock asked.
"Call the police. Sebastian Gold... he’s dead. He’s been murdered."

GOOD LUCK.

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