The Butler Didn't Do It

Take Your Punishment Like a Butler

“You may go, Lady Didi. I will deal with these three."

Seething, Brett, Tanya, and Max watched the satisfied Didi sashay toward the main stairs. Davidson waited until she was gone and then turned to the three with a look that could kill. No one dared to comment on the dark circles under his eyes. They knew why he was tired. He’s probably more angry that he’s been woken, Brett thought, than our having been outside. He must be tired after his own late meeting.

So you decided to take a late night stroll

“Some might call walking at five a morning stroll. Sir Max added as if this would ease the situation.

Oh my God Max, read the room! Brett screamed internally. Max’s comment was the wrong thing to say to a manservant who had no sleep and had to deal with a shouting client as the sun rose.

Brett was not wrong. Davidson’s nostrils flared, and his already thin lips completely disappeared for a second. He seemed to be containing a nasty retort. After a moment he seemed to compose himself enough to say softly. “Well, those same people won’t mind doing twice the daily chores as expected.”

Max opened his mouth but Tanya with a cooler head stepped in before he could annoy the man more. “No sir, we would not complain at all.” She knew that despite the soft voice, there was an iron edge beneath waiting for any excuse to be drawn.

“And you,” Davidson said, directing his ire at Tanya, “I’m sorry you can’t get along with your charge, but we have no other lady maids trained. You’re stuck with her and she with you for the time being. I’m also docking her slippers off your pay.”

Tanya now opened her mouth to argue but Brett jumped into the fray before Tanya could let forth a volley of insults and tell Davidson where he could stick that maid job. “It’s only fair sir.” He said as demurely he could muster without seeming mocking. “What would you like us to do first?”

“My hands are going to fall off! They’re so dirty!” Max whined putting down his rag and holding out his hands in a pitiful manner, looking for sympathy.

It had been over 4 hours and they were still cleaning the library top to bottom. Not only were they required to scrub the hardwood floor, a task that promised splinters, but they were supposed to take out and dust every book in the library. It turned out that Rodger’s didn’t use any fake books as props; every book was an old edition and hadn’t been cleaned in years it seemed.

“Why couldn’t we just have blackmailed him?” Tanya asked as she attempted to get a particularly dark scuff out of the wood floor.

“What were we going to say,? ’We know you are having an affair with a widow?’” Brett snapped. Besides, no one would take our word for it. It’s us against one of the most trusted hands in the entire manor. We’d be out of here in 5 minutes.

Tanya grunted in agreement but added, “At least none of you had to pay extra money for something you didn’t do.

That was true “Sorry Tanya.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? We wouldn’t have to blackmail him, but we could have shaken him up a little.”

Shaking his head, Brett said, “We couldn’t let him know that we were spying, he might tighten security. We need to be able to come and go without anyone realizing that we’re watching.”

“Or if he and Sylvie are murderers than they might think of killing us,” Max said sagely.

Tanya looked up from her scrubbing. “Why would they be the murders?”

Max slapped his head for is own foolishness. “Oh weird! I completely forgot you weren’t with us at that part.”

Glaring, the maid asked, “Can you clarify?”

Before Brett could stop him, Max spilled all the beans.

“Sylvie and Davidson were getting it on in the barn!”

“Eww.”

“They were kissing and talking about her dead husband,” Brett said, editing down Max’s claims.

Tanya shrugged. “I guess whatever turns you on.”

“Ha. Ha.” Said Brett. “She has some kind of box n her room. Davidson told her to get rid of. “

Tanya peeked her frazzled head out from behind a stack of books. “What kind of box?”

“Not sure. But she doesn’t want the police to find it.”

“Maybe it’s the poison Davidson used and she’s hiding it for him. “Tanya suggested.

“Or she poisoned him an then Davidson found out and is trying to protect her.” Max countered.

“What about Didi and her dad?” Brett asked.

I know her dad has a small, very small stake in this place. Max said.

Brett looked at him amazed. “How do you know that?”

Max smiled his big smile. “When you’re friendly people like to gossip. Anyway, his wife got more of the shares after the divorce. “

“Do you think the plan has something to do with that?”

“Perhaps Oscar dying was part of that plan.”

“I’m not sure a 15-year-old girl is capable of killing a man in cold blood.”

“You haven’t spent enough time with her,” Tanya said darkly. “Or him, “ she muttered.

“Martina and Audrey obviously know each other.“ Max pointed out.

“Martina apparently comes every year, they must have gotten to know each other.”

“But Audrey admitted that she hadn’t come here often.”

“Who was the dead girl Martina was referring to. Do you think it was Lynn…” Max cleared his throat. “Sorry to ask, but was Lynn Mexican? Asked Max

Brett was silent. “I don’t actually know. “

“There are adoptions stupid,” Tanya said to Max.

“Don’t call me stupid.” Max laughed.

Tanya smiled. “Don’t say stupid things.”

“The point is we all have to figure out if there was one murder, or two.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Do you think Gregory is alright?” Tanya asked.

“I hope so,” Brett said softly.

Hey look at these it’s that picture from The Shining.” Max called from a corner of the library he’d wandered over to continue cleaning. Tanya and Brett came over. Though there was only one window in that section, it was still marvelously lit, although only during the day. At night this area would be murky.

A box lay on the floor. It was full of framed photographs. Each picture was of the staff from the year, with their year printed below.

“Do they have last years?” Brett asked, struck with an idea.

Together they sorted through the pictures. There was one from 5 years ago. 4 years, there was Gregory and Lucy in the back as underlings. He knew Gregory had gotten a job here but they hadn’t talked about it much. He was too busy playing on the soccer team and learning the best ways to sneak out to parties at night. Then 3 years ago. Two years ago…but nothing from the previous year.

“Maybe the police took it,” Max suggested.

“Or someone hid it,“ Tanya said.

“We won’t find out until we investigate more,” Max said.

“Well, that’s not going to happen today. We’ve got a pile of books to clean.” Tanya said, indicating the entire library still half untouched.

Brett wiped a cloth lazily through a shelf of books.

“There. They’re clean.”

“But we’ll---“ Max started to say.

Do you really think Davidson is going to check every book?

What if he does?” Tanya challenged.

“Then he’s not a murderer because he has too much time on his hands.”

“Or he’s not worried about being caught.” But Tanya threw down her cloth and the three left the library.

After claiming to be done dusting the books (not a lie, they hadn’t said ALL the books.) They were told to go the stable yards

Knowing this is where Didi and her father would be this seemed like the perfect time to pick up more information.

Once they arrived they could see why there were needed. Most the guests seemed to be taking advantage of the beautiful day to get away from the house. And as the lake was still not usable they had all gravitated towards the horses.

I guess if you are going to pay big dollars you don’t want to spend all of it walking. Or encountering police officers. Brett thought.

“You, boy, put my foot back in this stirrup.” A voice from nearby shouted at Brett.

Oh good. Jeff’s here too. It was going to be a long afternoon.

Soon the horses were all out. Everyone seemed in good spirits. You’d never know Sylvie’s husband had died with how she chatted with the other guests. Didi was less happy, her father was riding with her and his date. The only one more unhappy about that arrangement was a steaming Audrey who walked across the yard but never took her eyes away from her daughter. When her husband noticed he began to shower Didi with attention.

I don’t know if Audrey is a cold-blooded murderer but I don’t envy her an ex like that.

There was Veronica, riding with Jeff and the others. They were laughing and having a good time, horsing around (appropriate as they were on horses). A little spike hit Brett’s heart. More than anything he just wanted to go over there, for them to say “Hey” like they had never rejected him. He wanted to be carefree on horseback, not sweating in a button down while he held water to bring parched guests. At one point he’d tried to pour himself a glass.

A gloved hand reached out and grabbed the glass.

Staff refreshment is in the tent. Davidson said sharply before turning heel with the glass. He walked it over to Sylvie who was dismounting her obnoxiously white steed.

In the tent, he got a reprieve from the sun, although it was still hot. Several paper cups were set up next to a bowl of tap water.

Only the best at Bowers manner, he thought, filling his cup. His break was interrupted by loud voices near the tent.

“That isn’t fair!

“You should’ve thought of that before you “borrowed” her makeup.”

“I don’t even wear the same colors. She planted those.”

“A likely story, that’s strike 2 for you, Miss Tanya. If there are any more you shall be dismissed and I will see to it that your salary is deducted the time you’ve cost us to train someone else. And you don’t earn enough for that not to hurt your wallet.”

“Believe me I’m aware how little we’re paid for what we put up with.” Tanya's voice was all tense with rage.

The manservant didn’t seem to care. “Last chance.” Brett heard his footsteps fade away. Tanya’s footsteps came closer and a moment later Tanya stormed into the tent. Frustrated beyond measure. She grabbed a paper cup and dunked it straight into the water before gulping it down.

Rough day.

I hope Didi is a murder; I’d love to see her in jail.

Brett felt sorry for Tanya. She had gotten the promotion that had cost her the friendship of most the senior girls here. But she was stuck with a bratty, spoiled girl who lied and, maybe, murdered. Brett actually hoped she wasn’t the killer. If she would stoop to lying to get Tanya in trouble, what might she do to get the lady’s maid out of the picture completely? Particularly if she thought Tanya had seen something.

“Tanya,” Brett asked suddenly.

Startled, Tanya almost dropped her cup. “What is it?”

“Has Didi done anything strange lately?”

Tanya gave a wry look. “Stanger than normal?”

“Something that she was embarrassed about. Think!” He urged her. “You have to be around all the time. Did you ever catch in a moment where she thought she was alone.”

There was a look of realization drawing on Tanya’s face. “Come to think of it yes. The first day. I was putting away her clothes. She had this hat box. It wasn’t there when her clothes were brought up. It just appeared in the evening. I was about to open it when she rushed over and grabbed it from my arms.”

“What did she say?”

“Oh, she told me I was a snoop and probably a thief. She threatened to report me. I thought it was a weird overreaction. The weirdest part of all,” Tanya added, “Was her face. She didn’t look angry. She looked scared.”

“Scared?” Brett repeated. “Maybe there was something in that box that she didn’t want you to see.”

Tanya flushed a little. “Truth be told, she asked me what I’d seen. And I could’ve been honest and said nothing but I just gave this rude a girl a look and said, ‘enough’. And then I walked away.’

“And that’s the only reason she would have for being angry with you?”

Tanya was silent.

“Tanya?”

“Yeah.”

Brett could tell she was leaving something out. But her face didn’t welcome any more questions. Instead, she finished drinking her water and made her way back to the festivities.

Well, Brett thought., other’s festivities. I guess it’s all just work for us.

And he followed.

Tired he made his way back to the house with the others. Trying not to be annoyed that Tanya and Max had already formed several inside jokes he kept his head down.

“Hey!”

He turned but the “hey” wasn’t for him. Wen ran up and hugged Tanya. I haven’t seen you in ages since you became a fancy maid. Why were you slumming with us today?”

“

“I got in trouble,” Tanya said with a shrug.

Wen tilted her head and gave a sarcastic sigh. “You? Never. I can’t imagine you ever breaking the rules.” But she couldn’t hold a straight face and burst into giggles. Tanya and Max joined in. Brett once again wasn’t sure what to do.

“Her middle name is trouble.” He said. The joke was met with awkward silence. Then the Wen, Max, and Tanya shared a look. One that Brett knew. He knew he was the joke.

I’m tired. I want to sleep.” Without waiting for them to try and stop him (or worse, not try and stop him) he made his way into the kitchens. But he could barely step inside. It was packed. Above some heads, he could see Detective Quincy’s hat. He pushed his way forward and was greeted with a shocking sight.