The Murder House Mystery

Chapter One

I was rereading my favorite book, A Hundred and One Steps to Become a Detective when Mom made the announcement.

"Uncle Bill's best friend Thompson is retiring! He's having a huge retirement party in his house and we're invited!"

Thompson Clarke was the CEO of Pear Electronics since way before I was born.

"That's wonderful!" I cheered. I have always loved Thompson's huge country house. It was a rare opportunity that we'd get to go there. It had to be at least a three hour drive. "Is Tammy coming?" I asked.

Mom laughed. "Of course she is."

Tammy was my mom's new wife. They had been together for seven years, ever since I was three years old and my father left. They had just gotten married.

We got packed. I packed my book, my phone and my set of headphones in a practical drawstring bag. Mom packed her emergency bag containing everything everyone would ever need during an emergency. Tammy packed... literally everything else. I'm pretty sure I saw Tammy bring a harmonica.

Mom was driving the car. Tammy sat in the passenger seat. I had the entire back row to myself. After a few minutes of the soothing rhythm of the car and soft talking of my mothers talking about the possibility of getting me a younger sibling, I fell asleep.

I probably would have slept there for a long time if my mom didn't wake me up.

"Toby," she whispered, "Wake up."

"Five more minutes," I groaned.

"But, Toby!" Tammy whispered. "We're here. Thompson's retirement party."

I jerked awake. "Well why didn't you say so?"

We left the car. Let me just say, Thompson's house was absolutely magnificent. He had an old and secluded country house complete with a forest around it. It was practically isolated from the rest of the world, creating an ethereal and mysterious aura.

An old man hobbled out of the house.

"Thompson!" I cried.

"Toby!" cried Thompson, "Come here!"

We hugged each other. Thompson and I weren't related. Thompson was a childhood friend of my grandmother Tiffany and her brother Bill. He had retired only a month ago.

"Toby!" cried two more voices. It was Grandma and Great Uncle Bill. I rushed over to hug them too.

"Lina!" cried Grandma. "I see you've brought the Mrs.! I've always wanted a daughter-in-law!"

I saw a glint of nervous sweat on Great Uncle Bill's face. "Wait," he stammered, "Lina's remarried?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Thompson, "What did you think the divorce was for?"

Great Uncle Bill seemed appalled, "There was a divorce?"

Thompson sighed, "I really shouldn't have let you help me with the invitations list."