Haven't got a clue

Boddy (unnilustrated)

The doorbell rang.

It had alerted everyone in the house of the ninth guest's arrival. Wadsworth excused himself and leaves the dining room, after closing the door that is. From there, he walks along the hall all the way to the front door, and as expected, the dogs are barking loudly. He opened the door, and there stands a single imposing man. 

He was wearing a more casual clothing, though still semi-formal. Simple all black attire, the buttons on his shirt shining silver. As he looks at Wadsworth, he had a face that can only be described as untrustworthy, or not as he seems. He had brought a few bags with him, notably a black leather suitcase.

Wadsworth was seemed oddly pleased at his presence. "Ah! Good evening, you are eagerly awaited."

The man glared at him, "Somehow, I found that hard to believe." After stepping in, he looked at Wadsworth up and down. "And what are you supposed to be?"

The butler closed the door, but not before a bit of snark. "I'm supposed to be polite." He rebutted, "Though, talking to you, I find that the task is beyond me."

"Oh come on, I know how you really are... And don't you forget it." He threatened. "You locking me in? I'll take the key." Moving his hand towards Wadsworth's key. 

This action only made the butler pull it away from his reach and putting it in his pocket. "Over my dead body, sir." They had a stare-off before Boddy looked away and Wadsworth continued.  "May I take your bags?"

"No. I'll leave it here 'til I need it."

"It contains evidence I presume?" He looked curiously at the bags.

"Suprises, my friend. That's what it contains," He puts the bag down, "surprises!" And they both started walking down the hall, Wadsworth leading the man to the dining room. 

"Have you just Arrived from Washington, sir?"

"Yes, It's a long haul"

Wadsworth starts to look around, "Indeed it is a long hall. But then it is a large house."

The man mentally slapped himself for walking straight to Wadsworth's little joke. "You think you're quite the fellow, don't  ya?"

Wadsworth just smiled, and holds the handle. He heard almost no noises inside. 'Odd.' he thought, it was too quiet. He guessed that Yvette, Mrs. Ho, and all the guests must have eavesdropped on their previous conversation. He couldn't help himself, and jiggled the handle in an attempt to spook them all. A bit of commotion cold be heard inside, and he waits a moment to give them time to sit. He opened the door, a bit surprised at how fast the everyone  were, for the guest already sat down, with Yvette and Mrs. Ho acting natural. One thing of note, is that socks is on the table, and Mr. Green is silently inching away from the cat. He stands beside the door, and decided to introduce the very last guest. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present" as the man walks in.

"Mr. Boddy."

Mr. Boddy looked at all the guests with a gleam in his eyes. It was like he recognised all of them. "What are they all doing here?"

"Eating dinner," Wadsworth evaded, "do sit down, Mr. Boddy." He showed Boddy to his seat and left him. 

Y'vette was about to serve him food. "Nah, you can take that away, honey." Mr Boddy shooed.

Mrs. Peacock had enough. "Look. I demand to know what's going on. Now why have we all been dragged up to this horrible place?"

Everyone turns to Wadsworth to answer. He caved to their stares. "Well. I believe we all received a letter." He took out a folded piece of paper from his inner breast pocket. "My letter says, 'It will be to your advantage to be present on this date because a certain, Mr. Boddy will bring to an end a certain long-standing confidential and painful financial liability.' It is signed, 'A friend.'"

"I received a similar letter." Piped Mr. Green.

"Us too" Miss Peach referred to her and her cat.

"And so did we, didn't we." Miss Scarlet said to Plum.

"I also got a letter." Boddy chimed in, when Yvette was about to serve him. "No thanks, Yvette. I just ate."

Him knowing her name made every other guest suspicious. Mr. Green braved up and asked, "Now, how did you know her name?"

Boddy's face became a little more twisted, "We know each other." He says, feeling up Yvette's Skirt. "Don't we dear~?"

Yvette, feeling rightfully violated, recoils far away from Mr. Boddy. Everyone, who at least have some common decency here, grimaced in disgust at what happened. Wadsworth, having a feeling that a fight might just break out, decided to try and save the expensive furniture and china. "Forgive my curiosity, Mr. Boddy, but did your letter say the same thing?"

"No."

"I see." he seemed surprised, but his tone was a little too fake. He steered to the guests, "Can I interest any of you in fruit or... dessert?"

a bit of silence followed before anyone piped up.

"I would like some peaches... It might be nice." Miss Peach suddenly half-joked. "Cannibalism I know, but I need something to settle my nerves."

"Very well Ma'am, anybody else would like something?"

"Actually..." Green's timid voice is heard, "If she can have fruit, may I have strawberries?"

"Of course sir. Peaches and Strawberries," He listed off, "Very fruity, Will that be all?"

He was only met with silence and shaking heads. The other guests were either just processing or too shocked. It seems, unlike Peach and Green, they have lost their appetite. With that, he signed Yvette off with a small list of fruit, hopefully away from Boddy's prying eyes, and turns to address everyone. 

"In that case, may I suggest we adjourn to the study for coffee and brandy, at which point I believe our unknown host will reveal his intentions." He turned his heel, ready to lead everyone out of the dining room.

What a night this was about to be.