Mrs. Wilberforce caught her breath as rain pattered against darkened windows. Professor lay senseless at her feet while the pie sat untouched, poisonous threat neutralized.
Exhausted yet resolute, she searched the ransacked rooms for clues to further mysteries. Maps bearing casino markings raised suspicions confirmed.
These hooligans planned far more than musical studies indeed!
Her search was interrupted by the creak of floorboards. Whipping round, Mrs. Wilberforce gasped to find Bob's hulking figure looming in the doorway, fists clenched menacingly.
Before he could advance, she brandished syringe vials warningly. One prick and you'll sleep awhile too, my boorish friend. Now, call off your ilk or things take an uglier turn.
Bob hesitated, torn between following orders and quelling this interfering woman once and for all. His moment of vacillation proved pivotal as sirens pierced the night outside. Finally the authorities closed in, drawn by Mrs. Wilberforce's urgent tip-off upon drugging Professor.
Within moments, armed police flooded the lodgings while paramedics secured Professor and other unconscious members. Though dazed, Mrs. Wilberforce recounted all to Inspector Lestrade, who praised her bravery in thwarting further violence and bringing criminals to justice.
In the aftermath, Professor and his cohorts were swiftly imprisoned to await trial. Only anxious Gordon avoided charges, compelled to testify against his former associates by the woman who saved him.
Days later, Mrs. Wilberforce sorted through remnants of the upheaval. While cleaning, something caught her eye - a floorboard recently replaced bearing telltale signs of recent disturbance.
Prying it loose revealed Professor's final deception: stacks of ill-gotten cash and gems remained buried within the beam, escape funds left untouched in the chaos. The clever widow smiled sagely, gathering her rightful finds.
Justice was served, yet mysteries lingered as to other players' fates ahead of pending trials. Only time would reveal the true closure to this volatile saga begun beneath her very roof. For now, Mrs. Wilberforce turned her attentions to pie-making and dreams of happier days soon to come.
The game had ended, each villainous pawn removed from the board. Though danger passed, the widowed player emerged victorious through courage, cunning and compassion - qualities which ultimately triumphed over malice in this gripping black comedy's climax.
YOU ARE READING
A case of pies and plotting
Mysterie / ThrillerA charming criminal known as "Professor" rents rooms above a bakery owned by a pious old woman named Mrs. Wilberforce under the guise of being a professor of music. In truth, he is assembling a crew for a sophisticated casino heist. Over time, Mrs...
