Alex, Fletch, Dawn and Lee told their parents that they were going to visit an old lady who was a writer, and lived just three blocks away; and that she was helping them with their project. It helped their cause that Dawn's mother knew Mrs. Books and communicated to the other parents that she was a dear lady, and that the teens would be perfectly safe going any where with her.
Mrs. Books was ready to go when the four friends arrived on her door step. She was doing the driving of course. On the way, Alex, Lee, Fletch and Dawn discussed what questions to ask her, and the boys nominated Dawn to do the talking. Dawn had no problem with doing so.
Everyone had an awed look on their face as they entered the Weems' estate, via a long willow tree lined avenue in a very wealthy neighborhood. Mrs. Books guided the car into Miss Weems' circular driveway and parked. All of them gazed up at the large pristine white two-story building. White pillars framed the expansive veranda and the double entrance doors.
A variety of flowers bordered the driveway and a perfectly sculptured tree (of some kind) stood on each side of the wide entrance doors. "Before we go in...." Mrs. Books started, "I should tell you, I think we should only ask questions pertaining to the case. Scarlet Weems does not like personal queries." Mrs. Books said this with a stern voice and a raised brow.
Alex, Fletch and Lee stood nervously before the large double doors. But Dawn and Mrs. Books seemed quite at ease as Mrs. Books rang the door chime. A maid answered and pleasantly invited them in. She then ushered the group into a large luxurious living area and offered them seats on a very long comfortable looking sofa; pale green in color. Alex estimated it could seat ten people without being crowded.
The furniture in the house looked very expensive and so did the paintings and tapestries on it's walls. An elaborate staircase led to the upper floor, and coming down that stairway was a beautiful woman in a designer dress (aqua in color.) It was made of a shimmering fabric; maybe satin, Alex thought.
Scarlet's dark brown hair was done up in a French twist and her pale blue eyes stared straight ahead of her. Her face was flawless and haughty. She reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to look at her guests, who were now being served tea. Scarlet made her way slowly to a mint green, Victorian chair opposite the sofa. "Scarlet." Mrs. Books said, extending her hand. "Violet." Scarlet responded, briefly shaking it. Mrs. Books then introduced the others, but Scarlet didn't offer to shake hands with them. Instead, she simply nodded. Her guests nodded back. Scarlet then smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from her satin dress, and said in a very refined voice, "What do you want with me?"
At that moment, a maid came in carrying a tray laden with more tea and small cakes. One look at Scarlet's irritated face told her she had interrupted something. She quickly hurried from the room after setting the tea and the tray on the coffee table. Only Fletch helped himself to a cake. Scarlet took a sip of her tea, and then set it on a small table next to her, waiting for someone to answer her question.
Mrs. Books began. "Well, as I told you on the phone...." And Mrs. Books related briefly why they were there. Scarlet took another sip of tea and set it again on the table, then said stiffly, "What do you want to know?" Alex noticed a trace of an accent, maybe Irish, he thought.
"Firstly, we were wondering why it took you so long to come to your brother's defense?" Dawn said boldly. (even though she already knew, she wanted to see if Scarlet would give her the same answer she gave the police.) Scarlet raised a perfectly penned brow and glared at Dawn with distaste.
"I was in France, London, Rome." She said casually, waving an airy hand. "And you just happened to come home the day of your brother's trial?" Dawn retorted skeptically. The others were giving Dawn wary looks, but she plowed on bravely. Dawn was obviously not intimidated by Scarlet. While they all waited for her answer, Scarlet gave Dawn the once over as she took another sip of tea.
It was evident that Scarlet was deliberately keeping Dawn waiting. Finally, she spoke. "I received a phone call from a dear friend, telling me of my brother's situation." She said, as though she had a bad taste in her mouth. Then she took another sip of tea. "We heard that you and your brother despised each other." Dawn said, her eyes flashing.
"I can imagine where you received that news." Scarlet said vehemently, glaring at Mrs. Books, who didn't look at all disturb.
YOU ARE READING
Book 1-Alex Bishop and the North Side Detectives
Mystère / ThrillerAlex Bishop is the new kid in town and he's not happy about it. He misses his home town of Fairling Indiana and the friends he had to leave behind. He has been deposited at his new address in Elkhart Indiana where he knows no one. But much to his...
