Clue [Sanders Sides AU]

Chapter One - We Meet in the Mansion

Thomas eyed the mansion that rested on top of the hill. Any other day, being lit up by the bright sun, it would have looked absolutely stunning, but given the subject matter he would be dealing with tonight, it seemed only natural for the weather to set the proper mood.

Clouds pooled in the sky, wind tossed itself through the trees, blowing stray leafs to and fro. The full moon sat high in the sky, being one of the only things to illuminate the dark driveway as Thomas drove up the swirling hill.

He quickly parked his car in the driveway and stepped out, umbrella, coat and brown paper bag in hand. His ears were immediately met with the sound of barking dogs, their chains scrapping against the ground. He kept his gaze on them as he briefly adjusted his hold on his belongings, dread settling into his stomach the longer he stared.

As he began his walk to the door, the dogs ran up to him, barks ringing out into the, otherwise, quiet night, "No!" Thomas snapped, tossing his coat at them as a means of distraction. The two dogs eagerly began to gnaw on the fabric, unaware of Thomas pulling out a set of bones. He threw them beside the dog house that sat a few feet away, watching the big mutts go after their treats.

Once he was sure the dogs were settled, he tossed the, now crumpled, paper bag to the floor and walked over to the chains keeping the dogs in place, adjusting them so the pair could go a shorter distance—He did have guests coming over after all, and the last thing he wanted was for one of them to be attacked by guard dogs.

He grabbed his coat that only sustained minor damage, and began his walk inside, only to pause and take note that he had stepped in something during his encounter with the canines. He shot the two a quick glance before continuing onward, scrapping his shoe clean before entering the house.

Shake, Rattle and Roll was softly playing from one of the rooms in the mansion, possibly Remy's doing, if Thomas had to guess. He stored his coat and umbrella in a nearby closet and turned back to firmly shut the front door.

[New England, 1954]

Thomas walked over to the dining room, checking to see if everything was orderly—which it was. He then followed the sound of the music, discovering Remy bouncing allowing to it, while he polished a wine glass with a rag.

The music was swiftly shut off by Thomas, to Remy's disappointment, "Is everything ready?" he asked, turning his gaze to the other butler, who had a small pout on his face.

"I was listening to that, you know," he muttered bitterly, "But yeah, everything is ready," he huffed, pausing his glass polishing to look up at Thomas.

"You have your instructions?"

Remy simply nodded, blinking several times and sniffing the air, "Did you step in—?" he didn't even get the question out before Thomas was already out of the room. He shook his head, returning to the glass he was working on, "He totally did..." he quietly muttered.

+

Muffled voices could be heard form the kitchen as Thomas went to check on Camden, who was currently prepping dinner for the guests.

"Everything alright, Camden?" Thomas asked as he stepped into the kitchen.

"Yep," the cook replied, turning to flash Thomas a small smile, "Dinner should be ready at 7:30," he chirped.

DING, DING, DING, the doorbell chimed.

Thomas quickly made his way to the front door, opening it to find a very excited man standing before him, who was doing his best to not look extremely terrified. Thomas assumed he was sacred of the dogs, but in actuality, the man had seen a spider crawling across the floor a few seconds prior to Thomas' arrival.