As Henry ran hot water into his tub of passion fruit and grapefruit bubble bath with lavender Epsom salts, Marjorie watched, positioned before her lighted magnification mirror. Paused from plucking rapid returning stubborn hairs from her chin in an otherwise still youthful face of medium brown hued skin. Usually warm brown eyes squinted while Henry’s robe, once encircled a muscular frame. Now it could barely contain flesh grown soft in excesses.
Her look? One of disdain, while indeed, Henry’s eyes held the same, as he circled his hand in the expanding rising bubbles. He glanced back to see her peer into a mirror which projected her face into grotesque wicked distortion. A sneaky smirk lifting his mouth as he thought about what he’d plan to do later today. After the party. And Marjorie too had murder in mind.
They’d each discussed it individually with a ‘friend’. How they’d plan to do each other in. It would be simple since each had their routines. And neither had ever thought to concoct anything so extreme: Poison each other’s nighttime drink. For eternal sleep. An end to no longer dream. A fifty year Grand Finale.
What each did not know was that this family ‘confident’ and ‘friend’ also planned to fill their drinks with an additional poison. Designed to finish off both, if any one of the two decided their action to rethink. To be administered by another family member ‘knowingly’ or ‘unknowingly’?… Let us peek into their story. Then tell me what you think…
***
Into Le Magnifique–a luxurious hotel in Martha’s Vineyard, still busy during Covid’s season because of excellent cuisine and a regal atmosphere, masked and unmasked young and old guests from all over the U.S. took their turns at the dark marbled front desk or lingering in the tiled lobby waiting to be escorted to their comfortable rooms. They were composed of long-time friends and family of Marjorie and Henry Wainscot–A warm couple coming upon fifty years of marriage. The occasion had been two years in planning by their four offspring and best friends:
The oldest–Jonathan with his wife Gail arrived the night before from Chicago. Jonathan was forty-eight years old and had become an engineer like his father. Matter-of-fact, he seemed to be a younger replica of him with light brown skin on a tall toned frame which usually wore expensive suits and casual wear to events arranged by Gail, a mixed race beauty of exquisite taste. Lately, due to the pandemic, their high ended living expenses has caused them much concern.
Then there is Rachel. Forty-four and again single. For the third time. She flew in from L.A. with a trail of luggage holding an assortment of beauty products and outfits designed to show off her still curvy 5’6 physique to the best possible advantage. A dark-skinned beauty, she needed husband four to have a lot of cash. And hopefully, be the last.
The twins, Kevin and Crystal, were twenty-years-old and both enrolled in internet schooling from Martha’s Vineyard. Popular due to appearance and a thriving social following detailing their daily ‘doings’. They were always searching for more small events to make the most influential social impact… Kevin and Crystal decided to share a suite at the hotel to document their parent’s momentous occasion.
David and Stacy Pollard arrived from Decatur, Georgia. Marjorie’s and Henry’s hometown before retiring to Martha’s Vineyard. Friends since high school, David and Stacy now kept in touch mainly virtually. With four children of their own, except stair-step in ages ranging from forty-eight to forty-five with a host of grandchildren, they were kept pretty occupied with gift-giving reunions and graduations. So this anniversary celebration was a needed respite…
And after a quite enjoyable visit with a favored niece and her husband visiting from Connecticut–Michael and Carol Laud, David and Stacy coerced them to ‘tag-along’ with them to the Vineyard. Their even-keeled demeanor desired to bridge a growing gulf between the couples.
Of jealously inspired.
Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HQDJN83
Upcoming: ALMOST-A-MURDERER SERIES
First in the Series: As the Cuckoo Flies
Luxurious Setting: Martha’s Vineyard.
Married 50 wondrous years, Marjorie and Henry’s family, co-workers, and friends toasted their longevity year after year amid growing hypocritical ‘congratulations’ and snickers because rumors flew like a cuckoo about frightening fights increasing since the onset of the pandemic that would culminate on the eve of their 50th-anniversary party. A ‘grand finale’ for at least one of the parties. The tragic event organized, sadly, by three co-conspirators–the husband and the wife themselves secretly conspiring against the other by means of a third-party who seeks the death of them both.
Gossip leaks spread about Marjorie and Henry instead of encouragement and sincere praise because of successful climbs out and over peaks and valleys of adversity. No one descending to water down their rages as many wait in shadowed silence to benefit from their impending catastrophic failure. . .
Not just monetarily. . . Thought: If they can’t make it, then marriages aren’t meant to be. . . We can cease trying expectantly.
So what do Marjorie, Henry, and the other member of this intrigue have in deplorable store?
What, if anything, would close the door on murder?
And even more, how can we benefit from their story?
*** © 2 days ago, Lucretia McCloud death • family • friendship • hope • love • teen
ITH & SB 