chapter 6 - Ask Jeeves
Outfits in the external link
Day One
New Canaan, Connecticut
Mansion - Hallway
Two maids were looking at a portrait of a woman holding a small dog.
A butler walked toward them. "Now, now. I know it's a terribly sad day. Bunny LaCroix was a good woman, a fair employer with a kind heart." The two maids looked close to tears. "But there is work to be done. In less than 24 hours, the LaCroix family will descend upon this estate for the funeral and the reading of the will, and it is our duty to make sure this manor is the tip-top shape." The butler looked at the portrait. "We owe that much to Bunny." He looked at the first maid. "Colette. To the master closet. I'd like you to select Mrs. LaCroix's wardrobe for the burial." He looked at the second maid. "Olivia. Please make sure all the lavatories are spotless."
"Why do I have to?" Olivia asked.
"Now, now," the butler told her. "You're still the new hire. Colette has seniority." He clapped his hands twice. "Chop, chop. There's no time to waste."
Colette walked up the staircase. Olivia walked away in the opposite direction. The butler watched her go, walking away.
§
Bunny's Bedroom - Walk In Closet
Colette selected a suit and a blouse. She opened a jewelry box, choosing a brooch. She took a pearl necklace, putting it on. She heard a door open, looking around. She walked toward a mirror, admiring herself in the pearls. She heard a door close.
§
Bedroom
Colette walked in, toward the door. She heard footsteps, turning around. Bunny was standing behind her.
Colette gasped. "But... you're dead."
Bunny glared at Colette, walking toward her, making her back away, out of the room.
§
Foyer
Bunny walked toward Colette, making her back away onto the staircase, ripping the pearl necklace off her neck, making the necklace break, showering the pearls on the floor. Colette tried to back away further, falling over the banister, screaming. She fell through a glass table on the first floor. She laid there, dead on the floor, surrounded by broken glass. Bunny stood by the banister on the second floor, looking down.
The butler ran up to where Colette's body was lying. He looked up at Bunny. "What have you done?"
Bunny turned around, walking away.
§ Worlds Colliding (Supernatural) §
Shady Hills Motel - Parking Lot
Sam and Dean were standing outside. Dean was tightening a screw on the Impala's headlight. Catty and Ness walked closer, two tiny cups of coffee in each hand.
"Hey," Catty told them. "Individually brewed." They handed two of the cups to Sam and Dean. "Technology, man."
"Real men don't drink out of cups this small," Dean told them.
Sam smelled his coffee. "What is that, cinnamon roll?"
"It's, uh, glazed donut," Catty answered. "Look, guys, if you don't want them, we..."
Catty and Ness exchanged a look, looking at Sam and Dean, smirking.
"Nah, it's..." Sam trailed off. "Got it." Sam and Dean each took a drink. "So, any leads on the scanner or the Interweb?"
"Nothing," Ness answered. "Not even a cat up a tree."
"So right when we're ready to jump back into it, it goes, uh, radio silent," Sam told them.
Ness shrugged. "Murphy's law."
"Well, Murphy's a douche," Dean told them.
"Hey, feel like taking a detour to Connecticut?" Ness asked.
"What?" Dean asked.
Ness held up a phone. "I was going through my dad's things when we stopped by his storage place for the first time since I've been back. And, in total, 27 messages. The only one that counts is from two days ago. Apparently, my dad's been named a beneficiary in Bunny LaCroix's will."
"Bunny LaWho?" Catty asked.
"Attorney said she's an heiress and my dad's presence or next of kin is being requested in New Canaan," Ness explained, taking a drink.
Catty took a drink.
"How did Bobby know an heiress?" Sam asked.
"My dad had secrets, guys," Ness told them. "Like loving on Tori Spelling. If he only knew Dean cheated on her. Anyway, road trip? Who knows? Maybe my dad earned us some beer money."
Sam sighed. "Dean, why don't you two go? This is Ness' thing, and since you two are married, it doesn't seem to be a thing Catty and I should be involved in."
Ness gave him a serious look. "Sam. You're suggesting Dean and I are walking into heiress territory alone? That is not something you want to walk into alone. There's gonna be a lot of people there. Rich people. In an expensive mansion in expensive clothes, living the high life. We need to blend in."
Dean looked at Catty and Sam. "Oh, if she's gonna make me go through that, you're coming."
Catty and Sam sighed. Ness smirked, taking a drink.
§
Night - On the Road
The Impala drove down the road.
§
Day Two
New Canaan, Connecticut
LaCroix Mansion - Outside
The Impala pulled up in front of the mansion among other very expensive cars, getting out, wearing better clothing than they usually did, but not outdone, either.
Catty looked at Ness. "Wow. You weren't kidding."
They walked toward the front door. Ness pressed the doorbell. Beethoven's Fuer Elise played as a ringer.
Olivia opened the door. "May I help you?"
"I'm Ness Singer-Winchester," Ness told her. "This is my husband, Dean, and his brother and sister, Sam and Catty. We're here on behalf of my father, Bobby Singer."
"Mr. Singer won't be coming?" Olivia asked.
"No," Ness answered. "He passed away."
Olivia seemed disappointed. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Uh, condolences for your loss, too," Sam told her.
"Thank you," Olivia told them. "Well, you just missed the funeral, but the family's relaxing inside if you'd like to join."
§
Inside - Living Room
(Song:) Arabeske in C major, Op. 18 - Robert Schumann
Olivia led Sam, Catty, Dean and Ness inside where the LaCroix family were, clearing her throat. "Allow me to introduce Sam, Catty and Dean Winchester, and Ness Singer-Winchester."
An older woman with short blonde hair walked closer. "Of the Westchester Winchesters?"
"Uh, no," Sam answered. "I don't think there's any relation."
"Nah," Catty answered.
"No matter," the older woman told them. "You are adorable."
Dean raised his eyebrows. "Oh.'
"I'm Heddy, Bunny's cousin," the older woman told them. She gestured to a woman with long blonde hair sitting behind her. "And this is my sister, Beverly."
"Charmed, I'm sure," Beverly told them.
Heddy gestured to a man playing pool. "And that's Bunny's youngest brother, Stanton. Stan for short."
"Come on in, guys," Stanton told them. "Join the mourning."
Heddy gestured to the woman standing next to Stan. "And his child bride, Amber."
Stan lined up a shot.
"Go, Stan," Amber told him.
Stan missed his shot. "Babe, don't. You're breaking my concentration."
Heddy gestured to a male-model looking man. "And then there's Dash. That's the baby of the family. He's Bunny's great nephew. Harvard business."
"How did you guys know Aunt Bunny?" Dash asked.
"We, uh..." Dean trailed off.
"We--we--we didn't personally know her," Ness explained. "My father, Bobby Singer, did."
"Bobby?" Beverly repeated. "Never heard of him. But you can fill us in over the weekend."
"The weekend?" Catty repeated.
"Didn't the attorney tell you?" Heddy asked. "Service was today and the reading of the will tomorrow."
"Oh, but you're welcome to spend the night," Beverly told them. "All the rooms sleep two."
Heddy hit Sam's ass. "Or three."
"Okay," Sam told her awkwardly.
"Where's Colette?" Amber asked.
The butler stood nearby. "She quit. Poor dear was so distraught over Mrs. LaCroix's passing. Went off to find herself."
"Ashram in India?" Heddy asked.
The butler shook his head. "Uh, clown college in Sarasota."
"Good choice," Heddy told them.
The butler walked up to Sam, Catty, Dean and Ness. "May I have a word with you in the hall in five minutes?"
"Sure," Ness answered.
"Yeah," Sam answered.
The butler walked out, leaving.
"So, Sam, tell me," Beverly told him. "Do you work out?"
(Song Ends)
§
Hallway
Sam, Catty, Dean and Ness walked through the hall.
Dean mimicked Beverly. "'Charmed, I'm sure'. What are these people?"
"They're called WASPs," Ness told them.
"What?" Catty asked.
The butler walked closer. "My name is Phillip. My apologies for being so oblique back there, but I'm doing you a favor."
"Okay," Sam told him.
Phillip looked at Ness. "As you know, Mrs. LaCroix bequeathed something to your father." He looked between them. "But the reading of the will isn't until tomorrow, and I would hate for you to have to stick around and be forced to... well, mingle with the family."
"Don't worry, Alfred," Dean told him. "We know which one the shrimp fork is. Kind of."
"Oh, Mr. Winchester, if you're implying that I don't think you're good enough, it's quite the contrary," Phillip told him. "You're far too good. The LaCroix family is... how shall I say this politely? Money grubbing leaches."
"What are you talking about?" Catty asked. "I thought they were all loaded."
"Loaded?" Phillip asked. "Yes. Rich? No. The recession hit every one of them, and I'm afraid if they knew what Bunny left you, those vultures would try to stake claim. And since the attorney kindly agreed to a hand-off, you don't have to be subjected to their scrutiny."
Phillip handed an envelope to Ness.
"Do you have any idea how Bunny and Bobby knew each other?" Sam asked.
Olivia walked into the hallway.
Phillip looked toward Olivia. "Not in the slightest. Um, now, if there's nothing else, shall I have Olivia show you out?"
"No, no," Ness answered. "That's, uh... we got it. Thanks." Olivia and Phillip walked away, leaving. Ness opened the envelope, pulling out a large jeweled cross on a chain. "Huh. Kind of fancy to leave a guy like my dad."
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Sam asked.
"Maybe these rocks are real," Dean told them.
They exchanged a look.
§
Pawn Shop
Catty, Sam, Ness and Dean were speaking to an employee.
"What do you mean, it's not real?" Dean asked. "The old bag was rolling in it."
"Well, looks like the old bag's got a soft spot for fake rubies and cubic zirconium," the employee told them. "This is interesting, though." He pulled the top of the cross off the necklace. "It's a key."
"A key to what?" Sam asked.
"There's one way to find out," Catty told them. "Ask Jeeves."
§
LaCroix Mansion - Guest Bedroom
Stan and Amber were fighting.
"Beverly saw you sexting at dinner," Stan told her.
"Bev doesn't know what the hell she's talking about," Amber told him. "I was texting my mom."
"An emoticon of a peeled banana?" Stan asked skeptically.
"She likes fruit," Amber told him.
"Just admit it," Stan told her. "You're cheating."
"And you're drunk," Amber told him. "Not to mention paranoid." He pointed at a portrait on the wall of Bunny and a man. "Just like Lance. He was always accusing poor Bunny of sleeping around."
"Because she was," Stan told her. "My sister was nothing but a two-bit hooker in Chanel."
"How dare you?" Amber asked. "Your sister's dead."
Amber walked into the bathroom, closing the door.
Stan looked at the portrait. "What the hell are you looking at? Good riddance to you both."
He heard a voice. "Stanton."
Stan looked toward the bathroom. "What?"
Amber didn't open the door. "I didn't say anything."
He heard a voice. "Stanton."
§
Hallway
Stan walked out into the hall, looking around. Lance walked around the corner, carrying an ax.
Stan was in shock. "No."
Stan screamed. Amber walked out into the hall. Lance decapitated Stan, killing him. Amber screamed.
§
Night - Outside
The Impala parked in front to see a police car. Sam, Dean, Catty and Ness walked toward the door. Ness rang the doorbell. Phillip opened the door.
"Everything okay?" Ness asked.
Phillip held the door open. "Not really."
§
Foyer
Sam, Dean, Catty and Ness walked in.
"Thanks," Sam told him.
Phillip closed the door behind them. "I presume you left something behind. I'll check the front closet for burlap."
"I got news for you, Mr. Belvedere," Catty told him. "The jacket's canvas."
A detective walked closer. "You four were here earlier?"
"Yeah," Dean answered. "Who wants to know?"
The detective showed them his badge. "Detective Howard, New Canaan PD." He put the badge away. "Congratulations, guys. You're now officially murder suspects."
"I'm sorry," Ness told them. "What?"
"Yeah, Bunny LaCroix's brother Stanton was killed this evening," Howard told them. "His body's just gone to the morgue."
"And you think..." Sam trailed off.
"I don't know what to think," Howard told them. "And that's why you four and anyone else who stepped foot in this house today is being detained for questioning."
§
Living Room
Catty, Sam, Ness and Dean walked in.
"Beverly, let go of me," Heddy told her. "It's so obvious she's guilty."
"You're off your rocker, old lady," Dash told her.
"Old lady?" Heddy repeated. "I..." She noticed Catty, Sam, Ness and Dean. "I'm 39."
"And you have been since '03," Dash told her.
"How--how dare you?" Heddy asked.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but--but who's guilty?" Sam asked.
"The town slut, Amber," Heddy told them. "She killed Stan."
"And what's her motive, 'Murder, She Wrote'?" Dash asked.
"Oh, everyone knows that Amber was sleeping around," Heddy told them. "She wanted to leave Stan, but her prenup was ironclad. So, she killed him."
"Sounds logical," Sam told them.
"Well, unless you believe that ridiculous story that she's been peddling," Heddy told them. "A Ghost killed Stanton? Honestly."
"Uh, a Ghost?" Catty repeated.
"She's claiming that Bunny's late husband, Lance, did it," Heddy explained. "Have you ever heard such a thing? What a panic. So stupid."
"You're nutty as a squirrel on those synthetic hormones," Dash told her.
"Nutty?" Heddy repeated. "How appalling of you. Don't they teach you manners in Harvard?"
Catty, Sam, Ness and Dean pulled aside to talk alone.
"So, uh..." Ness trailed off.
"Looks like we might have a case here," Sam told them. "Vengeful Spirit?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah. Think we can get to the car, get the EMF?"
"Not with, uh, Detective Friendly," Catty answered. "Not a chance. Guess we're gonna have to go old school."
"All right, cold spots it is," Dean told them.
"Yeah," Ness agreed. "I'll stay here, keep an eye on Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard. You guys sniff around."
"All right," Sam told them.
Beverly waved at Sam. Catty, Sam and Dean walked out, leaving. Ness turned to face the others.
Heddy looked at Dash. "For your information, I already own a big, beautiful yacht."
"Oh, is that what you call that thing?" Dash asked.
"Fine," Heddy told him. "It's a mahogany sunfish."
Ness closed her eyes in annoyance.
§
Hallway
Catty was walking down an upstairs hallway. She peered into the helmet of a suit of armor.
§
Living Room
Dash and Ness were talking.
"Hey, got to say for a family that just lost two members, you all seem... fine," Ness told him.
"Well, Ness, I'll let you in on a little family secret," Dash told her. "We don't really like each other. Then again, what family does?"
"Mine does," Ness answered. "Uh, for the most part."
"Then you're lucky," Dash told her. "Trust me, it's a miracle we've been under the same roof for 24 hours and haven't... oops. My bad."
"And, uh, why are you so sure Amber didn't do it?" Ness asked.
"Because Amber's not a killer," Dash answered. "She has trouble using WiFi. I don't exactly think she's capable of murder."
Ness considered this thoughtfully.
§
Hallway
Sam was walking down another hallway, past a bedroom to where the outline of Stan's body and head were.
§
Living Room
Dash and Ness were still talking.
"And her story about the Ghost?" Ness asked.
"I don't believe in Ghosts," Dash told her. "That said, if anyone would come back to haunt, it's Uncle Lance. Heard he was a real bastard. No one really mourned his death, except Aunt Bunny, who became a recluse after he died. So, maybe the old goat has a chip on his shoulder. Who the hell knows?"
Howard walked in with Amber. "Dash, you're up."
Dash walked past Amber, leaving the room with Howard. Ness was thinking.
§
Hallway
Dean was walking down another hallway. He saw a book in a bookcase with a cross that matched the necklace on the bind. He pulled out the book and the bookcase opened, revealing a hidden door. He pulled the key from the cross necklace, using it to open the secret door. He walked in, picking up a pipe and some rope.
§
Attic
Dean walked up the stairs, turning on his flashlight. He saw a rolled up rug with feet sticking out.
Olivia walked closer. "Dean?"
"Olivia?" Dean asked.
"Thank God," Olivia told him. "I thought you were him."
"Him who?" Dean asked.
Olivia held her arms around herself. "Phillip, the butler. He locked me in here because I wouldn't lie to the detective about what I saw."
"What did you see?" Dean asked.
"I saw him roll Colette's body in a rug," Olivia answered.
"Clown college Colette?" Dean asked. "The butler killed her?"
"No, no," Olivia answered. "He just--he hid her."
"Then who killed her?" Dean asked.
"I know this is gonna sound crazy, but I saw it with my own eyes," Olivia told him.
"Let me guess," Dean told her. "Lance's Ghost."
"No," Olivia answered. "Bunny's."
Dean looked at her in confusion.
§
Living Room
Ness was sitting with Heddy and Beverly, bored out of her mind. Sam, Dean, Catty and Olivia walked in.
Ness looked at Heddy and Beverly. "You know what? Uh, excuse me." She stood, walking toward Sam, Dean and Catty. "So?"
"You seen the butler?" Sam asked.
"No," Ness answered. "Why?"
"'Cause if anybody has answers, it's him," Dean answered. "We're dealing with two Vengeful Spirits. Apparently, Aunt Bunny had a bee in her bonnet as well."
"Uh, husband and wife tag-team killer Ghosts," Catty told her.
"Well, got to keep the marriage alive somehow," Ness told them. Dean raised his eyebrows at her in amusement. Ness tilted her head. "Oh, you know what I mean."
Sam smirked. Catty smiled.
"The key is to a hidden attic," Dean told them.
"Why would Bunny want my dad to have a key to her attic?" Ness asked.
"I don't know," Dean told them. "It gets weirder. I found Olivia and Colette locked inside."
"Clown college Colette?" Ness asked.
"Yeah," Dean answered. "But she ain't studying balloon animals. She's dead."
"Now, what does the butler have to do with all this?" Ness asked.
"He's the one who locked them in there," Sam answered. "Now, I don't know why, but he's covering for the spooks. He's acting like their Renfield."
"All right, we've got to find him," Ness told them. "Split up."
Howard walked in. "Ness Singer-Winchester."
Ness sighed, looking at Sam, Catty and Dean. "I'll hold him off."
Sam, Catty and Dean nodded, walking away. Ness walked toward Howard.
§
Upstairs
Sam was walking down the hall.
Beverly intercepted her by coming out of her room. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? What are you doing snooping around these halls, hmm?"
"Uh..." Sam trailed off.
"Up to no good?" Beverly asked. "Why don't we get up to no good together? You know they say women just get better with age. Like a fine wine, or--or cheese."
Sam stuttered nervously, smiling awkwardly. "Uh, I--I, uh--I'm lactose intolerant, so..."
"Oh, come on, Sammy," Beverly told him. "Don't be coy. We have a good ten minutes before interrogation. And I bet a young buck like you can do a lot in ten minutes."
"I'm right behind you," Sam told her.
Beverly walked into her bedroom. "Right behind me, oh? Could you just give me a hand with this zipper?" Sam walked hurriedly down the hall, leaving. Beverly turned toward the door. "I always have such a hard time..."
Beverly noticed that Sam was gone.
§
Butler's Quarters
Dean walked in, picking up a large wrench, walking in.
Phillip was inside. "Uh, leaky faucet's down the hall."
"Cut the crap, Wadsworth," Dean told him. "What are you doing, hiding dead maids in secret rooms?"
Phillip took a breath. "I know it all looks rather peculiar, but I can explain."
§
Kitchen
Catty walked in. She saw blood on the floor, picking up a knife. She found Phillip's dead body with a knife sticking out of his back. She sighed, looking down.
§
Butler's Quarters
Dean and Phillip were still talking.
"So you hid Colette's body in the attic so that she wouldn't steal Bunny's thunder?" Dean asked skeptically.
"I couldn't stand the thought of overshadowing Mrs. LaCroix's funeral with another death," Phillip told him. "She deserved a proper farewell. I owed it to her."
"Well, that's crazy," Dean told him.
"No, Mr. Winchester, that's loyalty," Phillip told him.
Dean received a text from Catty: Just found Phillip. Dead. Dean turned toward Phillip. Phillip grabbed him, throwing Dean across the room, into the wall, making him fall to the floor. Dean stood, seeing the pile of clothes and skin by the door.
§
Kitchen
Ness, Dean, Sam and Catty were standing next to Phillip's dead body.
"It's no Ghost," Dean told them. "It's a Shapeshifter."
Ness sighed, looking at Phillip's body. "So, the Shifter's getting its jollies by impersonating dead people."
"Yeah," Sam agreed. "First Bunny, then Lance, now Phillip. Guess we can rule out 'the butler did it'."
"And the creep just shed, so now it could be anybody," Dean told them. "We need to find some silver."
"I got one silver knife on me," Ness told them. "That's it."
Olivia walked in, seeing Phillip's body. "Oh, my God!"
"Hey," Catty told her. "He was like that when we found him."
Olivia seemed terrified, but seemed to believe them. "Who did this?"
"We don't know yet, okay?" Catty asked. "Now, listen. Calm down. I know you think he was working with Ghosts, but there's something way worse going on here."
"Worse than..." Olivia trailed off. "What is going on?"
"If you want to help, then help," Ness told her. "Can you do that?"
§
Later
Olivia opened a silverware case. "Why do you need the silverware?"
"For protection," Sam answered.
"Butter knives?" Olivia asked skeptically.
"Trust us," Catty told her. "There's a method to our madness."
Sam handed a knife to Olivia. "Can you, uh, hold this?" Olivia held the knife. Sam picked up two more knives, holding them toward his brother and sister. "Dean. Catty." They held the knives. "All right." Sam picked up another knife. "Let's do this."
§
Living Room
Beverly and Heddy were sitting on the couch, scrolling through men's pictures in a dating app on an iPad.
"No, no, no, no," Beverly told her.
"Wait, wait, wait," Heddy told her. "Go back. He owned an island."
"And a harelip," Beverly told her.
"Who cares if he's ugly if you're drinking Mai Tai's in the lap of luxury?" Heddy asked.
Sam walked in. "Hey. Hey, ladies."
"Hi," Heddy told him.
"What are you doing?" Sam asked.
"Trying to find Beverly a man," Heddy answered.
"I've resorted to fishing online because the live ones won't bite," Beverly told him.
"You mean back there?" Sam asked. "I--I was just playing hard to get."
Beverly smiled. "Well, then... you're a very convincing actor." She gestured for him to sit on the couch. "Come."
"Sure," Sam told them. "All right."
Sam walked closer.
Beverly pushed Heddy over. "Sit here. Yes." Sam sat between them. "Oh, mm."
Sam had a butter knife under his shirt cuff to the underside of his right hand. He put his arm around Beverly's shoulders, touching the knife to her skin to test her.
"Boo," Heddy told him. "I'm feeling so left out."
"Well, then, uh, come on in, darling," Sam told her. "Water's warm."
Sam had a butter knife under his shirt cuff to the underside of his left hand. He put his arm around Heddy's shoulders, touching the knife to her skin to test her.
§
Billiard Room
Catty walked in, looking around the empty room. She was about to walk out when she heard something in the closet. She picked up a silver candlestick, opening the closet door to find Amber and Dash inside, making out. "Really?"
"We can explain," Amber told her.
"Let me guess," Catty told them. "You two got bored last Christmas."
"New Canaan clambake, actually," Dash corrected. "We were in line at the buffet, they ran out of streamers. One thing led to another, and, well..."
"But we didn't kill Stanton," Amber told her.
"We may be guilty of cheating, but not murder," Dash told her.
Catty pulled two butter knives from her pocket. "Touch these."
"What?" Dash asked. "Why?"
"Do it, or I go cards up on your whole clambake," Catty told them.
Dash and Amber were confused, but touched the knives.
"Did... we pass?" Amber asked.
"Yep," Catty answered. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Come on, you two."
§
Living Room
Beverly, Sam and Heddy were still sitting together on the couch. Beverly was stroking Sam's hair. Heddy was touching his fingers. Sam was incredibly uncomfortable.
Heddy looked at Beverly. "Did you see how long his fingers were?"
"There... they're just..." Sam trailed off.
"First of all, did you see this?" Heddy asked. "Look how long..."
Dean, Catty and Ness were standing nearby.
'Should we come back when you're done?" Ness asked sarcastically.
Sam noticed them. "Oh, they're--they're--they're calling to me, so..."
Sam stood.
"And it's all going to Hell, right here, right now," Dean told them. Sam stood next to them. "Sorry to interrupt."
Sam scoffed. "Actually, thanks for interrupting."
"Yeah, I don't think Ava's gonna like this if she finds out, Sammy," Ness told him sarcastically, teasingly.
Sam gave them a sarcastic look. "Ava's why I hated doing that."
Ness looked at Dean and Catty. "Aw. Sammy wanted to save himself up for Ava. Staying loyal."
Dean smirked. Catty smiled.
Sam scoffed. "So, Gray Gardens cleared."
"Okay, well, so is Dash and Amber," Catty told them. "They're a thing, by the way."
"What?" Dean asked.
"Yeah," Catty answered. "WASPs."
"Well, so that's everyone," Ness told them. "Except for--"
They could hear Olivia screaming, running out, leaving.
§
Bathroom
Olivia was here. Dean, Catty, Ness and Sam ran in. Howard was dead with his head in the toilet. Heddy, Beverly, Dash and Amber walked in.
"Well, we got a floater," Dean told them.
"Great," Sam told them sarcastically.
"Yeah, he's a goner," Catty told them.
"Drowned in a toilet?" Heddy asked. "How filthy."
"What kind of monster would do such a thing?" Beverly asked.
Heddy and Beverly turned to Olivia.
"Don't look at me," Olivia told them. "I was just trying to pee."
"Okay, hold on," Ness told them. "Before we start pointing fingers--"
"Amber has motive," Heddy told them. "She killed the detective because she knew that it was just a matter of time before he figured out she killed Stan."
"Bravo, Rizzoli," Dash told her sarcastically. "You solved the case." He looked at Beverly. "Want to weigh in, too, Isles?"
"I didn't kill Stanton or the detective," Amber told them. "And I have proof."
"Okay, guys--" Sam started.
"My alibi is in this room," Amber told them.
"Ooh, wait for it," Catty told them.
"Amber couldn't have killed the detective 'cause she was with me," Dash told them. Catty nodded, looking away. "We're in love."
"We're sleeping together," Amber told them.
"I knew it," Beverly told them.
Heddy looked at Dash. "Well, then you have motive, too. You offed Stan because you were diddling his wife."
"Oh, the old lady doth protest too much," Dash told her. "You're only pointing the finger to distract from your own guilt." He gestured to Beverly. "And you probably got Baby Jane to help."
"Well, I never," Beverly told them, appalled. "I'm leaving."
"All right, hang on," Dean told them, stopping Beverly from leaving the room. "First of all, who talks like that? Second of all, no one's leaving, okay?"
Beverly pushed Dean off. "Oh, get your hands off me, young man."
"Okay, see, I don't trust anyone," Dean told them. "And leaving just makes you look guilty."
Beverly sighed.
"Dean is right, okay?" Sam asked. "We have four corpses now."
"Four corpses?" Amber repeated.
"Yes," Ness answered. "You can add Phillip and Colette to the list."
"Clown college Colette?" Heddy asked. "But I thought she--"
"She's dead," Dean told them. "All right? She's dead."
"And we can't help you unless you stop arguing with one another," Sam told them. "You need to trust us."
"Trust you?" Dash repeated. "Uh, we don't even know you. Look, I'm trying to be objective here, but we've had countless family functions before, and even though we wanted to kill one another, we never did."
"Dash is right," Heddy told them. "Our get-togethers never end in murder. The only thing different this time around is you."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Catty told them. "First of all, whoa. Whatever you're suggesting--"
Dash took the detective's gun. "You four, let's go. Don't even think about it. I... hunt pheasant."
Catty looked away in annoyance, exasperated.
§
Locked Room
Dash held the gun on Ness, Catty, Sam and Dean, putting them in the room. "Sit tight until the cops get here."
"You don't want to do this," Dean told them. "We are your best shot at making it out of here alive."
"We're not the bad guys, Dash," Ness told him.
"I beg to differ," Dash told them, closing and locking the door.
"Hey," Dean told him, trying to open the door, taking a butter knife, trying to force the door open.
Sam rifled through drawers, finding keys. "Hey, keys."
"No, it's locked from the outside," Dean told them.
"Are you kidding me?" Catty asked. "Great."
Dean stopped trying to force the door open with the knife, seeing the knife was bent, reading the small, small engraving. "Made in Taiwan. Freaking stainless steel."
"So, that's why no one sizzled?" Sam asked. "They're not even real silver?"
Ness sighed in annoyance. "First cubic zirconium, and now this. No wonder the rich stay rich." She pulled out her silver knife. "At least we do have one thing that's real silver."
"That's assuming that's enough to kill this thing," Sam told her.
"You know, we got silver bullets in the trunk," Catty told them.
Dean took the knife from Ness, trying to force the door open with it.
§
Living Room
The LaCroixs were gathered.
"I don't get it," Amber told them. "Why would they want us dead?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Dash asked, waving the gun around. "They wanted our inheritance. Guess whatever Aunt Bunny left them wasn't good enough."
"For the love of God, Dash, put down the gun before you kill someone," Heddy told him.
"It's okay," Dash told them. "I. Hunt. Pheasant."
"Put it down," Amber told him.
Dash hesitantly put the gun down on the coffee table.
"I knew those four were trailer trash the moment they rolled up in that American-made," Heddy told them. Olivia walked in. "Oh, call the police at once."
"Oh, I don't think so," Olivia told them.
"Excuse me, young lady?" Heddy asked. "Killer or no killer, you're still on the clock."
"You idiots couldn't be more wrong... about everything," Olivia told them, picking up the gun, aiming it at them. "Don't you know, if it's not the butler, it's the maid?"
§
Locked Room
Sam was watching the security feed. "Guys. You gotta see this."
Ness, Dean and Catty looked at the security feet to see Olivia aiming the gun at the others.
Dean scoffed. "We got played by the maid."
§
Dean threw himself against the door to try to open it to no avail. "Both doors are reinforced."
Sam and Dean looked around the room. Ness and Catty were watching the surveillance video.
§
Living Room
Olivia continued to aim the gun at the LaCroixs. "I'm not the maid."
"Well, that explains the dust," Heddy told her.
"I'm Bunny's daughter," Olivia told them.
"What are you talking about?" Beverly asked. "Bunny didn't have a child."
"Oh, yes, she did," Olivia told them. "A very devoted one. I loved Mother more than anything, which is more than I can say for any of you."
"Then where have you been hiding all these years?" Dash asked.
"The attic," Olivia answered.
"Like in the movie," Amber told them.
Heddy sighed. "Oh, Amber."
"Outside of Mother, Phillip was the only one at the manor who knew," Olivia told them. "So, after she died, he took pity on me, and he let me out. He told me to pose as the new maid so I can hide in plain sight."
"That's why you killed Colette?" Amber asked. "For her job?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no," Olivia answered. "Colette was just an accident. I just wanted to scare her because I caught her stealing."
"Well, that doesn't explain wanting us dead," Heddy told her. "None of us are thieves."
"Oh, no," Olivia agreed. "You're worse. Your greed. Your disdain. Your blatant disrespect for Mother. Oh, you all had it coming."
"But why kill Phillip?" Dash asked. "I mean, if he was on your side..."
"Because he turned on me," Olivia answered. "After Stanton, he locked me back up. Lucky for me, the cute, dumb one let me out."
§
Locked Room
Dean had heard that part through the surveillance footage, seeming to take a little offense.
Sam opened a cabinet. "Gunsafe."
"Hey," Dean told him, tossing the keys to Sam. "Try these."
Ness and Catty watched the security feed.
§
Living Room
Olivia continued to hold the others at gunpoint.
"No wonder you were locked away," Heddy told her. "You're a monster."
Olivia smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."
§
Locked Room
Sam opened the gunsafe, taking out the gun, aiming it at the locked door, shooting the lock off.
§
Living Room
They heard the gun blast.
"What in God's name?" Dash asked.
"Shut up!" Olivia told them.
Ness walked in. Olivia shot toward her. Ness ducked behind the wall. Everyone else ducked for cover. Olivia ran out, leaving.
Ness looked at the family. "Stay here."
Ness ran out, leaving.
Beverly looked at the others. "Did anyone else wet themselves?"
§
Kitchen
Ness ran after Olivia with the gun that didn't have silver bullets. Olivia fired shots toward her. Ness ducked down behind the kitchen island.
"You don't have a clear shot," Olivia told her.
"Neither do you," Ness replied.
"Killing you is the next best thing to killing your father," Olivia told her.
"What's your beef with my father?" Ness asked.
"For starters, he killed my father," Olivia asked.
"Lance was a Shifter?" Ness asked.
"Lance wasn't my father," Olivia told her. "Mother had an affair with a Shifter. She got pregnant, told Lance I was his. He bought it... until she brought me back from the hospital. My real dad was waiting. Lance put up a fight, but he was no match for a Shifter. And just as my dad was about to take me... the hunter became the hunted."
Ness sighed. "My dad."
"After Bobby killed my father, he came after me," Olivia told her. "Mother pleaded with him to spare me. He agreed, under one condition."
"That she keep you locked up," Ness finished.
"From my safety, and the safety of others," Olivia told her. "Mother told the family she lost the baby. And she locked me in the attic. But she remained devoted to me until the very end. Even got Bobby to promise to take care of me if anything happened to her."
"Wait a minute," Ness told her. "Then, my dad spared you. You should be grateful."
"For what?" Olivia asked. "Keeping me locked up my whole life? It would have been kinder to kill me."
Ness slowly pulled out her silver knife from her jacket pocket. "Olivia, you don't have to do this. Being a monster is a choice."
"That choice was made for me a long time ago," Olivia told her, circling around the island.
Once Ness saw the gun over the edge of the counter above her, she launched up, pushing Olivia's arm with the gun aside to make the shot she fired shatter a glass window behind her. Ness slashed into her arm with the silver knife to burn her and make her scream and drop the gun to the floor. Olivia lunged toward her. Ness slit the knife across her cheek, making her skin burn, holding the knife ready, bracing for a fight. Olivia tried to fight her. Ness ducked, spinning around behind her, turning to face her. Olivia turned to face her. Ness tried to stab her with the knife. Olivia caught her wrist, flipping her through the air to the floor in front of them, making her drop the knife. Ness stood, turning to face her. Olivia stalked closer, trying to punch her. Ness caught her arm, punching her in the face, then the gut, making her fall. Olivia grabbed her arm, standing, twisting her arm behind her back, making her turn away from her, groaning in pain. Ness spun out of the grip, standing behind her, holding the arm that she had used to grab her to twist behind her back the same way she had done to her. Ness kicked into the back of her legs, making her fall to her knees, still restraining her, flipping over her head and somersaulting over the floor toward the knife on the floor, making her flip to the floor.
Sam, Catty and Dean ran in with guns raised. "Hey."
Ness grabbed the knife, holding it in both hands, raising it above her head, stabbing it down into Olivia's chest with more force than she had to, into her heart, killing her.
Olivia gasped in surprise and pain. The life slowly drained away from her.
Ness felt the rush of power from the kill again, feeling the darkness from the Mark, knowing that it had been pushing her to be more ruthless, trying to push her into becoming more of a killer, but she held it at bay, barely, breathing heavily, looking up at Sam, Catty and Dean with a dark look in her eyes.
Sam, Catty and Dean slowly stepped closer warily. It took a few deep breaths and a few moments for all of it to subside.
Ness looked up at Sam, Catty and Dean normally.
Sam, Catty and Dean put their guns away, still wary and concerned.
Ness avoided their gazes, looking down.
§
Outside
Everyone left alive was outside.
Dash was on his phone. "Yes, officer. Yes, thank you very much. Yes, no you can't miss it. Big house on the end of the street. All right, bye now." He hung up, looking at Sam, Dean, Catty and Ness. "Guys? Police are on the way. What a mess. I owe you guys an apology."
"Don't sweat it," Sam told him. "I mean, you were just protecting your family, and... there's nothing wrong with that."
"So, I spoke to Aunt Bunny's attorney," Dash told them. "He said outside from the pendant, everything was left to Olivia."
"Hey, you know what?" Dean asked. "Speaking of that... you guys should keep it." He handed the cross key to Dash. "It's a key to the attic."
"Bobby must have really meant something to Aunt Bunny," Dash told them. "How can we repay you?"
"You know what?" Ness asked. "Just forget we were ever here."
"But you saved our lives," Dash told them. "I want everyone to know what heroes you--"
"Look, pal, the fact that we pulled your bacon out of the fire is nobody's business," Catty told him. "Okay? Hey. I'm serious, Izod. Put a pin in it. Or we'll come back for your preppy ass."
(Song:) Traveling Man - Bob Seger
Sam, Dean, Catty and Ness walked toward the Impala, getting in, driving away, leaving.
§
On the Road
The Impala drove down the road.
§
The Impala
Dean was driving. Ness was in the passenger seat. Sam and Catty were in the backseat.
Sam, Dean and Catty looked at each other, glancing at Ness without her noticing.
Ness was unnerved from the events of that night, holding a hand over the Mark of Cain on her arm. She sighed, looking out of the window.
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