Miss Meurtre

Act 1

Part 2

After a while, both families arrived: Cady, Sadie’s mom, with her famous pie; Benjamin, Lizzie’s ex-husband, with gifts tucked under his arm; and eventually, Elliot’s dad Theodore with Aunt Lizzie. Lizzie’s hair was in tangles, her bright eyes glancing every which way, and she was wearing a dirty shirt and pants that barely reached her ankles.

Mave visibly winced when she saw her sister-in-law’s appearance. Mave disappeared into the kitchen, muttering something Elliot couldn’t make out, with Cady close behind.

Elliot was in the attic, playing a game of Go Fish with Sadie. They had just finished a very awkward dinner, during which Bane lectured everyone on the importance of strong analytical skills and blah blah blah without reprieve, while Benjamin glared at Lizzie, who was shoving mashed potatoes into her mouth without a care in the world. Theodore was obviously trying to lighten the mood with jokes made during the lecture that became so cringey that Mave begged him to stop. Elliot and Sadie excused themselves early, escaping to the attic. Popeyes Drive-through was awake, and when he saw the two girls, he meowed, tail flicking as he rubbed up against their legs.

“Aww! You cute baby!” Sadie bent down, scooping the orange kitten into her arms and scratching him between the ears. Elliot glanced outside. It was snowing, little disks of frost drifting carelessly through the sky. If the snow kept coming at this rate, then they would be snowed in by tomorrow. Oh well. Not that they had anywhere to go anyway. The Cook family will be staying here for the next two days, sharing food, board games, and whatever else they usually do during Christmas.

“Elliot! Don’t you have anything to feed him?”

“Uh…there might be some fish left downstairs.”

“Go get some. He’s probably hungry.”

Elliot muttered under her breath. Already, Sadie was becoming obsessed with Popeyes Drive-through. She went downstairs, heading straight into the kitchen. Benjamin, Theodore, and Mave were playing a game of poker at the kitchen table.

“Elliot!” Benjamin waved. “Tell Sadie to come down. We’re planning to play a game of Mafia later.”

Elliot told him that she would. Moments later, she tugged a disgruntled Sadie downstairs, still carrying Popeyes Drive-through. Everyone was seated at the table, including Lizzie.

“Come, Elliot. Let’s play.”

The cards were dealt. Elliot snuck a glance before tucking it into her pocket. Killer. Nearby, everyone did the same. Benjamin, the game warden, told everyone to close their eyes for round one. Elliot killed Sadie first. It wasn’t like she was even paying attention, focused as she was on Popeyes Drive-through.