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Today's Topics:

1. Re: At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham (Tara Kunkel)
2. Re: And So it Begins ... Nicola (Heather Mace)
3. ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela (Nowsounds)
4. Re: At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham (Mrfury28@...)
5. Re: ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela (Dorothea Salo)
6. Re: And So it Begins ... Nicola (Mel Mason)
7. Re: At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham (Mel Mason)
8. Re: At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham (Tara Kunkel)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:39:35 -0500
From: Tara Kunkel <faespinner@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham


At 03:14 PM 12/20/2004, you wrote:
>Hodges surveyed his hands, noting the dark under his cuticles. It would
>have to be good enough. At least he had the time to don clean pants,
>starched shirt and jacket. He straightened his tie in the oval mirror
>above the dresser before heading to the Fitzroys. Hearing the groan of
>the lift, Hodges winced. If guests were arriving already, he was
>late. An Englishman was nothing if not punctual.
>
>The gentleman climbed the stairs. Given the current condition of the
>lift, no doubt he would reach the Fitzroys apartment first. When he did,
>he firmly knocked on the door and announced himself. "Its Hodges,
>sir Sorry about the time."
>
>Marty Fitroy himself came out into the hall and directed a glower at him
>that put Hodges in mind of a swelling toad.
>
>"So, you're 'ere at last, are?" he said. "Well, you'd better 'op to it -
>the guests will be arriving any minute." As if in confirmation of his
>words, the doorbell rang. Frowning, he turned to attend to it himself,
>waving Hodges towards the stairs that led to the upper level of the
>penthouse, where the lounge was located (OOC - see
>http://www.amberpbem.net/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/~MurderAtChristmas/Main/PenthouseUpp\
erLevel).
>
>There in the larger room, the picture windows hung with heavy blackout
>curtains, Hodges found a long table set with bottles of gin, tonic,
>bitters, vermouth, scotch, lime juice and a few liqueurs - as well as
>Malvern water for the faint of heart. Also present was Esme Fitzroy who
>looked at Hodges nervously, before standing and walking towards him, hand
>extended.
>
>"So good of you to help out," she said colourlessly. "You can mix
>cocktails, can't you?"
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>Braham picked up a notebook, thought for a moment and set it promptly back
>down again. No, it was best to not take notes at the party. Some people
>might find the behavior distinctly odd. He knew he would if he had
>witnessed someone doing the same just a few years ago. Whatever happened,
>he would simply have to mark it in his memory and record it later. That
>would be the easiest way. With that decided he headed for the door without
>further hesitation.
>
>Once free of the confines of his flat, he bounded towards the staircase. He
>nearly flew up them, taking the steps two at a time. The exertion did not
>steal his breath but it was still enough to get his blood flowing. Feeling
>much more like his normally easy going self, he knocked gently on the
>Fitzroy's door. I am probably first to arrive, he thought to himself.
>Mother would be horrified. An impish grin met his lips as he awaited an
>answer.
>
>
>The door was opened by the larger than life figure of Marty Fitzroy,
>resplendent in his black tie. For a fleeting second, Braham had the
>impression that Fitzroy was disappointed - perhaps because he had been
>expecting someone else. But then he beamed and took Braham's extended
>hand in his own meaty clasp, almost jerking the slighter American into the
>penthouse flat bodily.
>
>"Welcome!" he said heartily. "Welcome! Come and have a Christmas drink!"

"Thank you," Braham said sincerely, his amusement at his hosts behavior
masked in his cheerful expression.

>Braham again noticed that Fitzroy looked over his shoulder, as though
>checking to see if anyone else was coming before he turned and ushered him
>towards the steps that led to the upper level.

The amusement rose slightly. Perhaps the man simply did not wish to be
alone with me, he thought to himself. Immediately he put the thought to
rest. The man more then likely had no clue who he was. If he had, something
would have been said.

>"I'll stay here," his host told him. "Let our guests in, you know. Just
>go up and say your 'ow do's to Esme. Just turn left at the top. It's a
>bit dark, and when you come to the wall you've gone too far."
>
>He laughed, expecting his guest to see the joke.

Smartly Braham followed suit with a bit of laughter of his own. "I will
remember that," he responded before departing.

>In fact, it proved fairly logical for Braham to find his way to the
>lounge, and when he arrived, the woman in grey mauve crepe de chine
>greeted him.
>
>"Good evening, Mr ... ?"

"Davis. Braham Davis," he said quickly. "And you must be Mrs. Fitzroy." He
took her hand gently and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the invitation.
It is a pleasure to finally meet you." From his accent he was most
certainly American; a handsome, young, charismatic American. How he had
been managing to blend into the shadows was a bit of a mystery.






------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 13:33:12 -0800
From: Heather Mace <hmace@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] And So it Begins ... Nicola

>
> But still, she planned to keep her eyes open and to
> remember any suspicious behavior. She didn't know who
> he was, but he certainly knew who she was, of that
> much, she was certain. She walked into the hall just
> in time to hear the creeeeak-rattle-rattle of the lift
> heading past her floor.
>
> "Damn," she whispered to herself. She glanced at the
> stairs with a scowl and began to walk up them. Even
> one flight in her highly fashionable and impractical
> shoes caused her feet to plead for mercy. She emerged
> onto the fifth floor just in time to see Marjorie
> Higgins heading down the hall. She must have arrived
> on the floor just before Nicola herself. Nicola took a
> moment to adjust her hair and walked over, arms wide.
>
> "Marjorie, darling!" she said with a friendly smile.
> "How lovely to see you. You look absolutely smashing
> tonight. How are you, darling?"

Marjorie turned, surprised. "Oh! Nicola! How lovely
to see you!" Marjorie returned the embrace with a
friendly smile. "I'm... tired," she said with a grin.
"I had to do a double route today, and I can't wait to
get off my feet," she confided in a loud whisper.

"But you look smashing!" Marjorie said enthusiastically.
"Like a real celebrity! I bet the men won't be able to
take their eyes off you," she said cheerfully.

<tag Nicola, hall>




------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:21:13 -0500
From: "Nowsounds" <nowsounds@...>
Subject: [MaC] ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela


> Jacket, fastenings, gloves, smart buckled shoes... what to do with her
> hair? Pamela suspected that the loose, pinned-down-on-top styles she
> preferred would also be The Actresses' choice. Very well, then. Pamela
> parted her hair quickly -- at least there was a lot of it and it took a
> curl well, even if it wasn't a fashionable colour -- and set about doing
> up the front.
>
> As ready as she could be, she tidied up her bureau and went to tap at her
> mother's door.

"Come in..." Arabella's voice, crisp and clear as always, rang out without
being raised in the slightest. As the door opened she looked up from the
bedtable, where she kept the few jewels she had brought with her. "Rubies,
do you think, dear?" She was wearing a burgundy velvet gown, one of last
year's, of course, but she never worried about being fashionable and as a
result her clothes were never quite out of date. The dress was simple, with
long sleeves and an empire waist that she hoped made her legs look a little
longer. Looking taller was, unfortunately, out of the question and not only
were high heels decidedly wrong for a woman of her age and status, but she
had never quite gotten the hang of them, even as a young woman. Happily,
David had never been one for women in high heels...

Flash got up from his comfortable pose near his mistress and went over to
sniff at Pamela's hem. Something in the greyhound's attitude caused Arabella
to smile at her daughter and say, "He approves. And really, dear, you look
quite lovely." She meant it. Pamela was not a glittering beauty, but she had
a natural dignity and warmth, as well as good bones, and Arabella thought
her the equal of any young lady in London.





------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:40:08 EST
From: Mrfury28@...
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham


There in the larger room, the picture windows hung with heavy blackout
curtains, Hodges found a long table set with bottles of gin, tonic, bitters,
vermouth, scotch, lime juice and a few liqueurs - as well as Malvern water
for the
faint of heart. Also present was Esme Fitzroy who looked at Hodges
nervously,
before standing and walking towards him, hand extended.

"So good of you to help out," she said colourlessly. "You can mix
cocktails,
can't you?"

"Of course, Mrs. Fitzroy. I'd be happy to fix you a drink if you wish,
settle your stomach before the guests arrive..." Hodges offered cheerfully,
taking
her hand lightly in his own in greeting. Just then, another gentleman
entered the parlor. His thoughts about her bloated toad of a husband he
kept to
himself.

***

"Good evening, Mr ... ?"

"Davis. Braham Davis," he said quickly. "And you must be Mrs. Fitzroy." He
took her hand gently and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the invitation.
It is
a pleasure to finally meet you." From his accent he was most certainly
American; a handsome, young, charismatic American. How he had been managing
to blend
into the shadows was a bit of a mystery.

"Mr. Davis, would you care for a cocktail?" Hodges had assumed a position
behind the long table as Mr. Davis introduced himself to the hostess.
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------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:00:18 -0600
From: Dorothea Salo <dorothea@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela


Nowsounds wrote:

> "Come in..." Arabella's voice, crisp and clear as always, rang out
> without being raised in the slightest. As the door opened she looked up
> from the bedtable, where she kept the few jewels she had brought with
> her. "Rubies, do you think, dear?"

"Did you bring *those*, Mum? Goodness, if they're -- oh, you *didn't*
bring the heirloom ones. Good on you; Edmund would fall down in fits if
those were lost or stolen. Yes, those will do quite nicely, I should think."

> Flash got up from his comfortable pose near his mistress and went over
> to sniff at Pamela's hem. Something in the greyhound's attitude caused
> Arabella to smile at her daughter and say, "He approves. And really,
> dear, you look quite lovely." She meant it. Pamela was not a glittering
> beauty, but she had a natural dignity and warmth, as well as good bones,
> and Arabella thought her the equal of any young lady in London.

"Thank you, Mum, and so do you. Ready to go, then?"

Pamela kept up a stream of inoffensive chatter as they left Flash in
the kitchen, locked the flat (Alice had been given the night off), and
waited for the lift. "I wonder if Mrs. Evans will bring me her sock, so
I can set the heel for her. Strange thing to bring to a cocktail party,
but I suppose stranger things have happened around Mrs. Evans..."



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:16:06 -0000
From: "Mel Mason" <goldfired@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] And So it Begins ... Nicola


>> But still, she planned to keep her eyes open and to
>> remember any suspicious behavior. She didn't know who
>> he was, but he certainly knew who she was, of that
>> much, she was certain. She walked into the hall just
>> in time to hear the creeeeak-rattle-rattle of the lift
>> heading past her floor.
>>
>> "Damn," she whispered to herself. She glanced at the
>> stairs with a scowl and began to walk up them. Even
>> one flight in her highly fashionable and impractical
>> shoes caused her feet to plead for mercy. She emerged
>> onto the fifth floor just in time to see Marjorie
>> Higgins heading down the hall. She must have arrived
>> on the floor just before Nicola herself. Nicola took a
>> moment to adjust her hair and walked over, arms wide.
>>
>> "Marjorie, darling!" she said with a friendly smile.
>> "How lovely to see you. You look absolutely smashing
>> tonight. How are you, darling?"
>
> Marjorie turned, surprised. "Oh! Nicola! How lovely
> to see you!" Marjorie returned the embrace with a
> friendly smile. "I'm... tired," she said with a grin.
> "I had to do a double route today, and I can't wait to
> get off my feet," she confided in a loud whisper.
>
> "But you look smashing!" Marjorie said enthusiastically.
> "Like a real celebrity! I bet the men won't be able to
> take their eyes off you," she said cheerfully.
>

The sound of their voices seemed to spark off a response. The door opposite
opened and Anton Barowenski, the Polish cocnert pianist emerged, impeccably
dressed in the white tie and tails of his profession - perhaps a little
excessive for a cocktail party.

He bowed, with a click of his heels. "Ladies," he said formally. "Good
evening ... and Merry Christmas."

Just then the door opened, and Marty Fitzroy emerged. His moon face lit up
in a smile as he saw Nicola. "My dear Miss Diamond! And Miss ... Miss
Higgins. Glad you could make it."

He bowed low over Nicola's hand. "You and me should 'ave a little talk," he
said. "Later on."

He slipped her heand through his arm and turned to lead her to the stairs to
the upper dloor, leaving Majorie and Anton to follow. Anton listed his
eyebrows briefly and gave a resigned shrug - clearly he was used to this
sort of behaviour from his agent. Instead he bowed to Marjorie.

"Shall we go up, M'mselle?"






------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:33:32 -0000
From: "Mel Mason" <goldfired@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham


There in the larger room, the picture windows hung with heavy blackout
curtains, Hodges found a long table set with bottles of gin, tonic, bitters,
vermouth, scotch, lime juice and a few liqueurs - as well as Malvern water
for the faint of heart. Also present was Esme Fitzroy who looked at Hodges
nervously, before standing and walking towards him, hand extended.

"So good of you to help out," she said colourlessly. "You can mix
cocktails, can't you?"

"Of course, Mrs. Fitzroy. I'd be happy to fix you a drink if you wish,
settle your stomach before the guests arrive..." Hodges offered cheerfully,
taking her hand lightly in his own in greeting. Just then, another
gentleman entered the parlor. His thoughts about her bloated toad of a
husband he kept to himself.

"A pink gin," agreed Esme. "That's what I'll have - a pink gin."

***

"Good evening, Mr ... ?"

"Davis. Braham Davis," he said quickly. "And you must be Mrs. Fitzroy." He
took her hand gently and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the invitation.
It is a pleasure to finally meet you." From his accent he was most certainly
American; a handsome, young, charismatic American. How he had been managing
to blend into the shadows was a bit of a mystery.

Esme smailed at him vaguely. "So lovely to see you," she said in a voice
devoid of emotion.

"Mr. Davis, would you care for a cocktail?" Hodges had assumed a position
behind the long table as Mr. Davis introduced himself to the hostess.






------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 18:52:58 -0500
From: Tara Kunkel <faespinner@...>
Subject: Re: [MaC] At the Fitzroys: Hodges and Braham



>"Of course, Mrs. Fitzroy. I'd be happy to fix you a drink if you wish,
>settle your stomach before the guests arrive..." Hodges offered
>cheerfully, taking her hand lightly in his own in greeting. Just then,
>another gentleman entered the parlor. His thoughts about her bloated toad
>of a husband he kept to himself.
>
>"A pink gin," agreed Esme. "That's what I'll have - a pink gin."
>
>***
>
>"Good evening, Mr ... ?"
>
>"Davis. Braham Davis," he said quickly. "And you must be Mrs. Fitzroy." He
>took her hand gently and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for the invitation.
>It is a pleasure to finally meet you." From his accent he was most
>certainly American; a handsome, young, charismatic American. How he had
>been managing to blend into the shadows was a bit of a mystery.
>
>Esme smailed at him vaguely. "So lovely to see you," she said in a voice
>devoid of emotion.
>
>"Mr. Davis, would you care for a cocktail?" Hodges had assumed a position
>behind the long table as Mr. Davis introduced himself to the hostess.

Braham turned his full attention to Hodges, "Ah, yes. That would be
wonderful." He ponder the choices for a moment, "Something simple I think.
Perhaps a gin and tonic?" A bit of alcohol to take the edge off of any raw
emotions would certainly help to make this evening go smoother.

He waited patiently for the drinks to be made. Once it was in hand, he
resisted to urge to down the entire thing in one gulp. Certainly that would
not help him remember the details of the evening later on. As much as he
wanted to dull the pain, he needed to stay sharp. So he took a careful sip.
"Excellent," he proclaimed for both Hodge's and Esme's sake. "Thank you."





------------------------------

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End of murder_at_christmas Digest, Vol 1, Issue 3
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