“Just… don’t screw up,” he said threateningly and left the room.
There's a pause…
“Dang it!” the other guy exclaimed before leaving.
There was a silence before Claire creeped from behind the desk. Her hands were shaking. She braced herself against the desk for support. Her heart was racing.
Claire was a maid for Mr. Johnson, a well respected and powerful man, though nobody knew what his job was. She’d been cleaning his study when two people walked in. She could not name them by voice, but they were speaking of horrific business…
Claire made her way to the door, trying to regain her composure. She went to the kitchens.
“Claire? Aren't you incharge of the front rooms currently?” asked Madeline, another maid.
“Yes, but I need to speak with Bessie. Do you know where she is?” Claire asked.
Madeline paused, “Are you ok? You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine, Madeline. I just need to speak with Bessie,” Claire said.
Madeline hesitated to answer, “She's overseeing the main rooms on the second floor today.”
“Thank you,” Claire responded and quickly left.
She went upstairs to the main living room, where she found Bessie with her pocket watch, and Terry and Audrey cleaning. Terry and Audrey were fellow maids, but Bessie was the one in charge.
“Pardon,” Claire said.
Bessie snapped the watch shut and stared at Claire.
“May I speak with you in private?” Claire asked.
Bessie sent Terry and Audrey into the library for privacy.
“What's the matter, Claire?” Bessie asked.
“I was cleaning the study when two men came in who were discussing awful business,” Claire replied.
Her face grew tight.
“What business, Claire?” she asked, almost daring Claire to say it.
Claire swallowed, “They were discussing murdering a man, per Mr. Johnson’s command,” she says.
Bessie grimaced, her face taught with displeasure.
“Come,” Bessie said.
Claire followed her downstairs and out through the back doors to an old shed.
“I tried to give you a chance, Claire. I wouldn’t have to do this if you had kept quiet. I really do regret this because you’re one of my best girls, but it must be done,” Bessie said.
“Pardon?” Claire asks, confused.
Bessie turned and lunged a knife into Claire’s stomach. Claire crumpled to the floor.
Bessie left the shed.
Claire laid there in shock, her breathing unsteady. She just closed her eyes and accepted her fate…
Written by Kylee A. Little
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