Previously: In Parallel Time, everyone split up to search Tudor Manor for the missing will of the late Coral Black-Peach. Georgia Peach and her fiancé, Eric White searched Coral’s suite and discovered a safe hidden behind a portrait of Coral. Georgia quickly figured out the combination but soon realized that the safe also required a key to open it. In the billiard room, Jonathan Green and Michael Mustard were involved in a high-stakes game of pool instead of searching for the will. When Mustard won the game, Green had no choice but to confess that he had no money to pay Mustard. Mustard told Green he would absolve him of the debt if Green arranged for his niece Georgia Peach to sleep with him. Green adamantly refused to use Georgia as payment for a debt and told Mustard he would somehow get the money. Mustard told Green he had better come up with the money or Georgia would have to pay with her life. Green gave Mustard a business card with his contact information as a sign of good faith. In the conservatory, John Boddy and Kasandra Scarlet searched among the dusty tools for the will. When John began questioning Kasandra about her mother’s husband’s death, Kasandra got nervous. Pretending that John upset her, she left John alone. Kasandra caught up with her mother in the hall and told her that John was starting to question how Mr. Peacock died. Elizabeth realized that they needed to see just how much information John had and told Kasandra that they needed to recruit Darcy Puce into sleeping with John again to get the information from him. Elizabeth and Kasandra did not realize, however that Mason Black was nearby listening in on their conversation. Mason returned to the study, where he and Darcy were searching for the will. Mason began to forcefully seduce Darcy, but she rebuked his advances. Mason asked Darcy if the reason she won’t sleep with him was because she is involved with someone else. Darcy vehemently denied Mason’s claim, unaware that Mason knows she is lying. In the ballroom, Victor Plum and his assistant, Diane White also searched for Coral’s will. Victor expressed how disappointed he was that his plan was falling apart and cursed Coral for making a secret second will. Diane told Victor that his plan was destined to fail from the moment he decided to blackmail Coral. Victor then told Diane how ironic it was that she was casting moral judgments at him, when she in fact came to Tudor Manor with the intention of blackmailing him. Victor asked Diane what sort of information she had against him, and then realized that the information she claims to have against him was obtained from Chadwick Moss. Diane confirmed to Victor that she seduced Moss and got him to give her documents implicating Victor in his blackmail scheme against Coral. Diane also told Victor she is in possession of a document that says that Victor murdered Coral. When Diane said that it was unfortunate that Chadwick ended up getting stranded at Tudor Manor with them, Victor realized that Diane murdered Moss. Diane confessed to the crime and told Victor that she was going force him into signing a letter confessing that he had stabbed Moss to death. Diane told Plum that if he refused to confess to murdering Moss that she would take the information she has to the authorities. Later, in the hall, Darcy Puce approached Elizabeth Peacock and told her that she could no longer keep lying to Mason and that she was going to tell John the truth that Elizabeth had hired her to sleep with him. Elizabeth threatened that if Darcy was to tell John about the plan, then she would in turn tell Mason that he was just being used as a way for Darcy to get closer to John. Meanwhile, in the lounge, John tried to apologize to Kasandra for upsetting her, but managed to only make matters worse. Kasandra stormed out of the room, and a few minutes later, Darcy entered and tried to seduce John. John tried to fend the girl off, and told her that he was concerned about Kasandra. Darcy realized that John had developed genuine feelings for Kasandra and demanded that John tell her that he is in love with Kasandra and then, and only then, would she leave them alone. When John couldn’t bring himself to say that he loved Kasandra, Darcy again threw herself at him. John pushed her away, claiming that he was worried about Kasandra and Elizabeth. John told Darcy that he felt as though Elizabeth was not coping with the sudden death of her husband, former Senator Peacock. Darcy told John that Peacock’s death was not sudden, that, in fact, he had committed suicide. Darcy was about to confess all to John when a gunshot rang out from the secret passage way. Darcy collapsed into John’s arms. After hearing the gunshot, Mrs. White rushed to the lounge from the dining room and found John cradling Darcy’s body. John yelled for her to call an ambulance, but White reminded him that the phone lines were down because of the bad weather. As the others joined them in the lounge, Darcy died from her injuries. Everyone began to suspect that John had murdered Darcy, but Mrs. White jumped in and lied that she was in the room at the time of the shooting.

“The Gentle Art of Blackmail”

As the torrential rain continues to inundate Blackport, those trapped at Tudor Manor are starting to become unnerved. And now with the murders of Chadwick Moss and Darcy Puce, some are starting to feel like their numbers might be up as well. In the lounge, Wadsworth is trying to get Darcy’s blood out of the carpet with a cloth. Mrs. White enters with a scrub brush. “This is absolutely terrible.” Wadsworth says, dipping the cloth into a bucket. The once clear water in the bucket has turned a dark shade of red.

“Here, try this.” White says, handing him the scrub brush. She goes over to the couch and sits down.

“Is everyone calming down?” Wadsworth asks.

“As well as can be expected.” Mrs. White tells him. She leans her head back against the sofa. Wadsworth looks up from the blood stained carpet.

“Blanche, I think I already know the answer to this, but why are you lying to everyone?” Wadsworth asks. She lifts her head from the couch.

“Lying? What do you mean?” White feigns innocence.

“You blatantly lied and said you were in here when Miss Puce was shot.” Wadsworth says. “I just want to know what you’re thinking.” He says.

“It kind of just slipped out.” She admits. “I saw how they were all looking at John. They all suspect him of murdering that lovely girl.”

“And you’re lying tells me that you think he shot her.” Wadsworth says.

“Of course I don’t think he killed her.” White insists. “But I have to do something to protect him. Saying I was present when Miss Puce got shot seemed like the most viable option.”

“It seems like quite a risk to take.” Wadsworth says.

“Well, John may be a lot of things, but he is not a killer.” White stands up.

“And how can you be so sure?” Wadsworth asks.

“I have known that boy since he was born. His mother has the heart of a saint. She did not raise him to be a murderer.” White says, somewhat offended.

“I just hope your decision to cover for Mr. Boddy doesn’t come ‘round and bite you in the end.” Wadsworth says. Meanwhile, everyone is in the billiard room having a drink and trying to relax. John Boddy sits at the bar drinking a beer. Georgia Peach and Eric White approach him.

“How are you holding up?” Eric asks John.

“I’m fine.” Boddy tries to reassure them.

“You’re not fine, John.” Georgia says, putting her hand on his back.

“I just don’t understand what the hell is happening around here.” John says. “And I wish the damn rain would lighten up for a minute.” He turns and looks out of the window. Kasandra Scarlet enters the room holding a fresh shirt for John. She comes over to the bar.

“Here you go.” She says handing him the shirt.

“Thanks.” John says. He stands up from the bar and takes the clean shirt from her. “I will be back in a few minutes.” He leaves them and exits the billiard room.

“Do you think he will be alright?” Eric asks Kasandra.

“I hope so.” She says grimly.

“Why was he in the lounge with Darcy in the first place?” Georgia asks.

“I wish I knew.” Kasandra says.

“Will you excuse us, Kasandra?” Eric says.

“Sure. I need a drink anyway.” Kasandra goes behind the bar as Eric and Georgia follow John out into the hall. In the hall, John has taken off the blood stained shirt and thrown it onto a chair. He is buttoning up the clean shirt as Eric and Georgia join him.

“John, I know now is probably not the best time, but we need to talk to you.” Georgia says.

“Georgia, is it really important, or can it wait?” John asks. “I don’t really feel much like talking.”

“Even if it’s about my mother’s will?” Georgia asks. John turns to face them.

“You found it?” John asks.

“Well, not exactly.” Eric says.

“But we did find a safe hidden behind mother’s portrait in her room.” Georgia tells him.

“Did you open it?” John asks.

“Well, Georgia figured out the combination relatively quickly.” Eric says.

“Great. So what was in the safe?” John asks.

“Well, as soon as I figured out the combination I realized that the safe also needs a key to open it.” Georgia says.

“A key?” John asks. “Coral must have something very important in that safe if it requires both a combination and a key to open it. And I take it that you didn’t find the key.”

“No.” Eric shakes his head.

“John, my gut is telling me that the second will is in that safe.” Georgia says.

“Well if that’s so, then all we have to do is find that key.” John says.

“There are a few more places in my mother’s room that we didn’t search.” Georgia tells John.

“I don’t know if I like us splitting up again…” John says.

“Then come with us.” Eric says, heading toward the stairs. John looks over at the billiard room door where everyone else is.

“Alright, but we need to make it quick, before everyone starts to wonder where we disappeared to.” John says. Georgia and John follow Eric up the stairs, just as Rusty Nayler enters the front door.

“Mr. Boddy.” Rusty calls out to him. John stops on the stairs.

“Rusty?” John turns around.

“A moment of your time?” Rusty calls up to him. John turns back and looks up the stairs at Georgia and Eric who are waiting for him.

“You guys go ahead. I will be right up.” John tells them. Eric and Georgia quickly make their way to Coral’s room as John descends the stairs and meets Rusty at the bottom of the staircase.

“Is everything alright?” John asks Rusty.

“Yes, Miss Scarlet is now in the servant’s quarters with Rose.” Rusty tells him.

“Good, you got her out of the tool shed before the water got too high.” John breathes as sigh of relief. He then notices that Rusty is holding a bag.

“Yes, but just barely.” Rusty says. “In fact, after I made sure Miss Scarlet was safe in the servant’s quarters I went back to the shed to see if I could get some of the tools before the water ruined them. This is all I managed to get before the water got dangerously high.” He holds up the bag of tools.

“Well, it’s a good thing you got Vivienne out of there then.” John says. He notices Rusty shivering. “You need to get warm, or else you are going to catch pneumonia. Take that wet coat off.”

“I am fine, sir.” Rusty says. “I just wanted to give you an update before I headed back to the servant’s quarters.” He turns to leave.

“Rusty, I insist that you take off that coat and go get warm by the fire in the library.” John insists.

“Alright, but only for a few minutes.” Rusty shivers.

“Here, give me that bag and take off your coat.” John takes the tool bag from Rusty. “Jeeze, this thing is heavy, what do you have in here?” John puts the bag on the floor next to the stairs.

“Oh, just odds and ends. Some hammers, a drill, maybe a wrench or two and I think there might be some old pipes from where I fixed a leak under the kitchen sink.” Rusty says taking off his wet coat.

“Give me that.” John takes the coat from Rusty. “Now go in there and pour yourself a drink.” He motions to the library.

“Yes, sir.” Rusty hurries across the hall to the library, leaving wet footprints across the hardwood floor.

“I better get this in the dryer.” John says about Rusty’s wet coat. He is about to cross the hall when he remembers his blood stained shirt lying in the chair. He turns and goes over to the chair. Slowly he picks up the shirt and looks at it. “I am really sorry, Darcy. I wish things could have ended differently.” He says sadly. He takes the shirt and the jacket to the laundry room, unaware that Kasandra was at the billiard room door watching him. Elizabeth Peacock walks up behind her with a glass of wine.

“Are you alright, dear?” Peacock asks.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Kasandra says taking the wine glass from her. And in one gulp she downs the entire glass of wine.

In the kitchen, Mrs. White is rinsing out the bucket she and Wadsworth were using to clean up Darcy’s blood from the lounge carpet. John enters with his shirt and Rusty’s coat. “Mrs. White, I am just going to throw Rusty’s coat into the dryer.” He says as he passes her.

“Stop!” Mrs. White shouts. John comes to a quick stop. He slowly turns and sees Mrs. White standing there with her arm extended.

“What?” John asks.

“Those.” She says referring to the coat and shirt. She walks over to him and snatches them out of his hand.

“Mrs. White I know how to use the dryer.” He smiles at her.

“Oh, do you?” She asks. “I’ve known you since you were in knickers, and I have not once ever seen you in the laundry room.”

“Well, I am sure I can figure it out...How hard could it be?” He shrugs. Mrs. White shakes her head and pushes past him to go into the laundry room. John follows her inside. He watches as Mrs. White opens the dryer and tosses in Rusty’s wet coat. She closes the door and turns the dryer on. “I could have handled that.” John says. White then takes his bloody shirt and tosses it onto a pile of dirty clothes.

“With all of the people in the house, the laundry is just piling up.” She grumbles. John smiles at her.

“You do a great job around here.” John says. “Sometimes I don’t think you get enough recognition.”

Mrs. White slowly looks up at him, trying to fight back tears “You’re right, I don’t.” She smiles.

“You know that I didn’t kill Darcy, don’t you?” John asks her.

“Of course, I know that.” She walks over to him. “And you know there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you.” She gently touches his face. John quickly diverts his eyes from her. He can’t look her in the eye. White realizes there is something very different about the man standing in front of her. Her look of love quickly turns to a look of concern.

“What? What is it?” John asks her. Mrs. White takes her hand from his face. “Mrs. White?”

“It’s nothing, dear.” She says turning away from him and to a pile of dirty clothes. “Now, the laundry room is no place for you.” John smiles as he watches her begin to go through the pockets of a pair of trousers. Suddenly, John remembers the key that he found in the jeans of his doppelganger.

“Mrs. White did you happen to get the dirty clothes from my room?” He asks.

“Yes, of course. Why?” She asks, not looking up. John comes over to her and starts going through the pile of clothes. “What are you looking for?”

“A pair of my jeans.” He tells her.

“I think those have already gone through the wash.” Mrs. White says.

“Oh no.” John says.

“Is something wrong?” She asks.

“I think I left something in one of the pockets.” John tells her. He rushes over to the washing machine and opens it. He begins to take out the wet clothes and pile them on top of it. “Where are you?” He says as he pulls clothes from the machine. Mrs. White sees he is almost in a state of panic.

“I go through all the pockets before I put anything in the wash.” She tells him. “Maybe if you tell what it is that you are looking for, I could help you.”

Back in the billiard room, Kasandra is working on finishing another glass of wine. Elizabeth comes over to her. “Maybe you ought to slow down a bit, darling.” She tells her daughter. Kasandra rolls her eyes and gulps down some wine. Mason Black comes over to them.

“So, ladies.” Mason says taking a seat next to Kasandra on the love seat. “Quite an interesting turn of events, huh?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Peacock says annoyed.

“Oh come now, Elizabeth.” Mason asks. “You don’t have to play coy with me.”

“Mason, you’re drunk.” Kasandra slurs. Mason laughs.

“Hardly, but I can’t say the same about you.” Mason pats her leg.

“Don’t touch me.” She tells him. He doesn’t take his hand off of her leg.

“Mason, what do you want?” Elizabeth asks.

“I just wanted to congratulate you.” He raises his glass.

“Congratulate me for what?” Elizabeth asks. Mason smiles and takes a drink from his glass.

“For a job well done.” Mason says. “How much of a relief must it be, knowing that you will never have to pay Darcy another red cent to sleep with John.” Kasandra almost chokes on her wine. “So, tell me, which one of you actually had the nerve to shoot her?” He asks.

“Mother.” Kasandra coughs. She dabs her mouth with a napkin.

“Now I am certain that I have no idea what you are talking about.” Elizabeth says. “Kasandra let’s go.” She heads for the door.

“Oh don’t leave.” Mason says, feigning sadness. “Not on my account.” Kasandra takes Mason’s hand from her leg and tries to stand up. She stumbles a little once she is on her feet. “Here, let me help you.” Mason hops to his feet and offers her his arm. Kasandra pushes his arm away and gives him a dirty look.

“I got it.” She says. Mason throws his hands up.

“Fine.” Mason shrugs.

“Kasandra, now.” Elizabeth says from the door of the billiard room. Kasandra pushes past Mason and joins her mother. They go out into the hall. Mason laughs and takes a drink from his glass.

“This is going to be fun.” He puts his glass down on a table and quickly leaves the room. Upstairs in Coral Black-Peach’s suite, Georgia and Eric are still looking for the key.

“It’s not here.” Georgia says, defeated. She sits down on her mother’s bed.

“You aren’t giving up?” Eric asks her.

“It’s pretty evident that we are never going to find it.” Georgia says.

“Don’t be so sure.” A voice says from the door of the room. Georgia looks up and sees John Boddy and Mrs. White. John holds up the key.

“You found it!” Georgia yells. She jumps up from the bed. “Where was it?”

“I found it in the pocket of a pair of…” Mrs. White begins to tell them.

“Here, you better make sure it’s the key to the safe.” John cuts off Mrs. White, preventing her from telling them where she found the key in the first place. Georgia takes the key from John and hurries over to the safe. Eric, John and Mrs. White join her just as she puts the key in the lock.

“Well, here goes nothin’.” Georgia says. She turns the key and the safe unlocks.

“That’s it!” Eric says. Georgia opens the safe and reaches her hand inside.

“Well?” Eric says, craning his neck to try and see what’s inside. Georgia pulls out a stack of papers and a book with a well-worn leather cover.

“My word, I haven’t seen that book in ages.” Mrs. White says.

“You know what it is?” Georgia asks.

“Yes, dear. Of course. It’s your mother’s journal.” Mrs. White smiles. John swallows hard, knowing that Coral wrote about the time portal in her journal. Georgia begins to look through the stack of papers.

“Is the will there?” Eric asks.

“I’m not sure.” Georgia says. “Wait a minute.” She stops when she comes to a thick folded piece of paper. Slowly she unfolds the paper. A smile comes over her lips.

“You’ve got it?” John asks.

“Yes.” Georgia says quietly.

“Thank the maker.” Mrs. White smiles. Georgia goes over to the bed and sits down and begins to read the will.

“I am glad we finally found it.” Eric says. He goes over to his mother and John, as they watch Georgia as she reads the will. John sees that Georgia has put Coral’s journal on the bed next to her. “Maybe now, whoever stole Coral’s original will and killed Mr. Moss will realize they’ve lost.” Eric says. “I am going to tell the other’s we found it.” He turns to leave.

“Eric, wait!” John follows him out to the hallway. “Eric. You can’t go down there and announce that we found the will.”

“What? Why not? Don’t you want whoever it is to know that they’ve lost, that it’s all over?” He asks.

“Yes, of course I do. But think about it.” John says. “We don’t know if the person who killed Moss is the same person who killed Darcy.”

“So.” Eric says.

“So, we are dealing with a very desperate person here.” John says. “We have to pick the right time to tell the others we found the will. Otherwise, Georgia will be in a lot of danger.”

“I don’t understand. If the killer knows we’ve got the will, then their plan failed.” Eric says. Suddenly he realizes. “And if they think that Georgia will inherit Coral’s estate, then they might try to kill her, too.”

“Exactly.” John says. “So, please, promise me you won’t say anything to anyone about the will or the journal.”

“The journal?” Eric asks.

“Eric, please.” John pleads with him to stop asking questions.

“Alright, I promise. I won’t say anything.” Eric smiles. “I can’t believe we found it. I am going to have a drink.”

“Have one for me too.” John smiles. Eric goes down the hall. John turns and goes back into Coral’s suite. He is disturbed when he finds that Georgia has moved on from the will and is now reading Coral’s journal. Mrs. White, in the meantime, is re-hanging Coral’s portrait on the wall.

“Georgia, Eric went down to have a drink. What do you say that we join him?” John asks, trying to get her to stop reading the journal before she finds out about the time portal.

“You go ahead,” Georgia says, not looking up from the journal. “I am going to stay here and read.” John’s shoulders drop.

“Maybe we should just let her have some time to read her mother’s journal and reconnect with her.” Mrs. White says. John tries to muster a smile. “Come on.” Mrs. White motions for them to leave Georgia alone.

“Holy smokes!” Georgia shouts after reading a particularly interesting entry. John and Mrs. White turn to face her.

“What is it?” Mrs. White asks. John begins to breathe heavily.

“You aren’t going to believe this!” Georgia says excitedly. Meanwhile, downstairs, Kasandra and Elizabeth are in the dining room sitting at the table finishing another bottle of wine.

“I don’t get it.” Kasandra slurs. “How did Mason find out Darcy was working for us?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Elizabeth sighs. “Darcy told him.”

“She didn’t have to.” A voice says from the door of the dining room. They look up and see Mason Black standing there.

“Well, if she didn’t tell you then who did?” Kasandra hiccups.

“You did.” Mason points at Elizabeth. “I overheard you two talking earlier.” Elizabeth shakes her head. Kasandra hangs her head in shame. “Oh, don’t be too hard on yourselves.” Mason laughs. He comes in and sits down at the table with them. “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” He smiles. “Steinbeck.” He nods. Kasandra drops her head onto the table. “Oh, don’t pass out on me now. You are going to want to hear the plan that I have in mind.” He lifts up Kasandra’s head.

“What plan?” Elizabeth asks.

“I’d thought you’d never ask.” Mason laughs. “I was just thinking, with Darcy being out of the way, I am sure you are going to want to find something else to do with all of the money you were going to pay her to continue sleeping with John.”

“I have something in mind.” Elizabeth says.

“Well whatever it is, you can forget about it.” Mason says.

“I think he wants us to pay him to keep quiet.” Kasandra says.

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Johnny, tell the drunk girl what she’s won!” Mason smiles.

“Have you lost your mind? There is no way in hell I am going to pay you anything!” Elizabeth shouts.

“I thought we might run into this little problem.” Mason sits back in his chair. “This is the part of my plan that I love!” He laughs. “If you don’t give me the money, I will go to John and tell him everything.”

“You can’t!” Kasandra shouts. She stands up.

“Sit down, Kasandra.” Elizabeth orders her.

“But mother, he can’t tell John the truth!” She shouts.

“He won’t. Now sit down!” Elizabeth shouts at her. Kasandra quickly sits down.

“So I take it we have a deal?” Mason asks as he stands up.

“Not so fast.” Elizabeth says. “Take a seat.” Mason looks at Kasandra, who begins to smile. “You aren’t the only one with a story to tell.” Elizabeth says. Mason slowly sinks back into the chair.

“Really?” Mason rolls his eyes. “How original, Liz.”

“Shhh!” Kasandra shushes him. “You’re going to wanna hear this.” She smiles.

“Did anyone ever tell you the reason why you’re Aunt Margaret was committed to the loony bin?” Elizabeth asks him.

“Sure. The whole family knows that Aunt Margaret found out about Aunt Coral’s affair with Georgia’s father and it drove her mad.” Mason says. “So what does that have to do with me?”

“So, he doesn’t know!” Kasandra begins to gloat.

“Kasandra.” Elizabeth raises her hand to hush her.

“I do know that you are wasting my time.” Mason huffs.

“It wasn’t just the knowledge of Coral’s affair that drove Margaret over the edge.” Elizabeth shakes her head. “Poor dear.”

“Alright, so something else broke her.” Mason shrugs.

“So, any guesses on what Margaret could have stumbled upon that she just couldn’t deal with?” Elizabeth asks.

“I know! I know!” Kasandra raises her hand excitedly.

“Drink your wine, dear.” Elizbaeth pours Kasandra some more wine. She turns back to Mason, who has started to sweat. ““Any guesses? Something tells me that you don’t need to guess and that you already know the terrible truth that Margaret uncovered.”

“You’re bluffing.” Mason stands up.

“Very well.” Elizabeth sits back in her chair and smiles. Mason quickly leaves the room.

“So, do you think he’s going to expose us to John?” Kasandra asks.

“Not if he doesn’t want his mother’s dirty laundry aired out all over Blackport.” Elizabeth smiles. They raise their wine glasses and toast.

Back in Coral’s room, John and Mrs. White have joined Georgia on the bed as she continues to read from the journal. “Mother’s account of when she found her fiancé Jay Gobelin hanging in the conservatory is horrific. I can’t imagine it.” Georgia says. “So, according to this, Elizabeth Peacock still holds a grudge against my mother and blames my mother for her brother Jay’s death.”

“If that is so, then why did Elizabeth come to Coral’s funeral?” White asks.

“Maybe she is trying to let go of her anger.” Georgia shrugs.

“Or maybe she is trying to get revenge.” John says.

“This can’t be right.” Georgia says as she reads more.

“What is it dear?” Mrs. White asks.

“It says that Mrs. Peacock’s husband the former senator also killed himself.” Georgia tells them.

“No, that can’t be right. I seem to recall Harold Peacock died of a heart attack.” White says.

“That was just a cover story.” John speaks up. Georgia and Blanche look at him surprised. “The Peacock Family made up the story of Harold dying of a heart attack to save them the embarrassment of how he really died. He hung himself…Just like Elizabeth’s brother.”

“Isn’t that quite the coincidence that both Elizabeth’s brother and husband hung themselves?” Georgia asks.

“You don’t think that Elizabeth had something to do with her husband dying, do you?” Mrs. White asks.

“Let’s see if mother writes anything else about it.” Georgia says. She turns the page of the journal and begins reading. Suddenly, she stops and looks up.

“Well?” Mrs. White asks. “Does Coral say anything about Mrs. Peacock killing her husband?” Georgia doesn’t respond.

“Georgia, what’s wrong?” John asks, nervous that she just read Coral’s account of the secret time portal.

“I think that’s enough reading for tonight.” Georgia says.

“Honestly?” Mrs. White asks. “You can’t stop now.” She looks at John who shrugs. Georgia stands up.

“I think we better join the others.” Georgia says.

“Give me the journal and I’ll read it.” Mrs. White says.

“No!” Georgia shouts.

“My word child.” Mrs. White is shocked at Georgia’s outburst.

“I’m sorry.” She says.

“Now I know we have to hear what you just read.” White insists.

“I can’t.” Georgia says. John gets up and goes over to her. He takes the journal from her and reads aloud.

“Winslow’s guilt is going to kill him, I am afraid.” John reads Coral's words. A confused look comes over Mrs. White’s face. Georgia lowers her head. John continues. “Winslow would go to any length to protect Blanche from the truth. The only question I have is why? Why is he lying to her about his daughter?” John stops.

“His daughter?” Mrs. White questions. “My Winslow doesn’t have a daughter.”

“John.” Georgia says.

“Keep going.” White tells him.

“Diane White is a beautiful girl. I would think Winslow would want to shout from the roof tops that he is her father. But yet he keeps lying to Blanche, telling her that Diane is his niece. Winslow and Blanche weren’t even married when Diane was born. He must have a pretty compelling reason for wanting to keep the truth hidden.” John puts the book down. He looks up at Mrs. White, who now has tears in her eyes.

“That is why Winslow exhausted our savings to put Diane through college. She is his daughter.” White says through her tears. Georgia comes over to her and sits down.

“I thought it would be a good thing to read from this journal.” Georgia says.

“Coral was right. Winslow must have a good reason why he never told me Diane is his child. And I made him feel so guilty for using our money on her tuition.” She puts her head down.

“You can’t feel guilty.” John says. “You didn’t know.”

“We’ve read enough.” Georgia says.

“No, I want to know if Coral wrote anything else about Diane and Winslow in there.” She says. John turns the page and begins reading again.

“Poor Winslow. The guy just can’t catch a break.” John reads. “The guilt he is feeling about not telling Blanche about Diane must be eating him up inside. And now he has to lie to her again and tell her he is using their hard earned money to put Diane through school. How he came up with that lie, I’ll never know. But I still have to think that he has a damn good reason for not telling Blanche the truth. And now he is even paying someone to keep them from telling Blanche. It’s a very bad situation. John Boddy should be ashamed of himself for blackmailing an old man this way.” John gulps.

“You. You are blackmailing my Winslow?” Mrs. White asks.

“No. Of course I’m not!” John defends himself.

“John…” Georgia says, stunned.

“We have nothing because of you! We are basically your slaves! Anything we are paid goes directly to you to keep you from telling me the truth! I’ve felt for a while now that there was something strange about you, John. Now I know why you can’t look me in the eye. You son-of-a-bitch! I will never forgive you for this! And to think, I lied to everyone that I was in the lounge with you when Darcy Puce got shot! I risked everything to protect you! I hope you burn in hell!” She goes over to him and smacks him in the face and leaves the room. Georgia grabs her mother’s will and stands up.

“I can’t believe you.” Georgia says. “What happened to you?” She asks. “It’s like I don’t even know who you are anymore!” She storms out after Mrs. White.

“Georgia!” John calls after her. “I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me.” He sits down on the bed, defeated. He looks down at the journal in his hand and sighs. Outside, the wind begins to pick up and it begins to thunder and lightning.

TO BE CONTINUED…