The [[Hamiltons]] of Murwood Mansion by Katelynn AbramsDuring the Hamilton's annual dinner party, the priceless painting from the study of her husband's late grandfather was replaced with a fake.
It wasn't the crime that bugged Annabelle, but the nagging suspicion. She thinks that it wasn't the maid who disappeared the same night of the painting, but someone in her husband's family that stole the painting from the study and replaced with a fake during the [[dinner party]]. Annabelle was still an outsider to the wealthy families that attended, so she spent the evening on the patio with her husband while he and his twin, Ryan, talked about their new model of race cars with a couple of interested guests. Throughout the evening, Lana, Ryan's fiancée, jumped in to talk about the mechanics of the cars, and Annabelle, with her perfect memory, filled in the statistics from previous races.
At one point, her mother in-law tried to lure them all in and get them to stop with the "shop talk," but neither the Hamilton twins nor the guests were persuaded.
The rest of the night passed by rather quickly, much to Annabelle's relief, and it wasn't long until all the guests went home and the Hamiltons retired to their rooms until [[morning]].Annabelle had been enjoying her first cup of coffee in the sun room when she heard her grandmother-in-law's shocked gasp from the nearby study. She hurried into the study and made her way over to her upset grandmother-in-law.
Grandma Eloise claimed that the painting was a fake. At first, it looked no different than usual to Annabelle, but once the older woman explained how it was off, she began to see it too.
When Annabelle's parents-in-law came to see what was wrong, they were skeptical, but Grandma Eloise didn't back down. She had gifted that painting to her husband when they first married and since his passing, she had been going into the study to admire it and remember him.
Now it was gone and Grandma Eloise wanted it back and the thief caught, so she called in some [[detectives]].When the Hamiltons were gathered in the main room and questioned by the detectives, no one claimed to remember anything helpful from that night.
When the detectives asked to speak with the staff, the maid was discovered to be missing! The Hamilton's took this as proof that she had stolen the art, but Annabelle wasn't so sure about that.
She remembers having heard the maid in question talking on the phone with her sister early in the evening, then hearing that she slipped out the back door once the party started because her sister's car had died.
Without any leads other than the missing maid to follow, the detectives had to leave.
However, nothing about [[what happened]] was adding up, raising suspicion in Annabelle.A day passed by and all Annabelle had thought about was the crime.
When she finally gave in and told her husband, who she knew hadn't stolen the painting because he had never left her side, he agreed that it was odd, especially since the maid had worked at Murwood Mansion happily for years.
Knowing that her husband wouldn't be upset if she looked into it further, Annabelle began gathering information on what she knew about [[the crime so far]].She knew was whoever stole the painting that night had already been on the property because the gate never let anyone else in, the desk in the study had been rummaged through, and she had heard that the maid had already left around the time that the painting was supposedly taken.
So if the kitchen and study are on two different sides of the mansion and the only way to get from one to the next is through the very open main room where many of the Hamilton's and their guests were partaking in a dinner party, how did the maid or whoever else manage to steal and replace the painting without anyone seeing?
Annabelle couldn't get the feeling of doubt to go away, which had been bugging her since it happened. Her daddy had always told her to trust her gut and follow her instincts, but in doing so, she would be considering her in-laws to be the [[suspects]]!No one outside the family knew that the painting was worth anything because it was kept a secret as an extra layer of protection, started by the late Mr. Hamilton.
Annabelle's new in-laws consisted of her [[parents-in-law]], her [[siblings-in-law]], and her [[grandmother-in-law]], all of which she wasn't really convinced could have taken the painting.
So, Annabelle had to wonder, if the maid didn't steal the painting, who out of the Hamilton's would have had the motive and skill to pull it off without anyone noticing?
The [[lunch]] bell rang and Annabelle shook away her thoughts to head downstairs with her husband for lunch with the rest of the Hamiltons before everyone leaves and go their separate ways.Edward Hamilton was Evan's father. He was quite, observant, ruthless... he was a lawyer for a top firm, mostly dealing with cases from other wealthy business men and friends from the country club.
Susan Hamilton was Evan's mother. She was organized and strict, running a perfect and smoothly running household as well as running multiple charities with her fellow wives from the country club.
[[suspects]]Cal Hamilton was Evan's oldest brother. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a lawyer, but was the exact opposite: fun, open, caring. He was a family lawyer and took as many pro bono cases as he could.
Jennifer Summers-Hamilton was Cal's wife. Shy and smart, she was a top pediatrician.
Ryan Hamilton was Evan's twin brother. Just like his twin, he loved cars. He was also a genius and worked on making race cars as safe as possible when he wasn't spending time with his partner in crime and fiancée.
Lana Smith was Ryan's fiancée (and partner in crime). Mischievous and outgoing, she was a mechanic who was practically raised on the track by her older brother, a famous race car driver.
Blair Hamilton was Evan's sister. Bossy, sneaky, and the youngest Hamilton, she always got her way, but she also had a good heart and was determined to see everyone else happy. She was a vet and ran a pet rescue and safe haven for all animals for as long as they needed.
[[suspects]]Eloise Hamilton was Evan's grandmother. Wealthier than everyone else in the Hamilton family put together, she doted on her grandchildren, but had also raised them to be more down to earth than their parents. Always dressed in pastel Chanel and surrounded by her mini dachshunds and yorkshire terriers, she tended to her gardens and sent baskets of fresh produce to those in need during the day, and sipped whiskey and read in the evenings.
[[suspects]]Sitting at the table with all her in-laws, Annabelle couldn't help but think about the dinner party and who would have the motive and skill to pull the crime off.
Grandma Eloise loved the painting almost as much as she loved her late husband. Annabelle wasn't even considering her to be a suspect.
Her husband's twin, Ryan, and his fiancée, Lana, had been with them for the majority of the night on the patio talking about race cars and their new adjustments to the latest model.
Her husband's oldest brother, Cal, and his wife, Jennifer, spent the evening chatting with everyone in the dining room, and Annabelle doubted that they would have been able to steal the painting. Also, Jennifer was very pregnant, so she remained seated for the evening, and Cal never left her side.
Annabelle's sister in-law, Blair, thought the painting was underwhelming, so she never understood why her grandparents were so attached to the thing. During the dinner party, she split her time between her grandmother's little dogs and checking her phone for updates on a new rescue her assistant was watching.
Her parents-in-law were more likely suspects than her brothers and sisters in-laws because they were a little more calculating and power hungry, but they also feared scandal and anything that could tarnish the Hamilton name. Annabelle wondered if they were desperate enough, would they actually risk their reputations for money?
Annabelle suddenly had a great idea-- she would use this lunch as an opportunity to [[investigate]].When her mother-in-law invited everyone outside to her garden to show off her roses, she looked in the direction of the study.
Should she make an excuse and stay behind to [[sneak into the study]] or pass on the risk and [[go with everyone outside]]? Annabelle tells everyone she has a slight headache and is going to stay inside because the sun will hurt her eyes. Her husband looks at her with concern, but she says she is fine and to go without her. He reluctantly lets himself be pulled away by his mother who leads everyone outside.
Annabelle watches them leave and as soon as they are out of sight, she hurries off towards the study. Looking around the hallway quickly, she takes a deep breath and opens the [[door]].Outside, the roses are beautiful; the red, pink, yellow, and white petals against the vivid green leaves. Annabelle walks in between her husband and Grandma Eloise, and asks her grandmother-in-law how she is feeling.
"Oh, fine, my dear. Thank you for asking," Grandma Eloise pats her hand and smiles softly, "I feel as though I am mourning my true love all over again."
"I'm sorry that this has happened, Grandma Eloise. I can help look for it if you'd like?"
"Oh, no, I couldn't ask you of that, Annabelle." Grandma Eloise gasps and shakes her head. "It is best if we just move on so that we don't get our hopes up only for them to get crushed, yes?"
Before she can answer, Grandma Eloise pats her cheek softly and scurries ahead to walk beside Blair. Annabelle looks at her husband and he shrugs, not knowing what to think about that either. She frowns as she stops and looks at the darkest of the red roses, not liking the way her grandmother-in-law sounded so resigned.
The cheerful voice of her husband's mother breaks through Annabelle's thoughts and she follows everyone back inside for the rest of the [[luncheon]].Once inside, Annabelle silently shuts the door behind her and tiptoes around the desk. She looks through the book shelves lining the back wall, making sure to everything back after she finds nothing.
When she sits in the chair and opens the drawers and sifts through the stuff, but finds absolutely nothing there as well. With a huff, she goes to stand up and something underneath the desk brushes against her leg. She sits back down with a frown. Reaching down, she grabs the slip of paper tapped to the wood and unfolds it, scanning the contents of the page. Eyes wide and mouth open, Annabelle looks around the empty study in shock.
"Well, goodness gracious! I didn't expect this," Annabelle says, staring down at the appraisal of the painting for 50 million dollars. There is no name on it to hint at who it belongs to, but she is too shocked to even think about that anyways.
Laughter fills the study from the window closest to the garden and Annabelle decides it is time to go. She quickly takes a picture of her find before putting everything back to they way it, then runs out of the room and down the hall to the [[table]]. Barely making it back into her seat before the rest come into the room, Annabelle lets out a big sigh and smiles at her husband when he notices. Evan gives her an odd look, but shakes his head in amusement when he guesses what she may have been up to while they were gone. She cheerfully pats the seat next to her and he sits down, followed by the rest of the Hamiltons. Annabelle wasn't sure who had the painting appraised, but she feels almost giddy from her risky visit to the study and her shocking discovery.
Grandma Eloise smiles at her as she takes her seat, "You look like you are feeling better, Annie dear."
"I am. I must have just needed a moment. Did ya'll enjoy the gardens?"
"Oh yes, they were very beautiful," Grandma Eloise sighs, causing Evan's mother to roll her eyes at the lack of gushing and praising from her mother-in-law.
"So, love, what did you do to amuse yourself while we were gone?" Evan asks curiously.
Annabelle crosses her fingers, hoping her daddy would never hear of this and know she lied, even if she was investigating, and smiles at her husband. "Oh, I just sat here and drank some orange juice until my headache went away."
Blair gasps and everyone looks over to see her glance up from her phone with [[surprise]].Back at the table, Annabelle is listening to the chatter around her when Blair looks up from her phone with a wide smile.
"My company just got a donation!" She jumps up from her chair and squeals.
"Oh, goodness, that it amazing!" Grandma Eloise smiles widely, her eyes sparkling with something that looks like satisfaction.
Blair takes a deep breath, a look of wonder in her eyes, "I will be able to upgrade every animal clinic and rescue center in the country! I will be able to afford enough people to run all clinics and rescues so that the employees aren't stressed and overworked. Now they can enjoy work and spend time with all the animals without running around crazy. Oh my gosh, I can't believe this!"
Everyone gasps and cheers, except for Annabelle who can't forget about her suspicion about the missing painting and wonders if it possible that the [[donation money]] is from the painting.Annabelle watches as Blair jumps up from her chair and squeals, "My company just got a donation!"
"Oh, goodness, that it amazing!" Grandma Eloise smiles widely, her eyes sparkling with something Annabelle can't decipher.
Blair takes a deep breath, a look of wonder in her eyes, "I will be able to upgrade every animal clinic and rescue center in the country and build more! I will be able to afford enough people to run all clinics and rescues so that the employees aren't stressed and overworked. Now they can enjoy work and spend time with all the animals without running around crazy. Oh my gosh, I can't believe this!"
"Oh, my! How much was it?" Her mother asked her.
"50 million dollars!" Blair cries excitedly.
Everyone cheers, except for Annabelle who gasps as the painting's appraisal amount flashes in her mind.
Suddenly, [[she knows]]. Annabelle knows the identity of the thief now and why they took the painting, but instead of a sense of justice, she feels like she might burst into tears because of [[how sweet]].Annabelle doesn't look to Blair, but towards Grandma Eloise, now able to identify the look in her eyes.
Satisfaction. Happiness. Pride.
Grandma Eloise looks at her and winks, "Isn't it amazing, Annie dear?"
Annabelle hesitates for a split second, at war with herself, but then she smiles wider than she ever has before, her eyes both amused and caring, "Sweeter than ice tea on a hot summer day, that's for sure."
The rest of the Hamiltons continue chatting away cluelessly with Blair about the money, but Grandma Eloise reaches over and pats her cheek softly before getting up to hug Blair.
Annabelle smiles as she watches the Hamiltons talk about all the good that money can do. She reaches for her phone and deletes the picture before taking her husband's hand and joining the family in their celebration.
[[The End]]Annabelle kind of wants to talk to Blair about the donation to see if there is anything off about it and her answers. She doesn't really think Blair would take the painting, but the coincidence is bugging her.
Should she [[talk to Blair]] or [[let it go]]?[[The Hamiltons of Murwood Mansion]]"Blair," Annabelle says, "do you know who donated the money?"
"No, it was an anonymous donation."
"Oh my. That was such a generous thing for somebody to do and ya'll can't even thank them properly!"
"I wish I knew who it was so I could!" Blair turns to Grandma Eloise all of the sudden and grins, "You were right, Grandma, to wait before making any important decisions with the company. I only had to be patient and good things would come to me, just like you said!"
Annabelle looks at Grandma Eloise as she thinks about that, and the old woman turns and smiles sneakily at her.
She can't help but wonder if that means what her gut is telling her.
Could Grandma Eloise have taken her beloved late husband'd painting to donate the money anonymously to her independent granddaughter's struggling company?
Should she just take a risk and [[ask Grandma Eloise]] or [[let it go]]?A hand pats her cheek softly and she turns to look at Grandma Eloise who smiles brightly and says, "You have beauty and brains. I am more glad than ever that Evan married you. Can I tell you a secret?"
Annabelle nods, suspecting that she knows exactly where this is going.
Grandma Eloise leans close and whispers, "The maid, Gladys, has been my friend since we were teenagers, and in all the years we have been friends, we have never done something as exciting as planning and pulling of what we called operation dogs and cats." She pulls back and watches for Annabelle's reaction, which doesn't disappoint.
Annabelle chokes on her laughter as she understands what her grandmother-in-law is telling her.
Evan looks over, as do the others, and asks if she is okay.
Grandma Eloise takes her hand in hers, and smiles widely at the family, "All is well, my dears, Annie dear and I were just thinking of all the dogs and cats that Blair will be able to help now. Isn't that right?" She looks at Annabelle innocently.
"Yes, that's right." Annabelle nods.
After everyone goes back to celebrating Blair's news, Grandma Eloise pats Annabelle's cheek softly and smiles brightly and says, "I am more glad than ever that Evan married you."
[[The End]]Annabelle takes a deep breath and gathers all her courage before leaning closer to Grandma Eloise to whisper, "Did you steal the painting to donate the money to Blair?"
The old woman whispers back, "Can you keep a secret?"
Annabelle nods, suspecting that she knows exactly where this is going.
Grandma Eloise leans close and whispers, "The maid, Gladys, has been my friend since we were teenagers, and in all the years we have been friends, we have never done something as exciting as planning and pulling of what we called operation dogs and cats." She pulls back and watches for Annabelle's reaction, which doesn't disappoint.
Annabelle chokes on her laughter as she understands what her grandmother-in-law is telling her.
Evan looks over, as do the others, and asks if she is okay.
Grandma Eloise takes her hand in hers, and smiles widely at the family, "All is well, my dears, Annie dear and I were just thinking of all the dogs and cats that Blair will be able to help now. Isn't that right?" She looks at Annabelle innocently.
"Yes, that's right." Annabelle nods.
After everyone goes back to celebrating Blair's news, Grandma Eloise pats Annabelle's cheek softly and smiles brightly and says, "I am more glad than ever that Evan married you."
[[The End]]Annabelle Hamilton, the new wife of Evan Hamilton, was happily married to the love of her life.
She was a pretty southern belle from a small cattle ranch in Texas who married for true love and her husband was a handsome and eccentric millionaire from old oil money with a fascination of race cars. They lived in a nice house with a large garden of all kinds for her and a warehouse-sized garage for him. She had a silly golden retriever and he had a loyal yellow lab.
Everything was perfect... [[except for one little thing...]]