/unsure.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> The Mystery Train

Doug sat and read his Friday Morning News paper, it was going to a long dull weekend, he took a sip of his coffee, put his hand on the lever on his recliner and started to lean back when an add caught his eye,

‘Mystery Train’

Come and join other amateur sleuths as they solve a murder, A real who done it weekend.

The mystery train leaves Grand Central Station on Friday October 10th at 12:00 midnight. A three day adventure in which your talents as a detective will be challenged, as you and your fellow travelers will get together and decide who will be the ones to solve the murder of a victim or victims of a brutal crime on board one of the oldest trains in New York, you will travel through the cool mountains with all the fall colors, and high foggy coastal cliffs, from New York State through New England . Great food and Service awaits you on the Mystery Train.

Hmmm, now that does sound like fun, Doug sat up and looked at the clock, it was 7:30 AM they don’t mention having to have reservations or the cost, what the hell, he grabbed his cell tapped out the phone number of the train reservations,

A gruff Mans voice answered, mystery Train, Hello my name is Doug Blume he said, and I would like some info on the train leaving tonight at midnight, do I need reservations? And what is the cost? Well, we did have a last minute cancellation sir; I can book you in now, will you be traveling alone? Yes, it’s just me, he said, and how much for the weekend, its Fifteen Hundred dollars sir, Doug didn’t hesitate, yes. Please do that, I’ll be there. Please have your luggage checked in at 11:30 PM Sir, No Problem, I’ll be on time; he gave the man the necessary Credit card numbers and info to book the weekend and hung up.

The day went by fast as he packed and made arrangements for his land lady to feed his cat, she was a sweet old thing and a cat lover., and was only one of a very few land ladies that allowed pets in her building. It was almost 10‘0clock .He started out into the dark night; it was about an hour to the train station, allowing time to find a secure parking space,

Doug jumped on the express lane and followed the signs and pulled into the parking lot at 11:15. Perfect. It was a clean well lit lot.

He grabbed his bag and locked his door’s. and headed across the street he could hear the sounds of trains, some already heading out, He had never been on a train, he was really starting to get excited, New York’s Grand Central Station was the busiest stations in the country and even at this late hour there were hundreds of people moving about, and the stations microphone was blasting departure’s and arrivals,

He heard, mystery train leaving on track 11 in 45 minuets. He checked in his luggage, took the tags and followed the tunnel down to track 11; there it was, a big brute with a full golden cow catcher grill in front, steam belching out of its great belly,

Oh I say this is going to be fun. The porter met him on the platform took his name and he stepped aboard, he led him to a door marked 2A opened the door and handed him the key, it was 11:45 PM,

A late supper will be served in the dinning car at midnight sir. Through that next car you can’t miss it. Doug thanked and tipped the Porter and closed the door, a small lavatory, a plush bench seat. And looking up he saw it had a pull down bed.

All Aboard!!

He heard, and a long whistle from the train, Goose bumps ran down his arms and neck, and the train lurched and started off into the night.

He followed a small crowd of people through the next car and into another world, candles sat on white linen table clothes, crystal goblets and a bottle of wine in an ice bucket sat at each table set for two people, he found his name, he glanced over at the sign across from him, Jeannie Chambers

He sat down and looked at the menu, a wonderful smell of musk hit his nostrils and he looked up, and held his breath, a beautiful redhead was looking at the sign across from him, Yep that’s me she said laughing, he stood up and offered his hand, Hi, Im Doug Blume, She smiled and took his hand it was warm, Jeannie Chambers, and she sat down across from him. I’m starved she grabbed the menu, I didn’t get off work till nine, I work at A travel Agency and we had a lot of last Minuet bookings, she said smiling. I couldn’t get a taxi and almost missed the train. Well you made it, He reached over and opened the bottle of wine, and he looked over at her, yes please! She said again with that same velvet laugh, He poured them both a glass. And the porter stopped by for there order, I’ll take the Baked chicken with rice she said, and spinach soufflé, and I’ll have a T-bone, Rare, with a baked potato, and a salad with thousand island dressing, the porter nodded and left the table, He looked around, there were only about twelve people in the dinning car, surely this wasn’t everyone.. They talked about the weather and how much fun the trip was going to be, their dinner arrived and they ate in silence, another couple a black couple arrived late also, she looked to be pregnant I hope she doesn’t get to excited he thought,,

After the dishes were removed and coffee served, the lights were dimmed and a man in a white tuxedo entered the dinning car. Hello welcome to the mystery train. My name is Henry Wilcox and I am your host this evening. I want you to enjoy your time with us, and treat the events as if they are actually happening, some time tonight a crime will occur, I’m not sure who, or what time, even I as your host will be also kept in the dark, so have fun and remember, to watch out, because the victim or victims, could be any of you.. And he smiled, and left the same as he had entered,

Jeannie looked around; I wonder who it will be? I hope it’s not me because I want to be the detective that solves the crime, as they both looked around at the strangers, the strangers were looking at them. A young married couple, two guys that looked like a couple, dressed to the nines, in slacks and sweaters. An older heavy set women and her slimmer Older male companion, another couple well dressed most likely married. He noticed that Jeannie and the young blond man's eyes met for a brief moment, but he was sitting with another blond women, there were now six couples. They got up and followed each other down the narrow car. The movement of the train threw Jeannie into his arms as they rounded a bend. Oh, I’m sorry she said as her perfume assaulted his nose again… I need to take off these heels, He stopped at 2A and she said oh good I’m right next door in 2B. She opened her door said good night! And closed it.

He unlocked his own door and pushed the slot closed, he changed into pajama bottoms. He rarely wore anything to sleep in but in case of fire he always kept them by the bed. He lit a cigarette and saw that the bed was pulled down and he sat down turned off the light and pulled open the curtains, it was dark outside the windows but he could see distant lights. It was two AM; he put out the cigarette in a glass of water, and climbed between clean cool sheets. And his last thought was of the red head next door, I wonder what she sleeps in, well I best not dwell on that, or I won’t sleep at all, he laughed to him self, and was soon snoring away.

Then loud voices woke him. Two gun shots rang out, then a scream then an eerie quiet.

He got up. turned on the light and opened the door leaning out into the train car every one was looking at each other, the large women was standing by the door marked 2E across from Doug next to the bathrooms. She was holding the hem of her robe over her mouth. There was blood leaking out under the door and running down the hall. I was in the bathroom and I heard a shot. I came out and saw blood. The conductor came running down the isle, what happened he asked? The Women told him her story, and he opened the door to cabin 2E. The conductor turned on the light and the two men that had been dressed in sweaters and slacks were lying nude on the floor, blood streaming out of there lifeless bodies, a gun lying on the floor next to them. Every one up and get dressed , into the observation car, it is through the doors on your left. Oh goodie, Jeannie said excitingly. Standing With just a thin short black nylon gown on. Flame red hair spilling over soft full breasts, legs that went up forever, Ohhh, it begins, she said slamming her door. d a m n ! Doug said sucking in his breath, tripping over his erection, he grabbed jeans and a t-shirt; he put on slip on loafers, grabbed cigarettes, cell phone and wallet and headed down the hall.

There were soft high backed swivel chairs lined up in front of the windows, he took a seat and saw most of the passenger’s in a state of undress as they set sleepily sipping the coffee that the porter was handing out, Doug looked at his watch it was

4 AM. He lit a cigarette just as the door slipped open and Jeannie talking on her cell phone was just hanging up.came in dressed in a tight black skirt and blue sweater that hugged her curves. A pair of flats on her shapely feet, her hair drawn up in to a pony tail, her face shiny and clean with only a light color on her lips, she sat down and smiled, . May I have every ones attention please, a rather large man said chewing on the end of a cigar. My name is Officer Richards New York homicide. You! He said pointing at Doug; you were right across the hall. Did you see or hear anything! No I was asleep he said I only heard the shots and the scream, you, he said pointing at Jeannie. I’m sorry, but the same, she answered.

the sounds of sobbing coming from the older lady, she was sniffing into a large hanky handed to her by her husband, this was suppose to be fun, {sniff, sniff }no one said any thing about real blood,

Doug looked around the room ,then over at Jeannie who he could see was doing the same thing, any ideas? Nope not a one she said taking a sip of coffee, I want to get into that compartment Doug said ,what do you think about our chances of sneaking in? Slim to none she said smiling, a real crime scene would be taped off right? I'll be along in a minI she said dialing her cell phone. I need to check my Messages she said.

I wonder? He got up leaving Jeannie to finish her phone call, where are you going? I’ll be right back, no one looked at him as he slid out the door , the porter stopped him I'll sorry but we are still cleaning up the crime sean Sir, Doug smiled and OK, that's fine and stopped by the bar for a refill on his drink it took a about 10 minutes as other passenger's decided to start the adventure with a stiff drink also. and then he headed down the length of the car. He came to the compartment marked 2E. A yellow crime scene taped across the door, he reached for his hanky put it over his hand and tried the door, it opened, Man, he said to himself, it cant be this easy, he ducked under the tape and entered the room closing the door behind him, It was a double bed compartment, The bodies were gone, but just like in the movies there was a chalk line traced around each one, showing how each had been lying. And a smell that…..Just then the door opened, and Jeannie ducked under the tape and stood grinning at him. I knew that you were in here, she said looking smug. Well be quiet! Or we’re in big trouble, look around for any clues that will tell you if any one else was in the room. And don’t touch any thing. Doug!!, I brought latex gloves she said, holding up her hands, I was ready for this trip. She was already walking around the small compartment looking through the suitcases. And he went into the small lavatory, razors and after shave, tooth paste and brushes for two people, the water glass sat on the sink, he saw a flash of gold, a gold wedding band sat in the bottom of the glass, Hmm, well ,so one was married, nothing unusual about that, Doug come here, Jeannine whispered, look what was under the pillow,

A Pair of women’s pink thong under wear, and get this. Only one bed has been slept in, he looked over and one of the beds was still made up. They stopped talking, Voices, then the voices stopped as the door down the hall was opened and then closed. We need to get out of here he said peeping out, he pushed the lock slot on the door and they slipped out. Come into my compartment Jeannie said.

Doug followed her into the small room. It was identical to his,

Except for the smell of her perfume. And the combs and brushes and toiletries that every women has on her night stand. And that deadly black night gown lying across the bed, they heard voices and opened the door; most of the other couples were standing in front of 2E. Discussing the two men and who they thought murdered them.

6 AM and It was starting to get light. I’m ready for breakfast Doug said, how about you? I’m always hungry, she smiled, and they left the room passing the rest of the group still standing around the taped up murder scene. They sat eating breakfast, Doug sat thinking, and looking at the scenery going by the window, I have a theory he said, What Jeannie said reaching for a piece of toast, I found a wedding band in the bathroom. One of these guys was married, maybe he was screwing around on his wife with another women, and she hired someone to kill him. and the other guy was a witness so he had to go, Well I think he was screwing around, but not with another women Jeannie said, but with a man, the other man that was killed,

Of course, one or both of them was gay, is there a jealous lover on the train? No they would have seen him. Maybe a jealous women, same thing they would know if they were on the train wouldn’t they?

The other couples had joined them in the dinning car, and sat talking, some with note books, but all talking with heads together.

I’m going to take a nap Jeannie said yawning, OK? Yeah sure, I’m good so I’ll do some snooping around, Jeannie got up and left the dinning car, Doug sat looking at the four couples, The older man and women were eating but not talking, the young married couple still taking notes, the girl shaking her head and saying, no! no! not them

Looking at the older couple, The police man Officer Richardson stood up and tapped on his water glass, attention, Any body have any ideas he said? No one was willing to give up their hunch’s. Alright you have till midnight to night to solve the crime; he took a drag of his smelly cigar and left the car. He yawned, he could use a nap too, but he wanted it with Jeannie, he got up leaving the car, and going up to the observation car, he looked back and saw the door to 2E closing, Now I know I locked that door, maybe it was the cop, yeah that’s it ,the cop. he has a key. he decided he did want to lie down for awhile, so he went into his room, pulled the curtains closed and stretched out on the bed. he lay there thinking, and listening to clack of the train as it ran along the rails.

He opened his eyes, the light was dim, he had slept almost 12 hours, but in the two hours before he slept he had figured out the mystery.

He went to knock on Jeannie’s door. no answer, he checked the dinning car, the older couple ,the young married couple, and the blond lady were eating dinner, he went to the observation car and the young man that had been with the blond women was asleep in the chair, but no Jeannie, he started to get worried, he spotted the porter cleaning ashtrays, have you seen the redheaded lady that was sitting with me , No Sir, the porter said with a blank face, not since breakfast, He tried her room again still no answer, He asked every one he ran into but Jeannie had not been seen since early that morning. The Porter came by, and he asked if he would unlock the door just to check, He knocked and said, Porter!! Ms. Chambers? Porter! He unlocked the door, and the door swung open, empty, the bed was made up. Every thing that showed Jeannie had been there was gone, sorry sir she must have gotten off the train at the last stop the porter said, She wouldn’t have left with out telling me Doug insisted, He headed into the dinning car, The policeman was drinking a bourbon and water, have you seen Jeannie Chambers? He asked, you know the red head?

No, I haven’t, he said, can you just leave if you want? You know, just get off the train? There is no one says you can’t, he said, take a drink…Well c r a p , Now I am confused. He opened his room and there was a note under the door, Doug I’m going to check out the blond women and her young friend, I saw them coming out of The Murder room this morning, I didn’t want to wake you up, I’ll be in touch.

Jeannie and a little Happy face next to her signature, Oh man! she gotten her self into something, but I don’t know what.

He started another search of the train, he did see another door at the end of the observation car. A large sign saying,

——————————————

DO NOT ENTER EMPLOYEE’S ONLY

—————————————

He opened the door and saw more rooms, with music or a television playing, this must be where the porters and cooks stay, he thought ,and he saw a man in a pair of grey slacks and a sweater that ducked into a room. He looked vaguely familiar, And something else, just a feeling a smell, but just as he was going to say something,

Hey you!! A voice behind him said loudly, employee’s only in that car.

A white man dressed in a cooks uniform walked up to him, I’m sorry I was just snooping, he said smiling, Oh ,That’s OK, the man said holding out his hand, Doug took it and shook his hand, he held the door open as Doug stepped back and turned to walk away, on the other side of the door he heard a voice say, I bet he solved it, he look’s like the smartest one of the whole bunch.. and then laughter.

Well of course the staff would have to be in on everything, they have to help set it up and not give anything away, but s h i t , I would love to see who and what’s in those other rooms. He continued searching but no Jeannie, and when he went into dinner it seemed that the blond young man was also missing, the young lady was talking to the

The homicide officer, her hands flailing around in the air, and her voice starting to get louder, calm down Miss. the cop told her, just calm down, but he’s my brother, the only brother I have left, please he would have told me if he was getting off the train..

Sounds familiar Doug thought, he ordered dinner and tried to think, well this shot my theory all to hell, I thought I had it figured out,

But now, maybe not. Just then a porter and a nurse came into the car he gave the Officer a note, he read it and whispered something to the lady, No she screamed ,Oh god No!! and she was led out of the car by the nurse and the officer, Did you hear that the heavy set house wife said loudly? they found her brothers body about 25 miles back, he either fell or was pushed off the train, Doug’s stomach dropped as he thought of The beautiful body of Jeannie laying along side the railroad tracks somewhere back in the dark.

He asked for a double scotch and water, he looked down at his watch 10:00 PM, only two more hours.

Everyone was talking and then the large heavy set lady stood up and pointed at Doug, Well I think the red headed girl did it, ah hell your nuts the young husband said his wife nodding her head yes at the same time. Well she’s missing isn’t she? and I bet that man was in on it, Doug Stood Up, and my motive madam? What was my motive for killing two perfect strangers? How do we know that you didn’t do it? After all you were the one that was up and standing in the hall with all the blood, How do I know you weren’t in their room getting a little action and your husband caught you and shot them both?

Well!! I never heard anything more ridiculous she said her face turning red,

you got that right!!, Her husband laughed and said under his breath but loud enough to hear, George that wasn’t funny, are you going to sit there and let him insult me. Oh Marie sit down you have been making an great a s s of yourself ever since we came on board the train.just sit down and shut up!!

I’m leaving at the next stop, I mean it, she said sobbing, I want off this train now. .She ran down the isle and out the door, George looked around at the rest of the couple, I’m really going to regret saying that he said, sorry everyone, and he left.

Wayne said, Well The man and wife, The girl and her brother, and the two victims all gone! we are left with the Young married couple and wait, what happened to the Black couple, you know, the pregnant lady and her husband?, they left the train right after the murders,she was very upset and the movement of the train made her nauseous, well then that leaves you two and me, Well what did happen to the red head? The young husband said. Doug looked at him, I’m not sure, I’ve made a search but It seems she too has left the train. By the way we are Wayne and Carol Williams he said holding out his hand, Doug Blume, he said shaking hands, and then lighting another cigarette.

Doug wasn’t sure what to do next, he sat down and ordered another double. The young couple sat down and she ordered a Diet Coke, and he asked for a Budweiser, Who do you think did it ? Well, I have a few things to check out first

But I think the two guys were gay, and someone most likely a jealous lover killed them. But was it a passenger, or did someone get on the train, do the deed and then get off?

Wow I never even thought of that angle, Wayne said, Doug took a long pull of his cigarette, well So far at least one jumped or fell from this train, and at least three have gotten off, so why couldn’t someone sneak on and then off? Like I said it’s just a theory. He decided not to tell them about the wedding ring and hot pink underwear, He wanted to keep that little tidbit to play later, What was yours Wayne?

I think it was a drug deal gone badly, The Black couple left before we found the body, how do we know she was pregnant? They can fake those bellies with pillows or stuffing of some kind. And I think the two victims were bankers or stockbrokers or something, they parked next to us back at the station and they had a brand new big fancy Lexus. Yep! drugs and a black man , makes sense to us.

Well, Doug said smiling and shaking his head, it makes as much sense as anything else I’ve heard.

He needed to go back to his compartment, and get another pack of smokes, so he excused himself and got up.

He opened the door to his compartment it was 11:45, fifteen minuets, He sat thinking, then like a lighting strike it hit him, he had it figured out.

Of course, now I know, I just needed to put all the pieces

Together, he grabbed the extra pack of cigs, and A voice over the trains intercom announced loudly, that all passenger’s were wanted in the Dinning car, He went out down the hall and back into the dining car.

The homicide officer Mr. Richardson and The two porters were all standing in front of the bar. Everyone got comfortable. Whose first The cop asked? I’ll take it Wayne said, and him and his wife stood up, he repeated his drug deal gone bad theory, and everyone clapped, The cop said good job, and very interesting Idea ,but Nope!, sorry your wrong, Next? He said looking at Doug.

Doug stood up. Well, and he paused for affect, I know for a fact that one of the victims was married, because myself and Ms. Chambers found a wedding ring in the bottom of a water glass in their bathroom, How the hell did you get into their room? Wayne said red in the face, just lucky I guess he said, we also noticed only one bed had been slept in, and under the pillow was a pair of hot pink underpants, I think That both of the men were not only gay, but lovers, The blond women Had mentioned that she had lost a brother, but she did not say how he died ,I think he committed suicide, because he had had a relationship with one of the men, The other brother,wanted to get his revenge, the one that jumped from the train, went into the compartment to confront the man, killed them both and then ended up killing himself. Jeannie chambers had a very distinct perfume I kept smelling it all over the train, she had been the one to plan the murder, she worked as a travel agent, The same travel agency that books This Mystery Train, and was a co worker of the man that jumped off the train. I think she helped plan it all,. a smug look on his face, The porter and the policeman all started clapping…

Doug sat down and then a bell rang. The door to the dinning car opened, and in walked The two victims, The Young Black couple, the lady smiling and tossing a pillow in the air, she was not pregnant.

The Blond women and her brother. The Older heavyset married couple all laughing and clapping. At last but not least Jeannie, clapping the loudest. Yeah, I knew you would do it, Every one stood laughing and clapping until, the tinkle of a glass stopped them. Standing there was Henry Wilcox ,the Man in the white tuxedo that had welcomed them all aboard the night before, Well done, young man, well done!!

You didn’t know that we had picked you to try and solve the crime, everyone aboard was in on it, and are members of our Mystery Train Staff. The only SNAFU was Jonathon or Wayne to you. Forgetting to lock the door to the crime scene, but when Jeannie ,Real name Fran!! Told us you were the one that wanted into the compartment, we set it up with the ring and Pink underwear, Which both of our actors fought over ,to see who would wear them, He looked over at them and they just grinned, and did the limp wrist thing! But put them under the pillow at the last minuet, Fran, came over and kissed him on the cheek, you were wonderful darling I 'm so happy you Won,

and win you did sir, The man in the Tux said, not only will your Ticket be refunded in full, but you win

$25.000 dollars in cash, and a free trip for two on our two week Mystery Ocean Liner Cruise in January,

He squeezed Jeannie’s Arm ,What Ya doing In January Franny?

She blushed and smiled at Doug, well, I think, that we still have one more night on this train,

and then I’m going to take a long Trip on a Mystery Ocean Liner Cruise.

The End