Murder in the Mansion by Lili Evans

Chapter
One
     
     
    On
the day she was murdered Vivien awoke early, determined to prove to the world
that she led the perfect life. It was her husband's sixtieth birthday and she
had been planning an elaborate party for weeks. In the thirty-four years they'd
been married, William and Vivien Halingsford had hosted many parties, both for
business and pleasure. Since their daughter's murder five years earlier, Vivien
had attempted to withdraw from their social circles. They hadn't attended
functions or thrown parties of their own. Vivien felt it was time to come out
of hiding, and as a surprise to William, she was planning his birthday
celebration in secret.
    Everything
was running on schedule, she reassured herself. Her sister was due to arrive
that afternoon from New York. William's brother had flown in with his family
from London the night before. The cleaning company that Vivien employed had
been in and out of the house, polishing the wood floors and sprucing up the
back patio. Vivien had planned a pool-side party for some two hundred and fifty
of their closest friends, family, and colleagues. The caterers would handle the
minute details, Vivien reminded herself. That was why they cost a fortune.
    It
would be a lovely party, Vivien thought as she stepped under the hot spray of
the shower. The water soothed her and she turned her face into it, letting it
wash over her face and her hair. She knew William would be pleased by her
efforts like he always was. Since the beginning of their marriage, Vivien had
demonstrated her ability to be an asset to her husband – socially, as well as
professionally. William's law firm was successful. Vivien didn't doubt for an
instant that she had helped make it so.
    She
stepped out of the shower more relaxed and reassured. Coolly, she studied
herself in the mirror. At fifty-two years old her body was still lean and
toned. Her hair, although colored, was the same deep brown as it had been in
her youth. Although she had more wrinkles than she'd had a few years before,
her face did not betray her. Her secrets and hardships had not aged her.
    She
looked around the tidy bathroom, designed to her specifications, organized to
her liking, and found no pleasure in it. In her spacious bedroom she dressed
for the day. She had been born to a rich family and had married a man whose
wealth was newer than hers. Luxury was something she expected, not respected,
and even now, she could find no comfort in any of it. It was merely another
layer of her image. Of their image, Vivien corrected herself. They tried so
desperately hard to maintain the pretense of wealth, happiness, and perfection.
    Her
guests would expect that same perfection when they arrived that night. They had
their own images to maintain and William's party was a social function in their
circles. Many would also come to satisfy their morbid curiosity. This was the
first party they had held since their daughter was murdered. Not only had
Dani's disappearance and death attracted media attention, but the fact that her
killer had never been found made it a scandal still talked about to this day.
    Guests
would descend on her home, enjoy her hospitality, and wish William well but
they would also come to gossip. That couldn't be helped. She couldn't control
it. What she had the power to make perfect she would focus on: the food, the
drinks, and the music. She would play the part of the perfect hostess and hope
that it was for the last time.
    After
thirty-four years of marriage to a man she deeply loved, the mistakes littering
her past seemed too great. Vivien was ready to step down, out of the spotlight,
before William learned the truth. As much as he loved her, Vivien had always
known that the secrets she possessed could destroy him. She knew that before he
allowed that to happen, he would ruin her and their life together.
    On
the morning of her husband's sixtieth birthday, Vivien stepped out on the
terrace and lit a cigarette. In the beautiful June