I gathered the Ruffley family in the drawing room, taking a moment to admire the ornate chandelier hanging above. I wondered what the glass might tell me if I touched it, but I had more pressing matters at hand.
“Thank you all for coming,” I began. “I’ve gathered you here to share my findings on the destruction of the glass sculpture. I’ve spoken to the glass and gathered information from all of you, and I believe I know who did it.”
The room fell silent as everyone leaned in, eager to hear my conclusion. Chris and his sister looked nervous, while their mother watched me intently.
“As I previously mentioned, the glass heard the culprit whisper ‘dad’ as the sculpture was destroyed, which led us to believe that the culprit was a family member holding a grudge. However, after careful consideration, I believe the true culprit is someone who had a more personal motive.”
I paused for dramatic effect, scanning the room to gauge everyone’s reaction. The tension was palpable.
“The housekeeper did it,” I declared. “She was driven by a deep-seated hatred for Randal Ruffley, who she believed was responsible for her father’s downfall. He was a fellow glass artist, but his career never took off, and he struggled to make ends meet. Her father worked for years completing urgent glass replacement, never achieving his dream as a glass artist. He blamed Ruffley for stealing his ideas and preventing him from achieving success, and Mrs O’Malley inherited his bitterness.”
The room erupted in gasps and whispers. Chris and his sister looked shocked, while their parents seemed to be processing the information.
The housekeeper, who had been standing quietly in the corner, suddenly spoke up.
“It’s true,” she said, her voice trembling. “I did it. I couldn’t take it anymore, seeing that man get all the recognition and success that should have been my father’s. For all his work completing glass balustrade installation around Melbourne, nobody will remember him like your father.”
The room was silent once again, as everyone processed the shocking revelation. I felt a twinge of sadness for the housekeeper – it was clear that her actions had been driven by pain and anger, and now she would have to face the consequences.