"Are we going?" Ellie asked me. I looked at her. She looked like she'd just been crying. I wouldn't blame her. Not in a million years.

   "I am. For my father." I said sternly.

   "Me too then." she said, holding the flyer. It was a special coping with loss seminar at a mansion in the secluded forest wilderness.

   "Look, it's so successful, there's a bus stop." I said, pointing at the map on the back of the flyer.

   "Then we'll save money. Let's go." she said.

   "Yes. Let's." I answered.

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   "We're here." I said coldly. It was the special-secluded-mansion-that-had-its-own-bus-stop mansion. I looked up and saw the ominous black clouds, forseeing rain. Ellie stood next to me, shivering. She quickly grabbed my arm and squeezed, shutting her eyes in the process.

   "Lead me there. No questions asked." she whispered, still clamped to my arm. I looked at her, then looked straight ahead.

   "I'm glad you trust me after all those years we've known each other." I said.

   "You better be." she snapped. I stopped there, knowing things were going to get worse, and trudged on. I guess there was some trust left in her hard, outer shell.

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   We were gathered around a small round coffee table.

   We, meaning me, Ellie, and two of the Hoswells. According to them, our handwritten invitations had a typo and we came one week early. They didn't mind doing a more personal approach though. In fact, they seemed to enjoy it.

   "Now first, you two will introduce yourselves, me and my wife, who will be here shortly, will introduce ourselves and, as a family, we'll listen to your story and help you cope with your loss." a man said, probably head of the family.

   "My name is Ellie Williamson." Ellie started, a nervous twinge in her tone of voice.

   "I'm Duke Harison." I added.

   "Hello. Aren't you that famous teen detective?" the man asked. I guess I was known out her in the countryside as well. Information does spread out faster than I remembered. But, being a celebrity only had its perks in two places: a restaraunt and a hospital. The first to get a table, the other to get a hospital bed.

   "The man, the myth, the legend." I answered.

   "Well, it's a pleasure. Please, meet the rest of the family." the man said. He got up, rushed out of the room, and called out.

   "There's more of them?" Ellie whispered to me. I chuckled to myself.

   "Hey, guys, it's the famous detective Duke Harison!" he yelled. I heard many footsteps until him, and maybe eight or nine others appeared behind him. The man whom we met earlier went first.

   "Hello, my name is Martin Norman Hoswell, and I'm the owner of a firm." he smiled. He had black hair that showed signs of gr(a/e)y, brown eyes, and had a big square head with an even bigger forehead. He was easily six feet and looked like he was in his mid-forties to early-sixties at the latest.

   "I'm Caroline Hannah Hoswell, or Mrs. Hoswell." a woman behind him said. She had long brown hair that also showed signs of gr(a/e)y, blue eyes, and maybe five-foot ten. She was probably in her late forites to early fifties. I noticed her fiddling with her fingers and a pair of needles in her pocket, so she probably did a lot of sewing. Then a girl behind her went next.

   "Hi, I'm Janine Gabriella Hoswell." the girl smiled. She looked like mid-thirties and had shoulder length brown hair. She had brown eyes and probably was around five-six. She was pretty slim.

   "Hello, I'm Marta Uzuki Hoswell." another girl said. She looked like she was in her early-thirties and was maybe five-five and a half. She had medium length black hair, probably halfway down her back, and blue eyes.

   "Hey, I'm Naomi Sheryl Hoswell." another girl added. She was maybe five foot five, with brown eyes. She had brown hair that curled at the end. She had a softball cap on and looked pretty sporty in her early thirties.

   "Hello...I'm...Jennifer...Valarie Hoswell." another girl said. She barely looked twenty-five and had black hair and brown eyes. She was maybe, five-four?

   "Hello. I'm Jeffery Steven Hoswell. Jeff if you prefer." a boy said, first on a while. He looked almost six feet and was the long-legged, skinny-armed spitting image of his father. Then an elderly woman came forward.

   "Hello, kiddies. I'm Gramma Hoswell." she smiled. She looked no higher than five feet with gr(a/e)y hair that curled, probably thanks to curlers. She had green eyes and her face looked as tough as leather.

   "And I'm Grandpa Hoswell." an elderly man chuckled. He looked five-two and was bald, hunched over, and wrinkled like a prune. He had brown eyes and arms so muscular that it looked like they were the reason he was hunched over.

   "Wow, that certainly is a large family." I said, jokingly.

   "Well, you wouldn't expect just me and my wife Caroline to live in such a huge mansion all by ourselves without some company, do you?" Martin chuckled. I nervously laughed in agreement. I guess a place that holds a coping with loss seminar has to act as warm and friendly as possible.

   "Now, would you guys like to share your stories first, or do you want our story first?" Martin asked. You first, I thought to myself.

   "We'll go first." Ellie said quickly, which struck me as odd. She hasn't even shared it with Francis yet, but she wants to share our story with a bunch of overly-happy strangers. I looked at her puzzled, and she looked back at me. Our eyes met, and then she nodded. I got the message.

   "Yes, we'll go first." I said.

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   I looked around the room. Everyone was on edge: Martin, Caroline, Janine, Marta, Naomi, Jennifer, Jeffery, Gramma, and Grandpa Hoswell, the whole family. They zoomed their heads in towards me as I began. I felt myself lean back into the sofa. I looked over at Ellie, who gave me the abandoned puppy eyes, and I began the story.

   "Here's what happened." I started.

   "This is it." Martin interrupted. Everyone else quickly shushed him.

   "Quiet, Martin. This is also how he reveals crimes. He says, 'Here's what happened' when he does all his deductions." Caroline scolded.

   "Sorry, dear." he said.

   "Both of you, be quiet." Janine intervened.

   "You be quiet, Janine." Marta said.

   "Quiet, Marta." Jeffery said.

   "Shush, Jeffery." Naomi said. The family (except Gramma, Grandpa, and Jennifer Hoswell, who remained quiet the whole time) went into one of those 'you be quiet' family quarrels that's supposed to never end until one person quiets them all. It happened to be Caroline who quieted them all.

   "You all be quiet. Let Detective Duke Harison start his story." Caroline said. She was blunt and correct. I hadn't even started my story yet except for 'Here's what happened'.

   "Anyway," I started, "here's what happened. I remember like it was yesterday. But, of course, it wasn't. I was thriteen, in eigth grade. My dad was an investigator for the police. He worked with Chief Warren Cassano in the Homocide Division. He was investigating a serial arsonist who would light residential buildings ablaze. One day, he got a breakthrough through the pattern of the arsons and he got an undercover team to hang out in front of his guess. He went into the building, checking ll the fire hazards, and came out. But, unfortunately, he made a mistake."

   "What was the mistake?" Janine asked.

   "He saw the arsonist was targeting police officers' buildings. He did only apartments, so he could throw off the police on who exactly he was targeting. But, my father, overlooked one important detail." I continued.

   "What was the detail?" Naomi asked.

   "He set up an undercover team at a fellow police officer's home apartment. But, he forgot that he also lived in an apartment. He forgot the rule that anyone to everyone can be a victim. Even the perpetrator themself. So, he staked out a fellow police officer's apartment when-"

   "He was the target himself." Jennifer said. It was the first time she said something in a while.

   "That's right. A whole team was one mile away from the targeted building. There was no backup ready, so that team had to quickly head to the apartment. When the team got there, the whole building was engulfed in flames. Everone except one family had already safely made it out of the building." I said.

   "Who was the family?" Jeffery asked.

   "The Williamsons. One man, his wife, and their thirteen year old daughter. Or, my friend here, Ellie, and her parents." I said.

   "That's horrible." Martin said.

   "Yes. But my father was a brave person. He wouldn't let anyone get harmed when he was on the case. He would do everything in his power to put other people's lives before his. So he ran into the burning building and came out with a brunette girl in braids. She explained her parents were trapped inside. So, my father ran back inside. Then, the building, engulfed in a fiery blaze that would scare the most daring firefighters, collapsed. It had both my father and Ellie's parents trapped inside. It took another half an hour to completely contain the fire. There were no survivors in the collapse." I finished. Ellie put her head in her hands, as if ashamed.

   "And I didn't do anything!" Ellie burst out, screaming. She then ran off, probably to a bathroom or secluded guest room to cry. I debated on chasing after her, but I was interrupted by Martin.

   "So you kids are connected by a horrible tragedy like this? I must say, you guys are pretty strong to keep on going like that. Knowing your involvement with each others' parents." Martin said, "Don't worry about her. We'll get our butler to find her. Oh, Gerard!" he clapped. The butler then walked in. He was almost as tall as Martin Hoswell, skinny and wrinkled by wear and tear of age.

   "Yes, sir?" he asked, rather unenthusiastically. Kind of like he didn't get enough sleep or something.

   "Please, find Ms. Williamson and check on her. If she doesn't come with you as you are to escort her, report back to me. Then, please start on supper." Martin said authoritatively.

   "Yes sir." Gerard answered, walking away. Before he did, he opened a window. I guess it was for fresh hair, but then I heard him sneeze before leaving. Weird, why would a person open a window in the middle of pollen season? It didn't make any sense.

   "So now, Mr. Harison. Would you like to hear our story or would you like to do something else? Maybe get a bite to eat, tour the estate, or perhaps..." a slight pause, "tell us about one of your mysteries?" Martin suggested. Everyone leaned in towards me, curious.

   "I'll tell you one of my mysteries. I'd be glad to. In fact, I'm a fan of myself." I smiled.

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I told them about the most recent case, the one at the grocery store. They sat in awe, fascinated by my cunning abilities, my perception, intellect, and flat-out analyctic thinking and wittiness.

   "So your clue was a handle on a knife not facing the right way?" Martin asked.

   "Yes. Every knife is secured in the holster in the same uniform direction. So, one out of place would suggest it was taken out and put back again." I explained. Just then, Gerard the butler came in.

   "Ms. Williamson is in the laundry room. Apparently, she does not want to be disturbed." Gerard said.

   "Thank you, Gerard." Martin said.

   "Yes, Master Hoswell. I shall start dinner. How does roast beef and mashed potatoes and vegetables sound, sir?" Gerard asked. His face was as apathetic as ever.

   "Yes, Gerard. That'll suffice. Make enough for our two guests here." Martin said.

    "Yes sir. Right away sir." Gerard said, hurrying off to the kitchen, which was down the hall after making a left, and finally on the right.

    "Okay, I'd love to show the Ace Detective our humble two story estate, but it's already two o' clock, and I study my board game strategies at two. So, please, I'll have one of my family members show you. I'll be in my room until supper. Call me if you need me." Martin said, leaving the living room, turning left, going down the hall and disappearing into the stairwell.

   "I challenge you, kiddo!" Grandpa Hoswell shouted, pointing at me.

   "What? What game?" I asked.

   "Chess. I'll confound you with my psychological warfare!" he shouted. Well, there goes my tour.

   "Grandpa, be nice. Let Ace Detective Duke Harison choose what he wants to do." Janine said.

   "Alrighty, whippersnapper! You decide! If you accept, I'll let you even be white!" he cried.

   "Alright, I'll play." I said, not really knowing what would happen if I declined. It really couldn't be anything worse than what I was about to do. Nothing could hit worse humiliation than losing to this guy.

   "I think I'll do some gardening before it begins to rain." Caroline said, rummaging through a small basket of gardening equipment, pulling out two pairs of gloves.

   "I'm gonna go read." Jeffery said, hurrying upstairs, presumably to his room.

   "I'm going to go take a nap." Naomi said, yawning.

   "I think...I'll...umm...." Jennifer whispered.

   "Come on, Jennifer! Spit it out!" Janine said, urging her sister on. Though, it wasn't very effective, it did make Jennifer choose a hasty activity while turning red.

   "I'm...going to...umm...go read." she said, barely loud enough to hear. She quickly walked away, up the stairs. I guess she was pretty shy, especially on first glance.

   "I think I'll just relax here." Marta said, taking a seat on the loveseat on my left. The whole living room was extravagant, with very lavish furniture and a feeling of coziness. It was the best place to curl up in front of the fire with a cup of cocoa on a cold winter night. Rain or snow.

   "I think I'm gonna go organize my stamps. See ya." Janine said, jogging upstairs.

   "Well, kiddies, I'm going to go knit a nice blanket." Gramma Hoswell said, pressing a button on the wall.

   "Wait, you guys have an elevator?" I asked. I had no idea the cage in the corner actually went up and down in the household. I thought it was out-of-order, just to give the place a rustic look. It made the place old and homey, in a nice way.

   "Yes, kiddo. Martin's idea. Not a high-tech elevator, but it helps me and my wife." Grandpa Hoswell said, waiting for the elevator. Grandpa, Gramma, and I hopped into the elevator, and, in a quick five seconds or less, we were on floor two.

   "So, Grandpa, whose rooms are whose?" I asked. There were eight doors, four on each side. They all appeared similar, with no real differences after meticulous investigation. They may have no differences, but I looked anyway.

   "Let me think...first door on the right is Gerard's, then second is Jennifer's, then Marta's, and last on the far right end is Gramma and I's. On the left, first to farthest is Jeffery, Naomi, Janine, and Martin and Caroline's." Grandpa Hoswell said.

   "Hmm...everyone lives in close proximity to one another?" I asked.

   "Yes. But due to dispute, sibling rivalry, and privacy reasons, each room is soundproof and each door has a five-digit passcode from a choice of numbers zero through nine. There is an emergency override passcode for all the locks. Also, if the user really doesn't want to be disturbed, there is a lock on the inside that can only be opened by the override passcode." Grandpa Hoswell explained.

   "Oh, okay. So who knows the passcode?" I asked. The answer was obvious, but I asked anyway, just to be sure.

   "Just one person. Caroline." he said, as we went to his door. Yup, pretty obvious she would know. She was clearly the head of the household, like when she quieted a good portion of her family during the earlier argument.

We walked up to the lock on Grandpa Hoswell's door. On an unrelated note, the password was 6-5-5-0-1.

   "So, kiddo, you ready to lose to ol' Grandpa Hoswell at chess?" he asked.

   "Ready as I'll ever be." I said.

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   "I can't believe you beat me young fella. We played for an hour and you beat me. I guess my psychological warfare isn't what it used to be..." Grandpa Hoswell said.

   "Yeah. I would have loved to see it in serious action." I said. In reality, I would've loved to Grandpa Hoswell in action. He fell asleep every five minutes so the game dragged longer than it should've been. Maybe falling asleep was a tactic to irritate his opponents.

   "Next time, I'll defeat you!" he shouted triumphantly. Then again. maybe it wasn't done so on purpose.

We got out of the elevator (I still can't believe they have one. And it's only a two-story house) and made our way downstaris to the dining room. The dining table, a polished cherry, was exceptionally long, enough for maybe sixteen people plus the two ends. It also had lots of space so the butler could manuever with a small cart with the meals. This was a fitting dining table for a large family like the Hoswells.

I took a look outside. It looked like rain was going to strike or already did. Then, suddenly, as if on cue, drops came from the sky. I held my hand out and the rain came down harder as I listened to the pattering beat of the rain against the ground. I looked back to Grandpa Hoswell.

   "Wouldn't Mrs. Hoswell get wet if she continues gardening?" I asked him.

   "Ho ho! Not at all! We have a garden in a greenhouse. That way, if it had been raining, she could continue anyway." Grandpa Hoswell chuckled. Based on the estate alone,the Hoswells looked like they were ready for anything. I bet if I poked around, there would be an emergency exit for a secret undergound bunker that would serve as a shelter in case of a tornado. Just then, Gerard came in.

   "Good prevening, Hoswell senior." he said.

   "Good prevening, Gerard. How's supper?" Grandpa Hoswell asked. I guess prevening was like pre-evening or something.

   "Yes. Almost done. Would you like some œur dûerves, perchance?" Gerard asked.

   "No, thank you, Gerard. I'm glad we've had your kind service for as long as we had." Grandpa Hoswell said.

   "The pleasure is all mine. It's an honor to serve the family." Gerard asnwered, walking back into the kitchen. I checked my watch. Five forty-six. I wonder how dinner wasn't done in about three and a quarters hours. I guess he slow cooks his roast beef. Just then, Caroline came in from gardening. She removed her hat and gardening gloves. They were covered in a red soil.

   "Started to rain a while back. Came in before it started pouring." she said. She fanned her hat out as water drops spread out in many directions.

   "Hey, guys. Dinner ready?" Janine asked, jogging down the stairs.

   "Yeah, I'm starved." Jeffery said, also coming down the stairs.

   "Did the party start?" Naomi asked, coming in behind Jeffery.

   "I hope...I'm not...too late..." Jennifer siad quietly, walking down the stairs.

   "Me neither." Marta said, popping up behind us. I guess she stayed in the living room the whole time.

   "Dinner is ready, Hoswell and company. I'll fetch Ms. Williamson and then alert Master Hoswell." Gerard said.

   "Oh no you don't. Not without me!" Gramma Hoswell said, appearing from the elevator.

   "We're all here?" Caroline asked.

   "Not Dad or that other girl." Marta said.

   "I'll fetch them." Gerard offered.

   "No, Gerard. You get Mr. Hoswell. I'll get Ellie." I said, walking towards the laundry room. It was across from the first floor bathroom and directly next to the living room and the back door. The door was closed, but unlocked. I turned the knob slowly when the knob suddenly turned quickly and the door swung open. Ellie was in front of me, her eyes looked like she shed too many tears.

   "Hey, Ellie." I started.

   "Hey, Duke." she answered. Silence.

   "So...you hungry?"

   "Not really."

   "Come, on. Don't cry. You put me on the spot when you cry." I said.

   "I do?" she asked.

   "Yes. Yes, you do." I answered. I wonder why she cared so much.

   "Thank you, Duke. I needed something, and you gave it to me." she said.

   "You're welcome. A friend I need is a friend indeed." I said.

   "You're pushing it, Duke." Ellie warned me.

   "I'll shut up." I said. I guess we were both hungry on the same level. Hungry for what was in store for us ahead that day.