By Eric Tran

[This story was the result of a workshop run by Amy Han at the Co-Ed Tutoring Centre, Springvale.]

Over the old misty bridge of Willington, there was a mansion. Henry Willington was the owner of the bridge and the mansion, and his wife's name was Lady Samantha.

The couple lived together calmly and peacefully, but as the years went by Henry lost his job which made him furiously mad but he truly loved Samantha and would die for her.

Then, one night, Lady Samantha suddenly disappeared.

As the rumours spread through the town, a detective went to the mansion to investigate. 
A butler greeted him with his posh accent. "Good evening sir, my name is George Humblewick. And yours is, sir?"
"Sebastian Victor," replied the detective. He walked through the  entrance of the mansion and saw the huge lounge room in which Henry Willington was reading. 
"Sir, you have a guest," said George.
Henry turned around.  "Good evening, detective. Can you crack the murder case?"
"Yes indeed, " said Sebastian. 
"Would you like some refreshments and a light meal?"
"No thank you, I will take some water on my own, thanks."

As Sebastian went to the kitchen for a glass of water, he looked outside the window at the beautiful garden. He saw someone and ran to chase him, but that someone noticed him and started to run away.
Suddenly, Henry shouted, "Stop this instant, detective!"

Sebastian stopped. 
Henry said, "How dare you! I hired you to investigate and now you're chasing my gardener like a thief or a murderer sneaking through the afternoon!"
As Sebastian apologised to Henry's gardener, Henry said, "Now if you had been so kind as to ask his name before..."
The gardener replied, "My name is Hillingster Von Helsing. Good evening, detective".

After an hour, Sebastian had met all of the servants. Two were hired the day after Lady Samantha's disappearance. Sebastian's only lead was that she had been in the bedroom when she disappeared. 

It was pouring with rain that dark night. Sebastian invited everyone, including Henry and his servants, to his office. He also called a policeman for extra security.

Sebastian began, "As I, Sebastian Victor, went snooping around the huge Willington mansion, I have learnt more about the mystery of Lady Samantha Willington's disappearance. But who is responsible, you ask? No one has ever questioned Henry Wilington's loyal love for his wife..."

"We should ignore George the butler because he was hired the day after the disappearance. Also, Hillingster the gardener wasn't the culprit because he wasn't with Samantha at the time." 

"It was Henry, he is guilty!" Sebastian finally said. 

"But isn't that too obvious? And where is the clue?" exclaimed George.

"You're absolutely correct," replied Sebastian. "That's why I know who it was. Lady Samantha was in her bedroom sleeping and the door is always locked, so who was it? Henry, of course."
"Stop being ridiculous, detective," Henry defended. "I wasn't in there. I always sleep in the living room."
"Yes, but I discovered a trap door connecting the bedroom to the living room."
"Okay detective. Where is Lady Samantha?"
"Oh, she is right here."

The door opened and Lady Samantha appeared.
"Hello Henry," she said. "Guards, arrest my attempted killer."
As the policeman arrested him, Lady Samantha took her wedding ring off.
"Henry, I'm divorcing you," she said as she threw her wedding ring out the window.
Henry yelled, "How are you alive?"
"I saved her, " said Hillingster, as the policeman took Henry away.

Now, Willington bridge had a new owner: Lady Samantha, and she was safe.