Wilmington, NC 10 - Much Ado About Murder

I’m thinking. The playscript will have to be examined and authenticated. A chemical analysis of the paper and the ink will have to be performed to verify its age. I believe the original script should be placed on loan to the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham in England. Their researchers will be able to compare the writing to the handwriting of Shakespeare. They own documents with Shakespeare’s signature.
    “Then after that is done, and if they verify it was indeed written by Shakespeare, the University can exhibit it. Send it on a national tour. Let the Smithsonian exhibit it too.”
    “But can I make a copy of it?” Cam asked.
    “I don’t see why not. What do you plan to do with the copy?”
    “Ray, Scarlett, and I have been running a contest to find the best musical. I think we’ve made our selection. But more about that in a moment. To answer your question, Spenser, I’d like to incorporate this play into our musical.”
    “What a good idea,” Dalton said. “With the 225th anniversary next year, the association could produce a special performance.”
    “Yes,” Cam agreed, “we can do something like advertise it as ‘attributed to William Shakespeare.’ And set the music to this play. After all, it’s a comedy. And as a sequel to Love’s Labour’s Lost which did not end with a wedding, there is a wedding scene in the play we’ve found. What do y’all think?”
    “I can’t wait to read the play,” Scarlett said.
    “And I can’t wait for you to star in it,” Cam said.
    Scarlett stared at him. “Star in it?”
    “Well certainly if TA produces it locally, we’ll want you to star in it. But I’m thinking we’ll make a movie of it too. We’ll modernize it. Love’s Labour’s Lost was made into a musical with Kenneth Branagh . It was done as a grand thirties musical, with top hats and tap-dancing. And music by Cole Porter.”
    “Scholars have believed there was a missing sequel,” Spenser said. “You’re right, Cam. Shakespeare’s comedies always ended with a joyful wedding scene. But Love’s Labour’s Lost ended with the wedding being postponed, suggesting a sequel. However, none was ever found although there is mention of this title during Shakespeare’s time.”
    “You say you’ve chosen the winner of your contest?” Dalton asked , his voice filled with disappointment.
    “Yes,” Ray responded. “We’ve selected a musical called Love is Mighty . I’m not sure we’ll be keeping that title but the music is phenomenal although there’s no libretto.”
    “That’s my music!” Dalton shouted. “And Simon’s lyrics.”
    “Yours? That’s terrific. We haven’t yet checked the name of the composer. Our system was to assign numbers to the submissions so our judges wouldn’t be influenced if they happened to know the composer.”
    Melanie gave Dalton a hug. “That’s wonderful, Dalton. I think this calls for champagne.”
    “I’ve been working on that score for years and years. You know, the great songwriters would stay up all night and in the morning have a smash success. They were geniuses.” He thought of his special friend.
    “When you do check, you will find the musical was submitted by Thomas Holbrook but that was because he stole it from me. He tried to kill me to get it. He did kill poor Simon.”
    “What are you talking about?” Spenser asked. “Murder? Someone attempted murder for a musical score?”
    “That’s exactly right. Detective Yost called me and briefed me on the case since as the victim I have a right to know. Here’s what happened after Thomas and Cheri were arrested. The detectives split them up. They offered a deal to the person who confessed first. Well, those two were ratting on each other all over the place.”
    “A mother and her son ratting on each other?” Aunt Ruby asked.
    “Oh yes, those two are shameless,” Dalton said. “Each blamed the other. Thomas said it was his mother’s idea. Cheri said it was Thomas and his blind ambition that got them into trouble. They turned off the pilot light and left me for dead.
    “Just then Simon arrived home and tried to stop them. Thomas must have been desperate at that point. He struck Simon with the poker too. Cheri suggested they drag him up the stairs and throw him off the porch. That way it would appear he had smelled gas and in his haste to escape had fallen down the outside stairs.”
    “But wasn’t that dangerous,” I asked, “to remain in the house