19 Good host
After he thought about the previous day he still wasn't sure how it all started. Did he drink too much?
When he felt better he stood up and decided to eat something, so he went down for breakfast.
"Good morning sir. Did you have a pleasant night?" Albert spoke and Hector thought that he could hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Then Albert informed him that he send letters of invitation.
The next few days went in a blur as Hector was preoccupied with the banquet and teaching his dogs. On the day of the banquet, he stood in the hall and watched servants busily running around making sure that nothing was out of order.
Holding the banquet was a complicated ordeal. Firstly he needed to decide on the purpose of the event. He chose the celebration of his taking over the bank.
While he needs to make it memorable he also shouldn't be too extravagant. It could bring more trouble if others would think of him as some spoiled young man incapable of managing his finances.
Choosing a venue was simple as he used his home. The dance hall was big enough and later others can participate in the game room for a game of poker or a smoke.
Thanks to Albert time and date were chosen and invitations were already sent. He also personally chose the menu for the night. From grilled steaks, grilled chicken, fish, Dixie oysters, stewed lamb, and creamy soups to ice creams of various flavors.
He also chose wines from the cellar, red and white wines like Souhtvile reds, Almir, champagnes, and even teas and fruit juices.
While some decorations were brought dance room itself was already beautiful.
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At seven in the evening, Hector wore starched clothes as he stood in the foyer with Albert prepared to welcome the guests at his ball.
Soon the people started to come. This was his first bouquet that he held people came bearing gifts.
They were mostly wines and Hector would politely take them and then give them to Albert.
"Good evening, Arthur. How may I address your lovely companion?" A polite gentleman spoke as he looked at the Arthur company.
"My wife, Martha Kinley" Arthur introduced her and after a few words of pleasantries, Albert lead them into the hall.
After that, he welcomed many more people, and thankfully he was able to memorize all of their names.
When it was almost time he didn't wait by the door anymore and instead walked to the second floor. Standing behind the railing that faced the people he gestured for the music to stop.
Holding a cup of champagne Hector surveyed the surroundings. With all the guests looking at him, he loudly proclaimed, "I'm very happy that all of you were able to grace this ball with your presence... "
Hector stood there delivering his speech to the people. As for the content of the speech, he wasn't too concerned as Albert helped him to prepare it beforehand.
Firstly he thanked the gods, then the nation, and lastly to health. He then apologized for his previous neglect of communication with his neighbors and friends. He spoke of tragedies but then about brighter days that are ahead.
After his speech, it was the turn of his godfather to speak. His eyes were red as he smiled at Hector.
After that, the banquet could officially start.
Then Hector walked down the stairs to the first floor, in preparation to invite a lady to dance the opening dance.
As he wasn't married or had any relative of the opposite sex nor anyone in his eye he hired a socialite of higher society.
"Ma'am, may I have the pleasure of dancing with you?" Hector spoke as he posed before the woman.
"You are a gentleman that cannot be rejected." She returned and took his hand.
"You dance well." She leaned closer as she spoke.
After the first dance, he went to the long table. His target was glasses of wine to help him with the rest of the night.
His gaze passed from the wines to champagnes and other beverages.
Then he took the glass of red wine and drank it in one swing.
As the host, he couldn't skip any of the first three dances, therefore he looked over to the people and chose one of his female acquaintances
to dance with.
But then in the middle of the dance, he saw two people talking in the corner of the room. If his memory was correct they were Marhta Kinley wife of Arthur and Henry Conor.
He found it strong after he could not find Arthur anywhere, but then he thought that he is probably in the toilet.
After three dances Hector went to the tables holding various types of food. When he smelled them he gulped his saliva slightly and took a plate and started to indulge in the food that was present before him.
As a gentleman, he should be careful how he acts but while he was still young it was expected of him to slip up from time to time. So he enjoyed the food to his heart's content.
Then Albert came to him and informed him that Arthur and now even Mary Conor and Samuel cant be found.
He remembered that Mary was Henry Conor's wife and Samuel was Arthur's butler.
Hector started to worry as he looked at the ceiling.
Thankfully nothing was out of the ordinary and he sighted in relive. But then Albert shattered his confidence when he continued to speak.
Even Martha and Henry were gone. And the final blow came when even Frank who was Arthur's business partner was gone.
"Six people just disappeared! How could that happen?" Hector became worried as he told Albert to look for them in different parts of the house.
Hector lost their appetite to eat anymore and went to look for them himself. Firstly he went outside to ask the guards if they saw anyone leaving or anything out of ordinary. To his luck, it even started to rain.
When they informed him that they saw nothing he went into the kitchen and toilets.
"This is the last banquet that I will host or participate in!" He spoke and started to curse silently.
Then he heard a scream from another side of the house. He hurriedly went there.
The scream came from the second floor where the guest room was located.
There he saw Martha, Frank, Henry, and Samuel standing before the door of one of the guest rooms.
'At least they are not dead but where is Arthur?' Realization come over him and so he walked past them and saw why someone screamed.
Albert lay on the ground in a puddle of blood. A knife was sticking out of his neck and blood was still flowing from the wound.
'Oh hell no. Now, police will be involved.' He thought as he saw the body.
As he is beyonder he needs to be careful when dealing with authorities. He hoped that they were just drunk or participated in some immoral act so he could just have them thrown out of the house but this?
Murder in his home without his blessing? 'Now that's just rude. They even ruined by carpet.'
'Wait!? A dead body, the rain outside, five people who were missing? Is this a murder mystery?
His mood started to improve at the thought and he started to inspect the people around him.
"Someone killed him. And as no one left the house and everyone else was in the hall dancing or eating... murderer is one of YOU!" He spoke now smiling as he raised his hand and pointed at the group.
"We should call the police before accusing others, sir." Hector heard a voice from the back and when he looked over he saw Albert standing in the corner.
