I did not receive an answer. All I heard was the soft shuffling of feet on the carpet. I could see all the members of the staff dart their eyes at each other. Finally Jennings spoke up. "It would seem that we all suspect each other, but none of us has admitted it. I must say, in all of our defenses, sir, that no one here would know the combination to Master Wooten's safe."
"Unless someone is lying about that," said another of the maids as she glared at Jennings.
"Suspect me all you like, Ms. Pierce, I will not engage in this useless banter," Jennings replied sternly.
"OK, OK," I interjected before chaos could ensue. "Let's not go back and forth, I'm not accusing any of you. I was merely curious myself. But, I believe I can put all of your suspicions to rest." I had already decided on some other things I was going to do, so I didn't feel apprehensive about the next thing I would say to them.
"Pardon me for being doubtful, sir, but I'm not sure how you can do that," Jennings said.
"Simple," I replied. "I'm the one responsible for the will." Everyone turned and faced me with stunned expressions. Then they all looked at each other and started to murmur among themselves. I could only distinctly hear someone say, "He's crazy."
Jennings cleared his throat and this silenced everyone else. "Do you mean to say, sir, that you wrote that will and somehow had it placed in Master Wooten's safe?"
"I did not write the will," I said. "But I caused it to be there."
I was met with another series of bewildered looks. "How...I'm not sure we understand you, sir," said Jennings.
"I'll tell you all, but I'm not sure you'll believe me at first," I said. "Earlier today I was given a ring, see it here?" I held up my hand so that they could see it on my finger. "It grants any wish I make. So I was walking around town this afternoon and I came upon Wooten Street. I remembered reading in the newspaper about the situation regarding the mansion and so I decided to wish that I was the heir, and so here I am."
I honestly expected to hear them all burst out laughing. That's what I would have done if I had been in their shoes. But instead all I received was a series of even more puzzled expressions. I think they might have wondered whether or not I was sane. I didn't give them the chance to decide. "Look, I know it's impossible to believe but I'll prove it." I wanted to make a simple change, something that would be possible to undo easily. I settled on the color of the wall. "I wish that the paint color on the wall would change from blue to green."
The ring did not fail and the color of the wall changed just as my wish commanded. Now more murmurs filled the rooms, but now they were sounds of disbelief and amazement. As they continued to talk among themselves, I had to smile knowingly. "Everyone, please, quiet, calm, please," Jennings said to the rest of the staff. They obliged him and ceased their talking. "I'm sure that if we were to question or doubt you further, you would provide more evidence to support your claim, am I correct?" he asked me.
"Yes, I'm sure I would," I answered. "Are you saying you believe me?"
"It would seem we have little choice," said Jennings. "So I'm afraid that, on behalf of the entire staff, I must ask what your ultimate intentions are for all of us?"