The events of "The Colonel's Bequest" were arranged by Tetelo.
Either Celie was part of the Gedde family or she had a particular susceptibility to Tetelo's influence because of her Voodoo practice. Either way, Tetelo saw fit to influence the Colonel to make his bequest, Lillian to become insanely jealous of most of her family, and Laura to go with her and clean up her mess, all in an effort to make Celie the sole heir to the Colonel's fortune, thus adding it to the Gedde family's. Who is the killer?
- Killer is the boatman in league with Celie to avenge their families who were slaves. Henri pegs the murders on Lillian because she is nuts and thinks she did it.
Who is the shadowy figure?
- An unknown survivor of the Crouton family on the island to exact vengeance. This is also the the person who grabs Laura in the passageway and closet. However Lillian (or the boatman) got to them first. He also planned on killing the others because dead men tell no tales.
The sleeping arrangements in the Mansion
- Henri doesn't like Rudy and Clarence so he puts them together hoping they will destroy each other.
- He puts Ethel in the nursery knowing she's been a neglectful mother to Lilian and hoping the setting may bring out her maternal instincts again.
- In addition to keeping Wilbur close by if he needs medical attention, he knows of the embezzlement and knowing Wilbur is the weak link, wants to confront him about it without Clarence around.
Gloria's medical problem...
- .. was pregnancy. This the 1920s after all - no birth control. So having a pregnancy that early in your career can really damage your career.
Beauregard died and is now a voodoo zombie
- Bloodhounds have one of the shortest life spans(6-8 years). He passes away, Celie finds him and knowing the Colonel would be heartbroken, used her voodoo to resurrect him.
