HUES OF A MURDER

Chapter 12: The Orange Gerberas

Maplewood woke up to the news of Rose's attack by the murderer! She received flowers and get-well cards from her friends and neighbours. Scarlett's grandma came to see her with lots of food. So did Cyan's grandma.

Rusty was given the task of babysitting his sister. Scarlett decided to stay with her best friend till they were sure that she was safe. Cyan spent all his waking hours at Rose's. Skye managed The Bluebells in his absence.

Rusty and Skye had installed bars in all windows. They also added extra bolts to the front and back doors. Adam hired someone to install CCTV cameras at the front yard and back yard. Even their neighbours were vigilant. They formed a neighbourhood night watch squad.

Poppy came back home after a night at the vet's clinic. She was a little sluggish but enjoyed the lavish attention bestowed upon the Redfern House Hero.

The rumour that Rose had something to do with Ruby's murder was dispelled by the attack on her. The biggest surprise she had was when Rowan visited her two days later. He brought a bunch of orange gerberas with him. Scarlett put it on a vase on the windowsill.

Rowan apologised profusely to Rose. "This has happened because of me, didn't it?" Rowan asked. His eyes were filled with regret.

"Yes."

"No."

Cyan and Rose replied simultaneously. Scarlett snickered. Cyan and Rose glared at each other.

"It's not your fault, Rowan," Rose assured him.

"Are you kidding me? It's totally his fault." Cyan almost shouted.

While Rose and Cyan bickered about the same, Rowan exchanged an amused look at Scarlett. She giggled and shook her head. Rusty and Skye entered the room with a variety of sandwiches and orange juice. There were cucumber sandwiches, egg sandwiches, cheese sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches. Rusty fussed over his sister while she swatted him away.

The four ate and chatted about mundane things. Soon the conversation turned to the murder.

"Is it true that you saw the murderer?" Rowan asked.

"No, I didn't see the murderer. I think I saw a figure beside the armoire in that room. At the time, I thought that it was a statue or something. I didn't give it much thought honestly. Only when we went to the manor for giving evidence, I noticed that, the statue or what I thought was a statue, was missing. I still don't know for sure if I saw something. It was too dark and well, I was scared." Rose replied.

"Even if you did see an actual person, where did he disappear afterwards? You heard the police. The windows are barred and the door was locked," Scarlett pondered.

"And you heard that blonde cop right? Someone might have helped him escape," Rose said.

"What do you think, Cy?" Scarlett turned to Cyan who was playing with Poppy.

"Hmm?" he asked distractedly. "I was thinking about something else the inspector said."

"What?" Rose leaned back in the bed. She winced as she moved her hand.

"The inspector said that the room opens only to the corridor and that the only way the intruder would have escaped is if there was a secret passage." Cyan scratched behind Poppy's ears. She stretched and closed her eyes contently.

"Are you saying there is a secret passage?" Rowan was bemused.

"Think about it. After we left the room, that artist closed the door and asked that tall guy to stand guard. We were in the next room. So, the only people who had access were that artist and the tall guy. If someone accessed the room to let the intruder escape, wouldn't the police have found the guy by now? Or if the artist or the tall guy, who I think was a bouncer they had hired, was in collusion with the murderer, the police would have found out, I think. That leaves the solution of a secret passage." Cyan looked at the other three.