HUES OF A MURDER

Chapter 15: The Green Matcha

"Well, that wasn't it," Rose looked back at the law firm they exited.

"God! They were the most unfriendly people I have met," Scarlett scowled.

"Well! They are lawyers. What did you expect?" Rowan smirked at her.

"What are you doing here? With us? Don't you have better things to do back home?" Scarlett glowered at him.

"Rose is in danger and Ruby was my friend. And don't forget, I gave you the keys to the manor so you could find out the clues." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Yup! A friend who screwed you over. Don't forget that it's because of her that we are in this mess. If she hadn't decided to satisfy her stupid ego by hurting Rose, a murderer wouldn't be after her."

Rowan opened his mouth to retort but Cyan got in the middle, "enough! Both of you. Don't forget why we are here. This concerns all of us. Let's get this over with. So, no bickering. If both of you can't behave yourselves at least ignore each other."

"Fine," Scarlett used the handkerchief to fan herself. "Ahh! It's too hot! Let's get out of here."

She walked towards her car. The three followed them.

"Oi, stop speaking ill of the dead," Rose jabbed at finger at Scarlett before putting on the seat belt.

"Really! Don't go all grandmotherly over me. Are you feeling sorry for Ruby?" Scarlett stared at her friend. She couldn't believe it. But then again, this was Rose. She wasn't vengeful. She was compassionate and believed that everyone was good.

"Well..." Rose played with her hair and looked out of the window. Scarlett shook her head and concentrated on her driving.

"Did Ruby's mom come?" Cyan turned to Rowan who was in the backseat with him.

"No. She couldn't. She had a terrible car accident a couple of months back. The driver was killed. She is bedridden. I think Ruby's step father came and talked to the police."

Rose turned sharply to look at Rowan, "Her mother had an accident? That's terrible! She might have been devastated. Poor Ruby," Rose's face fell.

"Really? She didn't seem so sad about that. Why wasn't she with her mother? Why did she take up organizing the party? That woman is a bad seed. I'm telling you; she might have gotten into some bad business and that's what got her killed," Scarlett clenched her jaws.

"No, I don't think so. She didn't have a job apart from being an influencer. And she didn't make any money from it. Her grandpa gave her money to squander," Rowan said.

He continued after a moment of silence, "her mother lived with her step father and his kids. They hated Ruby. She did visit her mother. But her step sisters and step brother were so horrible to her, she came back soon. They didn't want her there. I remember when she went to see her mother. She cried the whole week. Then she plunged herself in organizing the party to forget it all."

"That's why I forgave her for making me a scapegoat in her petty scam to insult Rose. She suffered a lot. She was jealous of you, Rose. Because you had a loving family. I am not saying she was right. But..." Rowan's voice faltered. He looked out of the window.

No one spoke because they didn't know what to say. They remembered what Rose's parents said about bullying. Turned out it was right!

They went to the next law firm, Hawthorne and Hawthorne. They talked to the young receptionist who, Rose thought looked like a big owl owing to her huge glasses, which perched on her nose, covering half her face. She directed them to Hazel, the secretary to Mr. Hawthorne.