HUES OF A MURDER

Chapter 20: The taste of betrayal is black

Delaney Carey lived in Redfield, which was five hours away from Maplewood. The gang had left early in the morning in two cars, one driven by Scarlett and one by Rowan. By noon, they reached the town. After having lunch, they went to meet Delany, with whom they had a prior appointment.

Delaney lived with an old maid, in a town house facing the Lake Noir. The maid who had a no non-sense attitude was displeased that a bunch of youngsters were destroying Miss Carey's wonderful afternoon. But when Cyan informed her that they were coming from Maplewood, the old woman led them to a traditional living room. The woman bid them to sit and went to fetch Miss Carey.

The room was pristine white with flowery wall papers and cushions with floral patterns. However, the cheerful appearance of the room was marred by the huge painting hung above the mantel of the fireplace. The painting was a swirl of greys and blacks. It showcased a weeping woman with her heart in her hand and a hollow chest. She was offering her heart to someone unknown, with a pleading look. The heart was withered and bled black. Her tears were black. The agony of the woman made Cyan uncomfortable.

"Do you like the painting?" a woman in her mid-forties with her auburn hair in a messed bun and wearing an apron splashed with paints, asked him.

"Miss Carey?" Cyan was surprised. She wasn't what he had imagined.

"The one and only" She smiled.

"You are a wonderful artist," Rose's eyes were filled with an admiration.

"You like my painting?" Delaney asked them.

"You painted it? It's so... dark," Scarlett stared at the painting.

"Well! I had a dark period in my life. Painting is the way by which I let out my feelings. It helps heal wounds," Delaney got lost in memories.

"Like when your engagement was cancelled?" Cyan didn't chew his words.

Delaney turned sharply to look at him. "How did you...?"

"I am sorry, Miss Carey. I... We came under false pretenses. We are not art students. We want to talk about something else. Something you probably don't want to revisit. But please understand that some of our lives depend on whether you talk to us. So, please forgive us for our deception and give us your valuable time." Cyan raised his hands in pleading.

"You are here to talk about the murders in Maplewood." Delaney held his eyes. He found that she had enchanting grey eyes.

"You have heard about them," he stated.

"Yes. Double murders in a town like Maplewood catches everyone' attention. Especially since it happened in Greywich manor. I read that one more girl was attacked." Delaney looked around.

"Yeah! Me." Rose raised her hand.

"That's why we are here. To know about Silas Greywich." Cyan said.

Delaney pointed to the sofa and nodded them to sit. "I will come in a second," she went inside.

"Is she going to throw us out?" Rowan whispered.

"No," Cyan was certain.

After a while, Delaney came back. She had removed her apron. She was wearing a black dress with big yellow sunflowers. The maid followed her with refreshments. Delany encouraged them to drink the tea.

"How do you know about me?" she asked.

"Mrs. Blakesley," Cyan sipped the tea.

"Well, why do you want to see me about the murders? I know it happened at Greywich Manor but how is it related to Silas? I read that a servant and his granddaughter were dead."