Charleston Downs

Red Velvet

"Did you have sexual intercourse with a Mr Charlie Rowley?" Police Constable Sam White leant back in her chair, toying  with a novelty biro that had a floating police car inside it. She faced me directly across a thin white desk, the space between us clear, a scattering of folders and papers pushed to one side. The room itself was cramped, airless, and overwhelmingly grey. The ceiling fan whirred softly with each achingly slow cycle. On White's side of the desk, in the corner of the room leant her colleague, introduced to me only in passing as Smithy.

"I'd rather not answer that question." I said, coolly; my words direct, and clear. I was cooperating, they needed my help and I wanted justice, but I still have my limits. The soft, lazy whir of the ceiling fan punctuated the silence that expanded to fill the tight room. White clicked her pen aimlessly and a phone rang briefly outside the room.

"Mr Sutcliffe, you're not on trial, we're just trying to establish your relationships with all of the potential suspects." She said, with latent impatience and a forced empathy. Smithy tapped his foot against the wall as he leant, looking up at the aged ceiling fan. He popped his tongue, and slid over to the desk deciding to chip in, "So, you were seeing Hailey, and also seeing Molly, and also sleeping with Molly's brother!" He laughed, a deep hearty laugh, planting his palms down on the desk, "Wow! You must be something special." He sneered, looking me up and down.

"I'd rather not discuss the intimate details. Please." I snapped, the words like glass shards in my mouth, I spat them out one by one. Smithy returned to his corner.

"Ok, I think we can move on." White shot her colleague a sharp look, she refocussed on me with a weak smile. "Can you tell me about the night of the murder?"

***

The Rowley's mansion was aflutter with friends, neighbours, colleagues. Word had already started to spread that there were more people at this party than the population of Charleston Downs itself! The mansion was lit up with warm, sunny glow from streams of orb lanterns and shimmering crystal fairy lights. Allison had even had lights installed in the big circular clock fountain so the water radiated a bright white, and the water shimmer was reflected against the mansion walls.

I meandered through the crowd, a lone wolf dressed in a slim black suit. The flocks of dresses and black ties scattering and migrating like swarms. Clatters of glasses and the slosh of alcohol accompanied the symphony of party chatter. A fancy buffet was spewed out across a long white table, with a tall cake at the head for Charlie's birthday. It was tarted up in swirls of cream frosting, finished off with a sprinkle of red rose petals. Blood crimson letters dripping down the sides read 'Happy Birthday Charlie'. The cake was red velvet, when sliced open with a thick steel kitchen knife the deep red insides revealed themselves.

The first friend in the sea of strangers I came across was Hailey, draped in a flowing red dress. She beamed at me and glided over, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I'm so glad you're here." She whispered, her voice soft and husky. "I've got something exciting to tell you." She paused, I asked excitedly for more details. "I've told James about us. I've told him it's over."

"You've done what?" I exclaimed, mild terror seeping into my eyes. She looked taken aback.

"I thought you'd be happy Finn. I want to be with you." Her hands slid round, cupping my face, holding me to attention, looking deep into her eyes. "I want you." She pulled me in, and her lips met mine. Her kiss, passionate and electric, held me in the moment as we drifted into our own personal space, free from the rabble of the party-guests. It took everything to pull myself away from her lips.

"I have to go somewhere, just quickly. Wait for me?" I watched her disappointed eyes, and returned my best 'I am sincerely sorry' look. She nodded softly, her hands drifting down my arm.