Seven Deadly Colors Of The Rainbow [#Wattys 2016]

Time

When I told Ashley about the dinner invitation I extended to Patrick it was nearing five o'clock which gave her just under two hours to prepare. She was surprised and if she had any displeasure, it was well hidden.
I was in charge of the table and setting the overall mood for the  night.
From where I was I smelled herbs and spices being blended together perfectly.

Patrick and his date arrived just half an hour later than the time planned.  I was impressed to say the least; persons always arrive an hour plus after the scheduled time.

I greeted them with a smile and invited them in. We had a good time, talking and enjoying the meal my wife prepared.

"When's the baby due?" Patrick asked after dessert.

I looked at my wife waiting for her to reply.

"She's due next month but I think she'll come before that." Ashley touched her stomach while she spoke.

Ashley showed our guests around the house while I cleaned up.
I slept soundly that night knowing that the relationship between my partner wasn't strictly professional.

**********************

The hands of my watch ticked slowly and quietly but the sound to me was deafening. With only twleve hours before the end of May I had only one option left. The sky was overcast as I drove towards the city limits. Patrick seated beside me, flipping through his notepad. I felt sickened by the fact that someone somewhere out there was going to die.

Die because of my incompetence.

Die because of my failure.

After the dinner I kept thinking of the Washington Resturant and then it hit me.

Why would the rainbow killer put an address there?

It was such an odd but specific detail to include. We've checked the house a few months ago but it seemed like a dead end. But with no more options and time running out we decided to go back the next day.

I asked Dave to get all the previous owners and occupants of the house since it was built. The house was in the same condition we left it in; ruins.

"You sure 'bout this?" Patrick asked as I opened the car door.

The sun was just starting to go down tinting the sky in a light orange.

"No. But it's all we have."

The front door was missing its handle so we had to brace ourselves on it for it to open. I turned on a smal flashlight and drew my gun; just in case out killer was hiding out here or some ferral creature attacked me.
Patrick did the same and we moved slowly from room to room. The house was still furbished with furniture and appliances. Down to a rotting washing machine was still intact.
However all cupboards were empty, no clothes were seen, not even a picture save for one.

It was my partner who brought it to my attention to it. A small 12 by 4 picture was framed and stood by itself on a bookshelf. It was yellow with age and stank of the sea just like the entire house.

A small boy was holding onto a bicycle while another chased him. It was the sort of picture that wasn't staged as the boys were having geninune fun. 

My phone ran giving me a mini heart attack.

"Hello?"

"Detective Anderson?" A male voice rushed.

"Yes this is he."

"This is Doctor Hendricks."

"Who?" I was confused. 

"I'm Mrs Mitchum's doctor. You said we should call if anything happened."

"Yes. That is correct. Is everything alright?" I started moving to the exit, Patrick follwed suit.

"Detective she woke up. Less than five minutes ago." My watch seemed to stop ticking and it took a while for me to process that information.

When I finally spoke I said, "Keep her awake and don't let anyone in the room. Lock yourself in the room with her right now." I was at my car now and opening the door to get in.

"Is that completely necessary?" The doctor asked. I imagined how insane I sounded to this man.

"Yes. This is an on going investigation and she is a potential victim and witness. Do as I say." I shouted in the phone.

"Oh I understand."  I hanged the phone up in his ears and started my car.

Night had fallen and the rain began to drizzle. The last of the May rains and maybe, just maybe the last of this killer.

*************************

We tore though the semi congested town. It was rush hour but the rain forced a lot of persons to stay inside their workplaces. I arrived at the hospital in less than half an hour.
Our patient was on the fifth floor at room number 64. Rushing inside we caught the elevator at the main floor. The low humming of the moving shaft calmed me in a sense and allowed me to catch my breath.

Ding!

On we went again.

Room 59.

Room 60.

Room 61.

62, 63 and finally 64.

The curtain was drawn at the door so we could only see the light from the room. It was obscured at the base of the door which meant something was blocking the light. I tapped against the glass and shortly after a man donning wide rim spectacles with graying temples showed his face.

I heard the scraping of furniture on tile andthe light started to pour under the door with no difficulty. The moment the door was open we rushed in and closed it behind us.

Laying down in a bed and covered with white linen was Mrs Mitchum. Two tubes ran from a vein in her right arm. I noticed her husband sitting beside her holding her hand.

Although I preferred the room empty I let it slide; I would want to be there with my wife at a time like this.
"Have you asked her anything?" I directed the question to Mr Mitchum.

"Yes but she refused to talk." Turning his attention to his wife he softly said, "Hunny the Detectives are here to see you."

Her eyes opened slowly and she stared at the ceiling for a full blown minute before looking at me.

"I understand this might be extremly difficult for you but this is an investigation and with your help we can save another life. Do you recognize the man who tried to kill you?"

Mrs Mitchum nodded her head slowly.

Patrick stepped closer, armed with his pen and notepad.

I squatted down so I could be in a face to face level with what seemed like our last hope. "Do you know his name?"

Another nod.  Tears came to her eyes.

"We are going to need you to tell us who it is." I didn't ask, I demanded it.

Mrs Mitchum licked her lips which were dry and cracked. "It was...."

It was no more than a mere hoarse whisper but I caught the name and I shot up immediately. I recognized the name as someone I hold dear to me told me something about that person and that's when I figured out who the next victim would be.