Colorful Death (4 page)

“Did you think you would keep playing detective?” he asked her. “Think you would figure it out all on your own?”

“What?” Jade asked him. He’d pulled in between her and her car, and she did not like the look in his dark eyes.

“Why do you have a knife?”

“To deal with one more loose end, of course. There was always the possibility that you might put two and two together. And that, my dear, I could
not
allow.”

“
What
?” Jade managed. As he advanced on her, she looked desperately for some way to keep him talking. “But…why would you kill Vera? No one would have suspected you.”

As she suspected, appealing to his cleverness—however insincerely—made his chest puff up slightly. His advance slowed, and he gave her a truly chilling smile.

“Vera took something that was mine.” He waited for Jade to get his implications.

Jade could think of nothing.

“The…cottage?”

“The
gallery
,” he spat at her. “I had waited for
years
for an opportunity like that, and when I finally got it, they told me they were splitting the display with her. Her! Some backwater little painter doing pieces of sunsets and swans. Typical, trite garbage.”

Jade, having seen the gorgeous swell of the hills and the verdant flush of greenery in Vera’s paintings, could not agree—but she sensed this was not the time to say so.

“Your sculptures…”

“Are
art.
Real art. My sculptures would have sold for millions—except for those stupid watercolors making everyone talk about
colors
and
pastoral themes
. I had to stand there and watch them talk about how quaint it was that some old lady out in the middle of nowhere was doing paintings. As if it’s unusual! As if her pieces were anything to look at, at all.”

“I see.” Jade said. When his eyes went cold and he started to advance again, she said desperately, “So you came here…”

“To get her to give up the show,” Jack said coldly. Luckily for Jade, however, he was only too happy to ruminate on the night of the murder. “I had a very generous offer. I’d buy the damned watercolors off of her if she’d just agree to go home. And she said—she looked me dead in the eyes—and said that there was no need to think there was any competition. Smug as you please! That she’d been a school teacher all her life and she wanted to show her paintings now, and this was too fine an opportunity to pass up. She didn’t even appreciate it! But as soon as I wanted it, she wouldn’t give it up. She was greedy.” His eyes narrowed. “She deserved everything she got. And I slashed all those damned paintings in there on my way out.” He threw an arm up to point at the house.

For some reason, this made Jade furious. It was like burning books, but a thousand times worse. No one would ever make those paintings again, and Vera’s nephew would not even have them to remember her by.

“So you just
killed
her?” she demanded. “You only got half a gallery, and you killed her over that? Didn’t she deserve recognition just as much as you?” It was the wrong thing to say. His eyes narrowed. “And you just tried to kill Maddox, too—twice! That’s why you were so curious as to who I was talking to on the street that day. That’s why you wanted me to tell you if he came back. You were trying to finish the job.”

“He might tell the police what he’d seen,” Jack told her, as if she was incredibly stupid. It was simple math to him, she could see. He needed a career in art, and Vera stood in his way—now Vera was dead. He needed a career in art, and Maddox’s testimony might put him behind bars—so Maddox had to die, too. And now Jade, who would almost certainly not figure it out, had to die just on the off-chance that she might.

It was a choice anyone might have made, she supposed. Weren’t there thousands of books about people doing horrible things and then trying to cover them up? But she would never have imagined that the choices would be made so casually.

“You’re a monster,” she whispered.

“And
you
,” he replied, “are about to be killed by Vera’s dear nephew. When the police go to your house in a few days, they’ll find a note that you thought it was him and you were going to look for evidence…and they’ll find you here.”

“They know it’s not him,” Jade said wildly. She had to distract him somehow. “They know. They’re looking for someone else. Every little bit of evidence you leave here will only lead them back to you.”

He froze for a moment. Then the knife came up again.

“You’re bluffing.”

Shit. Jade dove sideways as he lunged at her, hitting the ground with a cry of pain and pushing herself up. Adrenaline pushed the pain far away as she ran for her life, dodging around a tree and switching directions as fast as her legs would take her.

“How long do you think you’re going to last?” he called from behind her.

Jade’s answer was to throw open the car door in his face. He hit it with a curse and she sped away. She had to get to her car—

He was at the other door. The second she slid into the driver's seat, he’d be there with his knife. He began to circle, and she did as well, her eyes fixed on him warily. She couldn’t let him catch her. As soon as he caught her, he’d have the advantage—and that bloody knife was filling her with the sort of primal fear she didn’t think she’d ever experience.

No, she didn’t think her agent would
ever
send another writer away on assignment. Jade picked a direction and ran for her life. She just had to get to the walkway, where a pretty set of stones lined the path. She picked one up, turned around, and threw it. Jack staggered back with a scream.

When his head came up, blood dripping down his forehead, she knew she’d made a mistake. Now he was furious—and he wasn’t going to be talked out of killing her no matter what. She grabbed another stone and threw that, and then as he charged her, she did the only thing she could think of and charged him right back. She got to him a moment before he could swing the knife and batted his arm away. The knife clattered onto the pavement and she tackled him down, swinging for his nose with both fists.

They were so locked in their struggle that they didn’t hear the other cars approaching. It was only the yells that penetrated Jade’s consciousness, and the command that finally stopped them both in their tracks:

“Hands up!”

Jade stopped, and Jack took the opportunity to hit her full across the face. She felt herself hauled out of the way, and the next thing she knew, she was staring up at the clouds while shouts and threats came from somewhere nearby. Her face was wet, she thought dreamily, and she wiped her fingers across her upper lip. They came away bloody. That couldn’t be good.

“Miss Ruiz?” Constable Jones came into view, peering down worriedly. She slid an arm under Jade’s back and helped her up, craning to look into her eyes. “Miss, are you okay?”

“Um…” Jade found that the question was beyond her. “My nose hurts.”

“She’s in shock,” she heard Constable Jones say, and another officer came to help her up.

“What’s…happening?” Jade managed.

“Mr. Smith woke up, and identified Mr. Eason as the suspect. We were coming to warn you when Mr. Acker—Vera’s nephew—called to tell us that he’d seen two cars drive up to his aunt’s house, and that Mr. Eason was threatening you. Ah.” The policeman looked over her head. “Mr. Acker. Hello.”

“Huh?” Jade swung her head woozily to see Vera’s nephew standing in the open door of the house, his eyes sad. “You…you knew we were here?”

“I called the police as soon as I saw Mr. Eason get out of the car, and then I went to find a weapon.” His eyes were sad. “I’m very sorry, miss—I only realized a moment ago that the fight had already started. You seemed to have kept him talking for a while.”

Suddenly it seemed ridiculous—hardly five minutes ago, Jade had taken a wrong turn, and in the intervening 300 seconds, someone had tried to kill her. She was going to start crying. Or possibly scream. Jade was just opening her mouth to do so, in fact, when the wooziness took over and she crumpled to the ground.

She woke sometime later, with vague memories of being helped through the door of her cottage. She was cozy and warm, tucked up under the patchwork quilt, and her nose hurt terribly. She pushed herself up, wincing, and found a sheet of paper on the floor by her shoes.

Miss Ruiz—please call us when you wake up.

Probably the police. Jade poked gingerly at her nose and gasped with pain, then pushed herself up and stretched again. Dusk was falling, and the sky out the windows was a riot of reds and golds. She should call the police, and let them know she was okay.

She should. But first…

Jade pulled out the desk chair, sat down, and began to write.

Attempted murder, it seemed, did wonders for writers’ block.

The End

Thank you so much for reading.

Hope you enjoy the story.

S. Y. Robins

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Hannah seems to have a perfect life. She has a perfect job, perfect boyfriend and perfect university grades. Planning her life away, Hannah is deliriously happy. That is, until two mysterious deaths plague her, throwing her life into chaos and despair and pain. Hannah’s world is turned upside down; everything she thought she knew is a lie.

Jay, her perfect boyfriend is a successful businessman. He treats her wonderfully and makes her happier than she ever dreamed she could be. However, Jay is not as perfect as he seems. Can Hannah uncover his secrets in order to clear his name? Or will Hannah’s own life become endangered, by simply trying to help the man she loves?

Going from cupcake maker and nutritionist, to hard-hitting sleuth, Hannah dives nose first into a world of drugs, money laundering and death threats. All of a sudden, her life changes dramatically for the worse. Can Hannah make it out alive?

“Yeah twist again, like we did last summer…” Hannah Price sang shrilly, wielding a pricing gun as she danced up the aisles. She was in an excellent mood that day; she always liked being at work. Her hours were flexible and her gorgeous boyfriend was her boss. What could be better?

“Why do you listen to such old rubbish?” Shouted a laughing voice, switching off the battered radio on the counter.

Hannah jumped, unaware there was anyone else in the shop but her. She looked embarrassed for a moment, then ran to the front. When she got there she saw Jay, learning on the counter, an amused grin on his face. 

“Sorry, Jay. I was in my own world! Just ignore me, I was only singing to the beans and crisps.”

“Well, as long as the produce doesn’t go off! My ears could shrivel listening to you sing,” he joked, tugging a lock of her dark curly hair good-naturedly.

“Ah don’t worry, love. You really brighten up the place. Ignore him,” another voice chimed in. Both Hannah and Jay looked up, smiling as they saw Mrs. Lynch, a lovely old lady who came into the corner shop almost every day.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lynch,” Hannah grinned. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Oh, I just came for the paper and to make sure he was treating you nicely.” Mrs. Lynch said. As she hobbled out, Jay grabbed Hannah and gave her a kiss.

“How were your results yesterday? I didn’t hear from you,” Jay asked, concern in his voice.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Hannah gasped. “I got my results and then went to the travel agent. I was so absorbed in looking at trips away, I completely forgot. I got really good marks; I’m really happy,” Hannah blushed, patches of crimson creeping down her neck.

“My little genius!” Jay exclaimed with pride. Although highly intelligent, Hannah was known for forgetfulness and he wasn’t surprised that she was looking at trips abroad. Hannah had recently been hit by the travel bug and talked incessantly about moving to Australia. She spent most of her time daydreaming about places she’d never been and people she hadn’t met yet. The rest of her time was spent reading; Jay sometimes struggled to prise her away from her latest novel. Hannah loved crime fiction and saw mystery everywhere in life. One particularly memorable night was when they played
Cluedo
with some friends; Hannah became so excited, putting on voices and coming up with sneaky clues.

“Shall we go for dinner to celebrate? My treat,” Hannah offered shyly. She was so happy with Jay; he was so different to all the people she’d grown up knowing. He didn’t mind any of her quirks either. In fact; he seemed to embrace them.

“No, this is my treat. I’m proud of you for doing so well! Besides, I know how much I pay you. Get your coat, we’ll lock up early and make a day of it.”

Hannah nodded, smiling broadly. She had never been treated this well ever. She had lived in Newark her entire life, leaving only to travel for a year around Asia. When all her friends went to university, she didn’t feel ready; she was too young, too indecisive. She felt she would only have been going for the social life, not the education. Now she was studying nutrition and dietetics at the University of Nottingham and had never been so happy. She had everything; fantastic academic records, a great job and friends, and a wonderful boyfriend. Jay was one in a million, she was sure of it.

“In that case, please let me go home first. If we’re celebrating, I should look nicer, I want to make you proud. Anyway, it gives you a chance to do some work then,” Hannah giggled.

As she skipped out the door, she poked her tongue out at Jay, who was shaking his head at her cheek. Running home, she was excited for dinner that night. What was she going to wear? Did she have enough time to paint her nails? Where were they going to go? She was so lucky that these were the kinds of dilemmas that filled her head. Life could not be better.

When she got home, Hannah was a whirlwind of girly chaos. Clouds of hairspray and perfume followed her as she ran from room to room, her mother laughing with her and swatting her away.  Dressing in a cornflower blue dress that matched her bright, shiny eyes, Hannah strapped on a pair of silver sandals. Looking at herself in the mirror, she was happy with what she saw. In the last few years she’d taken up several exercise classes and began having a real interest in what she ate; that was what drove her passion for nutrition now. She loved creating healthy recipes that looked great and tasted amazing. She couldn’t wait to help others and make them feel as happy as she felt. Health radiated from her every pore; she was glowing. Painting her nails silver to match her sandals, she fluffed up her hair and left the house, skipping once again in excitement for her date with Jay. She just couldn’t help herself.

Arriving back at the shop, she couldn’t see Jay to begin with. Instead of loitering by the front, she decided to lend a hand. Grabbing an apron, Hannah began sweeping the floor, wanting to help and wondering where he was. He wouldn’t have forgotten; Jay treated Hannah like a princess. He couldn’t have gone far either. The door was unlocked; he was probably on the phone. He was always so busy; running multiple businesses. Jay had made a real success of himself, and at such a young age. It was pretty inspiring. Yet, he always made time for her, Hannah thought fondly. She couldn’t help the smile playing on her lips as she worked. As she swept behind the counter area, two burly strangers walked in. Seeing her, they paused, then turned around and left. Hannah thought little of it; Newark was full of strange people, it always had been. Although she did think it was odd for people to come in here who she didn’t recognize.  She knew everyone round here; she’d grown up here. Newark was her home. For now. She still wanted to go to Australia and experience life in a more laid-back culture. 

Suddenly, Jay appeared from the stockroom, beaming as he saw Hannah. “Wow. You look beautiful. I am one lucky man. Come on, let’s go. You shouldn’t be working.”

“Are you sure you can shut early? I don’t mind working a close with you and going after. I know how important the business is to you,” Hannah offered. She secretly hoped they would go anyway; it made her feel special that Jay would close the shop to take her out on a whim. She knew she and Jay were gradually getting more serious; but it still felt special to know he placed her above the thing he was most proud of in life. If he could shut the shop early one night, maybe he could come with her, away from here completely… She had not yet broken her plans to Jay about emigrating. Although getting more serious, they had only been together nine months; she wasn’t sure if they had been together a sufficient length of time to plan a future. Although she felt she was in love with Jay, she was scared to tell him her hopes and dreams. At 32, he was eight years older than her. He had seen more and achieved more than she had so far. He had already travelled and was settled in his work. She was scared he’d laugh at her, misunderstanding her dreams as another fad. Australia was a dream, but she was desperate to make it a reality. 

“I forgot to tell you, your cakes are selling well! We’re nearly out. Would you like to make it a regular thing?” Jay asked.

Hannah looked pleasantly surprised. She was a fantastic baker, and recently joked to Jay about selling her cakes in the shop, to help her save for travelling. To her disbelief, Jay had agreed and she spent several nights baking feverishly, icing her pretty cupcakes to perfection.

“Really? How well? I’d love to carry on baking,” Hannah gushed.

“Trust me, very well. We’ve even been getting requests for your famous coffee cupcakes. I was thinking of making a small bakery in the store for your delights. What do you think? You don’t have to say yes, but it would be nice.”

Hannah agreed rapidly, her eyes shining. Her head was filled of university, travelling, Jay and now cupcakes. She couldn’t wait to go out for dinner; it made her so happy just to listen to him talking. Most of all, she loved the stories he had of growing up; making her laugh with his tales of bickering with other children. Hannah was an only child and giggled every time Jay spoke of his brother, Adam. Hannah had grown up making her mother join her in her make-believe stories and games. Hannah normally starred as a detective, meaning her poor mother had to pose as one criminal after the other. She wished she had a sibling like Adam to play with; she couldn’t wait to meet him and the rest of Jay’s family. They were yet to meet as Jay’s working schedule was always so hectic, although both Hannah and Jay’s family heard lovely words about the other. Hannah wondered the kinds of things Jay said about her to his parents and brother.

“Shall we go then?” Jay asked, interrupting Hannah’s day dreaming. This was a regular occurrence and Jay always interrupted with a smile.

“Ooh yes please. Where do you want to go? Shall we walk or get a bus? Have you planned anything, or are we going out totally on a whim?”

“Instead of walking or taking the bus, how about we grab a taxi? We need to celebrate all your hard work; I’m so proud of you for juggling university, work and a burgeoning cupcake empire! You are always happy and pleasant to be around too. Perhaps one day, you will be as perfect as me? You’ve got a long way to go though,” teased Jay, laughing at the indignant expression on Hannah’s face. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Don’t get so wound up,” he laughed.

“I’m not wound up,” countered Hannah defiantly. “I’m shocked you think so highly of yourself, Mr. Ego. I wouldn’t if I were you,” she pouted, the corners of her mouth betraying the smile that she was trying to hide.

“Wow Han, that was brutal. Your put downs are always so personal. So, tonight? We can have dinner, a few drinks and go dancing. What do you think?” Smiled Jay.

Hannah adored dancing, and she knew Jay hated it. “That sounds amazing. Where have you been all my life?” Hannah giggled. Where
had
he been all her life? He had moved to Newark in the last five years with his family. He hadn’t grown up there, but made every effort to talk to people and get to know them. All the locals accepted him as one of their own too. There was nobody like him in Newark; he was impossibly perfect.

Jay and Hannah left the shop; arm in arm, laughing in sync with one another. Onlookers could tell that they were at ease and in love. They had the most perfect night and each had never been happier.

*** ***

The next day, back at work, Hannah was tired but did not want to show it; instead, she was extra alert and vigilant to compensate for such a wonderful, yet exhausting, evening. In her vigilance, she noticed a lot of strangers coming into the shop; all male and muscular. They all saw Hannah, and turned and left. She made a point to write down their descriptions and tell Jay; he tried to know each customer by name despite not being there all of the time. She hoped these strangers were not scoping the place out for a robbery; she kept detailed notes on the times the men came in, just in case. Jay said it was nothing to worry about and Hannah believed him; just like she always did. Jay gave her no reason to mistrust him whatsoever. He was one of the most trustworthy and honest people she knew.