100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 121: The Artist IX

Two days later

2 PM, Jackson Detectives

Marco sat in his chair, checking their bills and expenses. When he noticed the slicked blond walk out of his office. "Marco, lets go." he said, grabbing his coat on the rack by the door.

Marco tidied up his table hurriedly and followed after the psychologist. "Where are we heading?" the bearded man asked as they both got in the car parked outside the agency. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The Scott’s," he said, and not saying more.

Minutes later, they arrived at the location. Marco’s brows rose in intrigue at the image of their favourite redhead standing along the street outside Scott’s house. She was leaning against her motorcycle, removing her gloves and hinting on the fact that she just arrived.

"What’s Sam doing here?" Marco asked as they got out of the car. "I asked her to come," Levi answered as they approached the woman. They nodded to each other in acknowledgement, then continued towards the door.

Levi knocked, putting on his fake smile like a mask. Seconds later, Charmaine Scott answered the door. She greeted them, a bit surprised at their unannounced visit.

"Ms. Scott, my apology. We have some follow up questions, if you’re busy we could come back some other time." he said, knowing full well she couldn’t refuse. "No please, you’re already here. Please come in. anything to help." the young woman said, opening the door for them.

Levi gestured to Sam, "By the way, this is my colleague, Dr. Sam Gray." "Nice to meet you, Dr. Gray, I’m charmaine Scott," she said, offering her hand; Sam looked at her hand for a second, recognizing the ring around her finger immediately. She had seen it before.

Sam Shook her hand firmly with a reassuring smile. "I know, A pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Scott, and I’m sorry for your loss."

"Please just call me Charmaine, Ms. Scott sounds too formal."

"I will then, Charmaine." Sam said, following Levi and Marco towards the living room.

"Mrs. Scott not around?" Marco asked, noticing that the older woman wasn’t present.

"Mom, went out to get some shopping, she’ll be back soon." Charmaine said, knowing she’ll be back shortly.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked seconds later. "Tea would be nice thank you." Sam said, and the two male nodded as well.

While the young woman moved towards the kitchen, Levi stood up immediately and started sleuthing hurriedly. Marco shot him a look, of which he easily ignored. Sam took it as her cue to go to the kitchen and be the blond’s lookout when he called her last night to ask her assistance all because his gut was telling him something.

Marco watched as the blond stood by the kitchen’s entrance, "Ms. Scott, may i use the loo?" the slicked blond asked, wearing a feigned embarrassed smile. Charmaine turned towards him, "Yes, feel free Mr, Jackson. Do you need me to show you?." she answered.

"It’s alright, I know where," he replied, and he walked directly to the direction of the loo, but instead, he entered the nearest bedroom to investigate.

Marco followed behind, sending him the stink eye. "This is crime, Levi," he whispered in a hushed tone. Levi rolled his eyes, looking at the bedroom. From what he could see, this was Charmaine’s room, but what caught his attention immediately was a painting on the floor leaning against the wall. It seemed to have its package recently torn away. So he could tell it was delivered not long ago. There were still traces of the tape and packaging on the rug.

"Don’t act so surprised Marco, you’ve seen me done worse." the blond muttered.

"Yes, but ---" Marco stated, "Be quiet. We don’t want to get caught." the slicked blond interrupted, shutting Marco him up.

In the kitchen, Sam watched the young brunette search for something. "Hi," she said, getting the woman’s attention. She turned, "Dr. Gray," she greeted. "I thought I’d give you a hand since we came out of the blue. I sincerely apologize for that." Sam said, walking towards her before she could refuse. She just needed to make sure the boy’s had enough time to do whatever it was they needed to do.

"It’s okay, I understand." the brunette says, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Sam gazed at the teapot on the stove; it wasn’t boiling yet. They still had time. "Looking for something?" she asked, noticing the young woman opening cupboards after cupboards in the kitchen. Charmaine had a sheepish look on her face, "We might have ran out of sugar..." she admitted, earning a giggle from the redhead. Charmaine then continued, but this time, pulling every drawer until she reached to grab one furthest down beside the sink.

"Please be sugar please be sugar." Charmaine said as she pulled a small jar with white powder in it. She sniffed it first, then after smelling nothing weird, she dipped her finger and had a taste. "Yes, I found it." she cheered, relieved. Sam smiled at her, amused at her antics. The two prepared some tea. And knowing they were about to return, Sam said, "Levi, you said you’re on a diet. Do you want sugar in your tea?" she asked loudly.

Marco and Levi exchanged looks, they knew it was their cue to return, and they did so immediately.

Sam and Charmaine walked back to the living room, and there sat on the sofa as if they were never gone were the two gentlemen. "No sugar for me, thank you." the blond said nonchalantly.

The group turned when the door opened and entered Diana Scott with a shopping bag in her hand. She looked surprised at the sight, but she smiled immediately, recognizing the two men.

"Mrs. Scott, I’m sorry we came without informing ahead of time. We just had some follow up questions," Levi said, his face apologetic. He was a good actor, Sam thought.

"It’s alright, Understand." the woman said while her daughter Charmaine took the groceries from her arms.

Diana excused herself for a moment as she followed behind her daughter in the kitchen, putting away the perishables. Marco took one of the teacups and took a single sip from his cup, then placed it back after burning his tongue a little. It was still too hot.

Sam leaned towards Levi, who was blowing on the teacup in his hand, wanting to ask him something when Diana emerged from the kitchen in a hurry. Looking both bothered and embarrassed, she grabbed the cup away from Levi’s hand before he could drink it.

"I’m so sorry, Mr Jackson," she said, laughing at herself, as she began to collect the set.

Charmaine entered the living room, "What’s wrong mom?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

"Oh, dear. I’m so embarrassed. Darling, you used an old sugar. I’m afraid it may be spoiled." Diana said, face slightly flushed.

"It tasted fine, mom." the younger brunette said, earning a look from her mother. She turned back towards the three guests and said, "Please let me make you another batch. It would make me feel better." she insisted, turning away and walking towards the kitchen before anyone could respond.

The three raised their brows in curiosity, but they did not say a word. Diana came back minutes later with a fresh set of tea, and she sat together with her daughter in the living room.

"Mrs. Scott, we’ve met Alicia Brown." Levi started, earning the two’s attention. They met Alicia briefly in the past, she was Michael’s ex-girlfriend, and from what they know, she broke up with him due to financial issues; something they really couldn’t blame her on. The woman wanted someone that could provide her with a comfortable life.

"Michael had named his last works to her, and she decided to proceed with the show next week to celebrate his life." he informed.

"Alicia, I remember her. We met briefly years ago when they were still dating. She was a nice woman, it’s a shame they didn’t work out. My brother loved her dearly." Charmaine revealed.

Then her eyes brightened for a moment, "Speaking of painting Mr, Jackson. I forgot to mention this when we last spoke, Michael sent me a painting a few months ago. I doubt it would help with the case, but if you want to see it. It’s in my bedroom" the younger Scott said. Levi agreed immediately, and Charmaine excused herself to get the painting.

And the four sipped their tea while waiting.

Charmaine returned moments later, carrying 24x3 canvas and she showed it to the three. Levi was acting like it was the first time he saw it, while Marco fished his mobile phone immediately, "Do you mind?" he asked. And Charmaine shook her head.

Sam scanned the painting, and she looked at the date, it was within the five months before his death.

And she looked at it more closely,

Her mind is going to overdrive.

Images of the other seven paintings from the gallery played in her mind, swirled, twisted, like a Puzzle solving itself.

And finally, her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened.

She was right, in her assumptions nights before.

As a whole, all seven images together didn’t make any sense because it had a vital piece missing, the one-piece connecting each of it together.

And that piece was right in front of them.

All eight paintings, all in different sizes, in different tones and styles. All of which is a piece of art on its own, but together it was something bigger.

It was Michael’s last message.

And it was an image of a hand, pouring a bottle of wine to a silver chalice.

And the ring around the finger she recognized immediately.