Canvas of Shadows

12

Lucas Manning asked, "So you're talking about calling the police?"

I nodded, "Exactly. When he had me by the throat, I mustered all my strength to ask him, 'Why wouldn't I call the police?' Then I pointed out the landline phone within reach."

Lucas frowned, "But why would he care about your question? Surely he wouldn't believe you'd refrain from calling the police just to cover for him?"

"It's not that simple," I explained. "Think about it from a different angle. What are the chances that someone who's witnessed a murder, once momentarily safe, wouldn't call the police because they're so mentally disturbed they're fixated on painting the corpse upstairs and forget about reporting the crime?"

"The odds are indeed slim."

"So, I used this mistake to my advantage, spinning a lie to Charles Linden—

I couldn't call the police because I was already wanted by them. I told him I was a fugitive, that the police were on my trail.

He's a murderer, and so was I, in his eyes. There was no way I'd go to the authorities. We each had dirt on the other, ensuring mutual silence. Killing me would only complicate matters for him, especially since I was supposedly already on the police radar. There was no need to entangle himself with me."

"I see," Lucas said, still puzzled. "But your situation isn't like Linden's kidnapping. You had no proof. Why would he believe you're a wanted criminal just because you didn't call the police?"

"He didn't have to believe me fully, but sparing me posed less risk than killing me.

After seeing the body, I acted like no one was home by rushing in and turning off the lights, which I kept off even while painting. He entered masked, so I couldn't identify him. If I couldn't describe him, he could simply tie me up or knock me out and escape.

But it was a gamble either way, and I gambled right. He not only let me go but also shared his kidnapping story with me.

It felt as if he saw a kindred spirit in me."

Lucas looked bemused, "Kindred spirits, huh? You and Charles Linden..."

I chuckled, "Yes, funny, isn't it?"

"I have a nagging feeling something's off. Wait, I think I'm missing something..."

Lucas's gaze wandered.

"You seem uncomfortable," I noted with concern.

"I've been feeling off for about half an hour now."

Lucas blinked hard.

"What's the feeling?"

"My body's weak, and I'm dizzy. How could..."

Suddenly, Lucas's eyes snapped to mine, glaring intensely.

The water glass on the table crashed to the floor.