The Artist and the Actor – 14

 

Monday, Colin began working on the first of his new paintings. He almost passed on lunch, not wanting to break the flow of what he had going on. But he'd skipped breakfast and his stomach let him know if he didn't eat he'd wish he had. He stood back, looking at what he'd accomplished so far, and decided he could spare half an hour, so he cleaned his brushes and headed into the kitchen.

 

He picked up his phone from the counter, turning it on to check for messages. The second he did, it rang. Without thinking, he answered.

 

"Turn on your TV, now!"

 

It took him a moment to recognize it was Shane speaking. "Why," Colin asked.

 

"Just do it, to the local news, and hurry up damn it."

 

Colin did, wondering why the rush. He found out when he heard a reporter say, "...according to Detective Randall, the victim, whose body was found early this morning in his car in the Zoo's parking lot, had been shot multiple times. Detective Randall stated there was no evidence the motive had been robbery as the victim's wallet, with a sizable amount of cash, was still on his person, as was his watch and an expensive ring. The only things missing, according to the detective, were the keys to the car."

 

"Are they fucking kidding?" Colin said in shocked disbelief, the phone gripped tightly in his hand.

 

"Apparently not," Shane replied.

 

"It's…it's just like Kenny's murder." Colin took a deep, shuddering breath.

 

"I know. Look, you probably don't want me to, but I'm coming over. You don't need to be alone right now."

 

Colin was too stunned to argue. Hanging up, he dropped down on the sofa, staring at the TV even though the news show had moved on to another story.

 

There can't be any connection. Not after ten years. It's…it's a coincidence, nothing more.