The Artist and the Actor – 23

 

 

Colin frowned when the sound of the doorbell interrupted his concentration. "Now what? Probably some kid selling candy for his school. It's that time of year." He didn't actually know if it was, but it gave him an excuse to stay in the studio. He looked at the painting and daubed his brush into the dark green on his palette. "Damn it," he growled when whoever was at the door laid on the bell again. "Go bother the people next door." When the ringing didn't stop, he strode downstairs, still gripping the brush, and yanked the front door open. "What the hell are you doing here," he asked tightly, even as his pulse sped up—as much as he wished it hadn't.

 

"We need to talk," Shane said, standing his ground against Colin's angry tone.

 

"No 'we' don't." Colin started to close the door, only to find Shane had put his hand on it to keep that from happening. "Move unless you want a smear of green on that nice blue shirt," he growled.

 

Instead of replying, Shane reached in to grab the brush, pulling it out of Colin's hand. "Problem solved. Now will you let me in?"

 

"You're going to keep pushing this until I give in, aren't you?"

 

"You bet, so take the high road and move."

 

With ill-grace, Colin did. "Brush, please," he said after Shane closed the door, taking it when his ex handed it to him and walking toward the stairs. "If you want to talk, we'll do it in the studio. I'm in the middle of creating a new painting."

 

"When aren't you?" Shane said under his breath as he followed.

 

Colin rounded on him, retorting, "When I visit the cops to let them know about, well, you know. So shut the fuck up."

 

"Temper, temper." Shane shook his head. Colin couldn't tell if he was pissed or amused, or both. "I'm glad you did," he added. "What did they say?"

 

By then they were entering the studio. Colin headed straight to the easel, but only to put the brush down. Then he turned back, saying, "He, his name's Detective Randall. He was interested. He's going to run some checks to see if there've been any other murders that match Kenny's and Logan's. Logan is the victim from Monday's murder."

 

"The detective will be looking for any others that happened on the same date?"

 

Colin spread his hands. "I'm pretty sure he's smart enough to do so. After all, if there is any sort of connection, whoever the killer is seems to have that as a part of his pattern. Randall did suggest it could be a copycat. I guess he'll figure it out one way or the other, depending if he does come across similar murders."

 

"How are you holding up?" Shane asked, his expression showing his concern.

 

"I'm doing okay. That helps." Colin gestured toward the easels and the almost finished painting on one of them.

 

"It's interesting," Shane said, stepping closer. "Great use of colors, as always."

 

"Says the aspiring art critic?" Colin sneered.

 

"Says the man who's seen a lot of your work, from start to finish, and admires what you do." Shane paused, looking a Colin. "The one you did to commemorate Kenny? It's superb in its difference. Have you considered more in that style?"