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Crimson Secrets

A crime fiction

By Ni MePublished about a year ago 3 min read
Crimson Secrets
Photo by Yassine Khalfalli on Unsplash

In the city of Boston, Detective Robert Jenkins was known for his dogged determination and keen intellect. His current case, however, was proving to be his most challenging yet. He had to solve the murder of Bella Simmons, a famous socialite, and unravel the crimson secrets she had left behind.

Bella was found dead in her luxurious penthouse, her body draped in a striking crimson gown, a single stab wound piercing her heart. The lack of any signs of struggle suggested the murderer was someone she knew, someone she trusted.

Her husband, Daniel Simmons, a wealthy businessman, was the obvious suspect. He was known to have a tumultuous relationship with Bella, their frequent fights making headlines in local tabloids. On the night of Bella's murder, Daniel claimed to be at a corporate event, providing him a solid alibi.

Robert's investigation revealed Bella's life was not as glamorous as it appeared. Beneath the glitz and glamour, Bella was deeply unhappy. She sought solace in her art, pouring her emotions into vibrant paintings. Her most recent work, a self-portrait, showcased her in a crimson gown, eerily identical to the one she was murdered in.

Robert's attention was drawn to Bella's confidant and art manager, Lucy. Lucy was the last person to see Bella alive. They had met for a late-night drink, discussing Bella's latest artwork. Lucy claimed to have left Bella's penthouse around midnight. However, her alibi was shaky, backed only by a taxi driver who didn't remember her clearly.

The third suspect in the case was Bella's secret lover, a young musician named Adrian. Adrian had a motive and no solid alibi, making him a prime suspect. However, Adrian seemed genuinely distraught by Bella's death, his grief appearing sincere.

As Robert delved deeper into Bella's life, he discovered another aspect of Bella's crimson secrets - a diary. Bella had meticulously documented her life in it, her entries reflecting her loneliness and her craving for love. Her entries about Daniel were filled with fear and regret, while those about Adrian were brimming with love and hope.

Robert decided to confront Daniel with the diary, but Daniel dismissed it as Bella's exaggerations. He admitted their marriage had problems, but he claimed to have loved Bella. His alibi remained unshaken, placing Robert at a dead end.

Lucy, when confronted with the diary, broke down. She confessed that Bella wanted to expose Daniel's illicit business deals through her art. The self-portrait in the crimson gown was Bella's symbolic cry for help. But Lucy maintained her innocence. She had no reason to harm Bella; in fact, she was helping Bella escape from Daniel.

Adrian, already devastated by Bella's death, was shattered by her diary revelations. He admitted he knew about Bella's plan to expose Daniel. They were planning to run away after Bella's art exhibition, where the self-portrait would be unveiled. He swore he had no part in Bella's murder.

Robert was at a crossroads. The crimson secrets had turned the case into a tangled web of love, deceit, and murder. That's when he decided to reexamine Bella's self-portrait.

He discovered a hidden detail in the painting—a faint reflection of a face in the shiny brooch Bella wore in the portrait. Robert recognized the face—it was none other than Daniel's personal assistant, Mike.

Confronted with the evidence, Mike confessed. He was under orders from Daniel to prevent Bella from attending the art exhibition. He had been told Bella planned to embarrass Daniel publicly. He didn't know about Bella's intent to expose Daniel's criminal activities.

Mike admitted he'd sneaked into Bella's penthouse using the spare key Daniel had. He claimed he hadn't planned to murder Bella. However, Bella's defiance and refusal to back down had led to a heated argument, culminating in him stabbing Bella in a fit of rage.

Daniel was arrested for conspiracy, while Mike was charged with Bella's murder. The crimson secrets were finally out in the open. Bella's death had shaken the city, but it also exposed the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect society.

Back in his office, Robert reflected on the case. He realized that every person, every life, held secrets—some as vibrant and deep as crimson. As a detective, his job was not just to catch the criminals, but also to uncover these secrets, to bring the truth to light.

As he gazed at the city's skyline, he felt a strange sense of peace. Another case was solved, another mystery unraveled. He knew more secrets awaited him, more crimes to solve, and more truth to uncover. And he felt ready, ready to face whatever came next.

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    NMWritten by Ni Me

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