crucifyheaven

Detective Ian Wren thought he had escaped the ghosts of his past, but the murder of Eleanor Montgomery pulls him into a web of deceit that threatens to unravel Hollow’s Edge. Eleanor was more than a philanthropist—she was the keystone of the town’s power dynamics. Her death exposes dark secrets tied to the elusive Crimson Hour Society, a shadowy group with ties to corruption and betrayal.

As Ian investigates, he uncovers layers of lies, each piece revealing deeper connections between Hollow’s Edge’s elite and Eleanor’s tragic demise. But the closer Ian gets to the truth, the more dangerous the game becomes. With each passing hour, Ian faces threats, red herrings, and the ghosts of his unsolved case—forcing him to confront his own failure and unravel the darkness hiding in plain sight.

In a town where trust is fleeting and redemption comes at a price, Ian must uncover the truth before the Crimson Hour strikes again.

The Crimson Hour

Chapter 4: The Visitor

The sun barely pierced through the dense clouds that morning, casting a pale, ghostly light over Hollow's Edge. Detective Ian Wren was seated in the study, surrounded by the remnants of Eleanor Montgomery's life. The notebook he'd found yesterday sat open on the desk, its cryptic entries demanding attention. Ian's thoughts churned as he traced the name Henry Blackwell with his fingertip. The mayor. How deep did this go?

The quiet was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Sheriff Evelyn Cross appeared in the doorway, her expression grim. "We have a visitor," she said.

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Someone important?"

"Victor Caldwell," Evelyn said. "He's insisting on speaking with you."

Ian stood, his curiosity piqued. Victor Caldwell had been Eleanor's ex-husband, a man with a reputation for shady dealings and no shortage of enemies. Clara had hinted at his involvement last night, and now he was here, uninvited. Ian wondered if this was Victor's way of controlling the narrative.

They met in the grand sitting room, where Victor stood by the fireplace, his polished shoes clicking on the hardwood floor. He was tall and impeccably dressed, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed back. Yet, there was something unsettling about him—his sharp, calculating eyes seemed to take in everything at once.

"Detective Wren," Victor said smoothly, extending a hand. "I appreciate you taking the time to see me."

Ian shook his hand briefly, keeping his expression neutral. "Victor Caldwell. I understand you had a complicated relationship with Eleanor."

Victor chuckled dryly, though there was no humor in it. "Complicated is an understatement. But I'm here to make one thing clear—I had nothing to do with her death."

Ian took a seat across from him, gesturing for Victor to do the same. "And yet, you're here. Why?"

Victor leaned back, his posture confident. "Because I know how these things work. When someone like Eleanor dies, people start looking for convenient scapegoats. Our history makes me an easy target, but I assure you, I've moved on."

Ian studied him, his tone calm but probing. "Moved on to what, exactly? Clara mentioned that you and Eleanor were still in contact."

Victor's gaze flickered for a moment before he regained his composure. "Clara's a troubled girl. She doesn't understand the complexities of adult relationships. Eleanor and I... we spoke occasionally, but there was no animosity between us."

"Occasionally enough to argue last night?" Ian asked, his voice sharp.

Victor's jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, Ian saw the mask slip. "I wasn't here last night. I've been in the city for the past week. You can check."

"I will," Ian said, leaning forward slightly. "But I find it interesting that you'd make such an effort to clear your name if you truly had nothing to do with this."

Victor's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Ian held his gaze, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire. Finally, Victor stood, adjusting his cufflinks with deliberate precision. "You'll find that I'm telling the truth, Detective. And when you do, I'd appreciate it if you focused your efforts on finding the real culprit."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Ian with more questions than answers.