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 5: The Greenhouse Secret

The air was cool and damp as Ian Wren stepped into the greenhouse at the edge of the Montgomery estate. The sunlight filtered through the glass panes, casting a hazy glow on the jungle of plants within. The greenhouse stood in stark contrast to the rigid opulence of the mansion—it was overgrown, wild, and alive, with vines tangling freely over rows of forgotten potted plants.

Sheriff Evelyn Cross followed closely behind, her boots crunching on the gravel path. "You're sure there's something worth finding here?" she asked skeptically.

Ian didn't answer immediately. He had noticed the greenhouse mentioned in the ledger, circled alongside a date from two weeks ago. "Eleanor came here often," Ian murmured. "I doubt it was just for gardening."

He moved deeper into the space, brushing past leaves and flowers, his eyes scanning for anything out of place. A heavy wooden workbench sat at the center, its surface littered with gardening tools and notebooks. Ian reached for the nearest notebook, flipping it open to find Eleanor's distinct handwriting.

"She documented everything," Ian said, gesturing for Evelyn to come closer. "Take a look."

Evelyn peered over his shoulder. The pages were filled with meticulous notes about plants, but interspersed among them were cryptic entries:

"Meeting was tense. Victor is pushing too far."

"C.S. growing restless. Time is running out."

"What will they do if they find the ledger? Must protect Clara at all costs."

Ian frowned. "C.S. Could be a person. Or—"

"Crimson Society," Evelyn finished, her tone grim.

As Ian turned the pages, a folded piece of paper fell out. He unfolded it to reveal a sketched map of the Montgomery estate, with several areas marked in red. One of the marks was on the greenhouse itself, another on the west wing of the mansion, and the last—

"The woods," Ian muttered, pointing to the third mark.

"What's in the woods?" Evelyn asked.

His attention returned to the greenhouse. Something was nagging at him, an instinct that told him they were missing something important. He scanned the room again, his eyes landing on a corner cluttered with large ceramic pots. Ian stepped over, crouching down to move the pots aside.

Behind them was a small wooden trapdoor, its edges concealed by dirt and foliage.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's not suspicious at all."

Ian pulled out his flashlight, shining it on the door. "Help me clear this," he said, and together they uncovered the trapdoor. With a heavy groan, Ian lifted it open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.

"Looks like Eleanor had her own secrets," Evelyn said, peering down.

Ian nodded. "Let's find out what she was hiding."