A MAZE OF GREED

Thea prepared some soup for the dinner as they did not feel like eating anything. She and Ruth were in Mrs Payne's room. The small house had lost its warmth. It felt lifeless and dull.

Mrs Payne had not moved from her place. She kept staring at the cold tattered mattress where once her husband sat smiling at her.

Her tears had dried after a day's cries. The numbness and the fatigue remained as her companions.

"Mrs Payne... Mrs Payne!" Thea called her name a couple of times..

"Huh?" The lady blinked at her dumbfoundedly.

"I have prepared soup for you." Thea said. She put two bowls in front of her. One was for Ruth, and the other one was for Mrs Payne.

"I do not feel like eating anything, my child." Mrs Payne turned her face away from the soup bowls.

"I understand, Mrs Payne. But you have not eaten anything since morning. You have cried so much and are exhausted. Please eat some." Thea tried convincing her.

But Mrs Payne again shook her head in negation. Helplessly, Thea turned to look at Ruth.

She was silent after returning from the funeral. But Thea knew the reason. Rees had told her about Ruth and Edwin's conversation. Thea was relieved that Ruth at least had stopped crying even though she was not moving much.

"Ruth?" Thea called her name.

Taking a deep breath, Ruth let her tensed shoulders lose and scooted to where Mrs Payne sat. She took the bowl from Thea and started stirring the steaming liquid with a spoon.

"Thea, today I and Mrs Payne will share from the same bowl." She took some soup on the spoon and blew it softly to cool it down a little.

Making sure that it was not too hot, she extended her hand towards Mrs Payne's mouth.

"Come on Mrs Payne. Open your mouth."

"Ruth, please. I said I do not want anything." Her words came full of annoyance.

"Please, just one bowl and-"

"I said I do not want it!" The lady shouted that stilled the two women.

Thea looked at Ruth expecting her to break down once more, but to her surprise, Ruth smiled gently.

"What if Mr Payne has asked you to eat? Would you have said no to him too?"

Mrs Payne's eyes filled with guilt and tears, and she wailed again. She threw her arms around her and let her tears fall down her eyes.

Ruth ran her hand over Mrs Payne's shaking figure. Thea watched them with a sad face and moist eyes. Mr Payne's death had taken a serious toll on everybody's life, especially how he died, made the incident more serious.

"Mrs Payne, please stop crying." Thea requested.

"I want to, Thea. I want these tears to stop. But I can not help it. He is gone, Ruth. My husband is gone without saying a goodbye. He promised me forever and look how he left me alone at the end." Mrs Payne said through her tears.

"He has not gone anywhere, Mrs Payne. He is here... right beside you."

Mrs Payne pulled away from Ruth to look at her through her fogged vision.

"Wh-what are you saying, Ruth?

"Mr Payne is right beside you as he had promised, Mrs Payne. He may not be with us physically, but he will always remain in our hearts.

He had promised you forever, and he will not break his promise. Trust me!"

"Ruth!"

"You have to endure this pain, Mrs Payne. I know it hurts too much, but you have to endure it. Because life and, time do not stop for anyone. Mr Payne has left memories behind.

And that is the reason why you should not give up on your life. His memories! After people leave this mortal world, what can be the best way of paying them a tribute by cherishing their memories in your heart?"

Ruth repeated Edwin's words. They had helped her accepting reality. They had guided her through the clouds of confusion. And now she hoped they would do the same for Mrs Payne too.

Mrs Payne blinked, grasping the words Ruth said. "But what purpose I have left in life? This life is worthless without him. He was my everything Ruth. He was my life, my world!"

"The pain will be always there. It will not vanish no matter what. It will haunt you for eternity. But it is your perspective that would help you navigate through life, Mrs Payne.

You have to prioritise your happiness over your pain. Mr Payne would have told you the same. He will not like you giving up on hope and life. He had always told you to fight and live this life that God has gifted us. Treasure it, respect it.

And you do have a purpose in life, Mrs Payne. You have to keep Mr Payne's memories alive. You have to make him proud of you when he will look down at you from above.

You are not alone, Mrs Payne. You have me always by your side. I promise I will take care of you and will never let you feel alone. You have to live this life for me! Please!"

Both Mrs Payne and Thea were stunned at Ruth's reaction. Their timid and soft-hearted Ruth had turned into a strong-willed and brave woman. She was motivating others when she was fighting with her own demons. And that made her different from the others.

'Ruth, you indeed deserve to be a Luna!' Thea's eyes shed tears of pure joy and pride for her friend for the first time in a day.

"Thank you, my dear. Thank you so much! I love you my daughter!" Mrs Payne fought back her tears and hugged Ruth again.

"I love you too, Mrs Payne! Thank you for staying strong for me, for us!" Ruth smiled through her tears.

"And I love you both!" Thea joined them.

The three women spent some moments seeking support from each other's touch while the soup waited for filling their hunger.

*

*

*

Barret Addington was eager to hear the good news. According to their plan, Darius was supposed to strike again two days ago. By this time, the news of another dead body found in Vincardine should have spread like a wildfire.

But none of that happened.

A knock on the door broke his train of thoughts. He straightened up in his chair in the hope to get the good news he was eagerly waiting for.

"Come in!"

The door was opened by Ripon, and he closed it behind him after entering Barret's office.

"Do you have a news Ripon?"

Ripon sat in one of the chairs in front of Barret. "Yes, I have two news, Mr Chairman."

Barret's smile widened hearing that. "Then tell me. What are you waiting for?"

"I am trying to think which one I should tell first."

"Obviously the good one." Barret said as a matter of factly.

Nodding his head Ripon told, "Darius Garfield has done his job. His victim was a old man who worked in a lumber factory in Vincardine."

"Fabulous! This was what my ears ached to hear. Now we can not waste time. Hurry and arrange the visit to the O'Dells. I will show Lord Augustus his place now." Barret's face changed from happiness to excitement to jealousy in that one breath.

After a moment of pause, Ripon said. "I think you plan should be put on a hold, Mr Chairman."

"What are you saying Ripon?"

"We can not call out this killing yet Mr Chairman."

"And why is that?" Barret narrowed his eyes at the man.

"Because the news has not crossed the boundaries of Vincardine."

"What?" Barret jumped out of his chair on his feet.

"Yes. When you told me to contact Garfields I did. They told that Darius has returned to Kinsville after completing his job. That is how I got the news. But when I search for it with others, I did not get any." Ripon explained.

Barret was confused. How could this be possible?

"And what is the second news?" Barret asked.

"We can not reach to our spies that we have plotted in Vincardine."

"What?"

Barret managed to ask only that question when he had many on his mind.

"What does this mean Ripon? I do not understand anything? Has Lord Augustus got suspicious? Is it his doing?" Barret paced in his office in frustration.

He had it all planned. He was planning for this opportunity for months. Only he knew how much effort he had to put in contacting the Garfields. How carefully he had to act, not drawing the attention of the royals to him, only he knew.

And now that he had that opportunity in front of him, he could not grab it. What kind of joke was this?

"I do not think it is Lord Augustus, Mr Chairman." Ripon said silently.

"Then who?" Barret stopped pacing and faced his council member.

"Edwin O'Dells is back, Mr Chairman!"

Barret could not help but laugh. "Edwin? Edwin O'Dell? The man who can not stay conscious after the sunset and lose himself in alcohol and women? Ripon, you should think twice before opening your mouth." Barret cocked his brow at him.

Not getting offended by Barret's comment, Ripon persisted. "He is dangerous, Mr chairman."

"Yes. He is. But for himself. That kid can not do a single thing without creating ruckuss. Do not worry about him, Ripon. You first try to reach our spies. We need proof before bringing the sixth killing into the limelight."

"But Mr chairman-"

"You are dismissed Ripon."

The man had no choice but to leave Barret's office helplessly. But he knew the man Barret was considering as a cat, would turn into a tiger any moment!