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“People actually buy them?”
“I earn more from the prints from this collection than the one upstairs. Four times more. The prints are particularly popular with students. Only true crime enthusiasts can afford the originals.”
Chad’s gaze snapped to the canvas on the wall. A starry night. Black, navy, white, and yellow made up the night sky and the shining stars. The moon illuminated the silhouette of a couple, locked in embrace. Chad got closer and studied the painting. He frowned at the small name scrawled in the bottom corner.
R. Knight.
His heart missed a beat.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
A gasp caught in Chad’s throat. “How?”
“It always amazes me how such beauty was created by a depraved mind.”
“Answer my question.”
Jeffery shrugged. “Did you ever wonder what happened to all the things in his home?”
Chad shook his head.
“His attic was full of paintings, and they were auctioned off as collectables. This cost me a small fortune. I found it particularly beautiful.”
“How much?”
“I bought it for £20,000, but I won’t part with it for anything under £30,000.”
“The other paintings down here.” Chad gestured to the racks. “Are they all from killers?”
He nodded. “Some alive, some dead. I told you down here is an acquired taste, but art is art.”
Chad shot one last look at Romeo’s painting and headed back up the stairs.
“Did you watch that docum—”
“Yes.” Jeffery replied. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“£30,000 for the painting you said?”
“I won’t sell it to you.”
“Why not?”
“You’ll destroy it, and that will break my heart. I’ll sell you a print—”
“I don’t want a print.”
“That’s a shame. Detective… Why are you here?”
“We’re investigating—”
“No. Why are youhere?”
Chad opened and closed his mouth a few times before whispering, “I don’t understand the question.”
“Of all the places you could’ve moved to, why here?”
“I don’t know.” He bit his lip. “No one else offered me a job.”
