Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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Last time, bothered by meeting the very rude Margaret Pipkin, Mr. Dinello went outside to join his friends, Mr. Jaquith, Vera, Ward and Kate, who were enjoying the cool evening air outside the museum. They all talked about what was bothering Mr. Dinello. Kate suggested that perhaps Margaret had been rude because she was self conscious about not knowing anyone at the wedding reception. Their conversation was interrupted by TJ, Rick, Delia and Lucy who came bounding out of the museum. They explained that they had found something strange at the reception. In the back hallway of the museum, they spotted a bizarre painting which appeared to be of Sam and Jenny Colbert. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 3: The Picture is Scary and Gray
By Joseph Crisalli

“Oh, it must be a wedding gift. Maybe the DeLorcas commissioned a painting as a gift for the bride and groom.” Mr. Dinello said.

“No.” Delia said nervously, “Nobody would give this as a gift. It’s…”

“It’s creepy.” Lucy said.

“Huh?” Mr. Jaquith asked.

“I think we’d better look at it.” Mr. Dinello said. “Where is it?”

“In the hallway at the back of the reception hall—hidden by the service entrance. We went out there to bring some dishes back to the kitchen for Mrs. Conn. We took a wrong turn and saw it just leaning against the wall.” TJ explained.

“Show me.” Mr. Dinello said.

“Do you think we should get Chief Colbert?” Vera asked.

“Not on his wedding day. Let him enjoy the party.” Mr. Dinello shook his head.

“I think he’ll want to see this.” Delia said softly.

“We’d better look at it first,” Mr. Dinello said. “Let’s let Sam and Jenny enjoy their reception.”

“Come on, we’ll show you,” Rick spoke up.

“You say it’s ‘creepy.’” Mr. Jaquith said as he wheeled his chair alongside the hurrying teens.

“Very. You’ll have to see it for yourself.” TJ nodded.

“Maybe it’s just a normal painting—as Mr. Dinello said—for a wedding gift. Perhaps the lighting made it look weird. That back hallway is very dark if I recall correctly.” Mr. Jaquith suggested.

“This was no trick of the light.” Delia added. “It was…I can’t describe it. You’ll see.”

They hurried through the reception hall of the museum, trying to look as casual as possible and to back hallway near the kitchen where the caterers where working on the food for the party.

Mr. Jaquith was correct, the service hall was dimly lit, but the teens were also correct. There was no mistaking that the painting was strange.

“Here it is.” Rick pointed.

The painting was large—almost as tall as Delia—and was leaning against the wall in its ornate frame. The subject of the painting was a bride and a groom, standing stiffly side-by-side in formal clothing.

At first glance, one wouldn’t have immediately recognized the bride and groom as Sam and Jenny Colbert. The faces were pale and sickly, the eyes were large and blank. The couple in the painting seemed to be older people with lines in their faces and white hair. However, the more you looked at the painting; you could see that it was, indeed, meant to be Sam and Jenny. The painted groom wore a police badge like Chief Colbert’s on his lapel and the bride wore the necklace with the heart-shaped pendant that Jenny always wore.

The bride and the groom in the painting were holding hands. Behind them was a hideous and frightening background of faces—some screaming, some crying.

“You were right—this is creepy.” Mr. Jaquith shivered.

“It’s more than creepy.” Mr. Dinello looked away. “It’s…corrupt. It’s awful.”

“Why would someone do this?” Vera gasped. “What is it supposed to mean?”

“We have to get this our of here.” Mr. Dinello said quickly. “I don’t want this anywhere here. We have to get it out before Sam or Jenny see it.”

“But…” Ward argued. “Chief Colbert should see it.”

“Not tonight. This is their happiest moment. He can see it later. But, not tonight.” Mr. Dinello shook his head. “I need something to cover this thing with.”

“There are some extra tablecloths in the kitchen.” Delia suggested.

“Good. Would you get one? No, two. We’ll need two. Please.” Mr. Dinello said.

“Sure,” Vera answered. “Come on, Lucy.”

Lucy and Vera hurried into the kitchen.

“I’ll go with them,” Kate said. “I don’t want to see this anymore.” She shuddered.

“I’ll go, too.” Delia said.

They, too, went into the kitchen.

“Where will we put it?” Rick asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” Mr. Dinello answered.

“What about in the back parking lot? Up against the building?” Ward suggested.

“Yes, there’s that alcove back there by the service entrance.” Mr. Jaquith added.

“Is it safe?” Mr. Dinello asked. “I don’t want to put it anywhere that someone might find it accidentally—like you all did.”

“Let’s go look.” Mr. Jaquith said, wheeling toward the ramp that led to the service entrance.

Mr. Dinello, Ward, Rick and TJ followed.

They inspected the nook outside and found that it was a good hiding place—hidden by shrubs.

As they came back into the building, they were startled by Delia, Lucy, Vera and Kate.

“There you are.” Vera smiled. “We got three tablecloths. We can wrap it up really well.”

“Thanks.” Mr. Dinello smiled as he headed toward the hallway.

“Where are you going?” Vera asked.

“To cover the painting.” Mr. Dinello raised an eyebrow.

“Shouldn’t you go outside?” Vera asked.

“No.” Mr. Dinello shook his head.

“But, you already brought it out there.” Vera said.

“I don’t understand.” Mr. Dinello narrowed his eyes. “We didn’t bring it outside yet.”

“But, it’s not in the hallway!” Vera said, her voice shaking with fear.

“We came out of the kitchen and the painting was gone. We thought you already took it somewhere. That’s why we looked for you!” Delia gasped.

They rushed back to the hallway. The painting was gone!

“Now what do we do?” TJ groaned.

What should they do?
Tell Chief Colbert?
Look for the painting?
Look for other clues?

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