CHAPTER 5

The sun was shining high and Henry woke up at his office. He could barely move since he was sleeping on the floor and next to him was Dorian's picture. After hiding the painting behind the bookcase, he locked the door and went to the bedroom. As he combed his hair and changed his clothes, the doorbell rang. Since Maurice took a day off, Henry went downstairs in a hurry and answered the door.

"Hello, Henry." said Alan. "Thank you for inviting me. Why do you look so tired today?"

"Oh, hi Alan, I don't think I slept very well. Come in." said Henry.

Alan entered the house and sat on the sofa in the living room. He started to smoke his cigar and Henry offered him a cup of tea with some cookies.

"Well, is there a special reason why I'm here at your house today?" said Alan.

"No, I just wanted to spend some time with you, as back in the old days." replied Henry.

"Ah those times were really great, Henry. And how have you been lately?"

"I'm much better than before and I think it was thanks to you. I guess that your mother is doing fine, since she has a great son like you, right Alan?"

"I think so, but she's still receiving treatment at the hospital. She is old and her illness is not easy to cure." replied Alan.

"What a pity, my friend. But how can she receive treatment if she has passed away?" said Henry, looking him straight in the face.

Alan gasped and suddenly had a cold feeling that took over his body. He looked at Henry's face and tried not to show his emotions, however, Henry already knew the truth.

"What is this nonsense, Henry? Are you out of your mind!?"

"No, my dear friend, I think you are out of your mind. Yesterday I went to your mother's house and was informed that she had passed away a month ago. Is that true?"

"Ah Henry. Why do you have to be so curious about everything?" said Alan with a sigh.

"Does Elise know about your mother?" asked Henry.

"Of course she doesn't know! Is that why she received a letter from you? To get my mother's address?" said Alan bitterly.

"Congratulations, your answer is correct. What a smart man you are!" said Henry sarcastically. "Well, I should hit you, but that won't solve anything. Now, I just want you to explain to me: what have you been doing with the money that I gave you?"

"Your money will never come back." replied Alan. "Why do you think that I'm dressing in such expensive clothes? Or attending parties at various places? It is not easy to be your friend, Henry!"

"Are you saying that I keep up appearances? What a bastard you are! You knew that I was not feeling well since Dorian's death and you took advantage of that. You deserved to die in your mother's place!" Henry shouted.

Henry tried to calm himself, but his heart rate increased and his muscles tensed. He could not hear what Alan was saying and when his friend was going towards the door, Henry suddenly grabbed his neck from behind. Alan screamed and tried to fight back but he didn't let him go. On the floor, the two men started to fight and his friend tried desperately to get Henry's hands off him, but the more he tried to escape, the harder Henry held his neck. In a matter of minutes, Alan was no longer moving and he released him. While feeling breathless, he looked at the lifeless body with an apathetic face.