Chapter 217 of All the Colors of the Dark follows Saint as she drives sixty miles to the small town of Darby Falls, filled with a deep sense of nostalgia as familiar sights pass by. She glances at a church along the way, its bells ringing in her memory, a sound she longs to hear again. Upon her arrival in Darby Falls, she is met by a young, anxious police officer standing outside a house, his unease palpable. He informs Saint that they are still waiting for the forensic team to arrive, but his focus is on Richie Montrose, a former cop who has failed to deliver his newspaper. The officer’s concern grows as it becomes evident that Richie is now suspected of being dead, his absence raising fears of something more sinister at play. The quiet of the scene contrasts with the building tension as the officer’s worry signals the unfolding of a grim discovery.

Inside the house, the atmosphere is thick with a somber tone, made even heavier by the ticking of a grandfather clock. The lounge, though clean, carries an eerie stillness, devoid of any scent or signs of life, except for the lifeless body of Richie Montrose. His body lies on the floor, a bullet hole in his chest, indicating the violent nature of his death. The scene around him is unsettlingly orderly, offering no signs of a struggle or disturbance. This lack of chaos implies that Richie knew his killer, suggesting that this was not a random act but a methodical execution. The chilling precision of the crime only deepens the sense of dread hanging in the air, as Saint is left to grapple with the realization that Richie’s death was planned and carried out without hesitation.

On the mantelpiece, a photograph of Callie Montrose, Richie’s daughter, catches Saint’s attention, adding a personal layer to the unfolding tragedy. The image of the girl, who had previously been the center of a vigil that Saint couldn’t forget, resonates with her, intensifying the emotional impact of the moment. The connection between the victim and the photograph reminds Saint that this isn’t just another case—this is a personal tragedy for someone she had come to know. As she continues to process the scene, her eyes fall on a letter beside Richie’s body, addressed to him. The ominous words, “I’ll see you in hell,” written on the letter, heighten the tension in the room and point to a deeper story that remains to be uncovered. This cryptic message further complicates the investigation, suggesting that Richie’s death may be tied to forces larger than Saint initially anticipated.

Saint’s investigation takes a decisive turn when she discovers security camera footage from a neighbor’s house, revealing the identity of the killer. The footage shows the perpetrator entering the scene with no attempt to conceal their identity or escape, indicating a level of confidence or perhaps even a message behind the crime. The lack of any attempt at evasion raises the stakes, signaling that this killer is not acting out of fear or panic, but rather with purpose and intent. As Saint processes this new information, a wave of sorrow sweeps over her, deepening her emotional turmoil. The investigation into Richie Montrose’s murder now feels like something much more significant, with the promise of uncovering darker truths ahead. The chapter concludes on a poignant note, with the weight of loss and the heavy burden of what’s to come pressing down on Saint, foreshadowing the unsettling realities that will unfold as the investigation progresses. The emotional impact of Richie’s death, combined with the unsettling clues left behind, sets the stage for a deeper dive into the shadows that haunt Darby Falls.