Laurel’s utterances belonged in a grotto, far beneath the earth. Soft sobs, low in frequency, accompanied her trembling hands. She reeked of despair fraught with desperation. Her dank body odor, although noticeable, didn’t repulse him. In an odd way the smell reminded him of newborn puppies.
Halliday reached over. He touched her bare arm then pulled back, as if her skin had burnt his hand. Her affliction could be contagious.
Despite his doubts, he reached toward her again.
She appeared to be real. This bothered him.
Her ethereal eyes narrowed to thin green lines. “Please accept me, detective.”
Contagious or not, any damage had been done. He touched her again. Her skin felt rubbery, the texture of cooked asparagus. This was no hoax, although he knew little of apparitions. “Who did this to you, Laurel? Have the mad scientists been conducting experiments on you at Genevive?”
“What you see is a byproduct of the refuse they have been flushing down the well beneath Genevive Labs. I must return to the cavern, to the pool. You see, it replenishes me. I have no other choice. Otherwise, I’ll shrivel up and die.”
“How is it you appear out of nowhere?”
“My transparency is dependent on light. It’s an incredible story. You just have to trust me for now.”
He didn’t understand any of this. Despite his concerns he draped his arm on her shoulder. He didn’t know what else to say so he blurted out, “You’ll be all right.”
Despite her earlier objections she basked in his comfort. He could sense the tremendous tension in her shoulders melt away along with her tears.
“We’ll find someone to help you,” he said, but hadn’t the slightest notion who or how. “Where is this cavern?”
“The entrance to the cave is near Genevive Labs, at the base of the dome that juts above the campus. I know a short cut that will not arouse suspicion. Can you take me there?”
A buzzer screeched.
“What was that?” Halliday said.
“Someone’s on the front porch,” Laurel said, her body trembling more. “Jillian had an electronic alert installed.”
He patted her shoulder. “I’ll go check it out. Can you lock the basement door after me?”
“Yes.”
“When I return, I’ll knock three—two—three. Otherwise, don’t open the door.”
“Please leave the light on when you leave.”
Halliday raced to the top of the stairs. He flipped the light on. He glanced back in amazement.
Laurel McKittrick had disappeared into another world.
Chapter Thirty One
Halliday hurried out of the cellar. He kicked the rug back over the entry. Muffled voices from the living room were moving in his direction.
It must be Genevieve security. Halliday took a strategic position near a wall that jutted out from the laundry room. He removed his Glock.
“Halliday, what are you doing here?”
He lowered the weapon.
Chief Brayden’s face demanded answers. Behind him, Detectives Leo Bergman and Rich Gladstone expressed surprise. A key to the front door dangled in Gladstone’s hand.
“What the hell are you doing here?” the chief said.
“A lead I had regarding the missing ammunition didn’t pan out.” Halliday lowered his voice and said, “What brings you here?”
The chief said, “Let’s go in the living room,” showing Halliday a look that told him he didn’t need to give him a reason.
Halliday followed the three men, unsure as to why he harbored guilt.
They stood around the couch. The chief said, “We couldn’t find any trace of ammunition at the spa. It’s unlikely that Miss Andrews would only have the cartridges in the rifle, don’t you think?”
There must be a safe in the basement. “Chief, I’ve searched every square inch of this house along with guest house, twice. I found no evidence of fire arms or ammunition.” He thought for a moment and added, “I’ve come to the conclusion that it had to have been Jillian’s boyfriend.”
The chief exchanged glances with Leo and Gladstone. “What boyfriend?”
Palmier said he had told the chief about the boyfriend. “I understand her boyfriend Jack introduced her to firearms.”
The chief lifted his fat chin and said, “How did you find out about this boyfriend?”
“During my interview with Miss Andrews yesterday she opened an address book and a photograph fell out. It showed a smiling Jillian in the arms of a man holding a hunting rifle.”
Halliday cleared his throat of the fabrication. With eyes glued on the chief, he added, “Miss Andrews mentioned her boyfriend, Jack. I suspect the photo burnt up in the fire.”
The three men exchanged surprised looks. Chief Brayden squinted as if he had just noticed something. “John, you look terrible.”
Leo raised his eyes. Rich Gladstone’s face flushed to match Jillian’s Valentine’s Day colors.
Halliday dropped on the couch, clasping his head in his hands. “I’ve been getting migraines since that cowboy clobbered me,” he said to the floor.
Laurel’s revelations had affected him more than he realized. His fellow policemen gave him a few moments to collect himself.
The chief said, “You’d better stop by the hospital on the way back. Have an ER doctor take a look at your face.”
Had he lost his mind? Betsy always said that he spent too much time alone. He should have taken her advice, gotten married and settled down in Santa Reina with a houseful of screaming kids. He had been stuck on Judy’s memory for three years. Now, the delicate creature downstairs replaced it. Maybe the Hispanic woman, Señora Martinez, had known all along. The Martinez’s ghost at Santa Reina Sur had followed him home. Now it resided in Jillian’s basement.
The chief sniffed the air. “What’s that odor?”
“The intruder’s body odor, I suspect.”
The chief glanced around the room. “What intruder?”
Under the chief’s scrutiny, Halliday felt like a perp. He replied, “The intruder left prints. That should tell us something. I figured he’s a member of the Genevive security force.” He glanced at Gladstone. “I’m betting the same man who abducted Lamar Festus.”
Gladstone’s jaw dropped. Leo remained attentive. The chief’s eyes widened. Brayden said, “Lamar Festus was abducted?”
The young detective glanced at Halliday and Leo. He said to the chief, “Don’t you remember? Festus came up missing from over in Redwood Bluff.”
The chief appeared to gather his thoughts. Then he addressed Halliday, “You say Genevive Labs abducted Lamar Festus. Mind telling me why?”
Halliday went further out on the limb when he said, “Festus found out something he shouldn’t have. I don’t know what… yet. Before Festus ran off the other day he told me that Genevive security had been abducting animals throughout the area. That Genevive scientists had been performing weird experiments on them. He said they were after him now. At the time I thought the old guy was nuts. I’m not so sure now.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“Not yet,” Halliday said.
The chief shook his head. “Okay John, fulfill my fantasies. Tell me why you think Genevive Labs is involved in Miss Andrews’ death.”
He didn’t like the chief’s condescending attitude. “It’s linked to Palmier’s ex-wife, Laurel McKittrick. Whether she’s real or the concoction of a computer nerd I have to consider her. Brad Palmier and Genevive Labs have more than just a casual interest in her.”
“Of course they do,” the chief said in a gruff voice that left no doubt who led the investigation. “One of their executives has been threatened. We need to put an end to these shenanigans right now. Forward me all your voicemails and e-mails.”
“Yessir.”
The chief continued, “Festus’s disappearance proves that there is a missing person issue that we need to get to the bottom of.”
The chief’s eyes darted back in forth b
etween Bergman and Gladstone before they settled on Halliday. “Starting tomorrow I want you to stop chasing ghosts.”
The chief’s voice held anger mixed with frustration. His eyes settled on Gladstone. “Rich, you work with Halliday. Let’s make this missing vagrant issue a top priority. Leo and I will follow up on the Andrews case.”
Gladstone nodded as Halliday said, “We need to call in forensics and have this place dusted for prints. It may lead to… the intruder.”
The chief smirked and said, “You think the prints belong to Laurel McKittrick or her imposter?”
“Chief, I don’t know.”
“Where is she, John?”
“I talked to her earlier on the phone. She wouldn’t tell. I asked her to contact me this evening. She hasn’t returned my call yet.”
“Hoping for another voicemail, huh?” The chief paused, wearing a tired, impatient look. “Where were you planning to meet?”
“I suspect at the shopping mall or someplace where there are a lot of people around.”
In the brief silence, the chief’s heavy breathing, that of a thirty year smoker, sounded raspy. He kept suspicious eyes on Halliday. “Damn, this gal might as well be invisible. How is it she’s evaded you and Genevive security?”
Halliday shrugged.
The long day had drained the chief’s face. Halliday had never seen him look so old and tired.
The chief rubbed his hands over his face. “Okay, let’s go over what we know, or at least what we think we know.”
Halliday waited along with Leo and Gladstone for Chief Brayden to formulate the right words. Through the windows he saw a uniformed policeman patrolling the grounds.
The chief began, “Laurel McKittrick’s imposter contacted John regarding a threat against Laurel’s ex-husband Brad Palmier, but there was more to it.” He glared at Halliday. “According to what we’ve learned the woman may have been in cahoots with the deceased, Jillian Andrews, to bring down Genevive Labs for whatever reasons.”
Halliday said, “Jillian Foxworth Andrews is a descendent of the original owners of the property now occupied by Genevive Labs. Genevive with the apparent support of the federal government steamrolled her relatives into selling out dirt cheap.”
Once again the chief looked flabbergasted.
Halliday continued, “Jillian and Laurel’s imposter believed both Brad Palmier and Genevive Labs, and the federal government, were at fault for the Foxworth family’s misfortune. Apparently, they discovered some wrongdoings that caused Genevive to place them under their microscope.”
They were all ears.
“I didn’t know of Jillian Andrews’ war with Genevive until today. I questioned Laurel, or whoever, over the phone. She confessed that she and the deceased girl had been working together. She said they had evidence of illegal cattle rustling by Genevive. I expect to learn more about it today. She wouldn’t reveal any specifics over the phone.”
The chief stared at him blankly. Then he glanced at Leo and Gladstone. “Killing animals to save human lives,” he said, “people are going to accept that as a necessary evil. Don’t you agree John? Genevive Labs has done a lot of good for our town and society as a whole.”
Leo said, “I’ve been taking Lupron for two years. Hell, my arteries are as clean as the inside of my gun barrel.”
The chief didn’t mention his prostate treatment. Halliday wouldn’t mention the dumping of human skeletal remains beneath Genevive’s science lab.
“The suspect is scared to death of Genevive Labs,” Halliday said. “She’s convinced that Genevive security murdered Jillian. She thinks she’s next. I’ll get the truth out of her.” He searched the chief’s eyes for understanding.
“Inform me as soon as you learn anything.” The chief motioned to Leo and Gladstone. “You guys head on out to the car. I want to have a quick one-on-one with John.”
After the door shut the chief sat down next to him on the couch.
“I want a report of everything you know about Miss McKittrick before lunchtime tomorrow,” the chief said. “John, don’t go soft on her. We have to get the truth out of her. I’m giving you some leeway because of Miss Andrews’ death.”
Because Halliday had withheld information, the onus of the entire case weighed on his shoulders. The chief and his detectives knew nothing of the earth changing event he had just witnessed, the significance which would dwarf their lives. Besides that, one of them might be working for the other side.
“What do you know about Miss Andrews’s boyfriend Jack?”
Halliday said, “Just his name, nothing else.”
“I’ll look into it,” the chief said. “It’s odd that no one knew anything about him.”
Maybe you should ask your pals at Genevive Labs?
“Quite frankly, John, I believe that for whatever reasons you’re not being forthright. That’s a side of you I’ve never seen before.”
The chief gave it some time, waiting for him to confess.
“Let me make sure it’s clear. I want you to give Brad Palmier and Genevive Labs your full support. Is there anything about that that you don’t understand, John?”
“No sir.”
“The Andrews’ case is a suicide. I don’t see that changing.”
Halliday had no response.
The chief contemplated Jillian’s doll collection, the photo albums, and the way her collectibles were so perfectly organized to appeal to the eye. He shook his head and said, “Too bad, she had a full life ahead of her,” in a voice not directed at his own demons.
The chief stopped at the door. “Detective Faulkner from LAPD called again. I told him you’d be available for an appointment in L.A. next week after the bio-extremists’ visit blows over.”
Halliday nodded.
“Are you coming back with us John?”
He sank in the couch. “No, I’ll wait here for the suspect’s call. My car’s in the garage, no use attracting attention.”
“I expect results, John,” the chief said over his shoulder in a do it or else voice as he shuffled out of the house.
The door slammed.
Chapter Thirty Two
Halliday loaded up the trunk of the Saab with Laurel’s spelunking paraphernalia. He hustled down the basement steps twice for explanations from Laurel. He didn’t mention that several people were interested in her whereabouts. His mind spun on other issues, like how would they avoid being followed? Were there already personnel in place ready to pursue them?
Halliday remained skeptical. He had no choice. Laurel McKittrick loomed as a freak of nature, an unbelievable product of bad science. Or a ghost who refused to leave this world?
He raised the door out of the floor.
Her invisibility shrouded the well lit basement in mystery. “Laurel,” he called. “This house is on a cul-de-sac. Do you know of any other way to return to the highway except to head back down Hillside Lane?”
“Yes, but we don’t have to use any highways.”
Without a face, a reference point, her voice played tricks on him. “What did you say?”
“We don’t have to travel on any highways. We’ll use back roads.”
“Good, I’ll let you lead the way. First, I want to scout around the property to ensure we don’t have any visitors.”
A floating pillow attached itself to the back of the couch. “Is it dark yet?”
“Yes, very dark,” he said. “There’s no moon tonight.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for what you are doing detective.”
Again, the echo of her voice had him craning his neck.
“We’ll talk later,” he said. “You can call me John.”
“Thank you for all your help John.”
“Will you be ready to go in ten minutes?”
“Yes, I’m ready now.”
“What’s the dog’s name?”
“Elsie. Jillian cherished her.”
Halliday ensured that the golden retriever had plenty of food and water.
He vowed to take care of Elsie if no one claimed her. He and the dog covered the property but found no suspicious white pickup trucks or snipers wielding night vision binoculars. An owl hooted as Halliday crossed the backyard, its hunting ground for rodents. Elsie stopped when she heard the noise.
The buzz of a portable generator a few hundred yards away cut the night air. The shadow of Jillian’s house caused Halliday to curse under his breath. The commercial power had failed. Pitch black veiled the area except for the residence that owned the generator, hidden by trees.
He hurried back to the house wondering if Genevive Labs had pressured a power company employee into shutting off the electricity grid feeding the area.
Halliday escorted Laurel from the basement out to the garage. He locked down the house.
He flipped the switch next to the steering column, disabling the Saab’s interior lights. Laurel’s semitransparent body floated into the passenger seat.
The garage door screeched. He lifted it just enough for the Saab to slide under then pushed the car out onto the driveway.
After a few minutes Halliday’s eyes had adjusted to the dark. Still freaked by Laurel’s appearance, he would have preferred to leave the car’s interior light. That wouldn’t be wise.
She huddled in the seat with green tendrils wrapped around her. “Are you cold? I can turn the heater on.”
“Yes, It’s a little chilly,” she said.
Halliday flipped the heater switch. In a lowered voice he said, “Which way should I go?”
“Turn to the right into the cul-de-sac. Make another quick right. You will see a NO TRESPASSING sign. Stay on the straight dirt road for a half mile. You will find a vegetable stand on the left. Turn left there.”
“How far is it to where we’re going?”
“Deer Meadow is about a forty-five minute drive. The cave is another hour.”
He started the engine with the lights off. “How’s your night vision?” He said, wondering if she had super heroine vision.
“I can see well in the dark.”
He maneuvered the Saab into the cul-de-sac.
Transparency: Bio-Tech Cavern Secrets Untold Page 18