Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel

by Moison, Dana V.

  Something just doesn’t add up.

  “As I was saying, pursuing aspiring models is not a part of my daily agenda. I saw potential in the girl, presented her with an offer that’s hard to refuse, and told her to get my card from my secretary.” Kelly tried to tie up any lose ends that she may have left. “And that’s it. The ball was in her court.”

  “So you’re saying that Mandy’s case was like any other of a girl who you‘ve offered to make into a model?” Sharon was just waiting for Kelly to make a mistake.

  “Well . . . yes.” Kelly yearned to get out of the mess she’d made.

  “And do those cases tend to repeat themselves much?”

  Actually, Kelly had never offered any girl the fast track to fame, besides those gullible buffoons who had fallen victim to her exploits. There was no chance in hell she would help those vain, lucky girls reach any further than the local dumpster.

  “Not very often, but it definitely wasn’t the only time I’d given my card to someone who showed promise,” she said nonchalantly.

  “Can you give me any names?” The conversation had slowly evolved from a friendly dialogue into a line of questioning.

  Shit! Kelly was outraged but tried not to disclose her feelings in front of the detective. “I’m sorry but my brain is so busy concentrating on other topics: the preparations for the March issue are in full force. I even needed some time to be able to recall Mandy.” The smile on her face could not conceal her discomfort.

  “Don’t worry,” Sharon answered with the same artificial sweetness that Kelly had greeted her with when she’d entered her office. “The names are probably updated in your records, right?”

  Why do you keep prying, you stupid cop? Leave me alone!

  “They have to be somewhere . . .” Kelly was mad at herself for not having been properly prepared for these questions. She had underestimated her rival. “But how is this connected to your case?”

  “You’re right. We got a little off topic.” Sharon preferred to dismiss the matter for now and not provoke an attack. For the time being she should try to extract as much information as she possibly could. After all, she was certain that there were no names in the system.

  If beforehand Sharon had still been debating, now she had no doubt at all that this woman was hiding something.

  “Okay, back to Mandy.”

  Marvelous . . . Kelly nodded and held the coffee mug close to her lips.

  “So, basically, you offered to make her the next ‘it girl,’ am I right?” Sharon abandoned the subtle tactic she had used earlier. She understood that she had to hit where it hurt.

  Kelly took a long sip of her coffee.

  “The next ‘it girl’? That’s a bit farfetched, if you ask me.”

  “That’s what Mandy had told her sister.”

  Kelly’s face flushed, but she quickly recovered. “Well, it makes sense that she had presented it that way. It seems like a classic case of exaggeration. The girl was probably trying to make her sister proud.”

  Even though Kelly’s explanation made sense, Sharon couldn’t trust her.

  “Still, it doesn’t make sense that Mandy had imagined the whole thing. Is it possible that you’d given her the impression that she was special? That she was headed toward a bright future?”

  Oh, Mandy, why couldn’t you keep your stupid mouth shut?

  Kelly picked up the printed photo of Mandy lying on the table and pretended to focus on her image.

  “Well, she was a real beauty,” Kelly tried to talk about her with warm affection. “I might have said she had the potential to become a star, but, for sure, I did not make any extravagant promises.”

  Sharon nodded and took a sip of her coffee. “Miss Danes, do you watch the news?” she asked casually.

  “Obviously,“ she smirked. “In my line of work I have to stay informed and aware of changes at all times, from fashion to politics.“ Kelly pulled out her usual response to these kinds of questions, and immediately regretted it. She understood where this question was leading.

  “What I’m having trouble understanding is how you didn’t recognize Mandy’s face being smeared all over the television stations reporting her murder, when you had offered her a modeling career just a few days before it happened!?“

  That was more of a statement than a question. The answer was obvious.

  It wasn’t possible.

  Kelly knew she was in trouble. She fell right into the detective’s trap. She had no choice but to remain silent. Tiny frown lines appeared between her eyebrows as she tried to think of a way out. Eventually she came up with a slight solution, the only solution, for explaining her bizarre behavior.

  After a few minutes had passed in dreadful silence, Kelly said, “You got me.“

  The surprised detective didn’t know what to expect.

  “I did remember Mandy Sheldon. Of course I remembered her. It’s not every day that I offer a dream career to a girl who gets murdered.“

  Maybe finally some light can be shed, Sharon hoped.

  “As you may remember, our first conversation did not go over well. I sensed hostility and disrespect from you; therefore, I wasn’t too eager to try and help you. Honestly, I also felt as if I had nothing to offer the police.“

  Sharon preferred not to respond and instead just kept listening.

  “However, after our talk, when I had a chance to relax and think it through, I realized that maybe I could help in a way I might not be aware of. After all, I am not a professional detective and I don’t know much about these affairs.“

  The subtle flattery interlaced in her words did not elude Sharon.

  “. . . I thought that if I could contribute in any way, I should.“ Kelly tried to portray herself as an honest citizen. “And still, I felt embarrassed for having said that I didn’t know the girl in question, when in fact I did.“ She was avoiding the word lie. “So I was trying to think of a way I could answer your questions without embarrassing myself completely.“

  For the first time since their conversation had begun, Kelly felt that there might be a chance the suspecting cop believed her.

  Sharon found herself in a quandary. She was certain this woman was not the angel she portrayed herself to be. On the other hand, Kelly was a respected and well-connected businesswoman that in one phone call to the police commissioner had buried the entire story, and yet she chose to recant her account and initiate this meeting.

  Sharon decided to continue, slow and steady.

  “I can understand how our first conversation may have formed the basis for a lack of cooperation, and I appreciate the fact that despite that, we are here today.“

  Kelly nodded in agreement; her facial expression seemed calmer now.

  “Just one last thing,“ Sharon added.

  “Yes, Detective?“ Aren’t we done yet?

  “In regards to the last victim, Julie Tyfer.“

  “Yes?“

  Sharon pulled out a photo of the deceased and placed it in front of Kelly.

  “Apparently Julie also had received your business card, only a few days before she was killed. Do you remember her?“

  Kelly knew there was no escape. She couldn’t deny this. For once she would have to answer sincerely.

  “Sure. Lovely girl,“ she forced a smile.

  “How did you meet?“

  “I was on my way to a business meeting when I noticed her passing by. Julie smiled at me. Usually I don’t just hand out my card, but she had a certain grace. I immediately suspected she wasn’t from New York,“ Kelly grinned. “No self-respecting New Yorker would smile at a stranger.“

  Soon enough I’ll even convince myself I was smitten by her.

  “I was surprised I hadn’t heard from her, but then . . . this whole tragedy repeated itself.“

  “A nasty déjà vu to have to go through twice, huh?“ Sharon’s forthrightness stood in complete contrast to Kelly’s refined language.

  “Without a shadow of a doubt . . .“
>
  “Okay, I guess I got all the information I needed.“ Not even close . . . “Is there anything you would like to add?“

  “I think I told you everything I know, but I will keep your card just in case.“ Sayonara baby!

  “So we’re done here. Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Danes. Have a pleasant day.“

  CHAPTER 16

  “Come on, you don’t want to be late on the first day, do you?“

  “And I won’t. I’m a professional.“

  “Don’t think I’m a man of little faith, but I have yet to see your famed punctuality.“

  “Perhaps you don’t deserve it . . .“ The dawn had yet to break and already she’d begun taunting him.

  “Why would you think that?“ He decided to play along.

  “Maybe because you tend to forget you’re still a rookie in this business.“

  “Or maybe that’s because you’re a supermodel and you don’t have to bother being nice to people anymore?“

  “Ah, is that what you think of me? That’s the reason this whole ‘us’ thing isn’t going to work.“

  “Right now neither one of us is working . . . and that means the whole schedule is being delayed!“

  “Like all men, changing the subject the minute the conversation gets a bit more serious . . .“

  “Does this conversation really seem serious to you?“

  “Perhaps. Maybe this is the most serious conversation I’ve ever had with a man.“

  “I really hope you’re trying to baffle me as usual.“

  “And what if I’m not? Will you feel sorry for me?“

  “Yes.“

  “Why?“

  “Because you are a beautiful, smart, rich, and famous woman who likes to abuse the men in her life.“

  Gloria smiled. “Why do you say that? Arthur seems pretty happy to me!“

  “You’re right. I was kidding. After all, we’ve agreed it’s not a serious conversation, right?“

  “Andy!“

  “Gloria . . .“

  “Maybe you are like all the other men. It serves you right that I’m abusing you,“ she said with a playful pout.

  “Finally, the cat is out of the bag!“

  “Andy!“

  “Gloria . . .“

  “Why are you so mean to me?“ she whined.

  “Me? In the last five minutes you have already insulted me three times!“

  “Oh, really? I forgive you then . . .“

  “I forgive you, too.“

  “But I didn’t apologize!“ she exclaimed.

  “That didn’t stop you from forgiving me,“ he countered.

  “But that was because you were actually wrong!“

  “I’m so confused that maybe I could have been. That’s what happens when I don’t get my morning cup of coffee,“ Andy admitted.

  A triumphant expression spread across her face.

  “But . . .“ Andy mustered all of his strength for the final act. “That has nothing to do with the fact that you are still late!“

  “I’m not late! We’re supposed to leave at six thirty. I have two whole minutes left!“

  “But you’re not even dressed yet!“

  “Sure I am.“

  “Gloria, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come downstairs wearing my shirt. Only my shirt . . .“

  “Why? It’s big enough to cover everything.“

  “You’re absolutely right. Let’s go.“

  “I still have about thirty seconds left, don’t I?“

  At the speed of light, typical of a runway model who has to change into countless different outfits during one fashion show, Gloria took off Andy’s shirt. For the split second her body flashed before his eyes, Andy forgot entirely where he was. When he had regained his senses, Gloria had already changed back into the clothes she’d been wearing the night before.

  They had met on the pretense of discussing the schedule for tomorrow, but it had merely been an excuse. They’d sipped some wine, perhaps a bit more than they should have, knowing in their hearts that one thing would lead to another. They’d talked and laughed, and then came that moment, when their eyes locked and their intentions were clear without the need for words. They’d only had a few hours until morning arrived and Andy couldn’t bear the thought of spending one more night without her.

  Every crevice of her body was his. He had caressed her body slowly, moving his fingers, along every bend and curve; the warmth of her body made the tips of his fingers tingle. Andy had felt like a boy gazing upon a woman for the first time, insatiably mesmerized by her delicate features. His lips had traced her body, relishing everything in their path. She tasted like a mixture of salty and sweet, and his taste buds had craved for more. Once he had reached her breasts, he stopped and pressed his head into her chest, which was moving up and down like the tide, and listened to her heart. His breathing mixed with hers into a swirl of intoxication, his breath covered her skin in a steamy cloak. They were enveloped by warmth and infatuation.

  Andy had leaned over Gloria, swallowing in his gaze her dazzling beauty, ravishing it with his eyes. She was as captivating as the picturesque scenery that had surrounded them. Mesmerizing like blue and Green, he had determined while staring at her, thinking back on the curvy road that had gotten them here, focusing on the curves revealed before him now. He had whispered sweet words into her ear while his hands remained busy fondling her. He could feel the warmth expanding between her thighs and had felt his body reacting to her unspoken demand. Then he had spread her legs and penetrated her. At that very moment his lips had become one with her lips, his hands had become one with her hands, and they’d both become one.

  “Okay, now we really are late,“ Gloria interrupted the marvel that had taken over his mind and rushed toward the door.

  “Wait, hold on,“ Andy took her hand and twirled Gloria back to him for a long, soft kiss.

  “Five more minutes won’t change much,“ he smiled.

  CHAPTER 17

  Detective Davis left the grand office building, heading straight into the bitter cold of New York City. As the icy wind engulfed her, she curled into her woolen scarf so that only her turquoise-colored eyes remained visible peeping out.

  The smirking umbrella vendors were the only remaining evidence of the rain that had assaulted the city just moments ago. Sharon barely noticed any puddles. A harmless drizzle, she thought to herself, looking at all the agitated tourists who didn’t know what to do with their newly purchased umbrellas.

  It took her a few minutes to grow accustomed to the frosty air. If she hadn’t been right in the middle of solving a murder case, she would have walked home. Central Park was only a few steps away, but Sharon had to settle for a quick glance. Her picnic would have to be postponed for another time.

  The slightest drops of rain on her shoulder caused Sharon to quicken her pace toward the subway. She spotted the yellow letters on the black sign pointing to the stairs leading underground, but then her eyes lit up as she spotted a Dunkin' Donuts. Sharon veered off course and walked in, indulging in the heavenly smell.

  “You’re just in time,“ said the guy behind the counter as he brought out a tray of fresh doughnuts. He was about seventeen years old.

  “Great, I’ll take two. Actually make it four; I’ll eat them while they’re still warm.“ Sharon figured she wouldn’t have time for dinner later.

  The surprised boy raised an eyebrow. She did not look like the kind of person who could consume so much dough.

  “It’s okay, I’m a cop; we’re used to it. It comes with the territory,“ she smiled.

  The boy smiled back.

  “And also coffee, the largest cup you’ve got.“

  Luckily there weren’t many people on the train, so Sharon quickly found an empty seat. She settled in her place and prepared to enjoy her feast. She had finished her coffee while she’d been waiting for the train, but now she was regretting her indulgence. Sharon bit into the hot, crispy dough, savoring the sw
eet taste that spread through her mouth.

  I never realized how much happiness lies within a doughnut.

  But the universe never gave her a break. The vibrating cell phone in her pant pocket made her jump in her seat. The old lady sitting next to Sharon frowned at her.

  “Sorry,“ she mumbled as she finished the last bite of her doughnut. “Hello?“

  “Hi, Davis, it’s Rob. I called to check how it went at the dentist’s office.“

  “Ha? Ah, yeah, it went great,“ she said, struggling to swallow the last of the doughnut.

  “What did the doctor say?“

  “That I should visit more often.“ Sharon ran her tongue over her teeth in an attempt to wipe off the stubborn, sticky crumbs. If she was lying about going to the dentist, she should at least make sure her teeth were clean.

  “That’s it? No root canals?“

  “Not this time, but I did get a recommendation for a new toothpaste.“

  “So you’re not going to tell me what you were really up to?“

  “What do you mean?“ Sharon asked.

  “I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.“

  “Rob, I’m offended. Do you really think I would lie to you?“

  “Only white lies, like your teeth,“ he teased. “I’m assuming it had something to do with Kelly Danes?“

  Sharon froze.

  “Well, maybe it’s better if I didn’t know. As long as it ends here. See you tomorrow morning?“

  “I’ll be there with bells on.“

  “Good. I hope, at least, that this crazy idea of yours, the one that Kelly Danes has something to do with all of this, is out of your system. Good night, Davis. Don’t forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed,“ she could hear Rob laughing before he hung up.

  The train stopped, and the name of Sharon’s station was announced. She stood up at once, making sure her bag of doughnuts wasn’t forgotten on the bench, and walked toward the electronic doors. Frankly, Sharon could not seem to get past that “crazy idea“ of hers. Her talk with Kelly had only made her more suspicious.

  I don’t trust that woman.