Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel

by Moison, Dana V.

  It may have appeared that the conversation Kelly initiated had been a gesture of good will, but the more Sharon thought about it, the more she realized something was off. Kelly may have answered her questions in a way that would have set the mind of most investigators at ease, but Sharon found it hard to believe any word coming out of that woman’s mouth. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was there, living, breathing, and kicking.

  Kelly’s brief disclosure of contempt toward Mandy had not escaped Sharon, even if it had been concealed behind a curtain of beautiful words. Of course Sharon didn't plan to accuse the distinguished businesswoman of murder just because she clearly hadn’t liked one of the victims, but she could not let it go either. Sharon had to do something. But what was the next step? Another talk with Kelly wouldn’t be helpful, she concluded. This was a very smart woman and, therefore, she was dangerous. If Sharon didn’t play her cards right, she could lose it all; and she couldn’t afford that.

  This woman, without a doubt, was hiding something. Sharon could feel it. She did not know what exactly, but it was her job to find out, at all costs.

  CHAPTER 18

  Could it be that the young man had managed to thaw the ice queen’s heart?

  The crew members were laughing between themselves. As matter of fact, she was not at all as horrible as they had expected someone of her status to be. They even liked her. As for him, it was impossible not to love him. He had immediately won their admiration and loyalty.

  It was clear from the start that the poor fellow was smitten. They just hoped she would be smart enough to give him a fighting chance. But that very morning, as Gloria and Andy had been seen walking down the stairs together, trying not to look at each other, they’d realized something had happened between them. The secretive smiles they had snuck to each other a moment before they joined Kristin, Ben, and Jonny, had left no doubt.

  A split second after they sat down at the table, Arthur showed up, a coffee mug in his hand.

  “What took you so long? It’s like you actually want to miss another day’s work and spend it at the inn,“ he fondly chided them. “And you don’t want that, do you?“

  The actual answer was quite obvious for everyone seated at that table, except for Arthur. Like a blinded father, he could not see that his little girl was in love. Gloria spotted the looks between the staff employees.

  Goodbye, discretion.

  Arthur placed the mug in front of Gloria. “Lukewarm, weak latte, with skim milk and no sugar, just the way you like it,“ he smiled at her. “Don’t worry, guys. Your coffee will be here any minute.“ Arthur calmed the rest of the group, who were craving their morning coffee.

  “I have no idea how you can drink that stuff,“ Andy wondered. “I’m not even sure it’s really coffee.“

  Gloria gave him a sidelong glance. “So what would you call it, exactly?“

  “I wouldn’t call it by any name. I would just pour it down the sink.“

  Everyone around the table snickered, except Gloria, who seemed deeply offended.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,“ Andy apologized, suddenly regretting his choice of words. “I just prefer the barbarian version of steamy, black coffee. Hard core.“

  A hint of a smile was seen at the corners of her lips, but she wasn’t completely satisfied.

  “Okay, fine. Tomorrow I will try, um, coffee à la Gloria. I promise,“ he sighed.

  Gloria grinned from ear to ear. Andy leaned over to kiss her, but then he noticed the looks on his colleagues’ faces, and especially Arthur’s. He improvised and reached his hand for the jar of sugar on Gloria’s right side.

  “And what exactly are you going to sweeten?“ Gloria teased him, being that her mug was the only one on the table.

  At that exact moment, Tom, the owner, placed on the table a large pitcher of steaming coffee.

  “It never hurts to be prepared,“ Andy answered triumphantly. The attractive dimples that cornered his smile only enhanced his victorious expression.

  Gloria could no longer hold back, nor did she want to. She leaned over to Andy and kissed him passionately, ignoring everyone around them and their stunned looks. The ice queen was gone; all that remained was a couple in love.

  CHAPTER 19

  Sharon sat at her windowsill, peering out at the magnificent view of Manhattan, holding in her hand a warm mug of homemade macchiato. She loved snuggling up in her blanket with a cup of piping hot coffee, straight from the espresso machine, when it was cold and rainy outside.

  Like everything else in New York, even the cold was intense. Sharon placed a hand on the transparent window and felt the frost. The idea that the thin glass was all that separated her from the outside made Sharon appreciate even more the hours of rest she spent in her cozy apartment.

  Sharon’s gaze landed on a large raindrop slowly dribbling down the glass pane, while her thoughts were running relentlessly. Sitting on the ledge of the windowsill overlooking the big world always calmed her and put her mind at ease. It helped her to contemplate things and consider options she wouldn’t have come up with in the pressure chamber where she worked.

  The view of the grand and tireless city felt near yet far away at the same time. Sharon almost never took advantage of the fact that she was living in a cultural center that was known worldwide as a tourist magnet. A bitter sense of disappointment nipped through her heart when she realized all those tourists had probably gotten to know the city better than her, a longtime resident. When, for instance, was the last time she had gone to a Broadway show? Or had visited one of the dozens of museums the city had to offer? Or even had enjoyed some window shopping on Fifth Avenue? It seemed as though the only attraction she visited on a regular basis was Starbucks.

  Sharon had trouble recalling the last time she’d gone out to a good restaurant. It was probably months ago. She usually ordered huge amounts of Chinese takeout and fed on the leftovers for the rest of the week – and it was never a problem. But now, when she had a few moments to herself, she began to feel the self-pity rising from the oblivion within her.

  The view seen from the window merged with her reflection in the clear glass. She stared at her distorted image but then quickly shifted her gaze and focused on a distant spot in the horizon. Sharon never paid too much attention to her looks, although people found her to be beautiful. In spite of that, she hadn’t gone on a date in months, and the last time she had, it had been with a guy from work, a narcotics officer, so there was no one to balance the madness. Needless to say it had turned out to be catastrophic.

  Sharon accepted the fact she was a workaholic. She knew she should join a support group. Quit her job. Fly to Paris without giving notice. Or perhaps, God forbid, take a sick day and spend it in Manhattan. Sharon promised herself she would do each and every one of those things.

  Right after she cracked this case.

  She took another sip of the hot beverage and felt it coursing through her body, as if it too were searching for the answer she had been longing for. Sharon didn't have an actual reason to treat Kelly Danes as a suspect, but her intuition would not let her give up. Even the meeting that Kelly had initiated, on the grounds of allegedly assisting, implied a cover-up attempt. Sharon felt as if she had reached a dead end. She had to get results and fast, or else Rob might assign Bryant to the case – and then the killer’s identity would remain a mystery forever.

  Sharon had already read all the documents that her Probie had managed to find regarding Kelly Danes. She had hoped, for his sake, that he hadn’t missed anything; he did not want to find himself on her bad side. Even her good side was pretty rough around the edges.

  Sharon browsed through the documents a second time and still couldn’t find anything that caught her attention, mainly because most of the information included things like fashion reviews found in gossip columns discussing the outfits Kelly wore to various charity benefits, and basic information such as her former addresses, marital status, and copies of her tax returns
.

  Yeah, Sharon, that’s where you’ll find the answer. Maybe you should arrest her because she filed her taxes late?

  Sharon groaned in desperation. She realized that she couldn’t find whatever it was that she was looking for in the police reports, and, as always, she had to take a risk or she could forget about this case, because it would be assigned to someone else. Sharon took the last sip of her coffee and placed the mug on the coffee table; then she reached for the phone. She knew what she had to do.

  When Sharon dialed Rob’s number she desperately hoped he would not shut her down, but she knew that even if he did, it wouldn’t stop her.

  “Hello?“

  “Hey, it’s Davis.“

  “Goddammit, can’t it wait until tomorrow?“

  “No, I’m going to Arizona.“

  “What the hell are you talking about? Do I need to remind you that there is a serial killer on the loose?“

  “That’s exactly why I’m going.“

  “I don’t understand.“

  “I’m going to meet Kelly’s parents.“

  CHAPTER 20

  “There’s no way in hell that you’re going anywhere!“

  “Rob, I’ve never been so sure of something in my life. I have to go.“

  “And who’s going to pay for that exactly?“

  “I will, with my salary. I’d hoped that the department would, but if that’s what it takes, I’ll pay for it out of my own pocket.“

  “You do realize that you’re crazy, right?“

  “Yes.“

  “This is your answer? Yes? No explanation or even an apology?“

  “Okay, Rob, I’m sorry for being crazy. But I’m still going.“

  “I don’t understand. Didn’t we agree that you wouldn't get involved with Kelly Danes anymore? Or shall I remind you of my talk with the commissioner? I am telling you flat out: You are not going anywhere.“

  * * *

  “Detective Davis, would you like something to drink? I made fresh lemonade.“

  “That sounds great, Mrs. Danes. Thank you.“

  “Mrs. Danes?“ A smile formed on her face. “Please, call me Miranda.“

  Sharon took another homemade cookie from the stacked tray. Table manners were definitely not her strong suit, nor was controlling her gluttony.

  Kelly’s mother retuned to the living room as Sharon was trying to find a napkin to wipe the cookie crumbs off her lips. It wasn’t very professional to lead a conversation with a mouth full of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, no matter how delicious they may be.

  Miranda watched Sharon with delight. “It’s been so long since someone has enjoyed my cooking. After Kelly left it was just me and Harold, my husband, but he passed away a couple of years ago from a heart attack.“

  “What a waste,“ Sharon blurted, lacking every bit of tact.

  Miranda stared at her with a confused look that conveyed a shortage of understanding.

  “I meant, it’s a shame that no one has had the chance to enjoy your delicious food.“ She hoped the compliment would compensate for her bluntness. How many times had she told herself not to fire out every single thought that went through her mind?

  “That’s nice of you, dear. I would love for you to stay for dinner. As always, I’ve made too much food. A force of habit, I suppose.“

  Sharon desperately wanted to accept Miranda’s invitation, not just because the alternative was a tuna sandwich and a pack of Pringles that she’d bought at the airport, but because she recognized loneliness in Miranda’s eyes, the longing for company. It was clear that her daughter did not visit often.

  “We’ll see when we’re done,“ Sharon tried to avoid a direct answer. “I hope our talk won’t make you miss dinner,“ she added with a smile.

  Miranda smiled back. She was warm and folksy, a typical small town woman, lacking the suspiciousness that typically characterized city people. She may not have been the intellectual type, but she sure had a huge heart.

  Kind of the antithesis of Kelly.

  * * *

  “Rob, I’m not asking for your permission. I am telling you that I’m going, and I don’t care if you don’t like it because the commissioner has you by the balls.“

  Anyone else would have gotten an immediate suspension, or at least a harsh reprimand. Rob, however, was used to Sharon’s ruggedness, so he let it slide.

  “Well, no wonder he has me by the balls when you’re getting me in trouble all the time. Damn it, Davis, you are the only one in this division I can trust with my eyes closed. Don’t play tricks on me now.“

  That last sentence, half a warning and half a compliment, touched Sharon.

  “Do you really think I would play a trick on you? Why do you think I called you in the first place?“

  “Okay. Then explain to me what’s so interesting about Kelly Danes’ parents?“

  * * *

  “My Kelly has always worked hard. Even in elementary school she used to sit for hours in her room, making sure she had done all of her homework, even the optional assignments. She was an exceptional student,“ Miranda smiled proudly.

  Sharon thought one thing: Kelly hadn’t had any friends.

  “Well, it’s not surprising, then, that she’s gotten so far in life,“ Sharon replied. She couldn’t treat Kelly as a suspect or question Miranda’s answers. She had told Miranda that Kelly had known two of the victims from the notorious murders; therefore, it was necessary to confirm that she was not in any danger. Sharon had explained that she’d been sent here, on account of Kelly’s good relationship with the police commissioner, to make sure there was no risk to her life. She’d said just about enough to let Miranda connect the dots herself. Needless to say, the unsettled mother was determined to help in any way to protect her daughter.

  “Yes, perhaps even too far,“ she mumbled without thinking. Sharon could hear the sadness in her voice. It was obvious Miranda missed her daughter.

  “Sounds like Kelly’s success in school made some people jealous.“

  “Maybe in elementary school, but by high school nobody cared.“

  “So Kelly was excluded because she was more mature for her age?“

  “I don’t think that’s why. Kelly was always alone. She never fit in. She was a nice, quiet girl, so nobody picked on her.“

  The girl Sharon envisioned did not resemble even one bit the woman that she had gotten to know. She almost felt sorry for her.

  “Was there another reason?“ Sharon could not help asking.

  “Kelly was very insecure and kept to herself. I don’t think she even tried to make friends.“

  “Not even one?“

  Miranda paused for a brief moment. It seemed as if she was hesitating about something, not certain if she was disclosing too much.

  “Maybe one friend,“ she finally said. Her eyes fixated on a framed photo of a mousy looking girl.

  “Who is that?“ Sharon asked. She hadn’t realized that Kelly had siblings.

  “It’s Kelly.“

  Detective Davis was stunned. The graceless character gazing out of the frame was nothing like the woman Sharon had met the other day. The look in her eyes was dreadful and timid, so different from the belligerent Kelly she knew.

  A true case of “The Ugly Duckling“ . . .

  “She looks so different now,“ Sharon could not conceal her astonishment.

  “Yes, I know. My daughter put quite a lot of effort in creating a new Kelly. I’m not sure I have come to terms with it yet, but after what the poor girl went through . . .“

  “Excuse me?“

  Miranda’s eyes revealed that she had said too much.

  * * *

  “Listen, Rob, this woman knows something. I can feel it in my bones. I have to find out what she is trying to hide!“

  “And you think her mother will tell you about her daughter’s deepest, darkest secrets?“

  “I have no idea, but there’s nothing else for me to do. I can’t just sit on my ass and wallow
in the fact that this case is going nowhere.“

  “You really believe that the mother of a magazine editor living thousands of miles away can help us in a murder case?“

  “Come on, you know it’s not like it sounds.“

  “It’s exactly like it sounds.“

  “You’ve got me there, but we both know that you’ll end up agreeing with me anyway, so can we just skip to that part of the conversation? I need to start packing.“

  “One night.“

  “Huh?“

  “That’s all that I can scrape from the budget. You have less than forty-eight hours to find out whatever it is that you’re looking for. After that you come straight back here.“

  “You won’t regret it,“ she assured him.

  “I already am,“ Rob sighed.

  If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

  * * *

  “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.“ Miranda shifted her gaze away from Sharon.

  “Miranda, any information concerning your daughter could help us keep her safe. There’s no way of knowing how the mind of a serial killer works.“ Sharon hoped that planting a seed of horror in the mind of the worried mother would lead to something.

  “I’m sure that has nothing to do with Kelly’s life today,“ Miranda asserted. “It happened twenty years ago, so it’s really not relevant.“

  Sharon quickly did the math. 1990.

  “What exactly happened?“

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in discussing it. And I don’t think my Kelly would want me to talk about it. If you think it’s important, you can always ask her.“

  Only if I want Rob’s balls to be removed permanently.

  “No, there’s no need for that. But I would love to see some more photos of Kelly. After all, she is the editor of my favorite magazine growing up,“ Sharon smiled.

  Miranda took the bait.