“Would we be arrested if we got caught in here?” Sara wondered aloud. She had no interest in getting stuck in another interrogation room.
“I have a private investigator’s license and contacts left at the LAPD. I think we’ll be fine,” Eva said but Sara thought she heard worry in her voice. Eva didn’t assuage her fears.
The smell of blood lingered in the small space and Sara fought hard not to gag. She heard the buzzing again and sank into the nearest chair.
“You get used to the smell after encountering numerous crime scenes. Look around. Do you see anything familiar or relevant to the film reel?” Eva asked. Sara scoped out the room.
“Nothing is jumping out at me.”
“What about those photos?” Eva pointed to the stacks on the couch, and in the chair right next to the table.
“Those are headshots. For actors. You know, what they send to get an audition?” Sara said.
“Hmm,” Eva said, deep in thought.
“Ritchie said Janice Hollebeck was an in-demand headshot photographer.”
“But why keep all the photos out and stacked like that? This is such a small space and most photography went digital. Wouldn’t she have a portfolio online?” Eva went over to the closest pile.
“What you’ re saying is that photographer’s don’t print photos anymore? Wouldn’t they need to give proofs to the clients?” Sara said and joined Eva next to a pile.
“Not this many.” Eva pulled several pairs of plastic gloves out of her purse and handed her a pair.
“It always pays to be ready for a crime scene,” she replied.
Sara made a mental note to buy her a pack to keep with her at all times. She couldn’t help but get excited about becoming an investigator, bringing criminals to justice.
“Check to see if the girl on the film is one of these actresses,” Eva directed her as she rummaged through drawers.
“Are you searching for something specific?” Sara pointed at the drawers.
“My theory is to not look for something specific. Clearing your mind and searching without specificity can get you better results then if you are set on looking for something. Theories often prove wrong.” Eva explained. She finished with the drawers and moved on to the closet. The two women searched in silence. Sara worked through three stacks of headshots before she found her. The girl from the snuff film was in the stack of headshots off the chair.
“I found it. I found her, I mean. This is the girl from the film, I swear.” She held up the headshot.
Eva nodded. “Looks like her. Take that stack with us. Actually, let’s take all the stacks of photos. They mean something.”
“Aren’t they evidence? What about the police?”
“They aren’t evidence. We don’t know if the film is connected with Janice’s murder yet.” Sara shot her a look but put the headshots in her backpack, anyway.
“You think we’ll find more films?” Sara asked as Eva kept searching.
“Yes, I unfortunately do. As I said, this killer has done this before.”
“Janice discovered the film and recognized the woman in it. That would explain the stacks of headshots. She was searching for her.” Sara said. “Her identifying the victim got her killed? She crossed paths with the killer and he found out she knew the actress was dead. Then he killed her for that?”
Johan’s possession of the film troubled Sara. It made him the main suspect in her eyes. She wondered if Eva thought the same way.
“And there they are,” Eva said.
“Wouldn’t the killer have found them? They aren’t exactly hidden,” Sara pointed out the obvious as they stared at the stack of silver canisters at the bottom of Janice Hollebeck’s closet.
“Are these like the film canister the snuff film came in?” Eva said and picked up the five canisters.
“Yes. They look the same,” Sara said. Eva wasn’t listening though. Her mouth opened in a small “O” and her eyes rolled up into her head. The canisters clanked to the ground as an otherworldly sound emanated from her mouth She clutched her head and dropped to the ground, whimpering.
“My head. It’s...my head,” Eva whispered. Sara wrapped her arms around Eva and dragged her out of the closet, away from the canisters.
“Something’s wrong with them. Did you hear that pop? I think they will explode?”
Eva shook her head, unable to speak. A pop came from the closet and flames licked the edges of the top canister. It took a second for the rest of them to burst into flame. Sara ran into the small kitchenette, filled a pot with water and raced back to the closet before the small fire reached the clothes handing above it.
The fire hissed as the water hit it and black smoke took the place of the orange flames. Eva moaned behind her and Sara wondered why the fire alarms didn’t go off.
9
Sara dropped Eva back home. She failed at convincing Eva to go to the hospital. The woman was in so much pain that Sara gave up her insistence and they drove in silence, Eva periodically moaning.
Sara got Eva comfortable on her couch and was about to go home when Eva came out of her pain.
“You need to get those to Ritchie now.” Eva’s voice was hoarse from her suffering.
“I don’t have my car here. You picked me up from the police station, remember?”
“Take my car.”
“Are you sure this can’t wait until morning?” Sara asked, hesitant to leave Eva without transportation. She could call 911 if things got too bad, Sara reasoned. But, she knew Eva wouldn’t. It was apparent from the stack of empty vodka bottles, she’d drink herself to sleep first.
“Fine. I’ll call you once we uncover something,” she said and left Eva on the couch eyeing the well-stocked liquor cabinet. Sara closed the front door behind her and breathed a sigh of relief. She was happy to be out of there.
As she drove downtown, her mind wandered back to Eva’s condition. It disturbed her. She’d see nothing like it and pledged she’d do everything to reverse it. She hoped Eva lasted that long because if what happened to her today was a normal occurrence, Eva wouldn’t make it.
Ritchie was waiting for her at the door. He hadn’t changed since she’d last seen him, all surfer and bleached blonde by the sun. The man never changed, Sara thought. She gave him a big hug and a smile. They hadn’t spoken since the Torso investigation six months ago. Since she’d gone back to film, she hadn’t needed the use of his special set of skills. Until Johan dropped the film into her lap.
“You look excellent, Sara. I really mean that,” he said and gave her another spontaneous hug. “I was so happy to hear from you. Johan told me you went back into the film world. I have to admit I was disappointed.”
“I needed the break.”
“Johan brought this to you then, did he?”
“Yes. He got me fired and dropped this mystery in my lap.”
“Is Johan in trouble?” Ritchie asked with a raised eyebrow as he led her towards his bank of computers.
“He’s gone missing. I think that says something.” Sara said.
She pulled out a pair of surgical gloves and took out the stack of headshots, Andrea Rollins, the star of the snuff film, on top.
“This is the girl that was on the film. The one that was murdered. These others might be the stars of their own snuff films. We found a stack of other films but they exploded before we could watch them.”
“What’s with the gloves?” Ritchie asked as he typed Andrea Rollins into the program he created for searching different databases.
“Eva and I took them from the crime scene. In case the photos become evidence later down the line, we can preserve whatever fingerprints or fibers or whatever are on them.”
“You took these from the crime scene? That doesn’t sound legal.” He stopped what he was doing and turned to face her.
“Eva said since the police aren’t aware of the film then the headshots are meaningless to them.”
“That sounds sketchy Sara.”
&nb
sp; “She’s the former cop. She should know, right? I need her to help me. And we wouldn’t have found the girls name if we didn’t break in.”
“The last two cases were nightmares and both of you suffered for being involved.” Ritchie said. He didn’t need to remind her. That’s the reason she’d quit in the first place.
“What are you trying to tell me? You won’t help me? I thought you didn’t mind the gray areas?”
“This is bad news, Sara. This investigation is sketchy and weird and we’ve barely started.”
“I’m involved. I’m probably the prime suspect in Janice Hollebeck’s murder. Eva had to get me out of interrogation.”
“What do you want me to say, Sara?”
“Are you in or not?” Sara asked trying hard not to cry. Without Ritchie, she was dead in the water. Her cellphone rang and made both of them jump.
“It’s mine,” Sara said and fumbled in her purse for it. She checked the number. It was Madeleine Richards. “I have to take this.”
“Madeleine, hi. Is everything ok?” Sara watched Ritchie’s face as she listened to Madeleine on the other end. “I’d love to. Thank you. I’ll be there.” She hung up and smiled.
“What was that about?” Ritchie asked.
“The woman who helped me watch the film, Madeleine Richards. She’s an old friend of my dad’s. She invited me to brunch tomorrow. Wasn’t expecting that,” she said. She hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed having this connection to her dad. And the past.
“So?” Ritchie asked.
“The only reason I’m doing this is Johan, who’s in deep and in trouble. I don’t believe he killed Janice Hollebeck but when the police find out about the film and Johan, he’ll have a target on his back. I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask for this. But here we are. I will be blunt here. I can’t do this without you. Eva is a mess and I can’t really rely on her. That leaves you. If you don’t want to do this for me, do it for Johan.” It was the best she could do.
Ritchie rubbed his face with both hands. “I have a bad feeling about this. I’m putting that out there. But I will help you. You DO need me.” He gave her a grin.
“I don’t have any of those gloves in my house. Why don’t you read off the names for me instead?”
“I can do that.”
They got to work.
10
Sara Caine stood on Madeleine Richard’s doorstep and rang the bell one more time. She was sure that Madeleine had said to meet her here at eleven thirty to introduce Sara to her daughter Lorelei and speak more about the film reel. Sara checked her phone again. It was already five after. A flicker of worry crossed her mind. Madeleine Richards did not strike her as a flaky woman. A honk sounded behind her and a shiny, new Lexus pulled into the drive. A young man was driving with a furious girl in the passenger seat.
The girl sprang out of the car and charged towards her. Sara stepped back in surprise. Before Sara could even open her mouth, the girl was already yelling.
“What are you doing here?” The girl said between gasps. “My mother promised me she was done with all of you. I know who you are, Sara Caine. You and that man have ruined my life. What are you doing here?” She said and stood red-faced in front of Sara. The man had gained on her and stood by her side. He took her hand and tried to calm her down with squeezes and caresses. It was not working.
“Your mother asked me here for lunch. She had told me it was important that we meet, but that was all. I have no idea what’s going on with your family.” Sara explained.
“My mother and I stopped speaking because she got involved in all of this again. This was supposed to be a family brunch where I could finally introduce her to my fiancée, Mark. And I find you on her doorstep?” The girl said and stomped past Sara.
“She’s not answering the door. I’ve been trying for the last ten minutes. Quite frankly, I’m worried.” Sara said. The girl tried the knob and found it locked. Her anger dissipated somewhat, and she looked past Sara to her fiancé. “My mother is very punctual,” she said.
“She wouldn’t stand us up like this, would she?” The man spoke for the first time.
“No, never.” The girl said.
“You know me, but I don’t know you. I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Sara Caine.” Sara offered her hand to the girl. The girl stared at it as if it was poison. The fiancée didn’t make a move to take her hand either.
“I’m Lorelei. This is Mark.” Lorelei said.
“By any chance, do you have a key to your mom’s place?” Sara asked.
“No. I gave it back to her around the time we stopped talking.” Lorelei said. Worry crossed her face.
“With your permission, I can pick the lock. But I won’t do that unless you say it’s okay. I have to be honest with you, I think we need to check on her.”
“Did my mother find something new about the lost girls?” Sara’s head snapped up to look at her.
“She knew about the girls?” Sara asked. Madeleine had lied to her when she had said she’d never seen the film, Sara thought.
“The missing UCLA girls. Isn’t that what you’re here about?” Lorelei asked. “Pick the lock. If my mom gets upset we broke in, then I’ll tell her I gave you permission.”
Sara took her little kit out of her purse and started on the lock. It was a simple tumbler lock, and she took several seconds to pick it. The door popped open and Sara stood off to the side. She motioned to Lorelei.
“After you,” she said.
“Mark, I need you to hold my hand.” Lorelei said.
Sara’s stomach churned. She knew that feeling well. The guilt of putting someone in danger. She’d never come to Madeleine if she understood the danger. She cursed Johan again and took a deep breath. Should she bring one of her walls down to see if Madeleine was dead and haunting her home? Would that knowledge help? She’s not dead, Sara. Stop it she chided herself. There was no reason for her guilt. Madeleine was a grown woman, and she had made her own choices. She could’ve easily said she didn’t want to see her. On top of that, Madeleine had lied to her about the girls. Johan being in touch with Madeleine crossed her mind as well.
“Are you coming?” Lorelei asked from inside the foyer.
“Yes, I’m sorry.” Sara said and stepped inside. All the windows were shuttered, and they gave the foyer, living room, and the dining room a dark ominous light. It was freezing inside and Sara shivered involuntarily.
“My mom didn’t do this,” Lorelei said. “She loved the light and rarely shuttered any of the windows.” Sara heard fear in the girl’s voice.
They did a preliminary search of the downstairs. Lorelei found nothing out of place, outside of the shuttered windows.
“My mother was excited to fix us one of her famous Scandinavian brunches.” Lorelei said as she looked at the pristine kitchen. “The breakfast takes her several hours and she would’ve started early this morning.”
“This kitchen hasn’t been used today,” Mark said.
“We should go upstairs.” Sara said.
“I don’t want to.” Lorelei whispered.
“I understand. Will you allow me to check and see if your mother’s upstairs?” Sara said, taking charge. Lorelei nodded and fell back against Mark. Her pallor turned pale with a touch of green around the edges.
“I’ll be back in a second. Why don’t you get a glass of water and sit on the couch.”
“What if this house is a crime scene? I shouldn’t sit if it’s a crime scene.” Lorelei’s voice grew in pitch. She was terrified.
“Why don’t you sit Lorelei on the couch, Mark. She’s about to faint,” Sara said and Mark nodded. He led Lorelei out of the room and Sara followed them. Lorelei sank into the cushions and Mark sat beside her, clutching her hand. He didn’t look too good, either.
“I’ll be right back.” Sara said and left them. She took the stairs two at a time and the oppressive force pushing down on her chest grew stronger. Someone had died here.
She checke
d the first door she came to. It was a guest bedroom, and it was empty. The next door was a bathroom, and it too was empty.
The sense of death came from the last door on the left. She breathed deep and stepped up to the door. Something dead was behind it.
Her walls were up, but she was certain and hoped it wasn’t Madeleine. She opened the door and stepped inside. To her surprise, the room was empty. But the foreboding didn’t leave her. Madeleine Richards was in here, somewhere.
She dropped to her knees and checked under the bed. It was empty outside of a few dust balls. She got back to her feet and turned to the mirrored closet taking up the entire back wall.
Her reflection stared back at her and Sara saw terror in her own face. The dead scared her. Finding a person she’d known dead was unthinkable to her. Most of all, Lorelei’s pain was already seeping upstairs. Sara could imagine the anguish to come and wished she didn’t have to be part of it. Not to mention that her mother died because of whatever Johan and Sara were involved in.
Sara remembered Johan’s voice explaining to her that what they did brought justice to the victims. Sara wasn’t so sure. In her darkest thoughts, she wondered if they were cursed and whoever crossed their paths became tainted and destroyed by whatever they brought to them. It had happened to Eva Murphy. This family was up next.
Sara took another step forward and pulled her eyes away from her reflection. This wasn’t the time. She had a girl downstairs that deserved to know what happened to her mother. She slid open the mirror door and her heart dropped as she saw Madeleine Richard’s body crumpled in a heap at the bottom of the closet. By the look of her neck, someone strangled her. Sara closed the door again.
She needed to get rid of her prints. She took her shirtsleeve over her hand and wiped the prints off the mirror and the edge she had touched. It would be better for everyone if nobody knew that she had been here. Now she had to do the unthinkable. She went destroy another woman’s life.
Silent Death: A Chilling Serial Killer Thriller (A Caine & Murphy Thriller Book 3) Page 4