Haunting Whispers

by V. K. Powell

Carol Flynn had mentioned thin plastic, but Yasi’s impression gave her a possible lead. “And the space you were in, anything about that?”

  “It was definitely small, tinny sounding. When he whispered, I heard a slight echo. If I had to guess, I’d say we were in a van or vehicle of some sort. I felt movement underneath as he—cut me—like the rocking of a car.”

  Rae jotted notes as Yasi spoke. No one had mentioned a vehicle, another detail she could follow up. “Tell me what he said to you, how he spoke, in as much detail as you remember.”

  “He whispered, always this urgent whispering, spooky. He’s educated, though, speaking in grammatically correct phrases. And I detected a hint of an accent that he used at will. I couldn’t tell the specific region of origin. It sounded acquired, not native.”

  “How would you possibly know that?”

  “I’ve spent my entire life in the cirque. We employ people from all over the world. I have a pretty good ear and I listen to how people talk. It’s sort of a quirky pastime.”

  “Very nice skill to have, especially in this case.” Yasi was an excellent witness. Rae hoped one of these little fragments would lead to a suspect.

  “Some of the phrases he used…they seemed familiar. Spoiled. Cleansed. Those aren’t the kind of words you hear every day in this part of the world. They’re reminiscent of my childhood in Morocco—sort of that region.”

  Rae felt a momentary pang of guilt and irritation. Why hadn’t she picked up on that before? She thought back to the other victims’ statements. The Whisperer had spoken only one word to them over and over again, never sentences or phrases. It hadn’t been enough. “Go on.”

  “He called me a traitor several times. Each time, he slashed my abdomen again. I passed out a couple of times, but he revived me with cold water and told me to pay attention.” Yasi stopped and closed her eyes for several minutes as tears trickled past her temples into her hair.

  “We can finish some other time if you want,” Rae offered. “I know this is difficult.”

  “I remember something else. When he whispered in my ear, I felt fabric against my skin. When he touched me, he was definitely wearing gloves, rubber gloves.”

  Rae noted every detail exactly as Yasi described. This was new information and it certainly fit the lack of evidence. For the first time since she’d gotten the case, Rae felt a slight tug of enthusiasm and possibility.

  “Did he say anything else?”

  “He said Audrey disappointed him and she was spoiled.”

  “Did he explain what he meant or how she’d been spoiled?”

  “Not exactly.” Yasi suddenly seemed reluctant to answer the question directly.

  “What do you mean, ‘not exactly’? You said yesterday ‘he knows.’ What does he know?”

  Yasi looked at Rae with what could only be described as sympathy and regret. “He knows about you and Audrey. I think he’s been watching her. He said you, that cop, spoiled her and she has to be cleansed.”

  A knot of nerves twisted in Rae’s gut. She remembered their first kiss, the damage to her window, and her assault. Now it didn’t seem random or a juvenile prank at all. Rae imagined the suspect lurking in the shadows, spying on their most intimate moments, their lovemaking. She wouldn’t share those details with anyone, not even her closest friends. Having a potential killer witness them made her nauseous. She was responsible for his violent escalation. She’d pursued Audrey and as a result put her directly in harm’s way.

  “I’m sorry, Rae, you had to know. I don’t want you to blame yourself.”

  “But I do. I should’ve left her alone, especially after the warning note.”

  Yasi took her hand again. “No, he is to blame, only him. He’s been after her since the first assault last—”

  “What?” Rae’s voice sounded urgent, and she reframed the question. “Did he say something about that incident?”

  “He said he’d waited a year to get her back and he was almost ready.”

  His statement could be potentially damaging but hardly evidence. The nature of the injuries inflicted on Audrey and the subsequent victims certainly pointed to this suspect. Had he also been responsible for the assault at the community center? Rae heard voices in the hallway and turned her attention back to Yasi. “Is there anything else?”

  “This man is desperate, Rae. I heard evil in his voice. He’s looking for something that doesn’t exist, something in his mind. If he ever had it all together, it’s come apart. He’s more dangerous with every day that passes…but you know that.”

  Rae couldn’t meet her gaze. Yasi had already seen too much in her eyes. Rae’s concern would only upset her more. “Thanks for your help…you have helped.”

  Rae turned to leave, but Yasi stopped her. “You care about Audrey. I see it when you look at her. Don’t ever be sorry for that. Find this man before he hurts her again.”

  She tried to give Yasi a reassuring smile. “I need to get going before the gang shows up.”

  “Yep, you can bet there’s been a curtain call.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Sorry, our way of calling a meeting when one of us needs help. Performers, you know.”

  Rae smiled at the thought that every profession probably had its own specific lingo. “Please don’t tell Audrey I was here this morning.” She took the back stairs out of the hospital and drove to Sergeant Sharp’s office. She had to address one final detail before she could rest.

  The Whisperer had been cautious not to leave evidence at the crime scenes, but she might have caught a break. He’d spoken to Yasi more freely, exposing his vulnerability and intentions. It sounded like the suspect was losing touch with reality. His verbiage indicated an almost fanatical mindset, a sort of theme, different from usual perpetrators. His insistence that Audrey be cleansed could imply an involvement in or exposure to another culture.

  An uncomfortable feeling settled over Rae as she thought about the horrific devastation extremists had caused in recent times. Before she slept, she wanted Audrey’s protection detail on the job.

  *

  Audrey grabbed her cell phone from underneath the pillow when she woke up and looked at the display. Useless device. No calls, no texts, no messages—nothing from Rae. She’d said she would come by. As soon as I can, Audrey reminded herself. Guilt invaded as she thought of Yasi lying in a hospital bed, injured and afraid. She was feeling sorry for herself because her new girlfriend—if Rae could even be called a girlfriend after one round of sex—hadn’t checked in. Rae had better things to do than babysit and reassure her. But Rae was essentially her first, and that distinction came with certain privileges of insecurity and anxiety. Add the assault of her best friend to the mix and Audrey broadcast neuroses.

  As she showered, she tried to separate the jumble of sensations swirling in and around her. Her cirque family was in the next room upset about Yasi, and they were all humming or going through their acts in their heads. She reasoned they needed the distraction. Audrey worried about getting to the hospital to comfort her friend too, but images of Rae intruded. It was surreal, as if their lovemaking, eclipsed by the attack, hadn’t happened. But it had. Her body still vibrated with the intimacy and intensity of their short time together.

  Rae’s unconditional acceptance of her inexperience and her ghastly injury had touched her deeply. She’d been so convinced a lover would see her only as a victim, and look at her scarred body with pity, that she’d distanced herself from any possible involvements, until Rae. The attraction between them was too strong, the chemistry too compelling to ignore. She’d taken the chance. As she pulled her clothes over sensitive skin and imagined Rae’s hands there instead, she knew she’d made the right decision. She hoped Rae felt the same.

  “Sanjana, we can go now?” Sam called from the living room.

  She opened the bedroom door and joined her friends. The array of makeshift bedding that had been scattered on the floor, sofa, and chairs last night was neatly folded in a stack. “I like
guests who clean up after themselves. What time is it?” She’d lost track as she dressed and thought of Rae.

  “Almost ten. We go now,” Sam answered.

  “Don’t I even get a cup of coffee?” What she really wanted was a few minutes to ask her friends what they knew of Yasi’s assault, how they’d found her, and other details that seemed too insensitive at the hospital last night.

  “Ahead of you.” Tony waved a travel mug under her nose and led her toward the door.

  They packed into Melvin’s van for the short trip, and when the door closed, speculation began about Yasi’s release. “We can’t take her back to our hotel,” Hope said.

  Charity agreed. “Too noisy and cleaning people, no good.”

  Tony said, “I’ll rent a place and we can take turns watching her.”

  “We all contribute to rent,” Faith said, and everyone nodded agreement.

  Her friends were genuinely trying to formulate a plan for Yasi’s housing and recovery, yet something was off. When she tried to focus on their feelings, she picked up only humming or another mental rehearsal. “What’s going on with you?” They looked at her but she heard only a cacophony of music. “Stop that and tell me what you’re up to.”

  “We are here,” Sam announced as they pulled up to the hospital.

  Everyone bailed out of the van like they were taking a bow at a sold-out performance. As she led them into the hospital, she decided they were simply trying to conceal the extent of their concern so she wouldn’t worry. She’d talk with them after they checked on Yasi.

  When Audrey opened the door to Yasi’s room, she was sitting up in bed with the covers pulled tight around her neck. Her skin tone was rosier than the night before, but dark shadows marred her wide brown eyes. The pensive expression Audrey glimpsed as she came in quickly changed to a forced smile as they filed by. Audrey scanned the room when she entered, certain that she sensed Rae’s presence, disappointed not to find her.

  “The world’s greatest cirque performers.” Yasi’s voice was an octave high, an indication of her understandable anxiety. “It’s so good to see you.”

  As Audrey approached, her arms spread wide, Yasi grabbed her hands and kissed the backside of each, keeping her at arm’s length instead. “Don’t think I’m quite ready for hugs.”

  The standoffishness felt personal. They always hugged—long, close, and tight. The snub poked at her insecurity, but she attributed it to the attack and subsequent injury. Yasi quickly released Audrey’s hands and wouldn’t make eye contact. Before she let go, Audrey experienced a psychic flash that nearly took her breath away.

  Traitor, traitor, a voice whispered, followed by an excruciating stab of pain. Audrey grabbed the bedrail for support as the ache recurred time after time.

  “Aud, Aud, can you hear me?”

  Audrey heard Yasi calling in the background but couldn’t answer. She was lost in the agony and a sickening feeling that she was to blame for Yasi’s injuries. The nightmares that had plagued her recently resurfaced, along with the frustration of not being able to figure them out. Underneath it all, she sensed something wicked and sadistic.

  “Sanjana, come back,” Sam said.

  She focused on his voice and followed the soothing tones back into the room filled with her friends. Their kindness surrounded her, but with it came an equally potent feeling—fear. “I’m all right now.”

  Nothing could be further from the truth. She concentrated on the feelings of each person, and as she did their thoughts turned to song and work. “I need to know what’s going on with everybody. What are you trying to keep from me?”

  Sam moved very close but didn’t touch her as he normally would. “We are worried for Yasi. It upsets us deeply.” No one else spoke.

  “You see, even this is weird. When have we ever been able to keep Tony quiet? And the girls…” She pointed to Faith, Hope, and Charity, who stood like statues in the corner. “They’re never still. You’re afraid to touch me, my best friend won’t let me hug her, and I have a feeling that I’m to blame. What is it?”

  Sam started to answer but Yasi silenced him with a tired wave of her hand. “Aud, you’re probably hypersensitive to everything, which is completely understandable. If this could happen to me, it could happen to any of us. We have to stick together. We’re all concerned and afraid. I know I certainly am…and I’m exhausted. It wasn’t a very restful night.”

  Audrey suddenly felt very selfish and inconsiderate for demanding answers that Yasi was obviously in no condition to provide. But the nagging feeling that something was definitely wrong clung to her like a flea in thick fur. “You’re right. We should probably let you sleep.”

  “I’ll be able to leave tomorrow. Could I come to your place for a few days?”

  Yasi’s tentative smile almost broke Audrey’s heart. She shouldn’t have had to ask. “Of course you can come to my place. I insist.” She looked at the solemn faces around the room and added, “You might have to come as a package deal. I don’t think these guys will let you out of their sight for a second.”

  “Absolutely.” Yasi’s response brought smiles to the others’ faces as they waved good-bye and stepped into the hallway.

  Before she left, Audrey leaned over the bedrail and lightly kissed Yasi’s forehead. “I love you, but don’t think for a second that love blinds me. Just because you gave me a precious, intelligent, slightly neurotic kitten doesn’t mean you have a free pass for life. You’re hiding something, and I will find out what it is.” She gave Yasi her biggest grin and walked toward the door.

  “You’re entirely too suspicious of your oldest and dearest friend,” Yasi said.

  “Maybe I’ll ask Rae. I know she was here.”

  *

  Sergeant Sharp stared at her like she’d dropped in from another planet. “Yeah, I got your request for protection for Audrey Everhart. The answer is no.”

  “But—”

  “It doesn’t matter how many buts you have or how compelling the argument, the answer is still no. We don’t have money for the overtime.”

  Not So had shot her down without hearing all the facts, and she didn’t have the energy to argue her case sufficiently. “She’s the target of a serial attacker, certain to be his next victim.”

  “Do you know who the suspect is yet?” His smug grin indicated he already had the answer.

  “No, but I’m closer. The latest victim provided some possible leads.”

  “What leads? Physical evidence, circumstantial evidence, or hunches?”

  Rae reconsidered the information Yasi had given her, viewing it in the most beneficial light.

  “If it takes that long to answer, you obviously don’t have shit. Sorry, no protective detail.”

  “You’re putting this woman’s life on the line.”

  “I don’t see any imminent danger. You have no suspect and no real evidence, aside from a note that a defense attorney could interpret in numerous ways. There weren’t any prints on the note, so that doesn’t help.”

  Rae had to appeal to Not So’s mercenary self-interest. “She’s the mayor’s publicist. It won’t look good if she’s attacked and we had even the slightest indication it could happen.” She dropped her bomb and turned to leave.

  “Wait. Maybe the mayor would be willing to make a budgetary concession or offer a couple of his private bodyguards.” The sergeant stood, stroked the front of his perfectly pressed suit, and reached for the phone. “I’ll get back to you on this.”

  As Rae left she heard him say, “It’s Sergeant Sharp for Mayor Downing.” Rae usually avoided anything political, but in this case she’d make an exception. Whatever it took to keep Audrey safe.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rae opened the blackout shades in her bedroom onto another dark morning. She had no idea of the time. Her only recognizable sensations were fatigue and hopelessness. The hours had crawled the past two days as she followed up the minor details Yasi had provided. They could hardly be called clues, bu
t she refused to slow down until she’d exhausted all options.

  She’d revisited the body dump sites at various times of the day and night and talked to anyone she could find. She found no laundry facilities nearby but plenty of vans—enough to make the task impossible without further details. Disappointed, she thought constantly of how much she missed Audrey.

  Rae looked at her list of unanswered phone calls and unopened mail with dread and a healthy dose of guilt. If she returned Audrey’s calls or messages, she’d have to lie or at least evade the truth. Audrey deserved better, and right now she was too busy trying to keep Audrey safe to consider what could happen afterward.

  Maybe she was being a coward. She couldn’t imagine telling Audrey that the same suspect had assaulted her twice and Rae was no closer to identifying him. How would she take the news that the man Rae couldn’t catch had spent the last year attacking women, the latest being her best friend? Time was running out. The distance swelled between her and Audrey like a malignancy.

  As she showered, she thought about her growing feelings for Audrey. It was time to tell Audrey the truth and solicit her help. With so little to go on, it couldn’t possibly hurt to consult a psychic or even two.

  Rae dressed and had started into the kitchen for coffee when her doorbell rang. Daylight had barely tinted the eastern sky. Any news delivered this early couldn’t be good. She opened the door and Audrey rushed inside as if she were being chased.

  “Audrey…are you okay?” She looked as though she’d just woken up or been awake for a very long time. Her hair was wild, clothes a bit unkempt, and her bloodshot eyes weary.

  “As if you care. It’s been days since we—since—you know what I mean, and you haven’t bothered to ask how I’m doing. Why should I—” She stopped as if seeing Rae for the first time. “You look exhausted.” She raised her hand toward Rae’s face but lowered it before making contact. “Are you all right?”

  Without another thought, she stepped forward and hugged Audrey tight. “I’ve missed you so much and I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Can you forgive me?”