“I’m in the lobby,” his partner answered. “It’s chaotic down here. If I ever harbored any delusions of wanting to be a celebrity, this takes care of it. Are you on your way?”
“Watch out for Orlund.” Ben told his partner about the early morning visit. “He’s up to something, but I don’t know what.”
“He’s talking to the reporters.” Ray’s reply surprised him. The explanation made it all clear. “There’s more going on than tabloid opportunism. The Director could use this media scrum as a distraction.”
I should have taken the stairs. Ben watched the floor numbers slowly crawl past. “You’re keeping an eye on the situation?”
“Both eyes. Another set would make this a lot easier.”
Once he stepped off the elevator, Ben could see what Ray meant. Dark masses churned outside the hotel, made foggy by the wide expanses of frosted glass, and punctuated by frequent bursts of photo flashes. Muffled voices shouted demands for information, creating auditory chaos. People came and went from the main entrances, either scurrying quickly to avoid being caught on film, or stopping to stare in bewilderment. It would be the perfect cover for a spectre.
“Where’s Orlund?” Ben joined Ray. His partner had found a chair with clear views of both the elevators and the front entrance.
“Over there.” Ray pointed. “I’ve tried to clear the media out by planting juicy rumors of various stars about to walk of shame out of the hotel down the block, and not one of them will take the bait.”
Ben scanned the crowd for signs of a disturbance, but the movement was too irregular to track.
Ray lowered his voice. “The ones up front are babbling about Aggi firing Katie, or Katie quitting the tour. The ones by the fountain think Aggi will be dragged out of here for a drug rehab program. And the ones over there got a hot tip about a new song release, and a live performance.”
“Three different rumors mean someone planted all three.” Ben stiffened as Orlund stalked toward them.
“You need to leave. I won’t have disgraced investigators on the front page.” Orlund’s harsh whisper carried despite the din.
Ben bit his tongue rather than reply. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two guests abruptly change direction as they walked across the lobby.
A heavy hand grabbed his arm as Ben frantically searched for other signs of the spectre’s presence. He tried to shake off the grip, but Orlund had latched on tightly. I have to get back to Katie.
Ben lost the trail of unexpected movement. “Let me go. He’s here.”
“You think I’m stupid enough to fall for that?” Orlund snarled.
No time. Ben shoved the FBI agent, hoping to get clear. But he’d underestimated the other man’s rage. Orlund fought back, landing solid punches to Ben’s kidney and jaw.
Ben blocked the third blow. He slammed his fist into Orlund’s face, breaking his glasses. Orlund tackled him, knocking them both down. As Ben’s skull cracked against the granite floor, he only held one thought. Katie.
Miss Katie Ballard,
I am disappointed in your childish attempts to rebel against me. You listen too much to the petty minds around you, the ones who are keeping you less because they are jealous of what you could be. However, I understand. I, too, was held back for many years because people dismissed me. They did not respect me until I made them see what I could truly be.
Your performance last night was ill-advised. Singing other people’s words for drunken idiots is hardly a worthy use of your talents. You must concentrate on your own voice, your own words, your own message.
I will free you from those who have held you back. Then you will achieve everything you have dreamed of. The hour of the ball is approaching and, like Cinderella, it is time for you to prepare for your grand entrance.
I remain your faithful admirer and servant, Walter.
Chapter 30
Katie avoided looking at the expensive stationery in Ray’s hands. She’d discovered the latest letter taped to the outside of her hotel door when he arrived to tell her about the fiasco in the lobby. He kept insisting the police would let Ben go once he’d given a statement, but she wasn’t so sure. It was easier to focus on the letter. And that’s got to be a universal sign for a problem if it’s easier to think about the serial killer hunting me than about my romantic relationship. “Does this mean the Director saw me at the karaoke club?”
Ray shook his head. “Several people uploaded videos to the Internet with the performance from last night.”
“What does he means when he says he’s going to free me?” The letters no longer terrified her. From his latest efforts, she’d succeeded in pissing him off.
“The psychopath to English dictionary suggests it’s never anything good.” Ray checked his phone. “The police are done questioning Orlund and Ben.”
“Is he under arrest?” Katie asked quietly.
Part of her was furious with Ben for starting a fistfight, especially in front of dozens of reporters. He could lose his job and his freedom because he’d been protecting her. The thought triggered a fresh wave of guilt.
I need to know. She cleared her throat. “Is he always violent like this? He’s been angry and on edge since the first moment I saw him.”
Enlightenment dawned in Ray’s pensive nod. “He hasn’t exactly been on his best behavior. To answer the spirit of your question, he’s not an angry or violent man, despite the evidence of the last few days. He’s usually patient and methodical, cutting through misinformation and myth to the truth. But he doesn’t rest when someone is in danger, and he’s off-balance because he’s afraid he won’t be able to save you.”
That’s not as reassuring as he thinks. “I see.”
“I’m not worried, though,” Ray continued. “Love drives people to do extraordinary things, and push themselves beyond their limits. He’s not going to fail you.”
Is this love? Katie’s emotions were too tangled to make sense. She liked Ben, found him attractive, and admired his skills. He was an incredible lover, and the rest of the world faded away in his arms. Can those feelings really last? For all of her intentions to enjoy the moment, the looming promise of heartbreak couldn’t be ignored. Her parents had been one another’s grand loves, but the strength of their passion burned too intensely to allow them to live together. Their love became buried under their heightened emotions, triggering constant fights. Eventually they’d split up.
Her mother found new lovers, though she never again shackled herself to a husband. Her father turned to Bernice in his loneliness. He’d mistaken her flattery and insipid attention for love.
Her parents’ mistakes inspired Katie to keep her own affairs casual. Mutual pleasure and mutual respect lasted longer than love, and she could always walk away before emotions turned sour.
Ray put down the phone. “Are we past the happily ever after?”
Worry transformed to irritation. “What?”
He lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m only asking as the man legally obligated to arrange for beer and strippers in the time-honored male tradition of pretending to be happy about a breakup.”
“We’re not breaking up. And even if we were, there’s nothing to break up from. We had sex. We didn’t declare everlasting love for each other.” Except hadn’t she promised herself to give love a chance?
“If you want to believe your nights together didn’t mean anything, I can’t tell you otherwise.” Ray caressed the leather jacket lying between them on the sofa. “However, as I said before, my partner has never done casual sex.”
It was a final straw. “You know what I don’t do? I don’t get stalked by serial killers hiding in plain sight. If he’s having a hard time, that’s sad, but I’ve got enough to figure out without taking on his issues, too.”
To her surprise, Ray grinned. “Valid
point.”
His easy acceptance made her feel like a complete bitch. The sudden rush of anger drained away.
Ray’s phone lit up with an alert. He frowned as he opened it. “Oh dear. Bernice broke her silence after all. She did an interview with Razel last night.”
Neither of them are fans of mine. Katie held out her hand. “Let me see it.”
“I don’t know if . . . you’re going to hit me if I don’t, aren’t you?”
“No, but I’ll take away your VIP access.”
“A fate crueler than death. Very well.” Ray reluctantly handed it over.
The screen showed Razel and Bernice facing each other in comfortable chairs. Bernice’s blond hair was fastened at her nape with a clip. She wore pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Her successful-mother-of-a-child-star look.
“It’s been very difficult.” Bernice’s eyes were shiny with tears. “I love my daughter. When I tried to show her what Katherine had done, someone deleted the evidence from my phone.”
Katie closed her eyes briefly. That’s why she’s been silent. The Director deleted the video, and she needed to come up with a plan B.
Razel managed to appear both sympathetic and concerned. “A very serious allegation,”
“Katherine has been involved with drugs since she was a teenager. Unfortunately, my husband left Katherine with her mother. The woman was neglectful, completely focused on her own pleasure and desires.”
The triumphant gleam in Bernice’s eyes made Katie sick to her stomach.
“You don’t have to watch.”
Katie ignored Ray’s comment, her eyes glued to the screen.
Bernice continued. “Katherine is a thief, a slut, and an addict. She stole from Aggi’s accounts. She’s traded sex for drugs and alcohol. She’s used her position to extort bribes and kickbacks, using the money to buy the songs she supposedly writes. She’s a leech on my poor Aggi.”
It was hard to believe anyone would accept such blatant lies as the truth. But Bernice gave a masterful performance, and plenty of people loved scandal over fact.
She grabbed her phone. “I have to call Aggi.”
“And what about these claims about a serial killer targeting Katie?” Razel asked onscreen.
“It’s the latest in a web of deceitful statements. Everyone knows that the Director targets young women who want careers in movies or modeling. He’s never gone after a musician before, or anyone connected with a talent like my Aggi’s. I think she found a killer to mimic, and sent herself those letters.” Bernice’s confidence in her own lies was unnerving. “The best thing we could do for her is to ignore everything connected to this ridiculous lie.”
“I’m guessing you saw the news,” her sister answered.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Patrick and I handled it.” Aggi sounded proud of herself. “I issued a statement that everything my mom said in the interview is a lie. I said I didn’t want to hurt her, but I have concerns about her addictions, mental stability, and her financial situation. Patrick is filing a slander charge against her.”
Exactly what Katie would have done. “Good job.”
“I know, right? Who’d believe it?” Aggi laughed in triumph. “Have you seen the other stuff? Trevor said he broke up with me because of drugs. That it was too hard for him to stay sober around people who were using. Can you believe it? It’s backfiring though, because every interview I’ve seen also mentions him getting kicked off set for the failed drug test.”
“He never could think things through.” Katie managed a weak laugh. “Is there anything about the fight in the lobby?”
“They’re showing footage of Ben and Orlund fighting in the hotel lobby. They’re bringing up what Special Investigations did at Woodpine, and how they pulled people from their homes to send them to the camp. So far, Ben is taking the brunt of the media attack. I’m not sure what will happen. Have you heard from him?”
Katie plucked at her yoga pants. “Not yet.”
“Oh my God, did you two have a fight? Is that why he went downstairs to beat the crap out of Orlund?” Aggi demanded.
“We didn’t fight. Has Bernice contacted you?” Katie exhaled.
Everyone seemed so invested in making sure she and Ben worked out. It added an extra layer of pressure to an already crushing situation.
“She left a long rambling message on my phone. About how what she’s doing is supposed to protect my career. I haven’t called her back, and I’m not planning to.”
That was good news. Katie slumped in relief.
“I wish she could be the mom I remember, but she’s not. You’re my family, and you’ve always done what’s right for me. You made me smoothies to make me happy. You’re my sister,” Aggi said fiercely.
“Thanks.” Katie bit her lip. Her emotions were all over the place. Too little sleep. Too much stress. “You’re my family, too.”
“Me, too, big sister. Do you want to come over? Patrick is still here.”
Tempting, but not what she needed. “No. You have things covered. And I still want space to myself to figure out what I want to do next.”
“Don’t forget to ask for help, okay?”
“I will, Agatha. I promise.” Katie hung up.
“I take it you’d like me to leave you alone, too?” Ray asked, standing up.
“Can you check on Ben? Make sure he’s all right?” Katie drew in a bracing breath of courage before she could say the next part. “Tell him I miss him.”
“Absolutely,” Ray promised with a huge grin. “Call me Cupid’s messenger.”
“Thank you. For listening to me.”
Katie took down the booby-trap vase, and opened the door to let Ray leave.
Once she was alone again, she riffled through her notebook, looking at the various melody and lyric fragments. “Cupid’s messenger might be a good album title.”
“I’m glad to see you’re getting back to work.”
Chapter 31
“Hello, Katie.” The quiet tenor voice seemed to echo through the suite.
Where are you? Katie leapt to her feet, scanning the room. No matter where her darting eyes fell, she could only see the usual furniture, art and walls. She backed up against the window, her fingers pressed against the smooth glass.
“Calm down if you want to talk. The higher your adrenaline, the harder it is to see me,” he cautioned.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Katie demanded. Despite her resolve to no longer be scared, her hands were shaking.
“Did you know shunning is psychologically crueler than imprisonment? To live unacknowledged is one of the most damaging experiences possible for an individual.” He sounded as if he were delivering a lecture, casual and professional. “I can’t be sure when my powers manifested. Someone must have cared for me as an infant, or else I’d never have survived. But by the time I was five, I existed as a ghost in the world. I hid in homes, stealing food, and sleeping wherever I could find a quiet place. I learned to find places where I wouldn’t be discovered, where people would forget me before they could get to a phone to call the police.”
Katie’s breathing slowed though her heart still pumped at double pace. He must be in the room. She made herself check each part of the room visually. The door to the room remained firmly shut, but the metal vase sat on a table. The doors to the bedroom and bathroom were closed.
“I especially liked public libraries. I taught myself to read, and gave myself whole worlds of stories. I stole clothes and other necessities. I would have been relieved to be caught, to be finally seen. I’ve wondered how many of us there are. Am I somewhere in a file of missing children? Or did I never exist in the world of official documentation?”
I asked him a question, didn’t I? She felt as if she’d been
listening to him for a long time, but couldn’t remember what he’d been saying. “Did you search for yourself?”
“It is depressing to realize how many children vanish each year, never to be seen again. I couldn’t be sure if I should search for a report of a missing baby or someone older. Nor could I be sure when I disappeared.”
Her gaze came to rest on the man sitting on the couch, watching her.
He smiled at her. “There, now you see me. It will make things easier. I’m Walter.”
“Why did you pick that name?” I have to keep my eyes on him.
“It was convenient. I’ve had many names.” He shrugged. “Names are rather unimportant when I vanish with an averted glance. I slip beneath the waves of history to lie forgotten on the ocean floor, without even a ripple to mark my existence.”
“It sounds lonely.” She vaguely remembered a magazine article where a hostage prevented her captor from killing her. She appealed to his humanity, and reminded him of her own. It might work with Walter. It’s not like I have other options. Her phone sat on the desk, too far away to reach surreptitiously.
“It is, although there are advantages. I am singularly free of others’ expectations, for example.” He smiled again. “If you’d like to collect your phone, please go ahead. I’ve disabled your ability to call or text, along with the camera. You were clever to record our previous conversation. No one has tried that particular gambit before.”
She slowly picked up the phone, and discovered he’d told the truth. The phone icon remained a tiny square, no matter how many times she tapped the screen. “Are you planning to kill me now?”
“Not at all, my dear. This is simply our latest chat. I do the same with all my subjects.” His sunken eyes were wistful. “Observation only teaches me so much. I must talk to them. Otherwise, I can’t know whether or not they are truly worthy of my artistic vision.”
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