A Trace of Vice - Блейк Пирс

Blake Pierce

A TRACE OF VICE

PROLOGUE

Even though Sarah Caldwell was just sixteen, she had a good head on her shoulders and a keen sense of when things felt off. And this felt off.

She almost didnt go. But when Lanie Joseph, her best friend since elementary school, called and asked her to hang out at the mall this afternoon, she couldnt think of a convincing reason not to go.

But ever since they met up, Lanie seemed jumpy. Sarah couldnt understand what about wandering around the Fox Hills Mall could be so anxiety inducing. She noticed that when they were trying on cheap necklaces at Claires, Lanies hands shook as she tried to fasten the clasp.

The truth was that Sarah didnt really know what made Lanie nervous anymore. Theyd been incredibly close all through elementary school. However, once Sarahs family had moved from south Culver City to the still working-class but less-dangerous neighborhood of Westchester, theyd slowly drifted apart. The communities were only a few miles apart. But without cars, which neither girl had, or a serious commitment to stay connected, theyd lost touch.

As they tried on makeup at Nordstrom, Sarah stole glances at Lanie in the mirror. Her friends light blonde hair was streaked with blue and pink. She already had on so much dark eye makeup that there was really no reason to test anything out at the counter. Her fair skin seemed even paler when contrasted with her multiple tattoos and the black tank top and Daisy Dukes she wore. Amid the intentional body art, Sarah couldnt help but notice some bruises mixed in.

She looked back at her own reflection and was stunned by the contrast. She knew she was pretty too, but in a more subdued, almost sensible way. Her shoulder-length brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Her own makeup was subtle, highlighting her hazel eyes and long lashes. Her olive skin was tattoo free and she wore faded jeans and a cute but far from risqué teal top.

She wondered if shed stayed in the old neighborhood, would she look like Lanie did now? Almost certainly not. Her parents would never have allowed her to start down that path.

If Lanie had moved to Westchester, would she still look like she was a teen prostitute working a truck stop?

Sarah felt her face turn crimson as she shook the thought from her head. What kind of person was she, to think such awful thoughts about someone shed played Barbies with as a girl? She turned away, hoping Lanie wouldnt see the guilt she felt sure was plastered all over her face.

Lets get a snack at the food court, Sarah said, trying to change the dynamic. Lanie nodded and they headed out, leaving the disappointed saleslady behind.

As they sat at a table munching on pretzels, Sarah finally decided to find out what was going on.

So you know I always love to see you, Lanie. But you sounded so upset when you called and you seem so uneasyis there something wrong?

No. Everythings cool. I justmy boyfriend is stopping by to say hi and I guess Im nervous about you meeting him. Hes a little older and weve only been together for a few weeks. I kind of feel like I might be losing him and I thought that you could talk me up a little, that if he saw me with my oldest friend, it would make him see me differently?

How does he see you now? Sarah asked, concerned.

Before Lanie could answer, a guy approached their table. Even before the introductions, Sarah knew this must be the boyfriend.

He was tall and super-skinny, with tight jeans and a black T-shirt that set off his own pale skin and multiple tattoos. Sarah noticed that he and Lanie had the same small skull and crossbones image on top of their left wrists.

With his long, black, spiky hair and penetrating dark eyes, he wasnt so much handsome as beautiful. He reminded Sarah of the lead singers of those hair metal bands from the 1980s her mom always swooned over with names like Skid Row or Motley Row or something Row. He was easily twenty-one.

Hey, babe, he said casually and leaned in to give Lanie a surprisingly passionate kiss, at least for a mall food court. Did you tell her?

I didnt get a chance yet, Lanie said sheepishly, before turning to Sarah. Sarah Caldwell, this is my boyfriend, Dean Chisolm. Dean, this is my oldest friend in the world, Sarah.

Nice to meet you, Sarah said, nodding politely.

The pleasure is all mine, Dean said, taking her hand in his and doing a deep, playfully exaggerated bow. Lanie talks about you all the time, how she wishes you guys could hang out more. So Im really glad you could get together today.

Me too, Sarah said, impressed by the unexpected charm of the guy, but wary nonetheless. What didnt she get a chance to tell me?

Deans whole face broke into an easy smile that seemed to melt away her suspicions.

Oh that, he said. Im having some friends over to my place this afternoon and we thought it might be fun for you to join us. Some of them are in bands. One of them needs a new lead singer. Lanie thought you might like to meet them. She says youre a really good singer.

Sarah looked at Lanie, who smiled back but said nothing.

Is that what you want to do? Sarah asked her.

It could be fun to try something new, Lanie said. Her tone was casual but Sarah recognized the look in her eyes, which pleaded for her friend not to say anything to embarrass her in front of her hot new boyfriend.

Where is it? Sarah asked.

Hollywood adjacent, he said, his eyes glimmering with anticipation. Lets head out. Its gonna be fun.

Sarah sat in the back seat of Deans old Trans Am. The relic was well maintained on the outside but the interior was littered with cigarette butts and rolled up McDonalds wrappers. Dean and Lanie sat up front. With the loud music, it was impossible to have a conversation. They passed through Hollywood in the direction of Little Armenia.

Sarah looked at her friend in the front passenger seat and wondered whether she was even helping her by coming. Her thoughts drifted back to the mall ladies room before theyd left, where Lanie had finally come somewhat clean with her.

Dean is super passionate, shed said as they checked their makeup one last time in the bathroom mirror. And Im worried that if I dont keep up, Im going to lose him. I mean, hes so sexy. He could have his pick of girls. And he doesnt treat me like some teenager. He treats me like a woman.

Is that why you have those bruises, because he treats you like a woman?

She tried to catch Lanies eye in the mirror but her friend refused to look at her directly.

He was just upset, she said. He said I was ashamed of him and thats why I didnt introduce him to any of my respectable girlfriends. But the truth is, I dont really have any friends like that anymore. Thats when I thought of you. I figured if you two met, it would be a double whammy. Hed know I wasnt hiding him and youd make me look good because I have at least one friend whos, you know, got a future.

They hit a pothole and Sarahs thoughts were ripped back into the present. Dean was pulling into a parallel parking spot on a seedy street with a row of small houses, all with bars on the windows.

Sarah pulled out her phone and tried for the third time to send a quick text to her mom. But she still couldnt get any reception. It was weird because they werent in the boonies or anything; they were in the heart of Los Angeles.

Dean parked the car and Sarah put her phone back in her purse. If reception was still bad in his house, shed use his landline. After all, her mom was pretty understanding, but going hours without giving a courtesy call was definitely against family rules.

As they walked up the path to the house, Sarah could already hear the thumping beat of music. A tingle of uncertainly coursed through her body but she ignored it.

Dean banged loudly on the front door and waited while someone inside undid what sounded like multiple separate locks.

Finally, the door opened a crack to reveal a guy whose face was hidden under a mass of long, unkempt hair. The strong smell of pot wafted out and hit Sarah so unexpectedly that she started coughing. The guy saw Dean and gave him a fist bump, then opened the door wide to let them all in.

Lanie stepped in and Sarah stayed close behind her. Blocking the foyer from the rest of the house was a large red velvet curtain, like something out of a cheesy magicians act. As the long-haired guy relocked the doors behind them, Dean pulled back the curtain and directed them into the living room.

Sarah was shocked by what she saw. The room was packed full with couches, love seats, and beanbag chairs. On each of them were couples making out and in some cases, doing much more. All of the girls looked to be Sarahs age and most looked drugged up. A few even appeared to be passed out, which didnt stop the guys, all of whom looked older, from doing their thing. The vaguely unsettled feeling shed had walking up to the house returned, but much stronger now.

This is not a place I want to be.

The air was thick with pot and something sweeter and stronger that Sarah didnt recognize. Almost on cue, Dean handed Lanie a joint. She took a long drag before offering it to Sarah, who declined. She decided shed had enough of this place, which looked like the set of an old porno.

She took out her phone to order an Uber but found she still had no reception.

Dean, she shouted over the music, I need to call my mom to let her know Ill be late but I cant get a connection. Do you have a landline?

Of course. Theres one in my bedroom. Ill show you, he offered, once again flashing that broad, warm smile before turning to Lanie. Babe, would you get me a beer from the kitchen? Its that way.

Lanie nodded and headed in the direction hed pointed and Dean motioned for Sarah to follow him down a hall. She wasnt sure why shed lied about needing to call her mom. But something about this situation made her feel like it wouldnt be well received if she said she wanted to bail.

Dean opened a door at the end of the hall and stepped aside to let her enter. She looked around but didnt see a phone.

Wheres your landline? she asked, turning back to Dean as she heard a door lock. She saw that hed already turned the deadbolt and was attaching the chain lock near the top of the bedroom door.

Sorry, he said, shrugging but not sounding apologetic at all. I must have moved it to the kitchen. I guess I forgot.

Sarah weighed how aggressive she needed to be. Something was very wrong here. She was in a locked bedroom in what appeared to be something close to a brothel in a seedy part of Little Armenia. She wasnt sure how effective calling him out would be under the circumstances.

Be sweet. Act ignorant. Just get out.

Thats okay, she said perkily, lets just go to the kitchen then.

As she spoke she heard a toilet flush. She turned to see the bathroom door open, revealing a huge Hispanic guy wearing a white T-shirt that rode up on his enormous, hairy belly. His head was shaved and he had a long beard. Behind him on the linoleum floor of the bathroom lay a girl who couldnt have been more than fourteen. She had on only panties and appeared to be passed out.

Sarah felt her chest tighten and her breathing get shallow. She tried to hide the growing panic she felt.

Sarah, this is Chiqy, Dean said.

Hi, Chiqy, she said, forcing her voice to remain calm. Sorry to cut this short but Im just headed to the kitchen to make a call. Dean, if you could just unlock the door for me.

She decided that instead of trying to find the kitchen, where she doubted shed see a phone anyway, she was heading straight for the front door. Once outside, shed flag someone down for a ride. Then shed call 911 to get help for Lanie.

Let me get a better look at you, Chiqy ordered in a gravelly voice, ignoring what shed said. Sarah turned to see the massive man eyeing her up and down. After a moment, he licked his lips. Sarah felt the urge to vomit.

What do you think? Dean asked him eagerly.

I think we put her in a sundress with pigtails and we got a solid earner here.

Im going to go now, Sarah said and hurried over to the door. To her surprise, Dean stepped aside, looking amused.

You used the dampener so she couldnt call or text? she heard Chiqy ask from somewhere behind her.

Yep, Dean answered. I watched her real close. She tried a lot but never seemed to get a connection. Did you, Sarah?

She fumbled with the chain lock and almost had it off when a huge shadow suddenly blocked out the light. She started to turn but before she could, she felt a sharp thud on the back of head and then everything went black.

CHAPTER ONE

Detective Keri Lockes heart was pounding. Even though she was in the middle of a huge police station, she tuned out everything around her. She could barely think straight as she stared at the email message on her phone, refusing to believe it was real.

The words were simple but their meaning was colossal.

For six long weeks, shed been waiting for this, hoping against hope that the man she suspected had abducted her daughter five years ago would reach out. And now he had.

Keri slid her phone away on the desk and closed her eyes, trying to stay composed as she attempted to wrap her head around the situation. When shed first uncovered the contact information for the man known only as the Collector, shed set up a meeting. But he never showed up.

She reached out to him to find out what happened. He indicated that she hadnt followed the rules but hinted that he might get in touch in the future. It had taken all of her discipline and patience not to try to contact him again. She wanted to desperately but worried that if she came on too strong, he would get skittish and dump the email address completely, leaving her no way of ever finding him, or Evie.