God, he loved the press. The newscasters were so grave when they talked about the latest killing. Then, with the switch of a camera angle, a smile instead of a somber look. Suddenly it was Lots of fun on tap for Halloween this year.
But at home, watching their plasma TVs, the viewers would be reeling. No change in camera angle for them. A killer was on the loose.
The experts were all baffled. It would never be like the crime shows. He was far too intelligent. There would be no solving his murders in a one-hour show.
How he loved the attention. His double life. Defying profilers and behavioralists, knowing they were more confused than ever now.
And all thanks to his own brilliance.
Breathe. Be ready. Walk, talk, smile, and all while the other world lived on in his mind. The time would come againand soonwhen it would become real once again.
Quit staring at me. Youre giving me chills, Christina said to her cousins.
Mike shook his head, looking away. I just want you to be careful.
I am careful. Ive always been careful. I never go anywhere with strangers. Im street smart, honest. You guys know that, she said.
Just keep your doors locked, okay? Dan said.
I told you, Im always careful. I carry pepper spray, I dont talk to strangers and I dont open the door without checking through the peephole, Christina assured him.
The doorbell rang.
Christina jumped, then flushed in embarrassment.
Mike said, Ill get it, and headed down the hall.
Remember how much fun we had with this thing? Ana said, returning to the original subject. Christina wasnt sure why, but she was sorry shed kept the damn thing around. Ana seemed way too enamored of it.
Its Tony from next door, Mike said when he returned a minute later, two more people in his wake. And his fiancée, he added, stressing the word.
Tony went over to Christina, took her shoulders and gave her a peck on the cheek. Hed been a gaunt, geeky boy, but hed grown into a tall, well-built man. His eyes were gray, his hair sandy-colored, and his nose and ears were no longer too big for his face.
Hey, Tony, thanks for coming, Christina said.
Nasty fog out there, he said. I couldnt even see your house from mine.
Spooky, Ilona agreed.
Christina, you remember Ilona, dont you? Ana asked.
We met at the funeral, Ilona said, stepping forward to take Christinas hand. She had a warm grip and sympathetic green eyes. She was slim, with long, straight blond hair and a pleasant way about her.
Yes, of course we met, Christina said warmly. Congratulations. I didnt know the two of you were engaged. Whens the big day?
Oh, we havent planned that far ahead yet, Ilona said.
I say we ask the Ouija board, Ana suggested.
I say we have a beer and some barbecue, Mike protested from the doorway.
Oh, all right, but then we do the Ouija board, Ana insisted.
What about Jed? Should we wait for him before we eat? Christina asked.
My dear cousin will get here in his own good time, Ana said. He can eat when he gets here.
Sounds like a plan, Christina agreed.
Lets eat, then, Dan said.
Worked up a real appetite being a fluffy, huh? Ana teased.
Dan gave her a fake scowl as they all moved into the kitchen and started eating.
The conversation was general and pleasant as it moved from topic to topic. It turned out that Ilona had originally come from Ohio, which led to a discussion about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nice, easy stuff.
So why, Christina kept wondering, was she feeling so on edge?
Ilona asked Christina about her work, and she explained that writing advertising jingles was more difficult than most people thought, as well as a crucial element in selling the product. If you can get people to remember a jingle, then theyll remember the product, she explained. As she spoke, she could hear Dan, Mike and Tony talking about the murdered woman who had been found beside the highway.
When everyone seemed to have finished eating, Ana reached over for Christinas plate. Done with this?
Cleanup time? Dan said, noticing. Let me help. He came over with a large garbage bag and they all tossed their paper plates into it. Gran wasnt the type to let any of us get away without picking up after ourselves, right, Christie?
Right. But, she added, smiling to take any sting out of the words, its easier when all you have to do is grab a garbage bag.
Gran made us scour her copper collection every Sunday, Mike put in, a nostalgic smile curving his lips.
Yeah, and it was a pain in the butt, Dan said, and grinned at Christina. You gonna keep all that copper glowing forever? he asked. His eyes indicated the array of copper pans and molds lining the special racks their grandfather had constructed to hold the collection.
Of course, she said.
Better you than me, Dan told her, laughing.
Christina was always the keeper of the keys, Tony said, lifting his beer to her.
The keys? Ilona said, puzzled.
Christie was always the one who loved all the old family stuff, Tony explained. He sounded slightly impatient.
Oh, Ilona said in a cool tone.
Im sorry, Tony murmured, pulling her close.
Get a room, Dan teased.
Ilona laughed softly, blushing, and drew away from Tony.
Why would they get a room when they have a perfectly good house? Mike asked.
Forget it, its Ouija board time, Ana announced.
The parlor is a mess, Christina said.
We can just sit on the floor, Ana said, waving away her objection. Well start with Tony and Ilona. Maybe the Ouija board can give us a wedding date.
Sure, Tony said with a shrug.
Ilona giggled. Shouldnt we dim the lights or something?
Why not? Mike asked with a shrug, moving to the switch that controlled the lights.
Dan made a sound as if a soft and wicked wind were moving through the room.
Christina, arms folded against her chest as she leaned against the arched doorway, groaned.
Ilona and Tony set their fingers on the planchette, which began to move, finally settling over the J.
January, Ana breathed.
Its gotta be at least July, Tony said. Were just not ready yet.
Look at that, Mike said as the planchette started moving around erratically. She wants January, he wont be ready until July, and poor Mr. Ouija doesnt know what to do.
Youre pushing it, Tony accused Ilona.
Noyoure pushing it, Ilona protested.
Dont take it so seriously. Its just a game, Mike said lightly, as if aware that a real argument was in the offing.
And that was all that it was: a game, Christina reminded herself.
Fingers barely touching the planchette, Ana advised. Christina, come over here and help me show them how to do it.
Oh, all right. But were not doing this all night, Christina protested. She flashed a smile at Ilona. I want to learn more about how you and Tony got together. Who cares when the wedding is? Well all have a good time whenever you choose to have itif were invited, of course.
Of course youre invited, Ilona said.
All right, all right, Ana said. Just get down here.
Is it dark enough? Want it spookier? Dan teased.
That fog is spooky enough, Ilona said, and shivered.
Its just fog, Christina said, barely managing not to shout. Damn. It wasnt like her to be so edgy, but it was unnerving to realize how closely she fit the description of the victim of a serial killer.
Either a copycat
Or a maniac who had somehow escaped detection for twelve years.
And dont forget the moon, Ilona added.
Are you thinking werewolves? Tony teased her.
There are enough real monsters out there, Christina said. Theres no need to make up more.
There was a sudden uncomfortable silence in the room. She realized she had snapped out the words rather than simply speaking them.
Im sorry, she said quickly. What was wrong with her? It was just
It was just that stupid Ouija board and the idea of talking to spirits. She suddenly found the past welling up in her mind, a vision that was far too real. She could see Gran, after her grandfather had died. Sitting in her chair, looking at her so somberly. Shed dreamed that shed talked to her grandfather. A psychology professor had once told her that such dreams were defense mechanisms, a way to reconcile oneself to losing someone. But Gran had said, Its dangerous. You have opened a door.
That was just Gran and the Irish speaking. She had never had such dreams again. Not even when she had lost her parents.
All of that was far behind her now. She was a perfectly rational, sane person, and it was just the Irish sense of fun that made them all pretend to believe in banshees and leprechauns and even dreams.
Okay, Ana, lets show everybody how its done, she said, then lowered her voice teasingly. It was a dark and stormy nightno, it was a dark and foggy night, with a strange, full moon rising above the mist.
Her light banter didnt seem to be helping her mood any, she thought, and apparently it was obvious.
You okay, Christie? Mike asked.
Im fine, she snapped.
My fault, Mike said. Im sorry, I shouldnt have
Mike, Im sorry. I didnt mean to snap at anyone. I guess Im just tired.
Youre really okay? Dan said softly.
Yes, of course. Come on, Ana. Lets do this Ouija thing and be done with it, okay?
Hello, Ouija board, Ana said, as if she were greeting an old friend.
Christina forced a grin, then set her fingertips very lightly on the planchette, which took off, slowly spelling out Hello, good evening.
Is there a spirit in you tonight, Ouija board? Ana asked.
Is she for real? Christina heard Tony whisper to Dan.
Who knows? Dan replied.
Real? Real is what we make it, Mike put in.
Christina knew that she wasnt moving the planchette, so Ana had to be the one causing it to spell out the answer.
Y-E-S, Ilona read softly.
Who are you? Ana asked.
They all stared as the planchette began to move again and Dan read aloud, B-E-A-U-K-I-D-DBookid?
It must mean boo, kid, Mike said. Boo, like Halloween. Kid, like a trick-or-treater.
No, Dan murmured. B-E-A-U. Beau, like a mans name.
Like General Beauregard, the Confederate military leader, Tony offered. Right?
Beau Kidd. The detective who was supposedly the Interstate Killer! Dan gasped.
You did that on purpose! Mike accused Ana.
The hell I did, she retorted adamantly.
The thing moves by the power of suggestion, Mike said impatiently.
Ask him what he wants, Dan said. Watchit will spell out, I was framed. Im innocent.
What do you want? Ana asked the spirit softly, ignoring Dan.
Christina gritted her teeth, longing to lift her fingers from the planchette, but somehow she couldnt quite bring herself to do it.
The planchette continued to move.
It was Ana, damn her. She had to be forcing it.
But what was really unnerving Christina was that she didnt think Ana was forcing it.
Dan whispered behind them, Puh-lease. Youd think we were still teenagers, telling scary stories out in the woods.
Be quiet. Its spelling something, Ana said impatiently.
H-E, Mike began.
L-P, Dan finished.
Help, Ilona breathed.
Hang on, its not finished, Christina said.
They must be moving it, Tony whispered to Ilona. But theyre good. Spooky, huh?
Help, again, Mike said. Its getting kind of monotonous, dont you think?
What other letters added to help would make another word? Christina wondered as the planchette kept moving.
Help me please, Dan whispered.
The planchette was practically racing around the board.
Help me please help me please help me please.
Then, suddenly, it came to a definite stop in the middle of the board.
The room fell dead silent, even the doubters momentarily spellbound.
A thunderous knocking broke the silence and brought a scream from Ilonas lips. As if in response, the planchette seemed to rise and soar straight into the air.
And then they heard the front door burst open.
3
What the hell? Dan demanded.
Jed stared back at his old family friend, wondering why he looked so spooked. Okay, maybe hed opened the door a bit more forcefully than necessary, but it hadnt been locked.
Although even if it had been locked, he would have forced it open, anyway, he had to admit.
He was definitely on edge, he thought, but hed also heard someone scream.
You tell me, Jed said to Dan. What the hell is going on in here? I heard a scream.
Dan rolled his eyes. Sorry. He stepped back so Jed could come in and closedand lockedthe door after him. Good to see you, Jed. The screamer was Ilona, Tonys fiancée. She got spooked after Ana insisted on playing with the Ouija board.
Thats why the dim lights, huh?
Uh-huh, Daniel agreed dryly.
By then they had reached the parlor and Ana leapt up and rushed over to meet him, giving him a quick hug. You made it.
I said Id come, he told her, looking past her to Christina Hardy, who was slowly rising. She was one of those women with the ability to do normally awkward things with the sinuous grace of curling ivy. She walked over, a small smile on her face, and gave him a quick, friendly hug in greeting. Welcome. Theres still barbecue in the kitchen.
Good. Im famished.
Hi, Jed, Mike said. You know Tony, but have you met Ilona?
Jed nodded toward the woman at Tonys side. Theyd met briefly at the funeral. Nice to see you again, he told her.
You, too, Ilona said.
Did you know Jeds a famous writer? Mike asked.
Im not really famous, Jed said quickly, embarrassed.
Speaking of which, guess what name those two Mike paused to indicate Ana and Christina just dredged up. Beau Kidd.
Jed frowned. Even if his nerves hadnt already been on edge, the name would have stung. Damn it, he thought. He hadnt caused what had happened to the cop. He had just built fiction around the facts of what had already happened.