Bogie shook his head sadly. Sometimes I think it might have been better back in the bad old days when we were contract players for the major studios. Now, the young and the beautiful come out here willing to do anything for stardom. Anything. Cant help wondering what Jenny Henderson didor was willing to do. Or maybe her dreams had nothing to do with her death. Maybe she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The wrong place at the wrong time. How could that be possible? The studio was in lockdown. There should have been no one with access to the museumother than Alistair, Eddie and some of the department heads.
She winced inwardly.
It didnt look good for Eddie Archer. And it sure didnt look good for Alistair.
Sam Stone and the Curious Case of the Egyptian Museum, Bogie said. You know, the costuming and effects for that movie were done where you work. The place was Claymore Illusions back then.
I know, Madison told him. Thats why it seemed so perfect that the studio was hired for the remake. I think the fact that the place was used for creating props, costumes, illusions and whatever was needed for film noir is half the reason Eddie Archer loves it so much.
Eddie appears to be a talented man with a real appreciation for the past, Bogie said, not for the first time.
Madison let out a little cry, startled as something pounced onto the sofa beside her. She laughed at herself.
As if he knew she was upset and needed some warmth, Ichabod meowed and settled his furry body next to hers.
Hey! Bogie said softly. Its going to be all right. Dont go getting all jumpy on me now.
Madison forced a smile despite feeling a sense of dread.
It wasnt going to be all right.
* * *
Sean Cameron arrived in L.A. in the afternoon, when the sun seemed to spray down light like a fountain, and the bustle of the city was as frantic as ever. This might be Tinseltown, and massive movie deals might be taking place in any coffee shop, but it was also where hed learned that it was often the B-lister who had to put on pretensions, and where the working moguls could be as down-to-earth as their gardeners.
Such was the case with Eddie Archer.
Sean had spent five formative years working under Archer. The man was a genius when it came to creating creatures and special effects. To this day, Eddie loathed straight CGI or computer-generated imagery. Of course, effects were effects, but in Eddies view, to create what looked real, you had to start with something real. Thanks to Archer, Sean had learned a great deal about physical illusion as well as computer-generated magic. Hed worked with Eddie in many capacities, learning to create costumes and attachments, build creatures, as well as work with computers.
Archer certainly enjoyed his income and the fact that he was customarily sought out by the most important and influential names in the business. But above all, he still loved his art, and he loved sharing that excitement and enthusiasm with promising young artists, wide-eyed and in awe of the chance to work for him.
Sean had gotten a frantic call from Archer an hour before hed gotten the call from Logan Raintree, head of their Krewe of Hunters unit, telling him hed received an official request that they be brought in. He assumed that Eddie Archer had used his influence with someone above the local police and even the state police, because just when hed been about to tell Logan Raintree that he had to go to L.A. one way or another, Raintree had asked him to head out on the first flight and look into the situation.
Remember, if somethings impossiblethen its impossible, Logan had said. I know this man is an old friend of yours, a mentor. And I know you dont want his son to be guilty of murder. But our job isnt to hide things, fix things or help with creative defense mechanisms. Our job is to discover the truth.
Im aware of that, Logan, Sean had been quick to reply. He hadnt taken offense. Whenever a team member had any personal involvement in a case, it was important to note what priorities had to be maintained. Hed gone on to say, But I knew Alistair when he was a kid. Nice boy. Hes trying to figure out how to be his fathers son and his own man. And no, murder wouldnt be how hed plan to make his name. From what I understand from Eddie so far, the kid loved this girl. She used him, but he was crazy about her. And hes a basket case now. He was immediately arraigned, and hes out on bailArcher money and pull, I imaginebut hes basically locked up, anyway. Hes wearing an ankle monitor and hes at a mental hospital that deals with dangerous and suicidal clients. A posh place, I understand. Apparently its where the A-listers go when theres some kind of serious question about rehab, sanityor possibility of a criminal offense.
Im sure this place is the best money can buy, Logan had said.
Yeah. Archer loves his kid, Sean had told him.
And Eddie Archer did love his one and only son. Married three times, Eddie Archie had just the one child. Alistair was the son of his first marriage, to Annie Smith, with whom hed grown up in Valencia, California. Annie had been a fledgling actress, but her first love had been her family. Shed died when a vicious flu strain had swept through the world, shocking everyone with the deaths it had caused. Eddie had been absolutely bereft.
And then lonely. And Alistair had been left without the mother whod adored him. Eddie made up for that the best he could; he was always there for his son.
But although Annie had been as sweet and dedicated to a man as a woman could be, Eddie hadnt had much luck with women since her death five and a half years ago. When hed married Benita Lowe two years after Annies death, Sean had come to the wedding. He could have said right then that it wouldnt last. Benita had practically snatched the bill from the caterers hand and had a few things to say about the cost of the reception. Turned out she wanted Eddie to save his moneyfor her. That marriage had ended in a matter of months. A year ago, Eddie had given marriage another try, again with an actress, Helena LaRoux. Sean knew Helena; shed attended Eddies second wedding with her third husband. Sean hadnt gone to that wedding. Hed sent his best wishes to Eddie, hoping he was wrong in his judgment of Helena. Theyd had a few minutes to talk at Eddies wedding to Benita, and hed discovered that Helena apparently thought Benitas then-husband was superior to her own, as far as contacts and possibilities went.
Sean heard a horn beep and when he saw Eddies car across the divider realized hed been waiting in the wrong place, pretty sad considering the fact that hed lived in L.A. for five years and visited frequently ever since. He threw his garment bag over his shoulder and hurried over to slide into the passenger seat of Eddies sporty little Ford hybrid.
Hey, old friend, Eddie greeted him. Id give you a big man-hug, but they dont let you sit here long these days!
Just drive, my friend, drive, Sean said.
Eddie nodded and focused his gaze on the road ahead and the insanity of LAX. Thank you for coming, he said.
Ah, Eddie, you knew Id come if you called me.
Sean glanced at Eddie, who looked drawn and haggard, a lot older than his years. That was natural under the circumstances.
Youre sure youre okay, Eddie? Okay to be driving around?
Eddie nodded gravely. I wouldnt risk your lifeor my own. Alistair needs me. Im strong. I know my son is innocent, and it has to be proven.
Eddie nodded gravely. I wouldnt risk your lifeor my own. Alistair needs me. Im strong. I know my son is innocent, and it has to be proven.
Eddie did seem rational and in control, driving like an expert as he maneuvered the complicated airport exit and the California highway system.
From special effects to the FBI? Eddie asked. He tried to smile. I still marvel at that. I was in shock when you told me. Guess it must be your ability to create giant man-eating rats against a green background.
Hey, now, Sean said, trying to speak lightly. They didnt just pluck me out of the studio, you know. All right, well, they did at first, but you remember Id done some work with Texas law enforcement groups. And now weve gone through the training system at Quantico. My team and I, that is, he added. None of us was FBI when we formed. But you must know something about my team, Eddiebesides the little weve exchanged in phone conversations. Because I got the call from our team leader not long after I talked to you.
Eddie nodded. Ever since I was informed that my son was in a jail cell, covered in blood, Ive done nothing except rack my brains to figure out how we can prove that Alistair didnt do thisthat he couldnt have done it. I thought about you instantly, and the fact that youve become part of an elite unit.
Im not so sure they call us elite, Sean murmured.
Sean, the cops have gone through the security tapes. There was no one in or out of the cinema or the studio, other than Alistair and Jenny Henderson. There were no cameras running in the museum. It was closed. The whole thing is impossible. I know Alistair didnt do it. My attorney is suggesting we consider an insanity pleabut Alistair isnt crazy. He didnt do it.
Sean studied Eddie as he drove. The man was a father, desperate to save his son. Sean groaned inwardly; he hoped Eddie hadnt wanted the Krewe involved because he believed he had an old protégé working with a group that was part of the federal government. Did he figure Sean might help with an insanity plea? It seemed to him that a good defense attorney could get a person off on insanity in a dozen different ways. The television made me do it. The voices in my head made me do it. A video game made me do it, a book made me do it. The ghosts living in the old Black Box Cinema did it, not me. And if you imagined that a ghost did itor made you do itwas that as good as actual insanity?
Eddie, a ghostor a creaturedidnt kill the girl. I mean, if youre hoping we can come up with the spirit of a dead noir actor, its not going to fly.
Eddie looked at him, frowning. Sean, II know that. I dont believe a ghost killed anyone, either. Can ghosts kill someone? Or if a ghost ever did kill anyone, wouldnt it be that guilt or fear or terror simply overwhelmed that person? Sean, trust me, I dont think a ghost killed Jenny Henderson. But someone did, he said grimly. Someone who knows the studio. Whether its someone working there now or not, I have no idea. The police checked out the security footage and said, Hey, cut and dried, no one in there that night except for the security guardwho never moved. The guy didnt even take a piss until Alistair came running in to get him. Someone else was in that studio, Sean, and you know as well as anyone that what we see isnt always real, and that what looks real can be illusion.
Of course, Eddie, Sean said, feeling a little foolish. Was he a bit testy about being part of a unit that many questioned? The Ghostbusters of the FBI? They were still a new unit, and theyd met all the members of the original Krewe, so they knew what they were up against. Hed been involved in the case that had put this second group together, and it had been unusual, to say the least. But like most evil, it had come down to human greed and the horrible twists and turns the mind could take.
But
Hed also learned that there were others like himself and his cousin Kelsey. Those who could hear voices and see visions of people whod departed the physical realm.
Hed also gone through rigorous training. He was an excellent shot, should the need occur, even if hed always planned on living his life creating fantasy for entertainment purposes.
On both fronts, hed learned that perception was everything. They were dealing with a locked-room mystery, he thought. A classic puzzle, and every puzzle had a solution.
And Eddie had seen this, the key to vindicating his son.
I havent been in the studio in years, Eddie, Sean reminded him.
Yeah, I figured that, and some things have changed. Some storage has been moved around, but most of the structure is the same. Climate control or cold room, sewing section, constructionthose areas are all the same. Anyway, Ive asked one of my top young protégées to be your guide. Shell take you through the studio, answer any of your questions. Shes the perfect assistant for you right now.
Oh? Why is she so perfect?
Eddie glanced his way before looking back at the road, somber and thoughtful.
Because shes a lot like you. Shes quiet, doesnt say much about anything that affects her, butwell, shes either certifiable, crazy as a loon, or just like you. She talks to the dead.
2
Los Angeles County was known for its smog, but this afternoon was worse than usual. When Madison stepped outside to wait for Eddie Archer, she felt as though the day itself was in mourning for Jenny Henderson and the Archer family.
It was just the beginning of summer, and in the past few days the sky had been powder-blue with wonderful puffs of snow-white clouds; today, a fog had rolled in from somewhere and joined with the pollution of the massively populated area. She almost expected to hear crows caw in warning while bats took flight across a darkening sky. Like something of a 50s horror movie
Eddie Archers little hybrid car pulling up in front of her place brought her back to reality.
Eddie pulled to the curb. A man slid out of the passenger seat watching her as she approached. He seemed to fit right in to the California scene. He was tall, wearing dark glasses, and appeared to be fit and athletic, with a lean muscled frame. She slipped her own sunglasses on; sunglasses camouflaged a multitude of sins, or so they saidand allowed one to hide ones emotions.
As she reached the car, he extended a hand. Sean Cameron, Ms. Darvil. Please, take the front. Ill get in behind you. He had a low, smooth, throaty voice that suited his physique. Bogie, she thought, would label him a mans man. There was a quality about him that conveyed an inner easy confidence. She sensed his compelling masculinity and realized that meeting him, just feeling his handshake, made her want to know him. She lowered her head for a swift moment, willing herself not to flush.
Why on earth was she instantly attracted to a man shed barely met?
She steeled herself mentally, disturbed and annoyed with her own thoughts. Eddie was troubled. Alistair was in a grave situation. A beautiful young woman had been murdered. She was here to escort this man around the studio today, and that was it.
After you, he said.
She wasnt short, but neither was she exceptionally tall, at five-eight.
No, noyou take the front. She managed a casual grimace. Since Im staring up at you, its obvious you have much longer legs. He had to be six-three or six-four, she estimated. She felt she should tell him it was a pleasure to meet him, except that seemed kind of ridiculous at the moment. Im glad youre here for Eddie, she said instead.