As they walked, Madison asked, Is it always like that? I mean, it felt like he was throwing massive webs of power and testosterone there. Arent you both working toward the same goal, as in the truth of what happened?
Sean Cameron grinned at her; he was strikingly good-looking, she realized again, and could have been in the movies instead of the magic behind them.
Step back, think sanely. Youre just here as a guide, she reminded herself.
She still wasnt quite sure how one went from being a visual fabricator and creator to an FBI agent, but she was glad to see his grin. She had to admit she hadnt relished this assignment and wished they could rewind timego back twenty-four hours, make sure Alistair Archer was nowhere near the Black Box Cinema last night and that the entire place had been locked down tight. Then shed be at work, consulting with her colleagues, studying sketches, and then computer simulations, discussing materials.
Sometimes the L.A. cops have taken a beating when they havent been the ones to mess things up. And if youre asking whether law enforcement agencies can be territorialyou bet. I actually belong to a unit of people who are ready to stand down, suck up when necessary and just get our part done. But yes, we are all working toward the same goal, and a team like mine doesnt have the manpower to do it alone. If you have good cops on your side, youre ahead of the game.
You worked for Eddie for several years, right? Madison asked him.
Yes. Then I returned to Texashad a close friend with cancer, and I wanted to be around to help with what was needed.
How did you find your way into law enforcement?
I didnt. It found me, he said.
They were in front of the studio door now. He indicated that she should get out her key, and she knew that their conversation on his history was over.
Madison fumbled in her purse and produced the key, then opened the door and stepped inside. As shed expected, once theyd entered the vestibule, she saw Colin Bailey on duty behind the little glassed-in reception area.
During the day, when work was in progress, two people handled the reception desk. The hallways that led down to the studios, work areas and offices werent locked, but a security officer usually sat in front with the receptionist. Today, no receptionist was on duty, but Colin Bailey was there, formidable despite his age. Colin had been a boxer in his day. Like the cop shed just met, he was bald, but his bare pate was a present from nature, and not the work of careful shaving. He had bright blue eyes and jowls that would have done a bulldog proud. His nose had been broken a dozen times and looked it.
He could be gentle as a lamb, but when it came to defending Eddie Archer or his property and reputation, Colin turned into a cobra.
Theres no entrance! Absolutely noOh! Madison, its you. And the FBI man, I assume? Bailey rose from his swivel chair, opened the door dividing the entry from the reception area and came out to greet them. He inspected Sean, and then smiled. Why, its you, kid! he said with enthusiasm. I thought I got the name wrong or something! He took Seans hand and shook it with enthusiasm. Wow, its true! So youre a G-man, huh? For real?
For real, Colin, my friend, for real, Sean told him. So, youre doing well?
Great! Bailey said. Well, until last night, he added, his smile fading.
You were on duty?
I was. And I take that seriously, as you know, especially during lockdown.
You had your eye on the video screens? Sean asked.
Bailey grimaced. For all the good it did. And the cops have the video now.
The cameras still cover the same areas?
Bailey nodded. He motioned to them to join him in the reception area. As they walked in, Madison realized shed never been there herself; shed never thought about the security cameras.
There was a bank with six screens. One showed the entry. Another focused on the main work area, encompassing the shop, the main construction area and, somewhat obscured, the rest of the floor. Another screen covered the parking lot, and yet another, the upstairs hallway. One showed the cemetery and parking lot to the right if one were facing the studio entrance, and another showed the side of the Black Box Cinema.
You cant see the entrance to the Black Box, Madison noted.
The Black Box Cinema has its own security camera that focuses on anyone coming through the main entrance, Bailey told her. But as you can see, these screens will tell you if anyone is entering the studio by the main entrance, and if anyone tried to get through the fire exits, an alarm would have gone off.
Theres no security footage for the tunnelthe museumitself? Sean asked.
Yes, but its seldom used, Colin said. There never seemed to be a reason. No ones allowed down there except by appointment or on movie nights, and theres always a guide with anyone who does go down. Film noir buffs always want to see it, but its not like its the biggest tourist attraction in Hollywood or anything. The cinemas Eddies babyhas been from the start. He grew up loving film noir, and I guess he feels its just a little collection he shows friends, even if the friends are people he doesnt know. You can ask for a tour if youve come to see a movie. You dont even have to pay the nominal five bucks, just bring your ticket stub during opening hours. Like I said, there never seemed to be much need for security down there.
Sean Cameron didnt respond to that. Maintaining a pleasant expression, he said, Thanks, Colin. Madisons going to catch me up on any of the changes that have happened around here since I left. Well check back in before we leave. Obviously, we have to leave this way, dont we?
Bailey nodded. Unless you open a fire door and, if you do, alarms will go off like firecrackers. He grinned at his own mild joke.
Sean looked at Madison. If we go to the right, thatll still lead us to the main work areas?
Yes, the hallway to the left has two meeting rooms, plus the stairs up to the offices and meeting rooms on the second floor.
He moved quickly, heading to the right. She followed him at the same pace.
The studio seemed strange. Empty. She came in early sometimes, but a lot of workers did, and Madison couldnt remember a single time when shed come in and one of the seamstresses or construction engineers hadnt already been at work. The sounds of sewing machines, electric saws, hammers and other work-related noises were constant, although someone usually had a stereo system playing pop music or rock classics. Today, there was no stereo on. Materials were piled up on the tables that stood by the sewing machines, and the shop area itself felt eerie. It was almost like walking into a home whose owners had mysteriously disappeared.
The walls were pinned with fabric and materials and drawings. Creatures theyd made for movies, shows or advertisements were lined up on the floor and arranged on shelvessome might be used again, and some were kept because theyd required a great deal of work and had turned out exceptionally well. They also kept some of the projects that hadnt worked quite as well, a reminder of the thought and care that needed to go into any creation.
A giant rat stood next to an equally large penguin. The rat had been used in a public service announcement and the penguin had been animated to advertise a new adventure park in Oregon. Robotic creatures from the last sci-fi movie theyd worked on were lined up together, and above them was an old bicycle being ridden by a very evil-looking big, bad wolf. Zombies created for Apocalypse from Beneath the Sea were against the far rear wall, and the bloodied victims from a Victorian-era murder mystery were on the high shelving ten feet above the floorabove the zombies. Madison noted that Sean was staring at the victims, Miss Mary, Parson Bridge and Myra Sue. He was thoughtful, and she suspected he was imagining that the appearance of Jenny Hendersons body must have been disturbingly similar to these props. The studio was known for the realism of what they created.
Life imitates art and art imitates life. In this case, the question is which came first, Sean murmured.
Madison glanced down, troubled by the creatures that were just rubber, plastic, fabric and paint. Shed drawn the designs for some of them; shed dressed Myra Sue. Suddenly, Myra Sue and the other victims didnt seem like props designed for a movie. They looked like flesh and blood.
A lot of blood.
Madison found herself turning away from Myra Sues one sightless eye.
Fire door is still in the back, right? Sean asked her.
She nodded. Between these guys and the Planet Mondo air creatures over there, she said, pointing to the door. There was a large sign that said Fire Door, but it was partially obstructed by the wings of one of the Planet Mondo air creatures.
Hasnt changed much, Sean said. He nodded to one of the giant robots across the workstations, beside the climate control room. I worked on Hugoman. Hes been here awhile.
Really? Hes fantastic. And I love the movie! Madison said. She did love the creature in the movie Hugoman. He was the invention of a mad scientist whod given him his sons personality through partial cloning; the massive machinelike creature was kind and fought only to save lives. Of course, hed been misunderstood, and when hed saved the community from an attack by mutant creatures, he had dieda moral about judging people, or creatures, on appearances. Hugoman had actually been low-budget and promoted as an action/monster flick, but it had been extremely well written and had become a cult classic.
She flushed; they were here because of a murder, and because someone they both cared about had been accused of that murder. And yet, she wasnt sure why they were just touring the studio. The murder hadnt taken place in the studio; it had happened in the museum tunnel.
He wasnt appalled by her sudden enthusiasm; he smiled at her. Thanks. I loved working here. I needed to go back to Texas for a bit, and thenthen you get swept up in life, so I wound up staying and working there. But I did love the time I spent here, working for Eddie Archer. I was proud that we helped create a cult classic on a budget. His tone became businesslike. So, as far as I know, thats our fire door on this side of the building downstairs, and we have another over by the offices?
It took her a second to follow his quick change of subject, but she managed not to blink.
To the best of my knowledge, yes, she told him. And there are corresponding exits upstairs, with ladders in case of fire. Eddies always been very careful, dealing with some of the flammable materials as we do.
Sean nodded. Okay, whats going on in the shop. What are you working on right now?
Dont you know? she asked.
No, I dont.
Its kind of ironic. Were working on a remake of Sam Stone and the Curious Case of the Egyptian Museum. Its updated, and its been retitled The Unholy. The script is really goodand different enough to make this a different movie. From what Ive seen so far, Id compare it to Disturbing Behavior, which was, in essence, a remake of Hitchcocks Rear Window.
Sean frowned. A remake of the movieand Jenny was killed in front of the tableau?
Yes.
Thats not just ironic, he told her. That sounds intentional. And it changes everything.
The original movie was filmed well over half a century ago. What could this have to do with the movie were making now?
Everything, he said curtly. It could be a motive for murder. And lockdownthats incredibly important, too. Lockdown should eliminate anyone who isnt close to the studio.
Madison spoke through clenched jaws. She wasnt in the FBI or the police; she wasnt required to understand motive and investigation. Even when were not in lockdown, the curious cant just wander in. I have to have permission to bring in a guest on a regular day, and I wouldnt have been given permission at all now.
Well, theres permission, and theres giving yourself permission by dodging the rules. On a regular day, someone could try to slip someone else in.
What about the security cameras, Sean? People here dont want to risk their jobs.
Of course not. Still
He walked toward the climate-controlled room, but looked through the windows for a moment, and never tried the door. He seemed uninterested.
Wheres your workstation? he asked her.
Her work area was a few feet from the climate-controlled area. She pointed it out to him, and he went over to it.
It seemed bizarre that everything was just where shed left it on Friday night. There were pieces of the leather coat shed chosen for the costume of actor Oliver Marshall, playing antihero Sam Stone in the new movie.
I saw the movie as a kid. But refresh me, Sean said.
What did this have to do with the murder?
In a nutshell? There are a series of murderspeople ripped to shreds by something in the night. Then an incredibly wealthy philanthropist with a gorgeous young wife is found murdered in a similar manner in his Egyptian Museum. The cops want to arrest the wife, so she goes to Sam Stone. Various clues suggest shes the murderer, but she denies it. The movie is great because it leaves the audience wonderingwas something supernatural happening, or could it all be explained? The Egyptian mummy supposedly sent from the Department of Antiquities turns out to be a priest heading an ancient cult and in the end, needless to say, he proves to be the murderer. Sam Stone falls in love with the wifeDianna Breenbut she dies at the hand of the priest before shes proven innocent.
Whos playing Sam Stone? Sean asked.
Oliver Marshall.
Hmm. How is he to work with?
Hes fine. Hes always in the tabloids for being a party boy, but hes polite and courteous, shows up for his fittings and works well with everyone behind the scenes. Hes very pleasant and makes everyone at the studio think hes just one of the gang. I like him.
Good to hear. Whens the last time he was in?
Friday. I was working on his costume. She gestured at the fabric on the table. He was in for fittings. Sam Stone carries concealed weapons, so everything about the costume has to fit perfectly.
Thosecreatures evoked by the Egyptian priestwhats his name? Sean pointed to some of their newest creations, including giant fanged jackals, birds and bizarre giant snakes.
The priest is Amun Mopat, and yes, theyre for the movie.
What will the priest be wearing? Same type of costume as in the film noir? Sean asked. And whos playing him?
That role hasnt been cast yet, Madison told him. Theres a mannequin over by the wall with a mock-up of the robe hell be wearing. Its an homage to the original film. Almost exactly the same.
Where? Show me.
Madison walked over to the mannequin that stood behind one of the jackal-like monsters created for the movie.
There was nothing but a plain brown monks robe on it.
She looked at Sean as shivers of fear streaked down her spine.
The robeit was just a mock-up. But its gone, she said. I suppose someone might have taken it. Mike Greenwood could have shown it to someone. Ill ask Mike and Eddie where it is.