Where dreams go to die...
Starring in a cult TV show was a blessing for Marnie Davante, especially now that her former fame could support her future dream of starting a childrens theater. So shell work the convention circuit. But then a costar is brazenly murdered in front of her. With a killer who vanishes into thin air with seemingly inhuman skill, and strange events plaguing Marnie, she feels she cant even trust her own senses.
Although his dear departed parents were famous actors, PI Bryan McFadden is about as far from Hollywood as you can get. The former military man is reluctant to get involved in such a bizarre case, but it quickly becomes obvious that Marnie is in grave danger, and he is compelled to help. Its unclear if the killer is an obsessed fan or something more sinister. Could the shows cast be cursed? How can Bryan keep Marnie safe when it becomes apparent theres a force determined to make this her final curtain call?
Also By HEATHER GRAHAM
A DANGEROUS GAME
WICKED DEEDS
DARK RITES
DYING BREATH
A PERFECT OBSESSION
DARKEST JOURNEY
DEADLY FATE
HAUNTED DESTINY
FLAWLESS
THE HIDDEN
THE FORGOTTEN
THE SILENCED
THE DEAD PLAY ON
THE BETRAYED
THE HEXED
THE CURSED
WAKING THE DEAD
THE NIGHT IS FOREVER
THE NIGHT IS ALIVE
THE NIGHT IS WATCHING
LET THE DEAD SLEEP
THE UNINVITED
THE UNSPOKEN
THE UNHOLY
THE UNSEEN
AN ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS
THE EVIL INSIDE
SACRED EVIL
HEART OF EVIL
PHANTOM EVIL
NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRES
THE KEEPERS
GHOST MOON
GHOST NIGHT
GHOST SHADOW
THE KILLING EDGE
NIGHT OF THE WOLVES
HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
UNHALLOWED GROUND
DUST TO DUST
NIGHTWALKER
DEADLY GIFT
DEADLY HARVEST
DEADLY NIGHT
THE DEATH DEALER
THE LAST NOEL
THE SÉANCE
BLOOD RED
THE DEAD ROOM
KISS OF DARKNESS
THE VISION
THE ISLAND
GHOST WALK
KILLING KELLY
THE PRESENCE
DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR
PICTURE ME DEAD
HAUNTED
HURRICANE BAY
A SEASON OF MIRACLES
NIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD
NEVER SLEEP WITH STRANGERS
EYES OF FIRE
SLOW BURN
NIGHT HEAT
Fade to Black
Heather Graham
Copyright
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2018
Copyright © Heather Graham Pozzessere 2018
Heather Graham Pozzessere asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Ebook Edition © May 2018 ISBN: 9781474082808
Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham
Graham stands at the top of the romantic suspense category.
Publishers Weekly
Graham is a master at world building and her latest is a thrilling, dark, and deadly tale of romantic suspense.
Booklist, starred review, on Haunted Destiny
Intricate, fast-paced, and intense, this riveting thriller blends romance and suspense in perfect combination and keeps readers guessing and the tension taut until the very end.
Library Journal on Flawless
Graham is a master at writing stories that weave the paranormal with the everyday. This book was a great read with twists and turns on every page that is classic Graham style.
RT Book Reviews on Wicked Deeds
A compelling and suspenseful case that keeps readers guessing until the end. Graham is a master at crafting stories that never feel old.
RT Book Reviews on Dying Breath
An incredible storyteller.
Los Angeles Daily News
Graham is the queen of romantic suspense.
RT Book Reviews
For Deborah C. Neff
Incredible bookseller and so much more
Incredible friend!
CAST OF CHARACTERS
The McFadden brothersBryan, Bruce and Brodie, all former military, now registered as private investigators
Maeve and Hamish McFaddencelebrated actors of screen and stage, killed tragically in an accident
The Krewe of Hunters
Adam Harrisonhead of the Krewe of Hunters
Jackson Crowfield director, Krewe of Hunters
Angela Hawkinsspecial agent, married to Jackson Crow
The Cast of Dark Harbor
Marnie Davantemost popular character, played Madame Scarlet
Cara Bartonplayed the matriarch
Jeremy Highsmithplayed the patriarch
Roberta Alanplayed the sister
Grayson Adairplayed the brother
Bridget DavanteMarnies cousin, a screenwriter
Vince Carltontelevision producer/director
Malcolm Dangerfieldpopular action actor
David Nealstage manager
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Booklist
Title Page
Copyright
Praise
Dedication
Dedication
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
About the Publisher
Prologue
Comic Con, Los Angeles
Blood-bone stepped out onto the show floor, his massive black cape sweeping around him, his supercharged sword lighting up the space around him in all colors of the rainbow. The black-masked and black-suited villain was from the new cable show Wolfson, which was topping ratings charts across the nation.
The character of Lars Wolfson, the hero of the show, had made several appearances that day as well, some costumes better than others.
But just as they liked to say women love bad boys, people of both sexes and all ages seemed to really love a good villain.
Young men and women, children, old men and old women clapped and all but swooned and rushed over to him. Blood-bone was the most popular new villain to grace the pages of comic books since the beginning of the written-and-drawn comic world.
He suddenly cried out, Those who oppose mepay! They pay the ultimate price.
The crowd around the actoror would-be actor, dressed up for Comic Congrew substantially, people everywhere snapping photos.
We bow to you, Blood-bone! the crowd called out in turn.
Jerk, Cara Barton declared beneath her breath.
Hes just playing, creating a good show, Marnie Davante said.
Lord, who are you? Pollyanna? Mary Poppins? Cara asked her, letting out a long sigh.
Hes just playing. Let him entertain. Relax. Try to have fun, Marnie said, offering Cara her beautiful and natural smile.
Marnie. She was the type who would make the best of it.
Cara wished that she could. But it was dismal.
No. It was beyond dismal. Continuing to plug a show that had been off the air for ages, just because she had no other options.
And still, sitting at their booth, Cara smiled as graciously as she could. It was a smile that shed practiced over the years, yet still felt plastered into place.
Hows this? she asked Marnie.
Grim, but it will do, her friend said, laughing.
Grim. Yes.
However, Cara kept smiling.
* * *
It was amazing; it was an unbelievable thrill. He was able to watch as if he were a fly on the wall, as if he were at a screening, seeing it all unfold. He knew the angles from which the cameras would be rolling; he could just see it all.
And he was the puppeteer. He was the producer, the director...
Everything all rolled into one.
He could already picture the blood.
Cold-blooded Comic Con? He needed a better title...
Act 1, Scene 1...
Cameras rolling.
Action!
* * *
The damned wannabe actor in the Blood-bone costume was really becoming annoying.
The few people who had been coming toward Cara Barton and the old Dark Harbor cast were now rushing off to see Blood-bone.
It was a comic-book convention, Cara reminded herself. And she knew how a comic con went.
Monsters roamed the floor in costumes that rated between the ridiculous and the divine. Superheroes in stretchy, skimpy attire were just as plentifulsome looking quite good, and some who obviously owned no mirrors. Booths sold T-shirts, toy weapons, jewelry, corsets, steampunk clothing and other items, makeup, art and just about anything that might relate to the comic world in any way.
The fans loved connecting with their favorite comics and movies and TV series. Writers row offered comics, graphic novels and novels of all kinds.
Artists row offered some fantastic pieces, from those who had long been in the business to those who were just starting out.
And then there was Actors Row.
The place where used-up B-list stars came to die.
Well, as far as Cara was concerned, it really was a kind of deathit was where one came to pray to sell enough twenty-dollar-a-shot autographed pictures to pay the rent for the month. Maybe that train of thought was a little melodramatic. The show was in syndication, and they all made residual money, but it did not provide for the lifestyle that many a popular actor had become accustomed to, so, in a sense, it was about a particular kind of survival.
But that was all going to hell. Theyd been just about to get some fansand then Blood-bone came out of the woodwork, swinging his great cape and his laser sword. If only he werent out thereprobably paid a fortune by the convention organizers to give the attendees a bit of a thrill for free.
Oh, the bastard! She didnt even know who was behind the mask. Blood-bone wasnt even always portrayed by the same actor. And at this freak show, anyone could dress up. There were actually dozens of Blood-bones roaming the convention room floor; it was by far the most popular costume of the year. Hell, she could put on the damned costume and lift shoes and play Blood-bone. In fact, if theyd let her, she would. That could mean some big bucks again!
But this Blood-bone was evidently committed to pretending to be the real thing. He postured and postulated. Everyone ran up to him, waving autograph books, begging him to pose for selfies with them.