When the season wasnt going on, there were still tours of the place, but they were more historical and factual in nature. From the end of September through the first days of November, however, it was a popular attraction. Like everything else in town, the burial ground on the property was decorated with the usualspiderwebs, fake rats, skeletons and, of course, a headless horseman. At Graces main place of employment, though, live actors took on the roles of historic personages, legendary beings and all kinds of ghastly and ghoulish creatures.
Im on my way to the door.
When Mo opened it, Grace burst in. She was full of fiery energy, a young woman with a generous mouth and a nose that was almost as generous. None of her features were exactly pretty, yet Grace was one of the most attractive people Mo knew. It was that energy of hers, Mo thought, or her simple love of life and her willingness to look for the best in everyone.
Oh, my God, thank you! Even at your place, I dont like waiting outside! Grace gave an exaggerated shudder. Not while all these terrible things are going on.
Grace locked the door behind her. Rollo woofed and she greeted him appropriately.
This is so awful. Can you believe it? You were probably there. You and Rollo... And such a good man dead. Oh, she added. Im out of work. For tonight, at least.
What? Really? Mo checked her watch. It was now going on five, and she was happy, relieved, to have Graces companionship for the evening.
We just got word. Theyll announce all the closings on the media soon, Grace told her. I just wonder what theyre going to do. The cops, I mean. How soon do they think theyll catch this guy? Maybe... Well, youd have to be crazy or a monster to commit these crimes. So a crazy monster is running around here. And youd notice a crazy monster, wouldnt you?
Monsters can live right next door, Mo said, and immediately regretted her words. Graces look of horror was absolute. Her mouth formed a silent oh.
Of course, whoever this is...it could be political, Mo said.
If it was just Highsmith. But two people were killed.
She might have been in the way, Mo said quickly.
A government conspiracy!
Oh, Grace, I really dont think so. I dont believe thats the case at all. But...I guess we should be vigilant for a while.
Well all go broke if we have to be vigilant for too long, Grace said. I dont want to die! But I need to be able to pay my mortgage. I should have gone your route, Mo. As in having a real career. You have your art and you volunteer, especially with Rollo! But you have a gift for working with animals. I wish I had a gift.
You do have a gift! You know this area backward and forward. People love you. Youve been given nothing but high ratings on the internet travel sites. And dont worry, the police will handle this situation, Mo said. Well be okay.
Moneywise, yeah, I should be okay. Im good at my job. The problem is Im a shoe hog. Jeez, Id have some financial backup if I didnt go crazy buying shoes. Its from all those years of watching Sex and the City. I shouldve been watching The A-Team or something.
Hey, we can always put some shoes up on eBay! Mo laughed. Anyway, I do have some savings.
Yeah...but thats your money.
The police are being cautious, thats all. Im sure this will be over soon.
Im feeling...trapped!
Mo rolled her eyes. Youve only been in the house fifteen minutes!
Yeah, I know. You got any movies? Oh, wait, youre working. Okay, you keep working. But Id love to see a movie. Nothing scary or creepy, though.
Mo went to her computer and saved her work. Well find a comedy we feel like watching. The remotes on the table by the TV. Pick out something on Netflix. Ive done enough work for the day.
Really? I dont want to mess you up, too. One of us needs an income!
Its fine. I finished the Valentines card I was working on.
Great! I locked the door, didnt I?
Ill check, Mo promised.
Grace headed to the family room in back, where the TV was, while Mo walked through the house to the front door, Rollo trotting behind her. She opened the door and carefully peered out.
Her house really was isolated.
Usually that seemed like a good thing, something she valued and enjoyed. But now...
The sky was overcast today. There was a breeze, and she could see the trees moving in the strange gray light. From her doorway, it was easy to imagine the past, the eerie land where darkness fell quickly over the groves of trees, and shadows chased each other beneath the moon.
There could be anything out there in those trees, she thought.
She closed and locked the door. It was late afternoon, and darkness would come soon.
* * *
Aidan knew that the convention center had been searched from top to bottom. Each of the thousands of attendees had been interviewed, a process that went on through the night, after which they were finally allowed to leave.
Taylor Branch, Richard Highsmiths right-hand man, was staying at an elegant new hotel recently built by one of the major chains. A police officer was on duty outside his room when Aidan and the detectives arrived. The officer had a chair for his vigil but had been standing near the elevator. He recognized Van Camp and Voorhaven and nodded as he was introduced to Aidan, then indicated that they could move on down the hall.
Taylor Branch greeted them in his suites sitting room, wearing a long white robe. His hair was damp and he appeared to have showered. He was a young manmaybe thirty-fivealthough he looked older at the moment.
Lee Van Camp performed the introductions. Branch didnt protest their arrival; he glanced at Aidan with red-rimmed eyes and asked, How? We were backstage. Richard and I were in the greenroom together. I left when Ms. Macaby, the convention hall manager, came to see what hed like to eat. When I returned, there was a cup of tea and a plate of cheese and crackers on the table in front of the sofabut no Richard.
Why did you leave? Aidan asked.
I had to consult with security. Theres a laugh for you, Branch said bitterly. Well, sit down, please. Im so tired and Ive gone over it all so many times, in my own mind, as well as for others, I can envision practically every minute.
They took seats. Theres coffee on the counter there. And a bottle of whiskey, he told them.
Thanks, Voorhaven said. Ill have some coffee. Anyone else?
Aidan looked over at him and nodded. Thanks. Coffee would be good. The newbie detective was making himself comfortable and therefore making Taylor Branch comfortable. Which was smart.
Lets start at the beginning, Aidan said. When did you leave New York?
Lets see...we left the city at around five in the morning yesterday. We checked in here. They were ready for our early arrival. Everyone loved Richard, even when they opposed him politically. Well, almost everyone, he added glumly. When I heard hed been foundand how...
His voice trailed off.
So, you checked in here around seven or eight? Aidan asked.
His voice trailed off.
So, you checked in here around seven or eight? Aidan asked.
I guess it was around nine when we got into our rooms. Branch cleared his throat. Richard was next door to me. His things are still there. Connecting door between these suites, he noted, pointing.
Well take a look before we leave, Aidan assured him. You have a key to the hallway door?
Ah, yeah. On the wet bar, Branch said.
Van Camp procured the key.
Go on, please, Aidan encouraged Branch.
You know, Ive gone through all this so many times.
Yes, and Im grateful youre going through it again for me, Aidan said.
Branch took a deep breath and then resumed. Wed stopped for coffee. That always makes me nervous, but we were traveling with private security. Richard hired a team himself. He said too many people use public money for things like that. And, of course, he isnt official yet, so...
So you stopped for coffee. How many in the security detail? Aidan asked.
Three men. The company is called Shields, Branch told him. And, of course, the men are still here. Richard called them Muscles, Mischief and Magic. Muscles is Cory Stile and youll see why they call him that. Mischief is the youngest of the guys and a flirtreal name Rob Little. And Magic is Ben Wilkes. Hes a retired SEAL. Knows his stuff and can get you in and out of anywhere in the blink of an eye. Theyre good. Theyve been with us about a yearever since the polls started saying Richard would win the mayoral race.
Theyre in the hotel? Aidan asked.
Across the hall, Branch replied.
So, you left this hotel when? Aidan nodded a thanks to Voorhaven as he handed him a cup of coffee. It was hot and black, and not bad for hotel-room coffee.
But then, in this kind of suite, Aidan figured it was probably gourmet coffee.
We had lunch at a restaurant in Tarrytown. Richard was wonderful, as usual, meeting people, speaking with them, shaking hands. Then we went on to the center. Cops were already there. The place had been thoroughly searched and everything seemed fine. We met with the audio-visual people, then headed back to the greenroom so Richard could get in some downtime before speaking. He and I were in there, and Jilli had just left. She works on schedules and that kind of thing.
A center employee, Bari Macaby, the manager I mentioned earlier, came to ask if we wanted anything. She went to order Richards snacks, and I went out to speak with Muscles, Mischief and Magic as well as the local cops. We were checking the metal detectors. When I came back in...Richard was gone. I hunted down Jilli first. She was onstage working with the AV people. She hadnt seen Richard. I found Bari Macaby in the auditorium, where shed been watching Jilli doing a sound check for the night. I panicked. I let everyone know I couldnt find Richard. Then we tore the place apart.
You called his cell first thing, I assume? Voorhaven asked.
Of course. He didnt answer.
Did the cell phone show up? Aidan asked next.
Not that I know of, Branch replied. He looked at Van Camp, who shook his head.
Were going to need your help. Well need you to hang around for a few days, Aidan told him.
Branch smiled grimly. I wasnt going anywhere. Helping Richard was my life. I swear, he was the best thing since Lincoln, to me, anyway. He had integrity and visionhe was an independent who was going to make it. He sighed. Ill be here. I have to decide what to do with my life now. I figure Im a suspect. But I was at the center when he disappeared. You can ask the security guys, Jilli, Bari... I didnt leave until this morning, when I heard that Richard had been found.
He sounded sincere. But Aidan had known some good actors in his day.
What about Mr. Highsmiths enemies? Anyone in the political arenaor any otherstand out for you? Youre his campaign manager, his chief aide, right? So, youd be the man whod know, Aidan said.
Branch thought. Every politician has enemies. Mark Jacobs from the far left, and Harvey Applebaum from the right. Lots of people just couldnt believe that a moderate who looked logically at all the issues could actually get in! But Jacobs was speaking in Central Park at the time, and Applebaums wife is in the hospital with a heart condition. He was with her all day yesterday.
What about strip clubs? Aidan asked. Did Richard ever visit one?
What? Branch was incredulous. Richard didnt have time for a strip clubor any other kind of club.
Come on, the guy was unmarried and you told us this morning that he wasnt with anyone, Voorhaven put in.
I didnt say hed never dated or had a relationship! Branch protested.
What about a jilted lover? Van Camp asked.
His last long relationship was with Julia Underwood. They split up last year. Shes a kindergarten teacher and the political scene was too much for her. It was an amicable breakup, Branch said. He opened his hands, staring down at them. Id give you a name if I had one, trust me on that. He shook his head. I cant see anyone doing something like this! Not to Richard.
No. But they might pay other people to do it, Aidan said quietly.
Branch shook his head again. He didnt want to believe it. No one did.
Did he have a close friend named Elizabeth or Lizzie? Aidan asked. Does the name mean anything to you?
There are a lot of Elizabeths out there, Branch said. No one who was special in Richards life, that I was aware of, anyway. He was an open man, but I didnt pry. I admired him. He was my friend. That doesnt mean I knew everything about his life.
Aidan rose, setting down his cup on the table beside his chair. Thank you. We may need to ask you more questions later.
Like I said, Ill be here, Branch told them, rising, as well. Im about to hit the whiskeyand try to sleep.
At the door, Aidan paused. Where will we find the security guys, Bari Macaby and Jilli
Jillian Durfey. Jillian is down the hall on the other side of Richards room. The security men are across from us, Branch said, pointing at the doors. Muscles, Magic, Mischief. Did you want to go through Richards room? Its locked because of the investigation, of course, but...
Well have a chat with one or two of the others first, Mr. Branch, Aidan said.
Sure. Whenever you need me, Im available.
Oh, by the way, you know a woman was murdered, too? Aidan asked.
Branch nodded dully.
Any idea who she might have been? Was Richard seeing someone recently? Even casually? Did any aides or groupies or anyone like that disappear?
No. Richard was a straight shooter. He wasnt seeing anyone right now. He was focused on the campaign. We traveled here with just the security men, Jilli, me and Richard. Were not that far from the city, you know. This should have been a speech and some hand-shaking. But...
His voice faded, but then he suddenly stared at Aidan, eyes narrowing. Aidan Mahoney.
Yes.
Your name was on one of his lists. You were going to be invited to a dinner. You...knew Richard? he asked.
Yes, Aidan said. Thank you for your help. Well be in touch.