The High Priestess (The Darkest Desires Series Book 1)

by N. M. Brown

  Sometimes, it’s was just too easy.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Despite Officer Forts apologies, she was still frog marched out of the car and into the station. She was paraded in front of the morning staff in nothing but her skimpy t-shirt and tussled hair. Her long pale legs dazzled and surprised the on-lookers and she knew that her perky boobs had a lovely tight nip-on. Fort, despite his new judgement of the world, tried to be decent and offered her a coat, but Echo just gave him a smile and a resounding no. If they demanded to drag her in at this hour, they got her as she came.

  Now sat in the interrogation room, Echo cursed the triple shot tequilas she’d had that night; she didn’t want to be there. When Archer had told her to stick close to the case, she doubted he meant this close.

  The only door with one solitary window in its centre opened as Detective Hale and his partner McQueen walked in. “Ms. Headly.” Hale smiled, taking the seat opposite her, while McQueen placed a camera on the tripod. He hooked it up to an external lead she had no doubt linked to the blocky TV outside for viewing pleasure. “I’m sorry you were dragged in at such an hour-,

  “No, you’re not. Don’t start with the bull shit Detective. It wins you no brownie points.” She growled, eyeing McQueen as he sat.

  Hale clasped his fingers together in front of him. “Really, Ms. Headly, we are.” He smiled, getting comfortable. “I asked the officers to collect you at a reasonable time. Wires must have been crossed somewhere.” Echo snorted but didn’t comment. She hoped Officer Fort was out there listening. Lies from a superior Officer would surly throw fertilizer on his sprouting seed of doubt.

  McQueen cleared his throat. “For the tape currently marked 0/03, this is the Echo Headly Interview with Detective Hale and Detective McQueen regarding the murders of Mr. Farrows and Mr. Waver; case 3-4-5-9. We will now begin. Ms. Headly has been offered but has refused the right to an attorney at present.”

  Echo yawned dramatically, part in truth but mostly for show. “Yes, yes, yes, how dull.” Looking at Hale she smiled, teeth bared, and hackles raised. “Shall we get this over with? Am I under arrest?”

  “No, Ms. Headly, you are not under arrest-,”

  “Well I’ll see you fuckers later.” Standing, Echo made for the door, hips swaying and hair swinging side to side.

  “Please, sit down Ms. Headly. If you walk out, we will charge you as an uncooperative witness and we will arrest you for a full seventy-two hours.” Echo slowed as she came to the door, pondering for a heartbeat. Spending time in the dirty, dank cells they had here made Echo’s skin crawl and seventy-two hours was a long ass amount of time…

  Reaching her arms above her head in a lazy stretch, she allowed her shirt to rise high enough to brush her hip bones. She was fully aware she didn’t wear any underwear to bed and now the Detectives were too. Spinning back round she was all smiles and pleasantries. “So harsh Detective? You should have just said it was some simple questions. What can I help you with today?” Gracefully she slid back into the chair.

  “We’d like to go back over your statement.” Hale was reading from the file in front of him, but his eyes were trained on her.

  Echo gritted her teeth. “Sure. Repeating myself sounds like fun.” Her smile didn’t waver.

  “You said you were upstairs when the police were called? How did you know this?”

  Echo waited a heartbeat to see if the Detective was serious, but it sadly seemed he was. “Well Detective, I had been upstairs for most of the night. Samantha shows can go on some. I wasn’t aware the police had been called until Sydney rushed into the room blubbering.”

  “So, Ms. Summers is your alibi?”

  “Yes. But why would I need an alibi? Surely you don’t think I’m a part of this?”

  But Hale ignored her question. “Did you not think it might have been a good idea to have secured the crime scene when you were told about it by Ms. Summers? When the first officers arrived on scene, there were a number of customers who were far tooclose to the crime scene.”

  “Secure the scene? Detective, that’s your job. Besides. They were dead. What was I meant to do?”

  Half of Hales mouth twitched down into a frown and Echo guessed that wasn’t the answer he wanted. “You don’t seem shocked at all by the case Ms. Headly. Almost as if the dead don’t bother you? As if the brutality of the murder doesn’t upset you?”

  Oh, if only he knew, Echo thought with a snigger. “I am deeply saddened by their deaths Detective,” Lie, “And it would bring me great pleasure for the murderer to be brought to justice,” Also a lie, “But I really don’t see what you think I could have done? The poor men were dead and its very unlikely the murderer had stuck around. I’m not a vigilante, I don’t condone violence,” Biggest, fattest lie ever, “I could have done nothing to save your crime scene.”

  Hale had nodded along in understanding as she spoke, but she suspected it had all gone in one ear and out the other. “So, in being unable to ‘save our crime scene’, we lost a lot of evidence and the murderer got the spectacle they wanted.” Hale focused on Echo with daggers in his eyes. “There were a great many things you could have done Ms. Headly: shut the house, the road in and out, kept everyone inside, allowing us to do our job and question people. You could have helped identify the victims quicker, as I believe you held back on us in your first interview.” Hale crooked a smile. “Almost as if you want to obscure the investigation. Almost as if you don’t want the police to succeed.”

  It was Echo’s turn to frown. “What in Hell are you hinting at?” She scoffed, flicking her eyes to McQueen, but he was an arrogant little pile of shit. She could feel his smugness enveloping the room. He hadn’t moved or spoken but he reeked of pride, swelling in his heart and eyes.

  “Well, we found some fascinating information about you Ms. Headly which was rather interesting.” Hale opened the file in front of him, “What can you tell me about, Adin Headly? Your brother I believe.”

  A stone-cold facade dropped over Echo’s eyes and while her smile remained, it was fake and brittle. Anger spiked in her veins and a cruel gleam twinkled in her eyes. She hoped there was some form of sadness of her face; there were roles to keep up, but she doubted it. “Adin is-… was my brother. Not by blood but more than close enough. But last I checked, it was more than impossible for my dear Adin to be a part of your current case. Where do you think this line of enquiry is going?”

  Hale had leant back on his chair, while McQueen had edged forward and seemed more than pleased to take the lead, straightening in his seat. “Adin was your brother. A serial killer none the less.”

  “So?” Echo kept her eyes glued to McQueen's. Let’s see what was ticking in the little sleuth’s head.

  “So? You don’t think it would have been of interest to us that your brother, blood or not, was a serial killer? A horrific murder, God rest their souls, took place on your land. His land? You didn’t think we’d find it suspicious that his sister still lives’ in said House.” Whether McQueen expected Echo to reply or not, she wasn’t sure. He didn’t give much time between each question, but Echo was happy for them to steam-roll over their own feet. So, she sat back and calmly watched McQueen storm ahead. “You lived with a serial killer Ms. Headly and now there’s another murder. You can see why we might find this odd?”

  Odd? Seriously? Echo wondered if these Detectives could hear themselves. Just because you lived with a vegan didn’t make you a leaf eating pansy. But as much as she might like to have said that, Echo had to story to keep up.

  “Adin was my brother. He meant the world to me. What would there be to find odd? Never in the history of serial killers has a family member turned around and said, ‘oh yes, I knew all along’. So, I still don’t understand what you are trying to get at sweetheart.”

  McQueen smiled with a slight triumphant kick. “Do you think your brother could have had an accomplice? Someone who’s just mounted the confidence to attack now?” The was a glint to the Detectives eye that Ech
o didn’t like. “Someone who was once close with your brother? Perhaps close enough to call blood.”

  Echo blinked at the Detective for an extra second before her jaw dropped and a howling laugh filled the interrogation room. “Oh. My. Devils.” Echo gasped trying to catch her breath. Neither of the two detectives looked impressed but Echo didn’t care. This was the funniest thing she’d heard all week.

  “You think killing people is funny Ms. Headly.” McQueen snapped.

  “Oh, Hells yes.” She snorted, her chest heaving with lungs full of air. “It’s fucking hilarious. You think I killed them.” She sniffed and wiped away an imaginary tear. “I’ve been insinuated in a lot of deeds Detective McQueen, but this, this is the cherry.”

  Laugher sure wasn’t the reaction the Detectives had been expecting and McQueen was starting to shift unconsciously. “Care to elaborate?”

  She smiled. “Well. Where to begin? For starters, I’m assuming you found my brother’s name in a file, did some digging, found a connection and thought, she-dun-it.” A flush crept on McQueen’s cheeks confirming it.

  “There is no denying your brother was a killer Ms. Headly.” McQueen ground out. “His heart was evil, and he thought only of murder. That’s a very volatile personality to be around.”

  “Yes, Adin was evil,” Echo rolled her eyes, “And he also died years ago. Death by cop actually. I remember it vividly because I saw the bullet ridden body. I was also involved in Adin’s case though not because I cleaned his knives for him after.” She waited to see if McQueen or his silent partner Hale would guess thepunch line, but perhaps not. “I was the witness that set your half-minded cohorts onto his trail. I passed information to help with his capture and later his death.”

  “And so, you don’t find it at all suspicious that you were deep in a case involving a serial killer and then a grisly murder takes place next to where you work? You didn’t think old memories would be brought up?” McQueen looked at her doubtfully, his eyebrows elevated high as he tried to catch the fraying threads of whatever idea he had. “You were so helpful before, you could be again? Is that what you thought? As long as there was another murder?”

  “Why would I think that?” Echo asked, shrugging her shoulders. Looking at Detective Hale and then McQueen, a crooked smile formed on her lips. “In fact, why would you? He killed so she must kill too? Is that what you thought? Good for you.” Turning her sights to McQueen, Echo relished in the feeling of his pride turning sour as the uncertainty slowly clawed at the walls of his gut. “But you didn’t read what he would do to his victims, did you Queenie? If what your saying is true, I would be killing the victims in the same way my brother did?”

  She watched the Detectives, as both their pallor’s slightly paled and Hale started to squint again, his coco eyes lost amongst his dark eyelashes. “A murderer is like every other Ms. Headly, too be so close to two isn’t a coincidence.” He tried to defend himself and his partner.

  “Yes Detective, I totally agree. But Adin…” Echo uncontrollably smiled at the memory, “Adin’s kills were, ‘works of art’ I believe the coroner called them. He was meticulous, making their torture last for weeks on end. He would have two, even three victims at once at various locations at different times. He ruled them by fear, slowly allowing their hopes to rise, thinking of freedom, before coming back and slicing them open once more. He made them beg for death. Days would pass, and he wouldn’t go to them. They’d try to escape, and he would suddenly show up, more vicious and blood thirsty.” Echo blinked and landed hard back in the ugly green room. “He would tell me all about it.” She fought to keep the whimsical tone form her voice and focused on remembering where she was. “But I was, as you said, so deep in the case, because I helped put an end to my brothers’ tyranny. Do these recent murders sound anything like my brother’s tyranny Detectives?”

  McQueen looked sick and Hale had clenched his fists. They couldn’t have known really what Adin was like. McQueen was too fresh off the boat, and Hale had been riding in his own parade when Adin had exploded through the station and what an explosion it had been. His crimes had been neatly kept under wraps for a few years by yours truly, before Echo slipped up, on purpose of course. Adin hadn’t lasted a month without her. “Ms. Headly-,” McQueen began but Echo wasn’t finished.

  “No, no, I’m not done. So, let me guess, you either thought I, what? Attracted serial killers?That they come to me? Or, that I was the killer? It is a lovely story gentleman, but let’s count, shall we?” Echo held up her fingers. “No evidence, no motive, no means and I have an alibi for the entire evening. I would find you the inspiring policeman whose performance we all enjoyed, but I believe you have his name on file? Did you fire those poor officer’s or not? If he’s out of a job, we always have an opening or two at Cardinal House?” There was distinct silence after that, neither Detective quite knowing what to say. So, Echo watched them both through triumphant eyes. “So, this what the great Detectives of the back-waters do? Do you spend your time hunting the monster under the bed? Chasing rabbits down holes and making up stories as you go?”

  “That will be enough, Ms. Headly.” Hale almost snapped, but for now he was keeping his temper. He cleared his throat instead. “The procedure of the Police Force is not something we discuss with civilians.” He said scornfully.

  Ooooo, Echo thought, a civilian, what a burn. “Of course, Detective. I meant nothing by it. Now, as for my involvement in this-, heinous act?” She asked, knowing the answer before it was said, but it’s always fun to rub salt in the wound.

  Hale spoke, McQueen lost in his own embarrassment and shame. “We never said we believed you to be the killer Ms. Headly. We merely wanted to collect all the necessary information.” Echo gave him a knowing smile. Necessary information her ass. “We apologise if we’ve offended you in anyway. Past crimes can often affect current ones, especially when in such close proximity like these two. Thank you for assisting us with both.” Hale’s voice was stiff and hard but polite and professional. All for the camera of course.

  “No need to apologise Detective,” Echo answered, equally stiff, arms folded across her chest. “Adin was my brother. I was aware of his spree and gave any assistance I could. I shall extend my help in this case too, as you both seem so ready to involve me.”

  “That won’t be necessary either.” Hale ground out. Closing the folder, hiding his rage, Hale stood, his over bearing figure leaning, attempting to be domineering. Too bad for the Detective, Echo had met much scarier things than him. “Thank you for your time Ms. Headly. I’ll find an Officer to escort you home.”

  “So, can I go?” She’d almost forgotten she lounged in her night shirt and she was starting to feel the nip in the air to the point it was uncomfortable. Hale nodded, and McQueen looked like a kicked puppy. It made Echo warm inside. “Excellent. No need for an escort, I’m sure by now Jacob is waiting for me. He always knows when I need a ride. And lets both admit, I was never going to be here long.” She smiled as she stood, a fake one that mirrored Hale’s. McQueen had kept his head low. “Well gentlemen, as fun as this has been, let’s not do it again anytime soon.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  As predicted, Jacob was waiting, but he didn’t ask what had happened, or if it had gone well. He either didn’t care or more than likely already knew. He had a funny way of doing that; knowing things. Walking out to the car, Echo may have looked victorious on the outside, but she felt the turmoil rolling inside. Adin was in the past and yet he came up again and again. Over and over she was reminded of what happened; of what she did. When Archer had asked her to keep close to the case this wasn’t what she had in mind. And that Detective. McQueen. It was all his fault. Adin should be dead and buried. Not be dragged up again and again.

  Echo seethed all the way home, the whole time running what that smarmy Detective had said: ‘God rest their souls’? And later, that Adin had evil in his heart? That shit was from the bible. That man must think he’s so much better than her. So mu
ch more… pure.

  A wicked grin crawled across Echo’s face as she remembered the complete horror she’d felt off him in the Summer Annex. He’d been like a new born deer suddenly thrown in front of headlights.

  Well, well, well, Mr. Detective McQueen of the quiet Rippling Station was a holy bower. A knee scrapper. A religious toff. Walking from the car, not saying a word of thanks, Echo began to scheme. Oh, what fun it would be, to drag that self-serving, arrogant man from his mighty perch. What joy it would be to pull him all the way down to Hell where his scorned, unfaithful ass could keep her company. What fun indeed.

  VII

  The rest of the day had been a bust, though McQueen prayed and prayed and prayed for a miracle. He’d skipped church that Sunday morning, but had hoped while in high spirits, he would go this evening. But it was only half ten in the morning and that was looking less and less likely. The tech teams were going through the victim’s online profiles with a fine toothcomb, but everyone documented their life full of nonsense and rubbish. It was hard to dig and find the real dirt.

  Two, who still refused to give McQueen his real name, had now moved from Photographer to computer analysis. They’d been conferring between emails; which McQueen frustratingly found gave no real names either. Encrypted up the nose, McQueen’s was simple enough; his first name initial and his former full name, followed by the stations address. Two’s, which McQueen disliked calling him for the sheer rudeness, was: the word two, followed by several number two’s, and what McQueen assumed were Roman numerals. Complex and McQueen had no doubt, was a joke created by the other officers. Nevertheless, he techy promised gold, but so far, they hadn’t even found copper or tin.