Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel

by Moison, Dana V.

  He had noticed that even now, when they were so far away from all the commotion, somewhere in the wilds of New Zealand, she did not let her guard down. Force of habit, he guessed. He, too, would probably have longed for his privacy if he were confronted by the flash of paparazzi cameras every time he left his front door.

  Andy held a renewed appreciation for Gloria for having to endure his presence. She was constantly surrounded by photographers, whether at work, where they demanded her to pose for them, or outside of work, where she was chased by them relentlessly as they hoped to catch a photo worthy of the next tabloid cover. One might say they belonged to two different camps, photographers and the photographed – at times against their will.

  He toyed with the idea that they were a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, but hoped their story would have a different ending. He had a feeling that something good had the potential to grow between them, even if it were just for a few short days until reality hit them when they get back to civilization.

  But why was he getting ahead of himself? Before worrying that their affair might end, he first needed to make sure it actually started. Andy had no idea if Gloria felt the same way. They hadn’t had a chance to be alone after that magical moment at the minimart, and he surely didn’t intend to have the relationship talk in front of the whole crew. It wouldn’t be very professional of him.

  Andy had to clear his mind. He decided that for now, it would be better to focus solely on work – which was an immensely difficult mission considering the fact that he was being paid to shoot Gloria.

  Whoever said that the life of a model photographer was easy?

  CHAPTER 12

  After listening to Sharon’s persuasive arguments regarding her special interest in the editor, Kelly Danes, Rob could not reject her inquiry. Chances were that Miss Danes wasn’t the infamous serial killer they were after, but it would be careless not to investigate. Nevertheless, he forbade Sharon from contacting Kelly again, at least not until she presented him with something more concrete that justified confrontation. He could not face the commissioner empty handed again.

  In any case, he thought, it was a good thing that Sharon hadn’t gone too far and actually blamed Kelly Danes for murder. That was the last thing he needed right now.

  * * *

  Kelly had barely dodged the bullet that had been shot directly at her. The graze of the slug on her neck was a painful reminder. Luckily, the blood had clotted and she was out of danger, for now.

  She had almost fallen into an abyss because of an insignificant investigator trying to prove herself to her boss. Who was this Sharon Davis, and why was she so determined to take her down? She could hear it in the detective’s voice, when they had spoken on the phone. Kelly had not missed the doubt, the suspicion, and the desire to blame her for something, no matter what it was. It seemed as though she had unknowingly made herself an enemy.

  Nonetheless, the odds were in her favor. She had the power, the connections, and all the means necessary to crush her rival, but still she was afraid to act. The determination and tenacity Kelly recognized in the detective could not be tossed away so easily, not even with all the money and the connections she had.

  For the first time in almost three years, ever since that first unripe act of murder, she was worried. Kelly understood that she had to be extra careful and take a step back.

  How she hated Detective Davis for it.

  Maybe she should run far away from here; she still hadn’t fulfilled her destiny.

  On the other hand, Kelly thought, maybe she was looking at this all wrong. It was clear that the low class detective would not stop trying to discover whatever it was that she thought Kelly was hiding, and the harder Kelly resisted, the less chance the cop would give up. In fact, she might even try to persuade others that she was right.

  Or even worse, she might actually succeed.

  How did the old saying go? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. . .

  CHAPTER 13

  Luckily for Gloria, when they arrived at the shooting site, it was pouring rain, and there was no choice but to delay the photo shoot until the next day. Great, she had gained another day off with Andy. Ever since their hot kiss at the gas station, they hadn’t gotten a chance to be alone, though they had been sitting just inches away from one another most of the time during the ride to the remote destination.

  Gloria knew very well the power of the right timing. It was clear to her that if she and Andy didn’t clarify matters and make important decisions regarding what had happened between them just hours ago, what was burning inside of her would fade in a mist of doubt and become a sweet, yet unfulfilled, memory. She did not want another memory. Not this time.

  Gloria pined for something that she hadn’t had for so long and had not even realized was missed. Going by her estimation, the spark between them had twenty-four hours left before disappearing forever. This extra day together was her and Andy’s last chance to ignite the fire. And here, by a miraculous coincidence, or perhaps even fate, they were trapped in a cozy lodge while the rain was closing in on them.

  Aphrodite had left them no escape.

  Andy sat alone in his room. Arthur kept Gloria busy with reviewing the dozens of job offers that she had received for the coming days when they returned from New Zealand, so Andy was left with nothing to do other than further dive into the plans for the photo shoot. He acknowledged the great value of this project; this would actually be the first time his work would receive international coverage. He was so thankful to Kelly Danes for this opportunity and the free hand she had given him in producing the photo shoot. And he was glad that soon enough he could thank her in person.

  He looked out from his window onto the drops of rain that blurred the peaceful scenery surrounding the inn. This rain could be a blessing in disguise, he thought. This way Andy gained precious hours of preparation time. He took a deep breath and then exhaled, watching his warm breath condensing upon touching the cool glass window. Who was he kidding? He was as ready as one could possibly be. He had spent hours planning every little detail and he couldn’t wait to start shooting. So why was he not terribly disappointed after having to reschedule the photo shoot for tomorrow? Andy asked himself and immediately knew the answer. Gloria. Maybe this rain is in fact a blessing in disguise, Andy decided, because it gives me the opportunity to settle things with Gloria before the shooting starts. Before we would have to act as professionals and she might get the wrong impression, like that I am not absolutely fascinated by her and would like to get to know her better. So I have to make my intentions clear beforehand; the question is how to follow through.

  Gloria was trying to plan what exactly she would say to Andy and how to tell him about her feelings. The businesswoman in her emerged even in the territory of the girl in love. Gloria could not avoid being prudent here as well, but for some reason she could not organize her thoughts and pave a path that would lead her to her goal. Eventually she decided to take the road that she had chosen only a few rare times throughout her life: the one that headed into the unknown. Simply knock on Andy’s door and damn it, whatever happens, happens.

  When she approached Andy’s room her steps were not so determined. Gloria stopped in front of the door, wondering if she should back down. Let him pursue her.

  Isn’t that the least an international supermodel could ask for?

  She was afraid he would never knock on her door. That their story would be over before it had even begun. Could it be that I am too intimidating, Gloria asked herself? Is Andy too afraid to make a move because it won’t be professional of him? Or maybe he thinks that I am just toying with him and not really interested? Gloria knew this job meant a great deal to Andy and that he wouldn’t dare risk it unless he had a damn good reason. Could it be that she just wasn’t a good enough reason? A crease of concern formed between her eyes. In that case, she should probably wait for him to lead the way.

  But Gloria had never left her future up to fat
e, and she definitely would not start doing it now. Especially after she already had gone through her midlife crisis, which in her case, of course, had started at the age of twenty-five.

  Gloria ordered herself to pick up her hand and execute the elementary action of knocking on the door, an action she never had trouble executing before. So why was it so difficult right now?

  Her hand already had risen up. Her heart started pounding. An oppressive heat took over her entire body. Her clenched fingers made their way to the door but never got a chance to reach their destination.

  Andy opened the door before she ever knocked.

  “I was just on my way to see you,” Andy explained. He looked just as confused as Gloria was, as if he, too, had been sitting in his room for the past hour, running all kinds of scenarios through his head. A smile of relief spread across Gloria’s face, which made Andy feel even more confused. But then, as he was processing the image before his eyes, he began to smile.

  Andy realized he wasn't the only fool in love.

  CHAPTER 14

  Even if she’d had a hundred opportunities, Sharon would have never guessed who was on the other end of the line.

  “Hello,” she answered nonchalantly, not really paying attention, as she was tied up with the case.

  “Hello, Detective Davis, this is Kelly Danes speaking.”

  Sharon almost dropped the receiver. There was no doubt Kelly had managed to get her full attention.

  “Hello, Miss Danes.” Sharon, still completely surprised, was trying to choose her words carefully so she wouldn’t get in trouble again. “I hadn’t expected to hear from you.”

  And I was forbidden from ever contacting you again.

  “Indeed, I know our last conversation did not end on a positive note . . .” Kelly said.

  Sharon was already intrigued.

  “. . . And yet, I’ve decided that if you believe that I can somehow help with finding the person who murdered all those poor girls, then it is my duty to do so.”

  Sharon had not expected this. She was very good at reading others, and the last time they’d talked she hadn’t noticed that Kelly was eager to help.

  Can the leopard change its spots?

  “Miss Danes, you’ve managed to surprise me.” Sharon decided not to disclose her reservations or the questions building up inside of her. She had to figure out what was going on here. “We would be happy to have your assistance about anything you can remember regarding the case.”

  Kelly was smiling from the other side of the line. Detective Davis had just let the fox guard the henhouse.

  “I’ll do my best to answer your questions, Detective Davis, but I honestly don’t think I remember much.”

  No worries, there’s plenty of information between the lines, Sharon thought. “Great. Let’s schedule a meeting as soon as possible.”

  “My schedule is free tomorrow afternoon. You can stop by my office if you’d like.” Kelly preferred to stay on home turf.

  Ordinarily, Sharon would have never agreed to meet with a potential witness – let alone a possible suspect – outside the police station, especially when she was still questioning their motives. But this time it worked perfectly. That way no one, not even Rob, would find out about her renewed contact with Kelly.

  “Done. What’s the address?“

  CHAPTER 15

  The very next day, Sharon left the office early, saying she had a dental appointment. Rob had no choice but to assent in a silent frown, if only because Sharon had never missed a day of work. In fact, she used to stay at work long hours after punching her card. This was exactly why he was wondering if she really was on her way to the dentist, or maybe the state of her pearly whites wasn’t really that bad.

  The roads of Manhattan were swamped with cars, the yellow taxis the city was known for standing out among them. Traffic was heavier than usual, and Sharon was relieved that she wasn’t driving. The address Kelly had given her was only a couple of blocks away from the subway station and Sharon was glad to walk them by foot. Those ten minutes were like a vacation for her, filled with different colors, sounds, and flavors.

  I really need to get out more , she determined.

  She arrived at an impressively polished office building. The Inner Beauty logo was displayed above the entrance, along with some other well-known symbols.

  To her surprise, when she entered the big corner office, Kelly greeted her warmly.

  “Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, water?” she asked in a sweet tone.

  “Strong coffee. Thanks.” Sharon chose to play along with Kelly as long as she couldn’t be sure if it was all an act or not. In any case, it had been nearly two hours since her last cup of coffee, which was unheard of.

  They chatted while Kelly’s assistant served their drinks, and then, to Kelly’s request, left and closed the office door behind her.

  “Well, as I made clear in our conversation yesterday, I’m here to help.” Kelly smiled but seethed inwardly over the lie that came out of her mouth, and even more over the fake kindness she had to maintain for now. “I will do my best to answer all of your questions, Detective Davis.”

  “Alright, let’s start with the first victim, Mandy Sheldon.”

  Kelly couldn’t bear to hear that hideous name even one more time, but of course she didn’t say anything.

  “As I’d mentioned in our previous talk,” Sharon continued, also trying to avoid that awkwardness after they’d both lost their tempers, “The deceased’s sister said Mandy got your business card just days before she was found dead.”

  Kelly had prepared herself for this moment. She knew that she had to change her version of things. This was the one spot where she might slip.

  “Indeed, after our conversation, I did try to remember the poor girl. I even asked my secretary to print her photo. Still, it’s been three years.”

  Sharon nodded understandingly. She wondered what had led to this gracious cooperation. Perhaps Kelly really was a model citizen? There was no doubt that Miss Danes was a respectable and influential woman – far from the lonesome killer stereotype. Sharon almost began to question herself and understand Rob’s logic, who at times found her theories scattered and bizarre.

  But damn it, something didn’t feel right.

  “And I was able to remember her. Gorgeous girl. A real sweetheart. She originally came in for a job interview as a receptionist, were you aware of that?” Kelly asked with faux naivety.

  “Of course.” Sharon tried to project confidence in her answers. “Mandy had told her sister every little detail,” she added in the hope that Kelly would take the bait.

  Oh, Mandy, you have been dead for three years and still make things so complicated!

  “Anyway,” Kelly continued, “as soon as I saw her, I realized she had great potential and that she could have become an asset for the magazine,” Kelly tried to emphasize the fact that she had lost out from the girl’s death. “You see, when models are discovered by the magazine, they sign an exclusivity contract. They can shoot commercials and campaigns, because we want them to get famous as well, but in regards to interviews, covers, and juicy scoops, we get first exclusivity,” Kelly explained, hoping she managed to distract the simple cop, who obviously knew very little about how things worked in the fashion industry.

  “And that was all to your relationship with Mandy?” Sharon stayed focused. She wanted to see if Kelly would lie to her again.

  “Pretty much.” Kelly chose her words carefully. She didn’t know what and how much the detective knew, so she tried not to get tangled in her own answers. Kelly wanted to leave herself an escape route, an option to claim she had been misunderstood.

  “I would love to hear about the minor details as well,” Sharon forced a smile. She began to lose her patience. So far Kelly hadn’t told her anything new.

  Kelly felt her heart beating strongly. She was as excited as an actress reciting her lines in front of an audience for the first time, afraid she mi
ght not portray well enough the part that she had taken upon herself.

  “Certainly, as I mentioned, I am here to help,” she tried to gain some time. Kelly was not yet sure which tactic to use. Eventually she decided. “Actually, I’m a bit confused. It’s been a long time, and I’m not sure what exactly you expect to hear. It’s not like I was her best friend.”

  No, just the fairy godmother who had promised to make all of her dreams come true.

  “It’s hard for me to think of anything else worth mentioning. Just ask what you want to know.” Kelly hoped with all her heart that it would end there.

  “Alright, so how exactly does this whole model discovery thing work? Did you have to register Mandy with an agency or update her name in your records?”

  Damn it, this cop isn’t stupid.

  “Actually we didn’t get that far along in this process since . . . well, you know what happened.”

  Yes, just too bad you didn’t even bother to remember the girl you promised the moon to, who suddenly got murdered.

  “And it didn’t seem suspicious to you that someone who had gotten an opportunity like that never contacted you?”

  “Well, I’m a very busy woman, so if someone is foolish enough to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I’m not going to chase after them.”

  Sharon could feel the hidden contempt in Kelly’s words.

  “Didn’t you have her number? You just offered her a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ and moved on? Your assistant didn’t take her information?” she wondered. The detective in her had to dig deeper.