Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel

by Moison, Dana V.

“Absolutely,“ Kelly nodded. “He asked me to try to convince you to attend the grand opening, so that the inspiration can be presented along with the actual piece, and thus illustrate the exhibition’s motif. Besides that, there is no doubt that your presence would spark interest among the public and attract a crowd.“

  Gloria was speechless. She tried to appear calm but she could feel the warmth of color invading her cheeks.

  “I have to give him an answer as soon as possible. Obviously, I wouldn’t ask for your consent without you seeing the piece first. The statue is in my private studio downstairs.“

  Gloria couldn’t believe what she had just heard. If there was one place in New York where her image had not yet appeared, it was the Metropolitan.

  “So if you’re not ruling out my request on the spot . . .“

  And I know you won’t, you’re too vain.

  “. . . I would love to escort you down to the basement so you can see it with your own eyes. It will only take a few minutes. You can give me your final answer after you return to New York.“

  In a coffin . . .

  “I would absolutely love to see it!“ Gloria was thrilled. She had been photographed thousands of times and even had her portrait painted once or twice, but she had never been sculpted.

  “Great.“ The smile that spread across Kelly’s face was entirely real this time.

  “Absolutely,“ Andy agreed. “Let’s go.“ He eagerly pushed himself up from the antique couch.

  Kelly did not intend to let the idiot photographer ruin the most important moment of her life.

  Keep on dreaming.

  “Actually, the food I ordered should arrive any minute now, and I’m afraid that if we don’t answer the door, they’ll leave. Would you mind waiting here so we don’t miss them? I’m sure you’re starving. I would feel terrible if the food were to be delayed for yet another hour.“

  It seemed as though the dilemma of whether to soothe his empty stomach or see his beloved model immortalized in stone really troubled him.

  “Don’t worry, it won’t take more than a few minutes. And after we eat, we can go back downstairs and I’ll show you my other sculptures as well.“

  “Well, okay,“ Andy reluctantly agreed. He returned to his seat and poured himself another glass of wine.

  As she left the room Kelly swiftly turned up the volume of the classical music playing in the background.

  It’s show time . . .

  CHAPTER 47

  On their way to the “studio,“ Kelly pondered the ironic situation she had created in order to end the model’s life. The same vanity that caused Gloria to glow from the thought that her image would be perpetuated in stone was currently leading her straight to her death. Fate just had a sense of humor to die for.

  The two women faced the heavy, wooden door that Kelly had requested to be installed at the top of the stairs. Kelly’s hands fingered the iron key in her trouser pocket – it was the only copy.

  Two went into the basement, but only one would come out of there alive.

  “After you,“ Kelly smiled at Gloria, gesturing with her hand toward the dark flight of stairs.

  * * *

  The two detectives drove around the dark suburb, which was remarkably quiet. Kelly’s mansion was at the other side of the neighborhood, facing the Pacific Ocean.

  “Drive faster!“ Sharon implored. She was as tense as a bowstring.

  “Sharon, if you don’t want to miss the place, let me drive in peace!“

  “Now you see why I wanted to drive?“ she chided.

  “Shall I remind you that the only thing that’s preventing you from bleeding to death is an elastic band?“

  “And still, I would get there faster than you!“

  Rob couldn’t stop himself from sneaking a little smile. This woman was undefeatable.

  They passed by the impressive villas. The classic brick houses, painted in soft shades of ivory and mahogany, were encircled by the vivid hues of their tended gardens. If she hadn’t been up to her elbows chasing after a killer, Sharon might have been able to admire the stunning architecture that surrounded her.

  But that wasn’t the case.

  Enjoy your last few minutes of freedom, Kelly, because this time you won’t get away.

  * * *

  Gloria descended slowly down the stairs. Kelly had yet to turn on the light.

  I guess the light switch is downstairs, she figured.

  The studio was pitch black and Gloria couldn’t spot the sculpture. She heard the wooden door slam shut and the lock click, but she hadn’t yet suspected that anything was amiss.

  Suddenly she felt a hand clutching her shoulder, preventing her from continuing any further. Gloria turned around, startled, and noticed Kelly standing a step above her. Even though it was completely dark, she spotted a spark of madness glinting in Kelly’s eyes. Only then she realized something was wrong, but it was too late. Kelly pushed her down the stairs.

  Gloria tumbled down and fell flat against the rough wooden floor. The few moments she required to recover were all the time Kelly needed. She picked up the pistol she had stashed ahead of time on the shelf by the stairs, along with the roll of duct tape she had bought at the hardware store. Then she flipped the switch.

  Let there be light.

  Gloria’s eyes were blinded by the sudden glare and she covered them with her hands. After her eyes had adjusted, she looked up and saw Kelly standing over her, grasping the pistol tightly; it was aimed directly at her.

  “Are you insane? What the hell is going on here?“ Gloria asked, completely astonished.

  “I would keep my mouth shut if I were you. You don’t know what might make me pull the trigger,“ Kelly said in a low, frozen voice.

  Gloria paused. She had known from the moment she’d met her that there was something strange about this woman.

  “Andy! Help!“ she called in vain.

  “Shut up!“ Kelly commanded. “It’s not going to help you anyway. There’s no chance he can hear you from upstairs. And by the time your Romeo realizes what is going on, it will already be too late.“ An evil grin spread across her face.

  “What do you want from me? What did I ever do to you?“ Gloria struggled to understand.

  Kelly’s face grimaced involuntarily. “What did you do to me? Do you really want to know? You ruined my life!“ she shouted.

  Gloria scrolled the name “Kelly Danes“ through her mind; it didn’t sound familiar, not even slightly.

  But she knew for sure that she recognized this woman from somewhere.

  “Now move,“ Kelly commanded.

  Gloria stumbled forward as she lifted herself off the floor.

  “Catch,“ Kelly threw the roll of duct tape at her aggressively.

  Fear, anger, and total shock overtook Gloria. She caught the duct tape with trembling hands.

  “Walk to the chair.“

  Only then Gloria turned around to face the room. The vast space, surrounded by mirrors, was almost entirely empty besides a wooden chair stationed in the center of the room next to a small table.

  “Are you disappointed that your beautiful sculpture isn’t here?“ Kelly taunted her. She felt almighty with the gun in her hands.

  Gloria stepped slowly toward the chair, trying to stall so she could maybe figure out what the hell was going on here.

  “Hurry up!“ Kelly ordered.

  Gloria reluctantly picked up the pace and got to the chair.

  “Now, sit down. Tighten your legs against the chair and then wrap the duct tape around each leg separately, five times around each.“

  “What? No way!“ she exclaimed.

  “Do it, or I’ll punch you from here to Mississippi.“

  Gloria unwillingly did as she’d been told. Kelly oversaw her actions and forced Gloria to bind the duct tape even tighter, until the skin above the tape strip turned red. After making certain that Gloria was helpless from the waist down, Kelly carefully approached and tied Gloria’s hands behi
nd the chair. An overwhelming sense of déjà vu flooded her. She recalled her last encounter with Detective Davis; but this time, however, Kelly knew there would be no remorse.

  “Well done, now we can proceed,“ Kelly said, pleased with the way things were going so far.

  “Who are you?“ Gloria demanded. “And just what do you think I’ve done to you?“

  “You didn’t even bother to remember me? After everything you’ve put me through? Well, what can you expect from a model . . .“

  “Who are you?“ she raised her voice.

  “If you really want to know . . .“ Kelly put the pistol aside and picked up a knife from a line of various knives and blades that were spread across the table. She approached Gloria and pressed the knife to her neck.

  “April twenty-fourth. 1990.“

  “I don’t understand . . .“

  “April twenty-fourth. 1990. The spring carnival.“

  Gloria’s face was frozen in thought. The harsh realization of what had happened that day, almost twenty years ago, began to appear on her delicate features.

  “Do you recognize me now?“ Kelly whispered in a venomous tone.

  Gloria took a long, hard stare at the woman standing before her. Her eyes were vicious.

  “It’s me, Kelly.“

  “Who?“

  “Kelly Whitesporte.“

  Gloria froze. “No. It can’t be. You’re not her!“ she shouted at her.

  “I have undergone a number of plastic surgeries to look like this, so it may not be easy to recognize me, but I assure you, it’s really me.“

  “That’s not true! I knew Kelly Whitesporte. You’re not–“

  “Shut up!“ Kelly snarled. “I’ve heard enough out of you!“ She crudely tore off a thick piece of duct tape and fixed it across Gloria’s mouth.

  “Now it’s my turn to talk.“

  CHAPTER 48

  The gray Toyota slowed down when they arrived at Kelly’s street. Its headlights illuminated a spectacular mansion. Sharon rolled down the window as they got closer and tried to listen carefully. It was quiet outside and she could hear the crickets chirping. Nothing out of the ordinary, so far.

  “I think we’re here,“ Rob said.

  “Great! Now, let me out.“ Sharon reached for the door.

  “Hold on a second, let me park and we’ll go in together.“

  “Rob, there’s no time, we might already be too late.“

  “Sharon,“ Rob turned to face her. “I’m worried about you. Do you really think you can face Kelly on your own?“

  “But I won’t be alone. You’ll be there in a few minutes. Call for backup. I’m heading out.“

  “Shouldn’t we–“

  There was no point in completing the sentence. Sharon had already slammed the car door behind her.

  * * *

  As much as Andy enjoyed listening to Chopin’s piano concerto, which was further enhanced by the beautiful acoustics of the room, he was getting impatient.

  Perhaps I should go downstairs and check out what’s going on?

  The doorbell rang. Luckily, he heard it over the crescendo of the orchestra. Andy walked to the door and opened it. In front of him stood a young woman with a determined look in her eyes, but without any bags of takeout food. Instead, she held a gun and presented him with a police badge.

  “Detective Davis. New York Police Department,“ she whispered.

  “What’s going on here?“ Andy asked. Instinctively he lowered his voice as well.

  “I need you to tell me, right now, where Gloria and Kelly are.“

  “They went down to the basement studio about ten minutes ago. Why? What’s happening?“ he asked again.

  “Gloria’s in great danger. Now, I need you to cooperate and do exactly as I say.“

  * * *

  While Kelly passed the knife back and forth along Gloria’s bare skin, she told her about all of her previous victims. Every now and then, when she got excited, she jabbed the knife into the model’s flesh, covering Gloria’s fair skin with tiny red stains. Kelly enjoyed the sight of Gloria’s dripping blood, but she stopped herself from going too far. She would not let Gloria be stabbed to death; she could not let her die in such a mundane way. Oh, no, she had planned something far more cruel and excruciating for her . . .

  * * *

  “I need you to show me where the basement is,“ Sharon ordered in a hushed voice.

  The stunned Andy pointed to his left, toward the large, wooden door.

  “Alright. Now I need you to stay here. Another detective named Rob will be here shortly. Ask him to call for backup and point him to the basement. And please,“ she looked into his eyes, “don’t try to be a hero and follow me.“

  “But you said Gloria is in danger!“ The fear in his voice was reflected in his eyes.

  He couldn’t lose Gloria; after all, he had just found her.

  “And I will do everything in my power to make sure she comes back up those stairs safe and sound. But it will happen only if you do exactly as I say.“

  Andy nodded his head in agreement.

  Sharon entered the elegant foyer. She crept in utter silence toward the basement door and tried to open it.

  As she suspected, it was locked.

  * * *

  The knife continued piercing Gloria’s body. Kelly reminded Gloria why she deserved to die. Her eyes glistened as she recreated those dark moments in the house of mirrors. When Kelly blamed Gloria for sending the three savage boys after her, Gloria shook her head vigorously in opposition and her eyes widened in shock.

  “Even now you still won’t admit the truth?“ Kelly snapped. “You won’t let me have peace of mind? I think you need an immediate attitude adjustment.“

  Kelly placed the knife under Gloria’s eye.

  “If you can’t see the truth, then I guess you’ll no longer need these.“ She smiled an evil grin.

  But then a smashing sound interrupted her cathartic, torturous ritual.

  That idiot photographer.

  She pulled away from Gloria and picked up her pistol, pointing it at the gloomy flight of stairs.

  “Prepare to see your boyfriend die,“ she whispered fiendishly.

  Kelly heard the sharp sound of the door breaking and deduced that someone had shot the lock. She barely heard the quiet steps descending down the stairs, but she was more alert than ever.

  No one would prevent her from executing Gloria McIntyre.

  CHAPTER 49

  Kelly intended to shoot the moment she spotted a human silhouette, but the vision that appeared before her eyes momentarily paralyzed her. That was exactly what Sharon needed.

  They faced each other; the gun of one aimed toward the other. They were equals.

  “What are you doing here?“ a bewildered Kelly asked, quickly adding, “I thought that I’d already gotten rid of you.“

  “I guess it’s not as simple as you thought,“ Sharon kept her composure.

  “Trust me, this time I won’t leave any room for doubt.“

  “Just try me.“ Sharon’s fingers locked on the trigger.

  If I’m going down, you’re going with me.

  “I’m not done yet,“ Kelly smiled an evil grin and placed her hand on Gloria’s shoulder.

  “Let her go,“ Sharon commanded.

  “Keep dreaming.“

  “Listen, you’ve got no choice. The house is surrounded. Backup will be here any minute,“ Sharon lied, halfway hoping it really was true. “And then all it takes is just one wrong look from you and one of the snipers fixed on you will take the shot, without even thinking twice.“

  Kelly didn’t know if Sharon was lying or not, but fear began to take root within her. She took a slow step back.

  “I am giving you the opportunity to end this peacefully. Put the gun on the ground!“

  “Now you listen to me. You’re in no position to haggle with me; I’ve got a hostage.“ Kelly did not even bat an eye toward Gloria, who seemed flushed and frightened
. Sharon noticed the blood stains on her skin. “. . . And if you don’t want me to blow her head off, then you put the gun down, Detective.“

  Sharon hesitated. She had to stall until Rob got there. “Kelly, if you don’t put the gun down in the next thirty seconds, I will have to shoot you. And believe me, it won’t be especially hard for me to do so. Save yourself and put the gun down!“

  Kelly acknowledged the bitter truth. The odds were stacked against her. If she aimed the gun at Gloria, Sharon would shoot her; and if backup really was on its way, she might not even get the chance to fulfill her dark desire.

  And she had to try.

  “Okay,“ Kelly said coolly.

  “Okay,“ replied Sharon, somewhat relieved by Kelly’s decision.

  Kelly took advantage of that spilt second when Sharon momentarily let her guard down and turned the pistol back to Gloria. Sharon detected Kelly’s sudden movement and instantly responded by pulling the trigger three times, but it was too late; Kelly’s pistol had already fired.

  Kelly’s body hit the same chair that Gloria was bound to before collapsing on the floor. A large puddle of blood began to encircle the two.

  Sharon couldn’t believe her eyes, which were bombarded by intense shades of blazing red. She had focused every ounce of her being into stopping Kelly in time, but had failed at the last minute. She could not tear her eyes away from the growing crimson pond.

  Having uncovered step by step the painful tale of the two women, she simply could not shake off the tragic ending of their lives; even in death the two were intertwined.

  “Sharon!“ she heard Rob’s voice calling from upstairs.

  “I’m okay, Rob,“ she called, and then took a deep breath. “It’s all over.“

  CHAPTER 50

  Sharon advanced cautiously toward the bodies. Kelly’s pistol was lying at a safe distance, probably blown out of her hands from the impact of the shot.