Silver Sparks (22 page)

Maggie felt a combination of relief that they’d forgotten her, and pity for whoever would be the next victim of the media spotlight. “It doesn’t take them long to move on, does it?”

Cal gave the media swarm a mistrustful glance. “Don’t be so sure they have.”

He parked several rows away, allowing them to stick to the shadows and skirt the news vehicles as they walked up to the main doors. Maggie didn’t consider asking Zoe to let them in the side door by the kitchen. The flurry of activity around the front entrance drew her, stirring a mixture of curiosity and dread.

News crews clustered on the sidewalk just beyond the front doors, taping under the bright glare of spotlights. She paused just short of the entrance, captured by the excited voice of a reporter summarizing the situation for viewers. After spending the past week dodging this same media circus, she felt vaguely guilty to be on the other side of the camera, feeling the prickle of excitement it aroused. Especially when the cause of the excitement was a missing girl.

Or maybe it wasn’t. Maggie stopped abruptly as she saw the reason for all the media attention. A few steps past the reporter, Rafe De Luca stood patiently as a hair stylist fussed with his hair and someone else dabbed makeup on his forehead. They both melted away as the cameras and reporter turned toward Rafe.

Maggie and Cal watched from a safe distance as Rafe slipped into his smooth public persona, the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The reporter explained Rafe’s presence at the resort before getting to the point of the interview. “And you actually spoke to Emily shortly before she disappeared, didn’t you?” she asked, thrusting the microphone under Rafe’s nose.

Rafe nodded solemnly. “That’s right, Vicky. As you said, the young lady was at The Aerie where our cast and crew had met for drinks. She and her friend introduced themselves to me, and we talked for a few minutes. She seemed like a very nice girl. I hope this is all a false alarm and the police find her soon.”

The reporter leaned closer, oozing concern. “We all feel the same, but the police seem quite concerned. I understand you were able to give them some information about Emily?”

“I merely confirmed that Emily was there. So did a few other members of the crew. I’m afraid none of us saw her leave.”

Maggie shivered at the familiar story. Somehow Rafe was always around when the missing women had slipped out, unnoticed.

Vicky pulled her microphone back for a quick question. “Are you aware that the police are looking into the possibility that Emily’s disappearance might be connected to the disappearance of two other women from this area?”

Rafe looked stunned. “Are you kidding? This has happened before?” To Maggie it looked like overacting, but she imagined the viewers would eat up the drama.

“That’s what a source within the police department tells us,” Vicky assured him.

“Well, no offense, but I hope your source is wrong, Vicky. I would hate to think something like that could happen here. People around here call this God’s country.” Rafe’s brow wrinkled as he pondered the painful reality that violence might have touched his heavenly hideaway. Shaking his head sadly, he went on, “This has always been such a safe town. My family has a home here, you know. It’s appalling to think someone might be preying on innocent young women here in B-Pass.”

Using the local shorthand for Barringer’s Pass was a nice, homey touch, Maggie had to admit, even if he had protested a bit too much for comfort. Or maybe she was the only one uncomfortable with Rafe talking about the possibility of a serial killer in the area. Vicky was certainly sucked in by his deep concern for the women of Barringer’s Pass.

“I’m sure everyone agrees with that sentiment, Rafe. Can you tell us anything else about Emily, anything she might have said that would indicate what she planned to do the rest of the evening, or who she was with?”

He shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid not. We only talked for a couple minutes. But hopefully her girlfriend will be able to help the police figure out where she went.”

Two girls, at least one of whom had talked with Rafe at The Aerie—Maggie felt a chill slide across her shoulders. Had Amber come that close to becoming Rafe’s next victim?

“Our information is that the girlfriend has disappeared and might also be missing, and that the police are trying to learn her identity. I imagine if you gave them a description, it would be very helpful.”

Rafe hesitated as if this might be classified information. “Actually, I gave them her name. I’m not at liberty to tell you why, but I have reason to believe she’s staying in this area.”

Vicky nearly vibrated with excitement at this scoop. “You gave them her name? Rafe, you seem to have been an enormous help to the police in this investigation!”

“I don’t know about that,” he said, his humility lacking only some aw-shucks toe scuffing. “Anyone would have done the same. I just hope it helps them find Emily.”

“I know America agrees with you, Rafe.”

Rafe looked over his shoulder as if someone had called his name, turning back with the mildly preoccupied expression of a person whose time was in great demand. “I’m sorry, I have to go now.”

“We understand, Rafe. Thank you so much for talking with us!” As Rafe turned away, she addressed the camera. “That was Rafe De Luca, one of—or perhaps I should say
the
star of
Trust Fund Brats,
talking with us about his possibly pivotal role in the search for the missing Emily Renee Banks.”

Cal tugged on Maggie’s hand, jerking her out of her stunned trance. “We have to find your sister. I need to know for sure.”

She knew what he meant—he needed to see a photo of Emily Banks, needed to know if she was the blonde who’d been standing beside Amber at The Aerie, flirting with Rafe. He needed to know if Rafe had targeted Emily simply because he realized he’d missed his chance to truly hurt them by taking Amber.

She trotted to keep up as Cal strode past the lobby fountain and set a straight course toward the offices behind the reception desk, skirting clusters of guests who talked while keeping an eye on the activity outside.

Maggie felt an ache in her heart in anticipation of what she feared he would learn. He wouldn’t take it well. He already felt responsible for not being there when Julie needed help. If another girl had died simply because of a connection to Cal, it would devastate him. She wanted to reassure him that Emily’s disappearance was not his fault—not
their
fault—but didn’t know how. In a horrifying way, it might be.

“Maggie! Cal!”

They turned to see Zoe waving at them from the concierge desk, where she appeared to be giving hasty instructions to a young man. They changed course and met her as she came around the desk.

Maggie barely had time to take in her sister’s harried look before Cal demanded, “Do you have a picture of her? The missing girl?”

Zoe nodded. “The police gave out this picture from her driver’s license,” she said, reaching over the concierge desk to grab a sheet of paper. “It’s not a great photo. They’re trying to get something better from her family.”

Cal snatched the paper. Maggie moved closer so she could see, too, studying the girl’s long blond hair and heart-shaped face for something familiar. They’d seen her only from the side, so she had to imagine the face in profile, picture the way the girl’s small nose would turn up at the end and her crooked eyetooth would stand out in an otherwise perfect smile.

Maggie felt suddenly light-headed. Emily Banks was unmistakably the girl who’d been with Amber.

“Son of a bitch,” Cal growled between clenched teeth.

Zoe stared, taking the paper from his unresisting fingers. “What’s wrong?”

“Amber was with that girl at The Aerie the night before last,” Maggie told her, fighting to keep her voice from trembling. “They were both flirting with Rafe. He was furious when he saw Amber leave with us. He might have even figured out she’s Cal’s sister—his lawyers are thorough.”

Zoe looked from Cal’s stiff expression back to Maggie. “You think he might have taken Emily just because he missed his chance to get Amber?”

“And because a girl’s life means nothing to that depraved bastard.” Cal looked at Maggie. “I didn’t want to believe it, but he might have progressed to intentional killing.”

Zoe’s worried gaze fastened on him. “I thought you said he killed on impulse.”

“He does. It’s not that different. Even for serial killers, murder is an impulse they can’t control. They have to do it, and it’s often related to sexual gratification. We know that’s true with Rafe—it probably happens during sex. Maybe the first death was an accident, I don’t know. But if it enhanced the sexual experience for him, he’d re-create it. And once he kills deliberately and likes it, he’d begin choosing his victims.”

Maggie flashed back to the attack on her porch, when the man had simulated cutting her throat. The motion had been intimate, like a caress. He liked the idea,
wanted
to do it. She shivered.

Zoe didn’t look convinced. “But he knows you suspect him of murder, and he knows killing another girl will attract police attention. He seems too smart and controlled to do that.”

Cal shook his head. “Part of the thrill for serial killers is in fooling the police.” He looked distant, almost as if he were talking to himself. Convincing himself. “They’re arrogant. Huge egos, even though they might have few real talents outside of killing.”

“Rafe’s ego does tend to get in the way,” Maggie said dryly. “His lawyer tries to keep it in check.”

He nodded, then turned to her. “You’ve seen him lose his temper, Maggie, so tell me—are his lawyer’s warnings enough to keep him under control when Jameson isn’t around?”

Recalling her recent meeting with Rafe in the back room of Fortune’s Folly was enough to give her chills. “The last time I saw Rafe he backed me against some crates. I think if Parker Jameson hadn’t been there, he would have gotten physical. There was this wildness in his eyes, like pure hatred. . . .” She swallowed. “No. If Jameson weren’t around, I don’t think Rafe would stop himself.”

“So maybe he’s crossed a line and taken it to another level of killing.”

“He also pulled Amber into it,” she reminded him. “Deliberately.”

New concern wrinkled Zoe’s brow. “What did Rafe say about Amber? Where is she?”

“Rafe just gave an interview outside,” Maggie told her. “He said he knows the name of the girl who’d been with Emily at The Aerie. The police will want to question her.”

“That little prick,” Zoe said. “Is she someplace safe?”

Cal’s face darkened. “Yeah, but Rafe might try to find out where she is, have one of his goons follow the police when they go to question her.”

“She’s with Mom,” Maggie supplied.

“You took her . . .” Zoe glanced furtively around and lowered her voice. “She’s at the commune?” Maggie nodded and watched Zoe’s surprise turn thoughtful. “That might be good.” She thought some more. “That might be brilliant. It’s nearly impossible for someone to sneak into that compound, what with the dogs and so many people being around.”

“As long as Amber doesn’t find a way to leave.”

“How could she?”

Maggie didn’t know, but as much as she wanted to agree with Zoe, she wouldn’t underestimate Amber—if anyone could find a way out, she would.

Zoe’s gaze snagged on a man across the lobby and she straightened, smoothing back her hair. “That’s my boss. Gotta go. I got him out of bed and he’s not going to be happy about that, but I think he’d rather know about this now than tomorrow morning.” She hurried off.

“What now?” Maggie looked at Cal. “Back to my place?”

For the first time since they’d arrived, his expression softened into a smile. “That sounds nice.” He stroked a hand down her cheek, sending shivers skittering down her back. “But I think we should call Rick before we leave. I want to hear how this media blitzkrieg started.” Interest sparked in his eyes. “Then back to your place.”

That couldn’t happen soon enough.

They met Rick at a secluded seating area near the darkened entrance to the Alpine Sky’s exclusive spa. The dim lighting almost felt romantic, which Maggie thought just proved that she needed more time alone with Cal.

Rick did his best to ruin the mood, recapping the evening with his usual level of excitement when talking about Rafe De Luca. “Filming wrapped early today and Rafe was here since late afternoon. So were most of the cast and crew. I was hanging near the rest of the reporters who tail Rafe—blending in, you know? And I started noticing that some were getting messages on their phones, then cutting out. So I followed to see what was up. That’s when I saw the police cars out front.”

“What time was that?” Cal asked.

“About six? Maybe seven. I didn’t see the cops for a while because they were back in the manager’s office. They kept calling employees back to talk with them, then we’d grab ’em on their way out and ask what was going on. We finally figured out that some girl was missing and this was the last place she’d been seen.”

Cal raised an eyebrow at Maggie. “I think maybe Sergeant Todd was paying attention when I told him about those other girls. They’re already looking at the possibility of a pattern.”