Black Bird: A Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller, page 23
Daniels thought of Allison. “How much you want to bet Allison saw the bigger picture? Maybe she planned to use D’Mato’s followers to sell or distribute this supplement?”
“It’s certainly possible,” added Rita.
“That doesn’t sound like Rook,” said Rem. “D’Mato’s followers were beneath him.”
“Maybe not,” said Daniels. “If that drug was potent enough, they could see the dollar signs. Can you imagine what giving something like that to the cult could do? If it purged their darkness and made them feel invincible? Especially if they had gifts? And then you send them out to do the same to others?”
Rem made an unpleasant face. “Based on what it did to us, I don’t see that as a plus.”
Rita sucked in a breath. “You took the drug?”
Daniels rubbed his stomach, which still wasn’t quite right. “It was part of the initiation ceremony. We had to take a pill.”
Rem sighed. “And based on its effects, it didn’t do us any favors.”
Rita rested her elbows on the table. “Damien would have complete control over the composition of the drug.” She stared off again. “Ezra Grimm…”
“You know him?” asked Daniels. “He’s another member, and almost as pleasant as Barbara and Morrow.”
“But do you know who he is?” asked Rita. “He’s cousins with Ruben and Gloria Montes, whose family runs—”
“Montes Pharmaceuticals,” said Rem with shock. His eyes widened. “Hell.”
Daniels understood the implication. “With Grimm’s help, Rook could have access to labs and researchers.”
“And Rook could tell them exactly what he wanted,” added Rem.
Daniels closed his eyes. “God knows what we took last night.”
“Certainly not Allison’s variety,” replied Rem. “Something tells me her version would have included floating purple zebras and swirling square lollipops.”
“No doubt.” Daniels spoke to Rita. “You think Rook has been taking this stuff?”
“I know he has,” said Rita. “I think it’s the reason he started acting so bizarrely, and it’s not getting any better. I truly think he believes himself to be indestructible. God knows what long-term exposure to this supplement does to the mind.”
“Or what long-term exposure to this Raven does,” said Rem. “That might scare me even more. If this Raven was part of the development of this drug, and knowing D’Mato’s penchant for the paranormal…”
Daniels shot a look at his partner. “What are you saying? That this drug has some sort of paranormal connection? In what way?”
“I don’t know. You know what happened to us last night. It brought out the worst in us.”
“That doesn’t make it some sort of paranormal power drug.”
“It changed our personalities.” He sucked in a breath. “What if this has something to do with how young Rook looks?”
Daniels pursed his lips. “That’s a bit of a stretch.”
“Is it? You said so yourself at the party that if you didn’t know better, you’d put him in his sixties, which is how old he was when he got involved with D’Mato.”
Rita leaned closer. “You think Damien, Victor, and this Raven figured out how to stop aging?”
“Aging suggests weakness, especially to a man like Damien.” Rem rested his elbows on the table. “It’s something to consider.”
“Still,” said Daniels, “saying the reason for Rook’s good looks is paranormal is a gigantic leap. Now, maybe if you could read my mind…”
“I already do that,” said Rem, “but what about reading someone else’s mind, or even seeing things, or…or…” his face fell, “or establishing some sort of unseen connection to whoever takes it.”
Daniels didn’t buy it. “Well, can you read Rita’s mind?”
Rem glanced at Rita, paused, and focused.
Rita stared back at him, and Daniels rolled his eyes.
“Well?” asked Rita after a pause.
“You’re definitely unhappy with Damien,” said Rem.
“Like that’s hard to read,” said Daniels. “What’s her favorite color?”
Rem focused harder. “Blue.”
Rita sighed. “Sorry. It’s pink.”
Rem deflated.
“Would you be serious?” asked Daniels.
“I am being serious,” said Rem. “Maybe we can’t read other people’s minds, but what if this drug made us vulnerable to someone who can? We have to seriously consider this Raven’s involvement. What does she get out of this? Rook can’t be getting all the perks.”
Daniels had to admit that made sense. “Until we know more, conjecture gets us nowhere. Let’s just focus on what we have. Rook’s got a drug he’s using and giving to his society members, which makes them all think they’re invincible after supposedly purging all their bad habits. How do we prove it?”
“Giving a supplement to your members who take it voluntarily isn’t against the law,” said Rem.
“No, it isn’t, but when you add conspiracy, blackmail, murder, attempted murder, extortion, assault, and a dozen or so other charges, it doesn’t look good. Plus, depending on what’s in it, we might get a possession charge out of it too.”
Rita clutched her elbows. “Murder? You think Damien’s capable of murder?”
“Not of actually pulling the trigger himself,” said Rem, “but certainly of hiring someone to do it. He blackmailed us into killing for him.”
Rita dropped her jaw. “You killed someone?”
“Rook thinks we did,” said Rem. “We had to make it look convincing for Rook to invite us in.”
Daniels squirted some lemon into his tea from a slice in his glass. “And we think your brother’s responsible for the death of Reginald Durning and two other men.”
“He hired a hit woman to kill them and brand them with a star,” added Rem.
Rita gaped at them. “Those murders in the news? You think Damien did that?”
Daniels set the lemon on his small plate. “And he’s responsible for Rem’s cousin’s death, and my wife’s miscarriage. And another man died recently. Martin Bailey. He was a member too, and we believe he got on Rook’s bad side.”
“And to make it even creepier,” said Rem, “the vics got a weird handmade doll with a black feather in it before they died. None of them understood what it meant, so they discarded it, but now we know it’s a death sentence.”
Daniels eyed the door when a couple walked in. “I’d be willing to bet a chunk of life savings that the doll comes from the Raven.”
“Same with that weird circle, the smell, and the candles in the abandoned building and that room in Rook’s house,” said Rem.
Daniels pointed at Rem. “The cackle.”
Rem cursed. “You think the cackler is the Raven?”
“I bet the Raven was watching last night. There was a camera in the corner of the room.” Daniels shivered just thinking about it.
Rem ran his hand through his hair and gripped his neck. “Hell. What are we dealing with here?”
His appetite gone, Daniels pushed his plate back but noticed Rita’s faraway stare. “You okay, Rita?”
“I realize we’ve thrown a lot at you.” Rem reached for another fry. “But I assure you, we’re telling the truth about Rook. He’s dangerous, and the farther you stay away from him, the better.”
“The last thing you need is to become his next target.” Daniels waited for her response, but none came. “Rita?”
She finally looked at him. “It may be too late for that.”
“What do you mean?” Rem dunked his fry in ketchup.
She reached for her purse and pushed it to the side of the booth. Beside it was a small plastic grocery bag Daniels hadn’t noticed. She reached into it and pulled out a doll that looked exactly like the doll found in Martin Bailey’s car. Only someone had glued the red felt patch on the chest.
Daniels’ heart dropped.
Chapter Twenty-One
Manetti knocked on the door of Roseanna’s house and waited. After a few seconds, the door opened, and an attractive Hispanic woman with braided hair greeted him. “Detective Manetti?” She eyed his badge, which he held out. “Thank you for coming on a Saturday afternoon. I’m Rosie.” She opened the door wider.
“Nice to meet you.” Manetti stepped inside. “And today’s not a problem. If Lola is ready to talk, I’m happy to listen.”
Roseanna closed the door. “Come in.” She gestured toward the living area.
“Thank you.” Manetti walked toward the couch.
“I’ll get her. Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”
Manetti sat on the sofa. “I don’t suppose you have beet juice?”
She pursed her lips. “How about vegetable? I get it from the local market.”
Surprised, Manetti nodded. “That would be great.”
“Not all of us drink soda and eat junk food. I try to get my girls to eat right. Doesn’t always work, though. Be right back.”
She stepped out, and Manetti pulled out his small notebook and pencil from his pocket. He’d spent the morning weeding his veggie garden, and while Annabelle had taken a nap, he’d showered and headed over to see Roseanna and Lola. He waited on the couch for a few minutes, and Roseanna returned with his juice. She set it on the coffee table in front of him and turned back toward the door. “Come on in, Lo.”
Manetti looked over to see a woman with long legs, wearing short shorts and a halter top, standing to the side of the door. She wore no makeup, and her brown hair was slightly damp, like she’d just got out of the shower.
He stood. “Lola?”
She stared at him as if she expected him to snarl at her.
“I’m Detective Manetti.” He pulled out his badge and showed it to her.
Her reaction was immediate. She shook her head and turned.
“Lola, stop,” said Roseanna. “Don’t waste this man’s time. You said you would talk to him.”
Lola looked back. “I can’t.”
Roseanna stepped toward her. “Honey, you still have nightmares about what happened to you. You can’t continue to live in fear. You have to say something.”
Lola’s face fell, and she stared at Manetti.
Manetti put his badge away. “All I want to do is talk. You can say as much, or as little, as you want. And if you want to keep whatever you tell me between us, I can do that.”
She hesitated.
“You can trust me, Lola,” said Manetti. “I won’t report anything you don’t want me to.”
“You can do this, Lo,” said Roseanna. “Please. Just tell him what happened.”
Lola took another second, and Manetti half-expected her to dart up the stairs, when she took a few tentative steps toward him.
“That’s it. Come sit,” said Roseanna. “I’ll get you something to drink. You want a soda?”
Lola crossed her arms and nodded.
Roseana gestured toward a chair next to the couch. “Have a seat.”
Lola cautiously walked toward the chair, keeping her eyes on Manetti the whole time. She glanced toward Roseanna. “You’ll stay with me, Rosie?”
“I’ll get your drink and stick right by your side.” Roseanna smiled and left the room.
Lola eyed Manetti warily and sat in the chair. She crossed her arms and gripped her elbows.
Manetti sat again and picked up his vegetable juice. “You like veggie juice?” he asked, sipping the drink. It was surprisingly good.
She made a face. “I’d rather drink piss.”
He chuckled. “Not a veggie fan?”
She shrugged. “I can stomach broccoli, but that’s it.”
“I like broccoli myself, but I love brussel sprouts. My wife, Annie, makes a mean veggie pasta.”
“Veggie pasta? What’s wrong with regular pasta?”
Sensing her discomfort lessening, Manetti relaxed. “We avoid processed foods.”
Her brow furrowed. “That’s just sad.”
He chuckled again. “It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”
“I could never give up chocolate.”
Manetti leaned in and whispered. “Don’t tell my wife, but sometimes I sneak it.”
She half-smiled. “Mum’s the word.”
“Thanks.”
Roseanna returned with a can of soda and another glass of veggie juice. She gave the soda to Lola and kept the glass for herself. She sat beside Manetti, nearer to Lola. “You ready?” she asked Lola.
Lola studied Manetti. “Okay,” she whispered.
Manetti held out his notebook. “I’m just going to take some notes, but I won’t use them for anything if you don’t want me to.”
She glanced at the notebook.
Glad she was more comfortable, Manetti took his time. “Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
Lola looked at Roseanna for reassurance. Roseanna reached over and squeezed Lola’s wrist. “Go ahead.”
Lola nibbled her lip and opened the soda. She stared at the open can but didn’t drink anything. “It happened a few months ago.” She eyed Roseanna again, who nodded at her. “It was a new client.”
Manetti scribbled. “Did you know him, Roseanna?”
Roseanna shook her head. “Never seen him before. He said his name was Louis, but I doubt it was his real name. He came on a Friday night and showed me a wad of cash. I let him in, and he came in here.” She gestured at the area they were sitting in. “The ladies were in the room, and he immediately gravitated toward Lola. They went upstairs soon after.”
“Was he intoxicated?”
Roseanna nodded. “I sensed he’d had a few drinks, but nothing that indicated he could be violent. I’m usually pretty good at picking those types out.” She eyed Lola with sadness. “But that night, I missed it.”
Lola sipped her drink and set it on the table. “It’s not your fault, Rosie,” she whispered. She put her hand over Rosie’s, which was still clutching her wrist.
“What happened when you got up to the room?”
Lola hesitated again but squeezed Rosie’s hand. “At first, it was okay. Some guys like to talk first, and he was one of them. He took out a small bottle of liquor from his pocket. He drank from it, then took a pill from his jacket pocket and swallowed it.”
“A pill?” asked Manetti. “Did he say what it was?”
Lola shook her head. “No. He just said he needed to relax. It had been a stressful week. We talked for a few minutes.”
“Did he tell you anything about his personal life?”
She shrugged. “He said he had a high-pressure job, and that he worked with stupid people who didn’t understand him. He said he had a girlfriend too.”
Manetti took more notes.
“I asked him what she’d think about him being with me, and he just smiled. He said she wouldn’t care. They had an open relationship.”
“And what happened then?”
Lola tensed in her chair. “We started up…well, you know….and he went fast. But he had trouble, you know…with performing.”
Manetti looked up. “I get the drift.”
“It made him mad. I told him it was fine. It happened. I said we could wait a few minutes and try again. He cursed at me and said it was all my fault. That’s when he got up…like to leave, you know?”
“You thought he was leaving the house?”
“I thought so, but then he said he had to use the bathroom. He stomped out in just his boxers, and I wondered if he had gone to take more drugs or something. He’d left his liquor bottle behind though, and I…well…I had a sip. I figured it might help me relax.”
“And what happened next?”
“I waited and got bored.” She eyed Rosie. “I know we’re supposed to mind our own business and not go through customer’s stuff.”
“It’s okay,” said Rosie. “Just tell him what happened.”
Lola sighed. “I flipped through his pockets, wondering if there were more drugs. I didn’t plan to take anything. I just wanted to know what I was dealing with.” She paused. “I heard footsteps, and I stepped back to the bed, and that’s when he walked in. He closed the door and stared at me. I asked if he wanted to try again, and he…he…”
Rosie squeezed Lola’s fingers.
“He what?” asked Manetti.
“He went crazy.” Tears sprang into Lola’s eyes. “He called me a whore and a bitch, and he started to beat me. I was so shocked I could barely respond. And then, well, he hit me hard and everything blurred, and then he was on top of me. He forced himself on me, and this time, he had no trouble. I just wanted it to be over, but when it was, he kept hitting me and calling me names.” Tears streamed down her face, and her breath caught. “I thought if I were submissive, he’d leave me alone, but that only seemed to make him madder.” She gripped Rosie’s hand harder and sniffed. She spoke barely above a whisper. “And then he started to strangle me.”
Although this wasn’t Manetti’s first time hearing a story like this, it never got easier. “How did you get away?”
She stammered. “Everything is fuzzy. I thought he was going to kill me, but then he stopped. He stared at me and the room like he didn’t know who I was or why he was there.”
Rosie pulled a tissue from her pocket and handed it to Lola. “You’re doing great, Lo. Keep going.”
Lola wiped her eyes with the tissue. “I rolled off the bed, trying to breathe. I wanted to run out of the room, but I was scared it would set him off again. He calmed down and sat on the edge of the bed. After a few seconds, I got the nerve up and told him he had to go.”
“What did he do?”
“Nothing. He just stared.” She picked at the tissue. “I’ve dealt with a few crazies before, but this guy? He was different. I didn’t know what he was going to do next.”
Manetti wrote that down. “How did you get out of there?”
“When he didn’t move, I ran for it, and that made him mad. He grabbed me, threw me on the bed and started wailing on me again, saying things like, ‘Nobody disobeys him,’ and ‘I need to be put in my place.’” More tears fell down her cheeks. “I started screaming, trying to get him off me, and that’s when Rosie came into the room. She had her gun and told him to get away from me.”
