Page 16 of Mourning Wings
Couldshe be involved?Thethought is irrational.Thekiller’s—orkillers’—DNA, found at previous crime scenes, definitively point to a male perpetrator, but what if she was an accomplice?
Joshuawatches me closely. “Whatare you thinking?”
“Isaw a woman that night, near the woods.Ineed to find her.Shemight hold the key to this.”Iquickly give him a description of her and what she was wearing.
Joshuanods slowly. “Alright, we’ll start there.I’llpull up footage from that area and see if we can identify her.”
AfterJoshualeaves my office,Ilet out a slow, steadying breath.
Assoon as the door clicks shut behind him,Iturn to my computer, my fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard to bring up the security camera feed from theHalloweenparty.Joshuadoesn’t know thatI’vealready been obsessively reviewing this footage for three days now, though initially for a completely different reason—pure infatuation.
Atfirst,Iscoured social media, sifting through hundreds of pictures and videos from the many socialites present, but there was no hint of her.
Theinternet was getting me nowhere, soIdecided to use my own resources.
IcontactedMarcus, a hacker employed by the agency.We’dworked together many times before on special projects and hada friendly, professional relationship, soIknew he’d comply without too many details.
Hesent me the footage at record speed, andIdidn’t waste a second.
Now, asIclick through the timestamps, my eyes scan each frame with a newfound purpose.Thereshe is.Herpresence in the footage sends a jolt through me.Istudy her movements, her interactions, searching for any clue that might connect her to the events of that tragic night, but nothing stands out.
Butthe answers are there,Iknow it.Ijust need to find the right angle, the right piece of the puzzle to make everything fall into place.
7
VALERIA
I’msitting in the back of myUber, headed toIsabel’sapartment.
Tonight, we’re returning to theWhitmoreestate, andIcan’t shake this gnawing anxiety.Ioffered to go alone this time, butIsabelinsisted on coming with me.Ina way,I’mrelieved to have her by my side.
Ithas been two weeks since theHalloweenparty, and we’re halfway intoNovember.Theholiday has passed, and the weather has started to cool, but the eerie vibes fromHalloweenstill linger in the air, a haunting presence that hasn’t quite left us.Theleaves are falling, but there’s a strange stillness, like the world is holding its breath.
Iglance at my phone to check how far we are fromIsabel’splace: three minutes.
Iopen our chat.
Me: Come out now.
Isa: Yes, Mommy.
Me: Haha. Two minutes.
Ichuckle and slip my phone back into my purse.Lookingdown at my outfit,Istart to second-guess my choice—a checkered pink skirt paired with a white and pink crop top.MaybeIshould’ve gone with something less playful.I’mnot sure what to expect, but if it’s anything like theHalloweenparty, it’s bound to be disturbing.Aknot tightens in my stomach, my nerves making my hands slightly clammy.
Thecar stops,Isabelalready waiting outside.Asshe hops into the back seat,Iwhistle.
“Wow.Ontimeanddressed to impress,”Itease.
Isagrins, giving me a playful wink. “WhatcanIsay?I’ma good listener.Doyou think this outfit is too much?” she asks, gesturing to her purple tie-dye skirt and white crop tank.
Ishake my head. “Youlook great, babe.Ijust hope whatever they have planned doesn’t involve bending over or running.”
Shelaughs. “Let’shope it’s not hide and seek.”
Themention of that game sends a shiver down my spine asIrecall the memory ofHalloweennight.Mybody stiffens involuntarily.
Isanotices and touches my arm gently. “What’swrong,Val?”