Page 26 of In Her Wake
Jenna stepped closer to the male mannequin, noting the quality of the construction, the smooth surface of the fiberglass.“They’re high-end.Not department store display models.”
“No, they’re museum quality.”Liza leaned against her workbench, arms folded.“That is, they’re used to re-create historical figures for museums.That’s how I knew right away what you were dealing with at the Powells’.The mannequin in their kitchen was made by Amberson Museum Figures.Same as Fred and Ginger here.”
“You recognized the manufacturer?”
“It wasn’t just a guess when I told you that earlier today,” Liza confirmed.“I knew because I’ve had these two for years.Bought them just before Amberson went out of business about ten years ago.”
“That’s quite a coincidence.”
“Is it?”Liza asked, her eyebrows lifting slightly.“Amberson was the best in the business.Anyone who wanted quality mannequins would have gone to them.Museums, universities, research facilities, artists like me.”She ran a hand along the female mannequin’s arm.“I’ve spent so many hours with these two, I almost think of them as friends.”
Jenna watched Liza’s face carefully, searching for signs of deception.“Tell me more about the mannequin at the Powells’.How was that face created?”
“The face would have been made with a silicone mask,” Liza explained, moving toward a shelf stacked with materials.She pulled down a clear container of what looked like thick, translucent gel.“Something like this, but flesh-toned.You would sculpt the likeness in clay first, then make a plaster mold of that sculpture.Pour the silicone into the mold, let it set, and you’ve got a flexible mask that holds incredible detail.”
“Silicone?”
“Right.Silicone is perfect for capturing minute details—pores, wrinkles, subtle asymmetries in the face.It stretches, so once you’ve created it, you can slip it over the mannequin’s blank head.It fits like a second skin.”
Jenna tried to suppress a shudder as she imagined the process of creating Marjory’s likeness.“And the rest of the visible skin?”
“The hands, maybe the neck if it was visible?That would be simpler—just flesh-toned latex stretched over the frame.”Liza demonstrated with a strip of thin, pliable material.“No need for the same level of detail.Our brains focus on faces, recognize individuality there.The rest just needs to look human enough at a glance.”
The technical explanation, delivered with such casual expertise, sent another chill through Jenna.Liza caught her expression and set down the materials.
“Look,” she said, spreading her arms wide, “search my studio.Every inch.You won’t find a clay sculpture of Marjory’s head, or a mold made from such a sculpture.No silicone mask with her likeness.Nothing.”
Jenna did look, methodically examining worktables, shelves, and storage bins.She found soft clay pieces in various states of completion, molds made from sculptor's plaster, but nothing resembling Marjory Powell or any human face.
“Whoever created that mannequin has serious skill,” Liza continued as Jenna searched.“I’m actually envious.The craftsmanship required to capture a likeness that precisely—it’s impressive work.”
Jenna completed her inspection of the studio and turned back to Liza.Despite her initial suspicions, she found herself believing her old friend.Nothing in the studio suggested Liza had created a replica of Marjory Powell.And yet...
“The mannequin being from the same manufacturer as yours is still troubling,” Jenna said.
“Amberson sold thousands of mannequins before they closed,” Liza replied.“They’re all over the country—in museums, teaching hospitals, art studios.”She hesitated.“I understand why you’re suspicious, Jenna.I lied about where I was today.I’m having an affair with a married man.Not exactly the behavior of an upstanding citizen.”
Jenna nodded, unable to argue with that assessment.“I believe you didn’t create the mannequin, Liza.But something about this whole situation still doesn’t sit right.”
“Fair enough.”Liza walked her to the studio door.“For what it’s worth, I hope you find Marjory.Despite our falling out, I wouldn’t wish any harm on her.”
They parted with strained pleasantries, the easy camaraderie of their youth now obscured by adult complications.Jenna drove away from Liza’s property with her mind churning, processing everything she’d learned.
Once on the highway back to Trentville, she called Jake, putting him on speakerphone.
“Liza has mannequins in her studio,” she said without preamble when he answered.“Two of them.From the same manufacturer as the one in the Powells’ kitchen.”
“Well, that’s unsettling,” Jake replied, his voice tinny through the car speakers.
“She uses them as models.”Jenna sighed, watching the road unfurl before her headlights.“They have blank faces, and there’s no evidence in her studio of creating anything like the Marjory mannequin.Despite everything, my gut says she’s telling the truth about that.”
“But why the deception?”
“She admitted that she was having an affair with Chester Callen.It explains why she was at the Twilight Inn and why she lied about it.The whole thing leaves me unsettled, Jake.”
“The most disturbing thing is that Marjory’s still missing,” Jake said.“Mannequin aside, we have a woman who disappeared between appointments.No contact with family or work.That’s our real concern.”
“You’re right.”Jenna flicked on her turn signal, passing a slow-moving truck.“I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the Powells’ when Spelling’s team arrives.”
