Page 50 of Fatal Fame
Mountain View Realty occupied a converted Victorian house on Main Street, with large windows displaying photographs of properties that ranged from modest local homes to luxury vacation estates that sold to downstate buyers seeking Adirondack retreats. The business represented the economic forces that were slowly transforming communities like High Peaks—local families selling inherited properties to fund retirements while wealthy outsiders bought mountain access and seasonal tranquility.
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with carefully styled hair and the kind of professional pleasantness that came from dealing with demanding clients, looked up as Noah and McKenzie entered.
"State Police. We're here to speak with Michael Torres," Noah said, displaying his badge.
"He's with a client right now, but I’ll let him know you're here."
She headed down the hallway and out of sight.
Michael Torres emerged from a back room minutes later, having obviously used the time to compose himself and prepare for what he knew would be a difficult conversation. He was in his early forties with the kind of solid build that suggested regular gym attendance, dark hair showing traces of gray at the temples, and eyes that carried the wariness Noah associated with law enforcement veterans.
"Officers," Torres said, extending his hand with the controlled confidence of someone accustomed to managing challenging situations. "Follow me."
His office reflected success without ostentation, framed photographs of sold properties, professional certifications, family pictures that showed a wife and two children who looked happy and well cared for. The space suggested someone who'd built a stable life after leaving law enforcement, someone with reasons to protect his current status.
"We're investigating the disappearance of Pierce Landry," Noah said once they were seated. "We understand he'd been trying to contact you about the Rebecca Hale case."
Torres' expression tightened almost imperceptibly, the kind of micro-reaction that suggested a topic he'd hoped to avoid. "Yes. Multiple times. I heard about his podcast from local people, but I never had a conversation with him. Later, I saw his calls come into my phone but I refused to answer. The only time I saw him was at the town hall meeting the other night."
"Did he ever show up here?"
"No, he called the office a few times, and left messages. I just didn't return them because I didn’t see any point in rehashing painful events from my past."
“Where were you last night?”
“At home with my wife.”
“Did you go out to Ralph Eriks’ place?”
“Yeah, I did. A buyer phoned and wanted to see it.”
“Did they provide a name?”
“Said their name was Marcus. But they never showed up. I was meant to meet them there at 8:30. I waited almost twenty minutes before I left. Figured they were a no-show. I phoned them back but it just went to voicemail. I went straight home. It happens. You can ask my wife. As for confirming it, you can ask my daughter as I was on FaceTime with her while I was there until I left at 8:50 PM.”
“You sure it was 8:50?”
“Positive. I was watching the clock like an eagle.”
Noah glanced at McKenzie who was taking notes. That explained the second set of tire marks.
“Did this Marcus give a second name?”
“No, just Marcus.”
“Can we get that phone number?”
“Sure,” he said, taking out his phone and bringing it up. “But I’m not sure it’s much use. I tried it again today and it said out of service.”
Already, Noah was beginning to think that perhaps it was a burner phone.
McKenzie consulted his notes. "Your relationship with Rebecca Hale was investigated as part of the original murder case. Can you refresh us on the details of that relationship?"
“I have nothing to add to what was already covered in the original investigation. It’s all there in the files.”
“You know procedure,” Noah said.
Torres ran a hand over his face then leaned back in his chair, and Noah caught a glimpse of the defensiveness that suggested old wounds that hadn't fully healed. "Rebecca and I dated for about eight months in 2013. We broke up in mid 2014, several months before she was killed. Our relationship was completely investigated by my colleagues, and I was cleared of any involvement in her death."
