Page 14 of Girl, Deceived

‘Or they’re just taunts,’ Ripley mused. ‘Like I said, don’t overthink.’

A stewardess came by, offering drinks. Ella declined, her mind racing. Once the stewardess left, Ripley resumed. ‘We need to start creating a profile. If he’s reenacting scenes from horror movies, it might give us an insight into his next move. We can predict where and how he might strike next.’

Ella agreed, ‘We need to find out where he’s meeting these women, find any connections. We need to get into his head.’

Ripley took a whiskey from the waitress and set it down in front of her. ‘Two famous horror movies,’ she said.

Ella picked up on her train of thought. ‘Yup. Two of literally thousands.’

Ripley sighed, looking deep into her glass. ‘We could be in for a bumpy ride.’

Ella's heart rate shot up again, not from fear but exhilaration. Diving into the dark psyche of a killer who merged fiction with reality was a chilling prospect, but it was also a challenge she relished. Closing her eyes for a moment, she envisioned the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, revealing the enigma behind the mask. She was ready for the chase. And deep down, a part of her hoped the killer was ready for her too.

CHAPTER SIX

Ella's flight landed at four AM, and she was at the crime scene by six. Sleep had come in short bursts and nothing more. Since crossing the border into the Golden State, Mia’s expression had turned sour, as though her body was acutely aware it had entered the Californian atmosphere.

The streets were still drenched in the indigo of the pre-dawn hours as Ella made her way to the Whitman Apartments, the site of Jessica Owen’s death. Streetlights punctuated the darkness, casting long shadows that seemed to waver and merge with the mist that clung to the city’s skin. Despite the early hour, there was a palpable energy in the air, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting.

At the end of the pathway, Whitman Apartments came into view. It was a modern but unassuming building, and this morning, it was the epicenter of police activity. Flares lit the road. Yellow tape danced in the morning breeze as officers and forensic weaved in and out. Ella's mind raced with the few details she knew, the scene she was about to encounter, and the daunting task ahead.

‘We're not in Kansas anymore,’ Mia quipped. An attempt at lightening the mood, but her eyes told a different story.

Ella rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of fatigue. The apartment block only boasted three doors, three apartments, all on the ground floor. Jessica’s apartment was on the far right. ‘Feels more like Elm Street to me.’

‘Feds?’ a voice called from behind.

Ella turned her attention to the source, and there she found a tall man in prime middle age, silver hair peeking from beneath a well-worn sheriff's hat. His badge gleamed even in the muted morning light. The image of a small-town sheriff, but one transposed to the bright lights of Los Angeles.

‘Yes we are. You’re in charge?’ Ripley said.

The man extended his hand to the agents, a firm grip waiting on the other side. Ella nodded her greeting.

‘I’m Chief Daniels. Thanks for being so prompt.’

‘Don’t mention it. I’m Agent Ripley and this is Agent Dark.’

‘Ah, the experts,’ Daniels remarked with a hint of skepticism. ‘Glad you could make it. We could use a fresh pair of eyes.’

Ella sensed a touch of defensiveness in his tone, as if he was somewhat protective of his jurisdiction. ‘We're here to help, Sheriff.’

He grunted in acknowledgment. ‘Good. Jessica's apartment is right here. We've kept it as untouched as possible. Medics have removed the body, but forensics are still sweeping things up.’

‘Can you talk us through what happened?’ Ella asked.

Chief Daniels took a moment, glancing at the apartment door before letting out a long sigh.

‘Local 911 got a call around one AM. Jessica's roommate, Clara, came home to find Jessica nailed – or shotgunned – right through the chest.’ His expression darkened. ‘Gruesome scene. It wasn’t until we got here that we found that horror mask.’

Ripley raised an eyebrow. ‘Got it. Anything else?’

Daniels continued, ‘There's no sign of forced entry on the door, so we’re guessing our killer never went inside. Clara – Jessica’s roommate – wasn’t home when it happened. She found the body, and she's been a wreck since.’

‘Where’s the roommate now?’ Ella asked.

Daniels gestured to the edge of the pathway. ‘In that cruiser. She came to pick a few things up but couldn’t face going inside.’

‘Any surveillance footage?’ Mia inquired

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