Inland Empire 01-Find Me by Frasier Anne

Author:Frasier, Anne [Frasier, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural, Serial Killer, Murder Investigation
Published: 2020-07-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

“This was my life for so many years,” Reni said as they turned onto her mother’s palm-tree-lined street. She was talking about the carnival atmosphere. Media vans were parked in front of the house, even on the sidewalk. Yards were packed with reporters, some live broadcasting, others waiting for her mother to emerge from her home. Neighbors stood on front lawns, drinking coffee, talking to one another as they tried to figure out what was going on.

The area had changed over the years. Some residents had taken the opportunity to sell when housing prices exploded; others had simply died off, because Palm Springs was a popular retirement community. The changes meant many current inhabitants didn’t even know about the events of thirty years ago. That was how it was in fluctuating towns. People came and went, ignorant of and uninterested in what was going on next door until the cops showed up. And Rosalind had been happy to have the story fade so she could reclaim her life. Now the nightmare and intrusion were starting all over again. Reni felt bad about that.

They were going in cold. Although the visit was to a family friend and they were just fishing for information, Daniel had favored no phone call or text beforehand. Reni agreed that an element of surprise could work in their favor. Not that she suspected Maurice of murder. He was too much of a gentle soul for that. But he might be able to shed light on some of the mystery. Or not. Just someone to check off their list.

Because of the crowd, they parked a block away and walked. As they closed in on their goal, the sidewalk became more crowded and a few people began to recognize Reni. Most were press who’d done their research before invading. A few of them recognized Daniel, too, and put it together.

A young man cut in front of them. No press badge, walking backward, holding his smartphone high. Maybe a YouTuber. It seemed everybody had a YouTube channel today. “Is there a connection between Benjamin Fisher’s death and the body found in the desert?” he asked.

That hadn’t taken long.

His heel caught on the uneven sidewalk.

“Careful!” Reni grabbed his arm, steadying him while Daniel told him to shut off his phone and gave him the regular spiel about waiting for the press conference.

Hardly missing a beat, the guy shifted his attention to Reni. “You’re the daughter, right?”

She let go, smiled, and said nothing.

They reached the walk that led to Maurice’s. “Don’t follow us,” Daniel told the young man.

The pretend reporter dropped back, then turned his phone around and began talking. “I just spoke with Detective Ellis and the Inland Empire Killer’s daughter, Reni Fisher. They can’t confirm anything at this point, but . . .”

His dialogue with his phone faded as Reni and Daniel put distance between them. “You’re too nice to people,” Daniel said.

“Not always.” She thought about Carmel Cortez as she pressed the button next to the ornately carved door.

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