Pretty Corpse by Linda Berry

Author:Linda Berry [Berry, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Linda Berry
Published: 2019-10-21T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

DRESSED IN A RED SILK BLOUSE, black pencil skirt, and knee-high leather boots, Holly greeted Lauren in the lobby at the Oakland Rape Crisis Center and ushered her into her office. Brightly colored African pillows, batik prints, and shelves lined with Mexican pottery reflected Holly’s love of ethnic art.

Lauren had thought to dress casually but professionally—tan slacks and a crisp button-down shirt under a tweed blazer, her badge attached to her belt.

Mrs. Myers and her daughter arrived ten minutes later. The Strangler’s first victim, Bernadette Myers, was a stunning girl with an athletic figure, sparkling dark eyes, and caramel-colored skin. She sat sullenly next to her mother on the sofa. Mrs. Myers was thin and graying, appeared nervous, her body leaning toward her daughter in a protective posture.

Holly made introductions, emphasizing that Lauren, as a police officer, had considerable experience working assault cases. Pulling up a chair, Lauren seated herself within a few feet of the sofa and initiated casual conversation. The girl visibly slouched, would not meet Lauren’s eyes, and seemed to withdraw into herself. Lauren had no intention of asking questions about the actual abduction and assault. She attempted to draw out the teenager with topics of movies and music. Bernadette at first responded with yes and no answers, staring at her clasped hands, face hidden behind a veil of curly black hair. After several minutes of casual conversation, Bernadette visibly relaxed and peered shyly at Lauren with almond-shaped brown eyes. Lauren discovered the teen was actively involved in sports, loved classical music, and had studied piano since she was six.

“Do you study music at school, Bernadette?”

“No, there’s no music program. I take private lessons.”

“Here in Oakland?”

Bernadette nodded. “Mrs. Keener is my teacher. She also plays at our church.”

“Which church is that?”

“St. Michael’s.”

Lauren discreetly moved to the issue of her assault. “Do you know any of the kids at Cypress High?”

“Not really.”

“What do you mean by ‘not really’?”

“Our teams play their teams, so I know who some of the athletes are.”

“Do you attend the football games?”

“Yes.”

“So you know their quarterback?”

A smile touched her lips. “Chris Larsen.”

“Have you ever met him?”

“Just once. My friend Amber is a cheerleader. She invited me to an after-game get-together at Chuck’s Pizza. Chris and some other jocks from Cypress were there. He was really nice. Even talked to me a few minutes. But he’s so popular, I’m sure he’d never remember me.”

“Do you know any teachers from Cypress?”

She shrugged.

“Tell me if any of these names sound familiar. Mr. Perez, who teaches math.” Bernadette shook her head no. Lauren went through several more names until the teen stopped her.

“Coach Tenney. I know him. I first saw him at sports events at school, and then I discovered he lives near us. I walk by his house on my way to school. Sometimes he’s leaving for work. He offered me a ride once, but I said no. He always waves to me.”

After carefully jotting down notes, Lauren brought up the landscaper arrested in Cypress Park for giving Ecstasy to a minor.

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