Page 14 of The Smart Killer (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #4)

I t was a matter of following the trail of breadcrumbs. Eventually, in every investigation, the connection revealed itself. Zeroing in on who was at fault was the most challenging task. Jump too soon, and the whole case could collapse in on itself.

It required tact and patience.

The summer sun beat down upon the Adirondacks, spreading a warm golden glow over the landscape. Nestled amidst the fading industrial remnants of the town stood a piece of modernity – the headquarters of Lakeridge Homes Inc., the pioneers of smart living in upstate New York.

Noah had considered it before buying his home, but the cost was astronomical, and the privacy questionable at best.

Noah pulled into the parking lot, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

Rows of polished, high-end electric cars lined the front of the building; their silence when in operation was a stark contrast to the distant hum of factories in the old part of town.

The company’s office, a futuristic structure made of glass and steel, seemed out of place.

It gleamed in the summer sunlight, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Adirondacks while exuding an air of cutting-edge sophistication.

The office’s design mimicked their smart homes — sleek lines, energy-efficient glass panels, and living walls of plants that softened the technological edges.

“Quite the place,” Porter said. “I certainly can see the appeal.”

“Yeah, if you have more money than sense,” Noah added, killing the engine and getting out. Passing the well-manicured lawns, he observed multiple autonomous lawnmowers navigating the terrain to keep the outside perfect.

The main doors automatically opened. “Good day, Detective Sutherland,” a voice said from over the speaker. “Please, would you like to take a seat, and someone will be with you shortly.”

“How did it know it was you?”

Unsurprised, Noah pointed to a camera as he sat on one of the plush leather couches in a waiting area.

“Facial recognition. It can cross-check your face with hundreds of photos online in seconds. We use similar technology through a company called Clearview AI. It’s been instrumental in locating those on the run.

” He glanced to his left as mist sprayed lush greenery around them.

“Once your face is out there, you are identifiable.”

Inside the sleek waiting room, the air was tinged with the subtle scent of blooming flowers carried in through open windows.

A reception area to their right was a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, with interactive screens displaying virtual tours of their latest smart homes.

The walls were adorned with accolades and awards, showcasing their expertise in home automation.

As Noah glanced around, a businesswoman approached with an air of confidence.

Her dark hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders, framing a face with sharp, intelligent features.

Her green eyes sparkled with determination.

Her heels clattered on the polished floor with every step, echoing authority in her stride.

She extended a hand, a subtle, confident smile playing on her lips. “Detective Sutherland.”

He rose.

“I’m Danica Wells,” she said, her voice smooth and composed.

There was an air of sophistication about her, from the tailored cut of her business suit to how she carried herself.

The faint scent of her floral and alluring perfume lingered, leaving a subtle trail as she moved.

“Mr. Taylor is ready to see you. Please follow me,” she continued, her tone both polite and direct.

With that, she turned on her heels and sauntered away, leading them deeper into the heart of the office.

They passed through a transparent corridor, offering glimpses into mock-up rooms of fully automated homes.

Everywhere they looked, cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrated with an elegant design, voice-activated lighting systems, climate control panels, and security features that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie.

The heartbeat of Lakeridge Homes Inc. was the central atrium, a vast space bathed in natural light, thanks to energy-efficient skylights. Here, employees moved about purposely, discussing blueprints on digital tablets and brainstorming ideas for the next generation of smart homes.

“Is that one of the homes you offer?” Noah asked.

“A prototype. The exterior is a blend of sustainable materials and energy-efficient solar panels. If you wish to change the color of your walls, it can be done within seconds. It will even change the walls to match the season or trends of that year.”

Noah and Porter exchanged a quick glance, intrigued.

“This way.”

Behind two imposing glass doors, Noah and Porter found themselves in the presence of the CEO, Michael Taylor, the man at the company’s helm.

Taylor was a commanding figure exuding confidence.

He sat behind a large, polished desk, its surface impeccably organized, reflecting his meticulous nature.

His crisp business suit accentuated his lean physique and composed demeanor, suggesting a man who paid attention to every detail of his appearance.

Before him, several businessmen sat, their expressions curious.

“Gentlemen, we will continue this discussion later,” Taylor stated firmly, dismissing them with a wave.

As they exited, in his haste, one of them dropped papers that floated to the floor.

Noah, quick to notice, picked them up. To his surprise, they were documents from the Grayson law firm, Lena’s father’s practice.

“That will be all, Ms. Wells. Thank you.”

As Taylor’s assistant left the room with a nod, Taylor motioned for them to take a seat.

“Detectives, please, make yourself comfortable. Can I get you a coffee?” he offered, his voice full of congeniality.

Porter nodded appreciatively, and Taylor made his way over to a high-end steel coffee maker.

With a press of a button, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, setting a serene atmosphere for the impending conversation.

Noah looked around. The walls were decorated with tasteful artwork depicting scenes from nature, showcasing an appreciation for art and the local landscape.

A bookshelf, curated with a selection of leather-bound volumes and architectural design books, stood against one wall.

There were carefully arranged magazines and a vase of freshly cut flowers on a polished mahogany side table near the entrance, adding a touch of color and elegance to the room.

A high-quality sound system played soft instrumental music in the background, giving the whole place a calming vibe.

“I apologize for the delay. As you can appreciate, we’ve been under much scrutiny with the recent deaths,” he said, returning and handing Porter his drink, then taking a seat across from them. He leaned back in his chair, noticing Noah observing the view.

“Quite something, isn’t it. I specifically chose this spot for that.”

Behind the desk, a floor-to-ceiling window offered a breathtaking view of the Adirondack Mountains, with the summer sunlight streaming in, casting a warm, golden glow across the room.

Noah noticed photos on the wall of what looked like him hiking and climbing mountains, water-skiing, and scuba diving.

“Do you venture into the outdoors much, detective?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“But you’re a local of the area. I mean, your family is.”

“That’s right.”

He nodded. “You haven’t considered hiking the 46 high peaks?”

“I’ve considered it. However, work is a priority.”

“I can respect that. However, I like to work hard and play harder. Otherwise, why are we here? Right?”

Noah nodded, looked down for a second, then got straight into why he was there. “What can you tell me about the homes your company builds?”

“What aspect?”

“The communities, the technology, security, and so forth.”

He took a sip of his drink and set the cup down.

“Lakeridge Homes set out a few years ago to develop a new urban environment that provides residents a high quality of life. This includes homes with convenience, peace of mind, safety, sustainability, and affordability. Have you heard of smart cities?”

“I have.”

“Well, it’s like that but on a smaller level.

Our company has been building homes for over fifty years.

My father and my grandfather before him were always at the forefront of new development; this is no different.

” He stood up and approached the same window that offered them a view of the forest and mountains.

He passed his hand in front of a pad on the wall, and the windows went opaque, obscuring the outside view.

“We offer custom builds and pre-made homes, no different than any other home builder you would find in a city, except we provide a little more.” Before them, a video played showing a 3D model of a home.

Taylor zoomed into the house using only his hands waving in the air.

“The whole place has a fully automated security system, polycarbonate shields for the windows, heated driveways, cameras in every significant room, yard, driveway… It has interior and exterior motion detectors, and proximity-based sensors, as motion detectors are less effective. It recognizes who you are. Micro-location beacons run on proximity, wearable wristbands authenticate an individual’s identity through distinct heartbeat variability, check body temp, and then automatically adjust the thermostat to optimal settings based on the user.

One centralized system controls everything: the music, the lights, the water, kitchen appliances, entertainment, you name it; it’s developed with convenience and ease. ”

“But not safety.”

“Detective, you couldn’t get a safer home.”

“Did any families die from the technology your father or grandfather used?”