Page 33 of The Smart Killer (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #4)

The sound of a bottle smashing nearby put Richy on high alert. He glanced off to see a teen near the corner. “My bad!” the kid said, ambling away.

“Look, I’ve said too much as it is. I just wanted you to know I wasn’t involved. How is Ethan?”

Mia pressed in closer. “Fighting for his life.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why hasn’t anyone said anything?” she demanded, her voice edged with anger.

He met her gaze, his eyes haunted by a raw truth.

“Why would we? You see anyone else offering free shit to us in this town?” He gestured around them, encompassing the darkness and the hidden corner of High Peaks.

“Most of the people that show up here are dealing with heavy crap at home. Here, they get to forget it. No one asks them to be anything but who they are. No one places demands on them.” His voice grew bitter.

He scoffed. “Don’t you get it? This place is a fucking paradise. ”

Mia grabbed his crotch hard, forcing him up against the wall.

“Well, that paradise might have killed my brother. So, you are going to tell me everything.”

Mia’s anger wavered, replaced by a bitter understanding of the twisted allure that Big G’s bowling alley held for the town’s troubled youth.

It was a sanctuary of escape, a temporary reprieve from the harsh realities of their lives.

But now, it had ensnared her brother, leading him down a path that could end in death.

She tightened her grip on Richy’s crotch. “So?” she demanded, her voice sharp. He squirmed in agony, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “Where are the drugs coming from?”

He shrugged, trying to evade the question. “I don’t know,” he stammered.

Mia tightened her grip even further.

“All right, all right,” he gasped, the pain evident in his eyes. “A black car pulls up once a month in the rear. Blacked-out windows. The license plate is obscured. Gavin gets in the back, and it drives off. He returns an hour later.”

She nodded, urging him to continue. “With the drugs?” she pressed, her tone unwavering.

He hesitated before responding. “I didn’t say that.”

“Then where are they coming from?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin.

Richy shook his head frantically. “I don’t know. It’s not like they tell us everything. Zeke probably knows. He’s closer to Gavin than me.”

She nodded, piecing the information together. “And Ethan. The last night he was here. What do you know?”

“I just told you. Gavin was pissed.”

“And?”

Before he could answer, a couple of teens came around the corner.

Mia quickly planted a kiss on Richy, hiding their conversation.

“Oh, sorry,” the teens said, disappearing as fast as they had come.

As soon as they were gone, Mia pulled away from Richy and spat, making it clear that she wasn’t interested in him.

“Go on,” she said, her focus back on him

“Zeke took him over to the hive.”

“The hive?” she questioned.

“Yeah,” Richy continued, his words coming out in a rush.

“The house. Behind the bowling alley. Teens go there to get high, drink, have sex, and so on. I think Gavin owns it, or someone else does. They have teens looking out for cops. If anyone shows up, they flush drugs down the toilets. They’ve had a few close calls, but so far, no raids. ”

Mia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. “And?” she asked, urging him to divulge more.

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I saw Ethan later that evening with Darla. He seemed a little out of it but was still alert.”

“This Darla. You can point me to her?”

“I guess. I mean. She’s not always here.”

Mia nodded, contemplating the next move. “That’s all you know?” she questioned, her tone firm.

Richy looked exasperated. “That’s all I know. I swear.”

Determined to uncover the truth, Mia made up her mind. “Take me over to the hive,” she said, her voice resolute.

As Mia and Richy made their way into the hive, the air was thick with a combination of cigarette smoke and the heavy bass beats from the music pulsating through the dimly lit space.

The walls were covered with graffiti, and neon lights cast an eerie glow, creating a hazy atmosphere that concealed the faces of the teens scattered around.

The hive was a chaotic blend of laughter, chatter, and the occasional clinking of bottles.

Mia firmly gripped Richy’s jacket from behind as he leaned into the crowd.

She scanned the room, her eyes adjusting to the low light.

She noticed a group of teens huddled together, some dancing to the rhythm, others in deep conversation, a couple sucking faces.

The smell of cheap cologne and the unmistakable scent of weed permeated the air.

“Which one is Darla?” Mia asked.

He pointed her out.

Mia focused on her. Among the sea of faces, Darla stood out.

She wasn’t just beautiful, but there was a sense that she was respected by those around her.

Her eyes held a depth that suggested she’d seen more than her age would imply.

Her hair was dyed an unconventional shade of turquoise, adding to her distinctive look.

Dressed in leather and lace, Darla exuded a rebellious charm.

“Stay here,” she said. Mia broke away from Richy, determination in each stride.

“Darla, can I speak with you?” Mia asked over the booming music.

Darla, looking slightly confused, responded, “About what?”

Motioning towards the chaotic scene around them, Mia raised her voice. “It’s a little loud down here. Can we go upstairs? I’ll explain everything.”

Darla, nonchalant and seemingly uninterested, shrugged Mia off. However, Mia refused to take no for an answer. Acting on her urgency to get answers, Mia seized Darla’s arm and pulled her through the crowd of teens, maneuvering her even under resistance.

Ignoring Darla’s protests, Mia led her upstairs and forced her into a bathroom. The noise from the main floor became muted, creating an isolated space for the confrontation.

Mia locked the door behind them before confronting Darla about her brother.

Darla, visibly annoyed, demanded, “Let go of my arm. What the heck is this all about?”

Mia got closer, stating firmly, “My brother Ethan.”

Darla registered the name but denied any knowledge, attempting to step by Mia. However, Mia blocked her path, insisting that she knew. “Richy told me you were with him that night. I want answers. What was he given and by whom?”

“I don’t owe you anything, bitch. Now get out of my way,” Darla retorted, shoving Mia back into the wall. Seizing the opportunity, Darla rushed toward the door, attempting to unlock it.

In a quick reaction, Mia grabbed Darla by the hair from behind, causing her to trip and fall to the floor. Mia leaped on top of her, asserting, “I want answers. You are going to give them to me.”

Outside the door, a voice interrupted. “Hey, how much longer are you going to be? I need to use the washroom.”

Mia, unfazed, responded sharply, “Use the one downstairs.”

The knocking persisted as Darla, under pressure, admitted, “Zeke questioned him about your father being a cop. He gave him a drink. I was just there to keep him company.”

Mia nodded, probing further. “And what was in it?”

Darla spat out, “Liquid morphine, a couple of other things, it’s one of Zeke’s concoctions.”

“And?”

“Ethan started having trouble breathing. Zeke took him and said he would take him home to sleep it off.”

Mia, somewhat satisfied but still skeptical, asked, “That’s it?”

Darla nodded, saying, “That’s all I know.”

Mia retrieved her cell phone from her pocket and hit stop, revealing she had recorded the confession. “Thank you,” Mia said. Darla’s eyes widened as she realized she’d been recorded.

Just as the tension in the bathroom rose, the knock on the door persisted.

“Occupied,” Mia called out.

Ignoring the warning, the knocking continued.

Mia released Darla and unlocked the door, ready to tell them to fuck off, only to find herself face-to-face with Zeke and two other guys. Behind them stood Ricky, who smirked and declared, “I told you, this place is a paradise.”