Page 37 of Vanish From Sight (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #2)

T he caffeine was doing little to touch the tension headache.

Noah sat hunched over, devouring the remains of a ham sandwich, his eyes scanning timelines, dates, and occasionally looking up at the mugshots and names of suspects.

His brow furrowed. He leaned back, trying to piece together the puzzle based on what evidence they’d collected so far, possible motives and opportunity.

He took another sip of coffee; the dark bitter taste jolted his mind back into focus.

Callie barged into the room, holding a piece of paper that had an address scrawled across it. “I found her, Noah,” she said, her eyes soaking in the sight of names on the mounted screens. “The girl from the Academy, Isabella, she’s in Plattsburgh, an hour away.”

Noah sat up straight, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. They had been following every lead they could find, and this one seemed promising. Still, he couldn’t quite make sense of what was before him.

“Did you hear me?” she asked.

“I heard you, Thorne.” He pointed at the screen.

“Katherine’s husband, Nicholas Evans, could have been involved in both murders.

He never reported her missing and there is the history of her feeling unsafe.

Thomas Green was in jail when the second murder occurred and if he and Teresa are to be believed, they didn’t even know the two women.

The only connection they have is to Lena and they are adamant she left that farm alive.

Then we have journalist Nate Sawyer, he was out at the time of both murders but swears he was in a meeting with Rector Hawthorne on the Friday when Katherine was found, even though Hawthorne denies it and says the meeting was canceled.

As for the second murder, Sawyer didn’t have enough time to kill Laura Summers, change vehicles and return.

Based on surveillance, he had a twenty-minute window, tops.

And he was inside when Lena was found dead and when his SUV was found on fire. ”

“So, what are you thinking?” she asked, standing by him and staring.

“I mean, on the surface Hawthorne or someone from the Academy had every reason to silence them. Katherine was trying to stir the waters with Sawyer’s help. Laura was caught in the middle of that.”

“And Lena?”

“I don’t know. Sawyer worked for the paper. According to Maggie, Lena had taken his job. Maybe, she did some digging after it was confirmed to be Katherine and started nosing around.” He brought a hand up to his mouth, feeling a wave of emotion.

“Hey. If this is too hard, I can get someone else to go out with me. It’s just that it’s out of our jurisdiction but not yours. ”

He exhaled hard. “I told her so many times to stay clear of stories that were dangerous but…” he took a deep breath.

“Lena never listened. She moved to the beat of her own drum.” He reached into his pocket and took out the necklace with her wedding band on it.

“You know, the day I bought this, I thought it wouldn’t fit her.

It did. First time. What are the odds of that? ”

“She kept it?”

“Wore it around her neck. Never told me.” He looked at her. “Look, what is McKenzie doing?”

“Forensics have gone to Nicholas’ home. You know, to run UV lights over the place. See if Katherine was killed there. McKenzie is following up with the bank and plans to speak with Nicholas again and pin down his alibi by canvassing the neighborhood.”

“He didn’t want to go with us?”

“McKenzie wants to do the least amount of work. Driving an hour to see a young girl who’s no longer at the Academy, is a waste of time in his mind.”

“And you?”

She shrugged. “Before Charlie, Isabella was frequently seeing Katherine.”

“Why not just phone her?” Noah asked.

“She isn’t picking up. I got hold of her parents. Told me she works at a gentleman’s club. She cut off communication from them last year.”

“A graduate of the prestigious High Peaks Academy and she’s working there?”

“Seems so.”

Twenty minutes later, as the Bronco wound its way up the highway through the Adirondacks, the sound of the engine was the dominant force.

The rumble of the motor echoed off the trees, growing louder and more insistent as it snaked through the mountains.

The vibrations thrummed, making the whole vehicle shake.

“You really should get this in for a service.”

“It’s new.”

“Even more reason,” she said as they navigated through the wild and rugged landscape. “How are you doing?”

“What?”

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“Staying focused on this keeps my mind from it. My worry is my kids.”

“You really should take time off.”

“Savannah said the same thing.”

“If not for you, Noah, do it for them.”

“That’s the thing. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

The last real vacation I took, found me here dealing with Luke’s murder.

It’s like even when I try to take time, some shit happens and pulls me away.

And, me. I know how to deal with loss, regret and pain, I just bury myself in my work and ignore it.

But them. Those kids. I don’t even know where to begin to help them. ”

“Just being there is a start. Trust me, they don’t expect more than that.”

“What worries me the most,” he stared blankly out the window, “is that I’m going to let them down.

I feel like I’m becoming like my father every day and I hate it.

I used to wonder why he spent so much time away from us working, but I get it now.

This is the easy part. This we know what to do.

But that… back home… Lena was always good at that. ”

“Well, now you get to learn, right?”

The air filtering in grew cooler and the smells of pine and woodsmoke were left behind as they got closer to the city.

The Crimson Lounge was nestled in the heart of downtown Plattsburgh, located inside a historic building that had been beautifully restored.

The premises were situated on a bustling street, flanked by other restaurants and cafes.

However, unlike the rest, the Crimson Lounge stood out with its deep red brick, which contrasted with the more muted colors of the surrounding buildings.

It wasn’t a flea-ridden strip joint that might have attracted middle-aged drunks looking to get their jollies. It was clear that it catered to a higher-class clientele, those with deep pockets and hefty trust funds.

Noah took a narrow alley down the side of the building to make it into the lot at the back.

The entrance was discreet, a small hand-engraved wooden door that could have easily been missed if you weren’t searching for it.

The front of the building was very different, however, with crimson accents on its awnings, signage and window frames.

It almost resembled a lawyer’s office, or maybe that was the facade they wanted to convey.

Sharing buildings had become the norm. It made sense, especially if most of the clientele came from the business district.

“You ever been in one of these?”

“Only for work.”

“I expect that’s what they all say,” she said as she got out.

The door was adorned with a brass handle and a small gold plaque that read “The Crimson Lounge” in elegant script. Two tall lamps were on either side, casting a warm amber light on the sidewalk, as the tall building blocked out what little light made it into the alley.

They were met by light music as Noah pushed through the door.

Inside the vestibule, there was an immediate sense of sophistication, exclusivity and discretion, inviting those who stepped inside to experience what lay within.

“May I help you?” a strikingly beautiful woman asked, greeting them both with confidence.

Her attire was impeccably tailored, with a fitted blazer and knee-length skirt that accentuated her curves in all the right ways.

Her dark black hair was sleek, a modern bob, and her makeup subtle yet eye-catching.

She stood tall and poised, with a regal bearing that commanded the attention of the wealthiest of men.

Noah took out his badge. “State Police, Noah Sutherland. We’re here to see an Isabella Perez.”

“Not in trouble, is she?”

“Not at all.”

The woman looked as if she expected them to clarify, maybe fill her in on the finer details, but after a beat, she took a step back, smiled and told them to follow.

Callie glanced at Noah, her eyebrows raising as they ventured deeper into the establishment.

The light was dim along the hallway, casting a warm glow on the plush furnishings and creating an intimate atmosphere.

The air was filled with the sound of jazz music, played softly by a live band in a corner of the room.

The lounge was divided into various areas, each one had its own vibe.

In another corner was a well-stocked bar, bottles lit up by lights, all tended to by a skilled mixologist who crafted artisanal cocktails with precision and care.

The bar was surrounded by tall stools covered in leather.

Well-dressed men sat, drank and chatted with astonishingly attractive women.

Unlike a strip joint, which might see men thirsting over untouchable women who looked as if the life had been sucked out of them, this had a stage where gorgeous performers took turns entertaining the crowd.

Some sang standard songs or performed burlesque dances, while others slid down poles in high-end lingerie and high heels.

Each one captivated the audience with her talent or curves.

Throughout the lounge, there were plush armchairs and sofas, arranged in intimate groupings for patrons to sit and converse. The furnishings were upholstered in rich red fabrics with ornate details that added a sense of luxury and elegance.