Page 27 of Silent Home

And how they had to stop them before anyone else died.

"We're going to do everything possible to catch whoever's responsible," Sheila assured him.Then something clicked in her mind."Mr.Rider, you mentioned Thomas used to act.Jessica was posed like a scene from 'The Winter Palace'—a film she'd wanted to be in.Was Thomas ever up for any significant roles he didn't get?"

Rider frowned, considering."I don't know specifically, but Marcus Harlow might.He does sound design for both film and theater productions.He and Thomas were friends, I think."

"Where can we find Marcus?"Finn asked.

"He should be in Theater Three, checking the sound system for..."Rider caught himself."Well, I suppose that doesn't matter now."

"Thank you," Sheila said, heading for the door."Let us know if you think of anything else."

In the hallway, she and Finn moved quickly through the thinning festival crowd.The news of the second murder hadn't spread yet, but people seemed to sense something was wrong.The earlier excitement had been replaced by uncertain murmurs and worried glances.

They found Marcus Harlow in Theater Three's sound booth, his thick-rimmed glasses reflecting the glow of his equipment displays.When Sheila explained why they needed to talk, his face fell.

"Thomas?No, that can't..."He sank into his chair, running a hand through his dark hair."I just saw him yesterday."

"We understand you were friends," Finn said gently.

Marcus nodded."Since community theater days.I actually got him to audition for a psychological thriller last year—'Ghost Light.'He was perfect for the lead role, this convicted murderer trying to find redemption through theater."He managed a weak smile."Thomas didn't even want to audition.I practically had to drag him there."

"That's actually what I was hoping to speak with you about," Sheila said."Did he take it hard when he didn't get the part?"

"That's the thing—he didn't care."Marcus shrugged."He'd already stepped away from acting after his divorce.Said he preferred the stability of hotel work.The audition was a way of humoring me, I guess.I hoped it would spark some excitement in him, but apparently I was wrong."

Sheila made a mental note of this.

"Can you tell us about any specific scenes from 'Ghost Light'?"she asked."Particularly involving the main character?"

"You'll have to be more specific than that."

"Sitting against a wall, hands folded in his lap, tilting his head to the side as if listening to something?"

Marcus frowned, puzzled."Yes, there's a scene just like that.It's this powerful moment where the murderer character is waiting to hear if he's earned parole."Marcus paused, his eyes widening."Why are you asking about that scene?"

Sheila hesitated, then decided he deserved to know."Because that's how we found Thomas.Posed exactly as you described."

Marcus's face drained of color."Oh God."He gripped the edge of his control board."Just like Jessica in the blue dress."

"Yes," Sheila said quietly.Both victims posed to recreate scenes from roles they auditioned for but didn't get,she added mentally.That's our killer's signature.

"But why?"Marcus asked, looking from Sheila to Finn, then back again."Did someone think the actors who got those roles didn't do a good job?But if you thought Jessica and Thomas would have been better, why kill them?It doesn't make any sense."

"Not to us, it doesn't," Sheila said.But in someone else's twisted logic, it did.

"Do you happen to know where we can get copies of 'Ghost Light' and 'The Winter Palace'?"Finn asked."We need to see these scenes for ourselves."

"'Ghost Light' is easy—it's still running at the Art House Cinema on Carson Street.But 'The Winter Palace' never got distribution."Marcus thought for a moment."Check with the festival archives in the basement.They keep copies of everything that screens here, even if it never gets released.Carl should have the key."

"Thank you," Sheila said, standing."And Marcus?Be careful.Lock up when you leave."

As they headed for the exit, Marcus called after them."Sheriff Stone?Thomas was a good guy.He deserved better than...than being turned into some killer's prop."

Sheila nodded, remembering Charlotte saying almost the same thing about Jessica.Two lives reduced to scenes in someone else's twisted production.

They needed to figure out what connected these films—and fast.Before the killer decided to cast their next role.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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