Page 31 of Girl, Deceived

Ella and Mia exchanged glances. The weight of the decision is pressing on them.

‘Innocent people don’t usually attack FBI agents with bats,’ offered Ella.

'I thought you were going to take me in for theallegationsagainst me. They’re not true either.’

'Alright,' Ella sighed at Mark's lawyer. 'But he stays in town. And if we find even a tiny inconsistency, he's right back here.'

Mark nodded vigorously, his relief evident. 'I promise you won't find anything.'

Ripley stood up to leave, but Ella stayed put. She had more questions for this man, and had a curiosity about his horror fascination.

‘Mr. Brewer, I assume you know what murders we’re referring to, right?’

Mark nodded. ‘Everyone knows.’

‘As a horror fanatic, what do you make of them?’

Mark tilted his head, then looked back at his defendant for approval. The man nodded.

‘Horrific, of course,’ Mark said. ‘I celebrate cinema, not tragedy. It’s a real shame what happened to Kathleen and Jessica.’

Ella leaned forward, ‘Do you think the person responsible could be someone in the…’ Ella searched for the right term. ‘Horror community.’

‘Must be. But I don’t know the finer details. All I heard is that your guy left a Michael Myers and a Pinhead mask behind. Those movies aren’t exactly cult classics. They’re mainstream horrors, iconic characters.’

Ella decided to give a little. Sometimes, gestures of goodwill were returned.

‘Our perp stabbed someone… with a shotgun. And disemboweled another. He was reenacting scenes from Halloween four and Hellraiser two.’

Mark shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his public defender again. ‘Look, there are thousands of horror fans out there, and not all of them can differentiate between reel and real. But to assume that anyone in thehorror community, as you put it, would commit such acts is a broad stroke.’

Ripley, cut in, ‘So, in your circle of acquaintances, anyone comes to mind? Anyone who might take things a little too far?’

Mark shook his head, ‘I meet tons of horror enthusiasts every day, at conventions, events, even at my shows. No one comes to mind, but…’ Mark trailed off as he bit his lip.

Ella willed him to continue with a stare.

‘But you should check out the Dread Pages,’ Mark carried on.

‘The what?’

'The Dread Pages. It's an online community, solely for Los Angeles horror buffs. It's not just for horror talk, either. It's a place for actors directors, and writers to advertise their services. ’

Ella noted down the name. ‘What makes this place stand out?’ she asked.

Mark leaned back, looking visibly drained. ‘Maywood is for the rejects. The devil’s rejects, if you will.’

Another film reference. ‘Point being?’

‘All I’m saying is you need a brass ring piece to survive in Hollywood, and those that don’t survive end up in this city. I’ve seen what failure can do to a man, and if you check out some of the posts on Dread, you’ll see what I mean.’

Ella read between the lines. Mark was suggesting that their killer could be a failed actor.

Thank you for the lead, Mr. Brewer,’ Ella said softly.

‘Just doing my part.’

As Mia gathered her files, Ella paused, taking a moment to meet Mark's gaze. ‘If you're telling the truth,’ she began, her voice gentle but firm, ‘and you have nothing to do with these murders, I hope for your sake that your alibi holds up. But know this, we will find out if you're lying.’

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