SLAVES OF HOLLYWOOD 2 by Declan Brand Read Free Book Online Page B

frightening as hell.”
    “It’s real, Ms. Blanchette.” Kelly kept her voice carefully level. “I had it checked by two different experts—they’re sure that no special effects of any kind were used on that film—the blood, the wounds—everything is quite real.”
    “And you think that this originated somewhere in the Los Angeles area.”
    Kelly nodded, opening the report to page 51 and turned it so it could easily be seen by the Director. “I ran a computer check on the mountains visible in the background and the position of the sun. Without question, this was shot in the greater LA area—somewhere in the Santa Anna Mountains.”
    The Deputy Director looked at the analysis and sighed. “I know the head of the LA office pretty well—he and I worked together on the BTK Killer task force a couple of years ago. He’s a good man.”
    “I doubt if he’s even aware of this film, Ma’am. My source says distribution is very exclusive.”
    “Ah yes,” Ms. Blanchette fixed Kelly with her patented stare. “And you still refuse to share your source on this?”
    “I gave my word, Ma’am.”
    “Your word.” The Deputy Director stood up and moved to her window, looking out over Constitution Avenue. “And you think it’s worth looking into?”
    “I don’t think there’s any question that this should be looked into.” Kelly leaned forward, tapping the photos inside the reports sleeve. “You’ve seen these women. You’ve seen what was done—is still being done--to them! They have to be found and the men who did these terrible things must be punished!”
    “Kelly,” the Deputy Director turned toward her subordinate. “You came to the Bureau as an accountant, right?”
    “Yes Ma’am.”
    “And you moved up the ladder by investigating money flow, extortion and that sort of thing.”
    “Especially on the Maldoff case, Ma’am.”
    “Whatever.” The Director leaned on the edge of the desk, eyes fixed on Kelly. “You’ve never been in the field, never been beaten up or shot at.”
    “I was number one at unarmed combat at the Academy, Ma’am. Second with a handgun.”
    “But not in the field, right? Never in the field.”
    “I can do this, Ma’am.” Kelly met the other woman’s eyes. “I have to do this.”
    And now, two weeks later, she was beginning to realize that she couldn’t do it—that she really didn’t know how to proceed from here.
    The advertisement has to be the key! Kelly told herself for the thousandth time. It was the way the girls were brought together! And it leads right to Harry Winston…
    But Harry Winston had an answer to every question—and both Fanelli and Ellis had assured her that it would be quite normal for anyone working at his agency to use the company account to pay for that advertisement. It was even possible that someone from the outside had used the company accounts illegally.
    Winston was ready for us! Someone tipped him about what we were after! The thought brought Kelly upright in her bed.
    Then she flopped down onto the hard mattress once again. No. Only Fanelli and Ellis and I knew what we were going to him about—and I don’t think either of them would have warned him…
    It was a dead end. Everything was a dead end.
    And her career was going to come to dead end if she didn’t think of something soon!
    It was almost dawn when the idea struck her.
    Of course!
    She leapt out of bed, clicked on the bedside light and pulled the now-tattered copy of the Hollywood Reporter out of her carryall. That advertisement gave some sort of address for the Cattle Call—where…
    She thumbed through the paper until she came to the page she wanted, than spread it out on the coffee table. Yes! Anyone who wanted to audition was told to come to a hall at—2002 Burbank Blvd. We should be able to find out who rented it—and then…
    She let herself sink back into the bedding. And then we’ll know! Her smile was predatory as she turned the lights out.
    And when we do,