The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer: A gripping new thriller with a killer twist Joël Dicker (booksvooks TXT) 📖

trace of a struggle. I believe he says hello and leads him into the living room. It seems like a visit. But Springfield turns and is blinded. He lifts his hands to his eyes and falls to his knees. The killer grabs this lamp from the table and brings it down with all his strength on his victim’s head. Springfield is killed immediately, but is still struck several times, as if the murderer wanted to be certain that he was dead.”

“Hold on a minute, doc,” Derek cut in. “What did you mean when you said he was blinded?”

“I think the victim was neutralized with tear gas. Which would explain the traces of tears and mucus on his face.”

“Tear gas?” Betsy said. “Like the attack on Jesse in Stephanie Mailer’s apartment?”

“Yes,” Dr Singh said.

I said to him: “You’re saying the killer wants to be certain he kills his victim, but at the same time he comes here unarmed and uses a lamp? What kind of murderer works like that?”

“Someone who doesn’t want to kill, but who has no choice,” Singh replied.

“Is he wiping out traces of the past, is that it?” Derek said.

“I think so. Someone in this town is willing to go to any lengths to protect his secret and prevent you from seeing your investigation through to the end.”

What had Springfield known? What connection was there between him and this whole case? We searched his house, thoroughly scoured his bookstore, but in vain. We found nothing.

That morning, Orphea, the state of New York, and soon the whole country woke to the news bulletins reporting the murder of Cody Springfield. More than the death of a bookseller, it was the succession of events that gripped people. The national media were talking about it now. There was bound to be an unprecedented influx of people into the town.

In response to the situation, an emergency meeting was held at the town hall with Mayor Brown, Major McKenna of the State Police, representatives of the neighboring towns, Chief Gulliver, Montagne, Betsy, Derek and me.

The first question was whether the festival should go ahead. During the night, it had been decided to put all the members of the cast under police protection.

“My advice would be to cancel the show,” I said. “It can only make matters worse.”

“Your opinion doesn’t count, Captain Rosenberg,” Brown said curtly. “For some reason I’m unaware of, you have something against my good friend Kirk Hayward.”

“Your good friend Kirk Hayward?” I said ironically. “Did you call him that twenty years ago when you stole his girlfriend?”

“Captain,” the mayor cried, “your tone and your insolence are unacceptable!”

“Jesse,” Major McKenna said, “I suggest you keep that sort of obser-vation to yourself. What’s important is: do you believe Kirk Hayward really knows something about the Gordon killings?”

“We think there may be a connection between his play and the case.”

“You think? There may be?” The major sighed. “Jesse, do you have any indisputable evidence?”

“No, only suppositions, but well-informed ones.”

“Captain Rosenberg,” Mayor Brown cut in, “everyone says you’re a great detective and I respect that. But it seems to me that, since you arrived in this town, you’ve been causing nothing but chaos, without actually making any progress in your case.”

“It’s because we’re closing in on the killer that he’s getting nervous.”

“Oh, I’m pleased to have an explanation for the mess we’re in right now,” the mayor said. “Anyway, I’m continuing with the play.”

“Mr Mayor,” Derek said, “I believe Hayward is just making fun of you and won’t actually reveal the name of the killer.”

“He may not, but his play will!”

“Don’t play with words, Mr Mayor. I’m convinced that Hayward has no idea of the killer’s identity. We shouldn’t take the risk of letting this play go on. I don’t know how the killer will react if he thinks his name is going to be revealed.”

“Precisely,” Mayor Brown said. “This is something we’ve never seen before. Look at the T.V. cameras, the crowds outside: Orphea is the center of attention. The whole country has forgotten video games and stupid T.V. shows and is holding its breath for a play! It’s remarkable! What’s going on, here and now, is simply unique!”

Major McKenna turned to Gulliver.

“What’s your opinion, Chief Gulliver? Should the play go ahead?”

“I’ve made my feelings on this matter abundantly clear over the last few days, but I’ll say it again. I believe very strongly that the festival should be canceled and the play with it.” He turned to Mayor Brown. “Alan, if you are hell-bent on going ahead, you leave me no choice but to bring forward my retirement and resign with immediate effect. It’s been an honor to work with you, but I won’t let this happen on my watch.”

“Very well,” Mayor Brown said in a flat voice. He turned to Montagne. “Deputy Montagne, I appoint you interim police chief.”

Montagne’s smile was ill-concealed. Betsy forced herself to remain impassive. The mayor turned to Major McKenna.

“What about you, Major, what do you think?”

“It’s your town, Mayor Brown. It’s your decision. I think that even if you cancel everything, that won’t solve the problem of security. The town will still be overrun with media and onlookers. But if you continue with the play, you will have to take drastic measures.”

The mayor thought this over for a moment or two, then declared in a firm voice:

“We provide the town with exceptional security and we continue with the play.”

McKenna listed the security measures that would have to be taken. All access to the town would be controlled, and Main Street closed to traffic. The cast of the play would be lodged at the Lake Palace, which would be placed under police surveillance. A bus with a police escort would bring them to and from the Grand Theater.

When the meeting was finally closed, Betsy cornered Mayor Brown in a corridor.

“Shit, Alan,” she exploded, “how could you appoint Montagne to take Gulliver’s place? You brought me to Orphea to take over, didn’t you?”

“It’s temporary, Betsy. I need you to concentrate