Pretty Girls Die Last Read online

  Lisa Mancini

  PRETTY GIRLS DIE LAST

  The Freya Barret Mysteries

  Book Three

  Pretty Girls Die Last

  Copyright 2019

  Amazon edition

  Lisa Mancini

  Book cover by Divine Designs

  This story is a work of fiction and the creation of the author’s imagination. Any connection to events real or factual is purely a coincidence and not the intention of the author.

  This book is for my sister Patty.

  “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  PROLOGUE

  The breeze from the car window rustled her hair. She left it loose that night and free from the French braid her mother always insisted she wear. Besides, he liked it loose. She exhaled and relaxed her body. The car seat was comfortable for such a small car. He drove fast but not too fast. He knew she didn’t like it when he drove too fast.

  They had plenty of time to get to the restaurant. The other girls were jealous tonight when she told them about her date. The car slowed and eventually stopped. She saw only the forest. He walked around to the passenger side, opened her door, and extended his hand. She accepted it and got out of the car. She loved him when he used romantic gestures.

  They walked a short distance to the pond, Raven’s Pond, as the locals knew it. Formerly a place for lovers or teens wanting to be alone. Long forgotten and rarely visited by tourists, they had it all to themselves tonight. The moon shone brightly above them acting as a spotlight. They walked to the edge of the pond. He reached down and kissed her then. She had never felt so happy. Life was good. She was young, rich, talented and pretty, but unbeknownst to her; soon she would be dead.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Erik, we need to leave by 8:45 if we want to make the premier by 9pm,” said Freya Barrett to her boyfriend. Her house-warming party now over, she busily rushed around her living room picking up empty glasses. Depositing them into her kitchen sink she turned to look at Erik, who was deeply engrossed in his cell phone.

  “What’s so interesting?”

  “What? Oh, it’s Jake. He says the Paramount is packed. We’d better park in the Walmart parking lot and walk over from there.”

  She picked up her jacket and walked out the front door with Erik, locking it behind her. The thirteen jack-o-lanterns she had placed in her front yard shone ominous greetings to late trick-or-treaters. She’d left a basket of candy on her porch with a note that read – Take a bag of candy. Enjoy!

  “I hope I don’t end up looking ridiculous in this film,” she lamented to Erik. He listened but said nothing. He’d heard that comment all night. Freya had taken part in a paranormal investigation a few months ago at the haunted Regency Hotel on Main Street in downtown Agatha Falls. During the investigation, she’d fallen through the floor and into a secret room that held the remains of two bodies. The Fairchild brothers caught the accident on film. Their film, A Haunting on Main Street was premiering tonight at the Paramount Theater. The whole town would be there.

  They parked in the parking lot of Walmart and briskly walked the short distance up the street to the theater. They walked into the historical building and waited in line to present their tickets. Freya recognized several of her friends waiting in the line as well.

  “Freya? Freya, is that you?” asked a voice toward the back of the line. She looked toward the direction of the voice and saw that it was her friend, Enid Prager Jones, the local historian. She had helped Freya in the past by providing historical information about Agatha Falls when Freya was writing about the Joey Taylor murder last year. She was youthful at 80 years old and the two women had become close friends.

  “Enid! Hi, I’m so glad to see you. Sorry you missed my house-warming party earlier.”

  Enid smiled. “Oh Freya, I just came from Wellesley Manor. Minerva hosted a Halloween party. It was so much fun. The theme was a masquerade party and everyone dressed as their favorite literary character. Can you guess who I am?”

  Freya studied Enid’s outfit. She was wearing a long white sheath and had flowers in her hair. She gave it her best shot.

  “Hmmm, are you Juliet?”

  Enid laughed. “No, my dear, but you’re close. I’m Ophelia from Hamlet,” she giggled like a schoolgirl. “It’s my favorite play by Shakespeare.”

  “What do you think about Clyde Embry coming back to town? I hear that he’s gotten death threats,” said Enid. “I know his sister Marlene well. She used to work at the local library, but had to quit because the patrons started harassing her about her brother.”

  Freya nodded. She knew about the sexual predator that had just relocated to Agatha Falls since his prison release. He was a very unpopular person. Ten years ago, convicted of molesting a local boy, he was released early from prison for medical treatment. He had kidney disease and needed dialysis every 72 hours. Originally he intended to relocate to Stamford but his sister offered to let him live with her. Marlene Embry, a respected member of the community and longtime churchgoer and hospital volunteer; agreed to supervise her brother. So, the city council and the mayor agreed to the relocation much to the consternation of many of the Agatha Falls community.

  “I’m well aware of the controversy,” said Freya cautiously. “I hope no one does anything stupid.”

  The line moved quickly now. Freya presented her ticket and she and Erik entered the theater and found their seats. Within minutes, the lights dimmed and the movie began. For the next hour and forty-five minutes, Freya relived her paranormal investigation with the Connecticut Paranormal Investigators and thought nothing more about Clyde Embry.

  The audience enjoyed the film and was scared at the appropriate moments and a few even laughed when Freya fell through the floor. Freya laughed too as she saw herself plummet through the old floor. She soon became serious and a little sad when she remembered that the tarp she fell onto contained the remains of a mother and her young daughter. The film ended with a standing ovation for the Fairchild brothers who produced the film. Freya, also applauded, took a bow facetiously, grabbed Erik’s arm, and rushed him up the aisle toward the restrooms.

  “I need a moment. Why don’t you wait for me in the foyer?”

  Erik nodded and walked off and Freya rushed into the bathroom and into the farthest stall from the door. She took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. Feeling relieved that the film was over, she wanted to escape the mob most likely waiting outside to congratulate her. But congratulations were not necessary. Freya found the attention uncomfortable. She checked her cell phone for updates and skimmed through her texts from Ali. She jumped to attention as the bathroom door suddenly banged open loudly.

  “Jesus Anya! What the hell!” said an exasperated Arielle. Anya was being a total bitch tonight. She almost ruined the film for Arielle by making sarcastic comments through the whole thing. She was seriously thinking of going home from the theater. She didn’t look forward to the sleepover. And to make matters worse, Sydney hadn’t texted her yet. Where was she?

  “Screw you Arielle! I’m not taking your crap, so shut the hell up,” said Anya angrily as she kicked the trash can. Freya peeked out through the crack in the stall door and saw two young girls, not even old enough to be teen agers, standing by the sinks. One was a small blond wearing a St. Bernadette’s athletic jacket and the other a taller girl wearing a gorgeous leather jacket and too much eye makeup. Freya pushed open the door and walked over to the sink to wash her hands. The girls became instantly quiet. Recognizing her, the small blond spoke.

  “Hey, you’re her – the reporter who fell through the floor. What was it like? Did you really fall into
a pile of skeletons?”

  Freya laughed. She explained as succinctly as she could her personal version of what happened at the hotel. The young girl listened in awe.

  “Wow. I would love to go on a ghost hunt but I don’t have the guts.”

  “Well, I’ve got to go now. But it was nice to meet you. Happy Halloween.” Freya walked out the door and into the lobby where Erik was waiting. Much of the crowd had dispersed and Freya and Erik walked hand in hand out the door of the theater.

  “What happened? I thought you had been kidnapped,” said Erik as he squeezed her hand.

  “Sorry, I was talking to my fans,” she joked.

  “Fans? Well, can I be your groupie?” he joked back. They laughed as they walked to his truck and she hopped in. “Hey, I’m starving, let’s go to Santorini’s,” said Freya.

  “Sounds good.”

  They drove the short distance to Freya’s favorite Italian restaurant and parked under the large oak tree. Santorini’s wasn’t busy and Freya was glad. She wanted to have some alone time with Erik. They rarely had time for each other these days. Both were busy with their careers.

  “Let’s sit near the juke box,” said Freya. She loved the oldies music that filled the old jukebox - no Taylor Swift or Beyoncé here. Elvis, The Beatles, and Patsy Cline were her favorites. They sat themselves in a booth by the front window and each grabbed a menu. Santorini’s specialized in homemade Italian food and the lasagna was her choice tonight. Erik chose spaghetti and meatballs. They sat back in the old vinyl booth and spent the next few minutes relaying the events from earlier in the evening.

  “So, tell me honestly, did I look stupid in the film tonight?”

  Erik exhaled. “Freya, you could never look stupid. So, don’t think about it anymore. As Jake said,A Haunting on Main Street is not Star Wars. Only your friends and neighbors will ever see this film. So, don’t worry about it.”

  “Hey, have you heard the latest?” asked Erik. “Agatha Falls is getting a Starbucks.”

  “Really? Where are they building it?”

  “On the site where the old Royal’s Hearthside is located.”

  Freya grabbed his arm and shook it. “But, that’s a historical building! It was built in 1801. They can’t tear that down,” she cried. “Does Enid know? She wrote a book about that building.”

  “Hey, I know it’s old, but the city council and the mayor already approved it,” said Erik sadly. “I looked that building over too. The interior architecture was amazing. They don’t build structures like that anymore,” he said shaking his head disbelievingly.

  Erik paid their bill and they walked out to the parking lot. The temperature had dropped and Freya pulled up the zipper on her jacket. As she stepped up into the tuck, her cell phone buzzed. She looked down at the message from her best friend, Ali.

  Freya, get to a TV. Hannah Baker is back.

  “Oh my God. Hannah Baker is home. We need to get to a TV,” Freya explained to Erik as he drove. Within minutes, they were at Freya’s new house on Moon Brook Drive. She ran in her front door, with Erik following behind her. She turned on her TV. There on the screen stood both Dr. Lydia and Dr. Thomas Baker with their little girl, Hannah.

  The little red haired girl looked straight at the camera but said nothing. She was holding a golden retriever puppy in her arms and she held the puppy as it squirmed to get down. Her mother spoke.

  “I want to thank whoever returned our daughter to us. Right now, we ask the media for privacy. Our priority is our daughter. If you have any questions, please address then to our family lawyer, Barry Velshi. Thank you.”

  Dr. Lydia Baker reached down to take her daughter’s hand but Hannah roughly pushed her away and rushed off camera. Dr. Baker faced the camera. The look on her face said it all – she was furious.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Arielle, Anya, and Megan rode their bikes the five miles to Arielle’s house. Still no word from Sydney. But the girls weren’t worried. Sydney was known for her aloofness. Her friends accepted that about her. They rode the short distance in silence. After leaving the movie premiere, they decided to go back to the slumber party and watch a movie. Anya, the movie buff in the clique, suggested Rosemary’s Baby. Megan and Arielle had never seen it, so Anya was excited for them. She knew they wouldn’t be able to sleep afterwards. And that’s exactly what she wanted. After all, who sleeps at a slumber party?

  “Who is Rosemary? And what’s so special about her baby?” asked Megan slightly out of breath.

  They were riding their bikes up hill and soon would be on Arielle’s street. Arielle and Anya peddled effortlessly, while Megan struggled to keep up. Slightly plump and not in the least bit athletic, Megan’s weak spot involved sports and physical activity, so she avoided both. Finally, Arielle’s house came into view and the girls slowed their bikes. Parking them in the driveway, they ran up the steps and Arielle unlocked the front door. As soon as Arielle shut the door behind her, Anya began her movie review.

  “Rosemary’s Baby is a film about a pregnant woman who gives birth to the child of Satan. Her husband is an actor looking for his big break in film, so he makes a deal with a witches coven. He lets them use his wife as the mother of Satan’s mortal child so he can become famous. Rosemary has no idea. She has a weird pregnancy but no one, not even her doctor helps her. Finally, she gives birth and the coven puts the baby in this cool black bassinette. I can’t wait for you to see the movie. It’s really great!” said Anya effusively.

  As an afterthought, she added, “It was made in the 1960’s, so things were different back then.”

  Megan shook her head and Arielle rolled her eyes. It wasn’t the first time Anya had suggested a film that they both hated or didn’t understand. Apparently, this movie was one of those. Arielle checked her cell phone but still no text from Sydney. It was now past midnight. Arielle texted Sydney telling her she would leave the front door unlocked for her. Then she, Megan and Anya ran up the stairs to her bedroom. Anya put the movie on and the girls settled down to watch.

  An hour later, Anya set the film on pause while Megan used the bathroom. Arielle took the opportunity to call Sydney but there was no response.

  “That’s it, I’m calling Logan,” declared Arielle. Anya turned to look at her. She always suspected that Arielle and Logan were friendly. Both were involved with many sports activities. Logan lived one street over from Arielle and they often ran together when they were in training. Megan entered the room and asked Anya what was up.

  “Arielle is calling Logan. Still no word from Syd.”

  Arielle said hello and the girls listened.

  “Logan? Hi, it’s Arielle. Is Sydney with you?”

  Megan and Anya watched from across the room. Arielle listened and her poker face gave nothing away.

  “What time was that?” she asked.

  “Hmmm, I see. Well, she’s not home yet and no text, email or call. Her phone keeps going to voice mail,” she said. Her voice rising and alarming the girls.

  “I’ll call Molly then. Thanks.” She hung up and immediately called Molly.

  “Hi Molly. Sorry to call so late, but it’s important. Is Syd there?” she asked quickly.

  Arielle’s eyes grew large and she motioned for Anya to listen in. Anya rushed over and Arielle held out the phone so Anya could hear. Megan, feeling left out, walked over to the window, and glanced outside into the dark night. Almost 2pm and the street was quiet. Feeling anxious, Megan grabbed an Oreo from the plate on the nightstand and stuffed it in her mouth. Eating always made her feel better.

  She turned suddenly as Anya spoke loudly into the little purple cell phone. Arielle looked on nervously.

  “Molly, when did she call you?” asked Anya. She looked at her watch. “That was more than two hours ago. Where is she now?”

  Anya went over to Megan and filled her in.

  “Logan and Syd had a fight up at Raven’s Pond tonight. They never went to dinner. Logan said Syd called Molly and asked if her siste
r could pick her up. So, he left her up there. He figured she’d get a ride home with Katie,” she said shrugging her shoulders.

  Realizing the danger, Megan asked, “So, what happened? Did Katie pick her up?”

  “No, she couldn’t do it. So, Syd told Molly she’d walk. Raven’s Pond is only a couple miles from my house.”

  “So, where is she? It doesn’t take three hours to walk that far!” exclaimed Megan.

  Just then, Anya slammed the phone down and said dramatically, “We have to look for her. She must still be up there. Get your bikes, come on.” Anya grabbed a Calvin Klein sweater and pulled it over her head. Arielle and Megan followed behind.

  “Wait, I’ll get flashlights. They’re in the kitchen.”

  Arielle returned a few minutes later, handed each girl a light, and locked the front door behind her. They hopped on their bikes and took off toward the pond.

  “I can’t believe that Logan just left her up there all by herself and in the dark,” said Megan.

  “All men are rats,” said Anya wisely.

  “Not all men,” said Arielle. “Logan probably offered to give her a ride back but you know how stubborn Syd can be. Logan is a good guy,” said Arielle defensively. They peddled the rest of the way in silence.

  Raven’s Pond was named for the Raven family who once owned the 150 acres where Evergreen Acres now stood. Robert Raven, the last descendant of the Raven family sold his land to the city of Agatha Falls in the late 1980’s. The land slowly developed into Evergreen Acres, a wealthy gated community on the southeastern side of Agatha Falls. Mostly surgeons and business owners resided there. The pond was all but forgotten by many of the locals. Located in the southern portion of the Old North Woods, Raven’s Pond was frequented by the teenagers who lived within the gated community. In the 1950’s, it was nicknamed Lover’s Pond by the teens that often brought their dates to the lonely but lovely forested area for a romantic tryst.