Chapter Three
The quiet suburb of Crestlake, Michigan had been transformed into a hive of activity. The middle-class neighborhood was made up of cookie-cutter homes, all of which had pristine lawns, colorful flowerbeds, and perfectly pruned hedges. While it was possible that the residents might have ignored something slightly amiss in their sheltered environment, it would have been impossible to overlook the commotion taking place right outside one particular home.
The white picket fence surrounding the two-story house should have signaled domestic tranquility, but it now served as a barrier against the press and onlookers who buzzed with morbid curiosity. Neighbors were clustered together on the sidewalk, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. A young woman in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt stood on the sidewalk and spoke with a local reporter. Her hands fluttered like distressed birds as she spoke animatedly about the individual in question—Mary Jane Reynolds.
”Looks like a block party,” Sylvie murmured as she fixed her gaze on the scene ahead. She raised her cell phone and began to capture screenshots of the spectacle. In their line of work, details mattered, and sometimes those details were lurking in the crowd. ”You realize that you”re going to have to give a statement, right?”
”I really dislike being put on display as some sort of PR stunt,” Brook stressed her displeasure, well aware that she would need to give a statement to the press. SE Investigations had become the face of this investigation. The FBI didn”t want to waste time or resources if these cases turned out not to be connected, and they were more than willing to pay to make the problem go away. ”I guarantee that Agent Tirelli was instructed by his supervisor to steer clear of the area.”
”Well, at least he was nice enough to give you a heads up,” Sylvie pointed out as she tucked her phone into the side pocket of her purse. She kept her sunglasses on instead of exchanging them with her usual, black-rimmed glasses. ”I don”t see any of the local police parked in the neighborhood. I”ll place a call to the sheriff to make sure he keeps a deputy in the area until we have more answers. Ready?”
Brook had parked a few houses down from their intended destination to give herself time to study their surroundings. The theatrical performance playing out in front of Mary Jane Reynolds” residence didn”t seem to bother the woman. Otherwise, she would have closed the curtains on her front windows. Every now and then, someone inside the home would pass by the windowpane. His or her presence would inevitably be a trigger for the cameramen to shift their focus.
”No,” Brook muttered in response to the question. She shouldered open her door anyway. She slipped her phone into her purse before she stepped out of the SUV. Once Sylvie had done the same, Brook pressed the lock button to secure the vehicle. She hid the wince in response to the loud beep capturing everyone”s attention. ”Sylvie, walk on the inside.”
Sylvie parted her lips as if to argue, but the resounding voices of excitement seemed to have changed her mind. She gave a curt nod before joining Brook on the sidewalk. They didn”t have to stroll far before the frenzied media had created a barrier between them and the gate of the white picket fence.
”Can you believe it?” someone whispered over the snapping shutters of cameras and the questions being hurled from the reporters. ”Right here in our own backyard...”
The reporters began their own line of questioning.
“…is Mary Jane Reynolds the killer’s next target?”
“Will the FBI provide every Mary Jane Reynolds in the state of Michigan with a security detail, or will…”
Brook held up her hand to stop the flow of inquiries.
”Please, if you would allow me to speak, I”ll give you a brief statement for your noon segment.”
Brook”s voice sliced through the clamor with an authoritative clarity. Microphones immediately raised like an array of metallic flowers reaching for the sun. A vibrating hush finally descended over the crowd.
”As of yesterday, SE Investigations has officially been retained by the Bureau to assist in the investigations involving three victims all named Mary Jane Reynolds,” Brook announced, though she doubted the information came as a shock to the press. The FBI had already put out a statement to such effect. ”Due to the ongoing nature of these cases, we won”t be providing any specifics at this time. However, I assure you that we are fully committed to uncovering the truth. As you all know, the FBI values the role of the press in keeping the public informed, which means that when we have something to share with you, my firm will either issue a press release or request a press conference. In the meantime, we would appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the integrity of this ongoing investigation.”
Brook paused, allowing her last sentence to not only resonate with the members of the press but also serve as an exit strategy. A murmur rippled through the crowd, and while some of the reporters continued to eagerly toss out questions, the majority seemed to understand that she would say no more on the subject matter. Upon hearing Jacob”s name in one of the numerous inquiries, Brook merely arched her brow and let her expression convey her opinion of such a personal question as she began to advance, forcing the audience to part.
”That was very well done,” Sylvie murmured as Brook lifted the small handle on the white gate. Once they were through and the latch was secured behind them, they began to walk down the narrow path to Mary Jane Reynolds” front door. ”You spoke efficiently, but somehow managed to say absolutely nothing.”
Brook took the compliment as she studied their surroundings, wanting to know everything and anything about Mary Jane Reynolds. According to the woman”s background check, she worked in retail at a very exclusive boutique in town. She was in her late twenties, single, and rented the two-story home from one of her family members for half of what rent would normally cost her in this neighborhood.
The front door had been painted a vibrant, cheerful yellow, offset by immaculate white trim. A wreath adorned the entrance with scores of daisies and lush green leaves. The decoration hung delicately from a brass holder, welcoming visitors with its beauty.
”It”s all staged,” Brook noted quietly as her gaze settled on the welcome mat. The images of daisies were woven in between the letters to keep with the porch”s theme. ”Mary Jane posted a video last month to share with her followers how to make this very wreath.”
Mary Jane was all about being an influencer. Every single day for the past year, she made sure to post perfectly polished reels on social media. It was all about fashion, makeup, home décor, and those recipes that made one”s mouth water. She had a decent number of followers, but it wasn”t until she posted the video about the three victims who shared her name that things really blew up for her.
Suddenly, she had become viral famous.
Before Brook could lift her hand to knock, the door swung inward. Mary Jane stood framed in the entrance with a small smile on her face. She held the door open just wide enough to cause a stir from those outside wanting to capture some footage. It was difficult to determine if she relished the attention.
”Miss Reynolds, I”m Brooklyn Sloane with SE Investigations.” Brook gestured toward Sylvie. ”This is my colleague, Sylvie Deering. As I explained on the phone earlier this morning, our firm has been retained by the Bureau to investigate your concerns regarding the three victims who share your name.”
Mary Jane was a beautiful woman. Her long brown hair had hints of auburn highlights, adding depth and dimension to the strands. Her green eyes were framed by thick, dark lashes that were a result of premium products. Delicate lines of eyeliner and shimmery eyeshadow complemented her skin tone, and the rest of her makeup had been meticulously applied, leaving her complexion flawless and radiant.
She was meant to be in the spotlight.
”Please, come in.” Mary Jane extended the invitation as she stepped back, making room for Brook and Sylvie to cross the threshold. It didn”t go unnoticed that she kept the door ajar long enough for prying lenses to steal glances at the interior. The lime green vase with orange flowers set on an antique piece of furniture would undoubtedly be featured online sometime soon. ”I”m so glad that the FBI is now taking this threat seriously. If it took my video to get the job done, then so be it.”
Mary Jane finally closed the door before stepping around Brook and Sylvie. The scent of her perfume was faint, but that might have been due to the plug-in air fresheners in almost every outlet. The strawberry fragrance was quite heavy as Mary Jane led Brook and Sylvie into the living room. Brook cleared her throat as she continued to read between the lines.
”This is my fiancé, Adam Bouras.” Mary Jane introduced a man who was standing near the window, though he was far enough away to avoid being captured on film. He stepped forward and shook their hands. ”And this is Cindy, my sister.”
Cindy resembled Mary Jane, though the woman”s hair was shorter with blonde highlights. Her smile didn”t reach her eyes, and she seemed to be genuinely concerned for her sister.
”It”s good to see that you”re surrounding yourself with people,” Brook pointed out as she took a seat on the couch. Sylvie joined her, setting her purse on the hardwood floor. ”With all the attention you”re receiving, you”ve been thrust into the limelight. It could take some time for the curiosity to fade.”
The living room was just as bright and cheery as the exterior of the house. Natural light poured in through the large windows, illuminating the soft cream paint on the walls. Bright pops of color in the form of vibrant throw pillows and artful decorations spoke of Mary Jane”s talent to blend décor seamlessly.
”I”m scared,” Mary Jane stated bluntly as she took a seat in the overstuffed chair. Her fiancé had left his position near the window to stand next to her. His black hair was slicked back, and there was no denying the man”s attractiveness. When he placed his hand on Mary Jane”s shoulder, she reached up and laced her fingers with his. ”I mean, it”s obvious that I”m a target based on my name. I could be next.”
”Which is why your video plea was a bold move,” Brook responded truthfully, not seeing the need to sugarcoat the situation. ”Miss Reynolds, while there have been three murders committed over the past seven months of women sharing your name, the police have yet to connect the cases with any substantial evidence. If the investigations are unrelated, you have nothing to worry about. If, however, we do find that the women were linked in some other manner or through DNA left at the crime scenes, then you”ve made yourself a target.”
”I had to do something,” Mary Jane responded as she tilted her chin defiantly. ”I couldn”t just sit here and wait to be killed by some lunatic with a knife.”
”Didn”t you say that the FBI hired you?” Adam asked as he slipped his free hand into the pocket of his khaki pants. ”It”s pretty obvious that the cases are connected, right? You wouldn”t be here otherwise.”
”Until we receive a forensics report comparing the DNA at each crime scene, we”re looking into all possibilities,” Sylvie responded as she rested her hands on her knees. ”Are you staying with Miss Reynolds, Mr. Bouras?”
”Adam, please. And no, I travel a lot for work. I”m an insurance adjuster.”
”I”m staying with my sister for the time being,” Cindy offered up from her spot near the television. She had her phone in her hand, and she had been switching her attention between the screen and them. ”We both work at the boutique, so we just made sure our schedules aligned.”
”That”s good to know,” Brook said before getting right down to it. ”Miss Reynolds, I”d like to ask you some questions.”
”You can call me Mary Jane.
”Mary Jane,” Brook said in concession. ”Did you know the victims personally?”
”No,” Mary Jane responded as she finally released her fiancé’s hand. ”None of them.”
”Not even from social media?” Brook pressed for clarification.
”Not that I know of,” Mary Jane responded with a sideways glance toward her sister. ”Cindy?”
”I don”t think so, but you”re now up to...” Cindy paused to access information on her phone. ”Two million, one hundred, and six thousand followers. I suppose we could do a search for your name. I never thought of that.”
”Cindy, do you help handle your sister’s social media?”
”I couldn”t do it without Cindy”s help,” Mary Jane interjected with what appeared to be sincere appreciation. ”She helps with the lighting, the editing, and scheduling of all my posts.”
Cindy”s fingers were currently typing away on her phone.
”Mary Jane, have you noticed anything out of the ordinary lately?” Brook asked, not concerned in the least that something would be overlooked during today”s meeting. Sylvie would ensure that all the details were uploaded into the firm”s shared software program. ”A car parked outside of your home? Someone outside your place of business who shouldn”t be there? Unusual phone calls?”
”No. Nothing like that.” Something must have jarred Mary Jane’s memory. She frowned before glancing up at her fiancé. ”Adam? There was that incident at the bar last weekend.”
“Bar?” Brook asked, hoping for more clarification.
“We like to go to either the Crestlake Bar Grill on the pier or the local pub in town on the weekends. Sometimes on a Thursday, too. Both are local hangout spots. Fun ones, too,” Mary Jane replied as she refocused her attention on Brook. “Crestlake Bar Grill is an outdoor establishment located on one of the piers west of town. The place is relatively upscale for a seasonal stomping ground, so I wasn’t expecting some guy to make a scene.”
”The guy was drunk, MJ.” Adam crossed his arms and widened his stance. He addressed Brook and Sylvie with the rest of his response. ”We went out last Saturday night. Some guy couldn”t hold his liquor, and he was hitting on every woman in the place. A friend and I made sure he was escorted to the parking lot.”
Sylvie confirmed the name of the establishment before following up with more questions about their daily, weekly, and monthly routine. Brook kept an eye on Cindy, who had interrupted to say that there were three followers named Mary Jane Reynolds. The team was already aware of those three individuals, but there was no need to point that out. Those particular women just so happened to live in different states.
”Mr. Bouras, did you know any of the victims?” Brook asked, widening the circle. ”You mentioned that you travel a lot for your job. Could the victims be clients of your company?”
”I didn”t know the other women,” Adam replied before recognition hit. ”Are you suggesting that I—”
”No, I”m not suggesting anything,” Brook reassured him as she pulled out a business card that she had tucked in the pocket of her blazer. ”We”re merely trying to establish a connection. Locating a starting point is critical to connecting the investigations. As far as we are aware, the victims didn”t know one another. The few similarities we have found are weak, such as two of the women liked to cook and followed some of the same groups on social media. Two enjoyed frequenting wineries, two were into jogging, two preferred cats over dogs, and two were avid readers. All different correlations, leading us back to square one.”
”I prefer Pilates, love wine, don”t have pets, and I tend to stream movies and shows over reading,” Mary Jane offered up with a slight shrug. She rubbed her chest subconsciously, causing the material of her blouse to shift with the motion. ”I know you probably think that I only posted that video to get more followers, but I”m honestly terrified that someone might try to kill me. You said it yourself—three women named Mary Jane Reynolds have been murdered in the past seven months. What if this psychopath doesn”t like the name Mary Jane Reynolds? What if he has a hit list and is working his way across the state? The country?”
Brook had already drawn the conclusion that Mary Jane was truly frightened for her life. It was also evident that she didn”t mind the benefits that came along with posting said video. Whether the publicity made the team”s job easier or more difficult remained to be seen.
The next twenty minutes were spent discussing potential security measures that Mary Jane could implement into her daily and nightly routines. Brook also emphasized that additional patrols in the neighborhood were not a guaranteed solution but could serve as a deterrent. Brook assured Mary Jane that they would keep her updated on the progress of the investigation, as well.
”In the meantime, please reach out to me if you can think of anything odd that has occurred over the past couple of weeks,” Brook said as she gestured toward the business card that she had placed on the coffee table. ”The same goes for you, Mr. Bouras and Miss Reynolds.”
Brook had included both Mary Jane”s fiancé and sister in the request. They both nodded their agreement as Brook and Sylvie stood to take their leave. Brook could sense the vibrations coming from her phone, but she made no move to answer the call. As Mary Jane guided them toward the front door, a framed document on the wall in the middle of several framed photographs caught Brook”s attention.
She remained silent until she and Sylvie had made their way through the throng of reporters. It appeared as if most of the neighbors had made their way back inside their homes. The camera crews were still hoping the viral sensationalist would emerge from her residence to make a formal statement.
”Mary Jane Reynolds is adopted,” Brook announced as she closed the driver’s side door. The interior of the SUV had warmed up comfortably from the morning sun. ”There was a framed certificate on her wall, along with family photographs. Considering that Cindy resembles her sister and she was also in the pictures celebrating the event, it stands to reason that the two of them were adopted by the same parents.”
”Mary One was adopted.” Sylvie tucked her purse on the floor before retrieving her cell phone. ”I”ll check on the other two victims. Maybe we missed something. It would be nice to catch a break this early in the case.”
Brook agreed with Sylvie”s sentiment, but they technically already had a fortunate insight regarding a pattern in the investigation. Should the murders turn out to be connected, there were approximately three months in between each killing. Such calculations left the team with a mere two months to track down and capture the unsub before another innocent life was taken.