~SEVEN DAYS EARLIER~
It had been the rehearsal dinner for Kevin Landers and Samantha Lake's wedding. As the best man, Tom McDaniels was obligated to attend. He had been feeling antsy as he had two business deals that needed to be dealt with but couldn't because he was busy at the rehearsal. When Kevin had asked Tom to be his best man, he had immediately accepted for two reasons. The first reason was that Kevin was like a brother to him. The second reason was Paula Masterson being one of the bridesmaids.
Tom glanced at the blonde woman who was currently pretending she hadn't just spilled red wine on the white tablecloth in front of her. He laughed to himself. She had always been a little clumsy. He found it endearing. As she looked in his direction, he smiled at her. She seemed surprised but nodded and smiled back.
Tom had picked up one of his plates and moved it as a way to signal for her to copy his actions. She smiled and looked around before nonchalantly picking up her plate and covering the red stain with her dinner plate. She looked back at Tom and winked.
Tom had gone to school with Paula but never really talked with her. It wasn't a surprise that she didn't remember him. Growing up, she was part of the popular group and he wasn't. Back then he was too young and scared to approach her. It wasn't until after he graduated, that he missed seeing the larger than life blonde that was always a little clumsy, always helping others, and never afraid to stand up for her friends.
He remembered their senior prom when she had been asked to attend by Johnny Joe Garcia, a kid with Down syndrome. Johnny Joe had asked her months in advance before anyone else could. Paula accepted his invitation and didn't seem the slightest bit embarrassed to have him as her date. When asked why she didn't go with her boyfriend to prom, she responded, "Johnny Joe asked me first." Tom wished that he had asked her before Johnny Joe.
Tom also remembered when she was a freshman and had missed school for over a week. Later he found out that was when her family had died in a car accident while she had been visiting her aunt. He thought for sure she would have turned into some kind of basket case but she was the same old Paula. She continued to smile and stay friendly with everyone. He remembered walking in on her crying one day in the choir room. She was all alone and he had intended to pick up some sheet music for an upcoming recital.
Paula was weeping and if Tom had been a braver man, he would've consoled her. Instead he watched for a moment and then silently left the room to give her some privacy. Tom understood what it felt like to lose family. He wanted to reach out to her but during those years, the social divide was too great and he was just some geek that she didn't even know existed. At that time he was content to just watch her from afar.
During his college years, he still knew how Paula was doing through Samantha Lake, Kevin's soon-to-be wife. It was like Samantha knew that Tom had a crush on Paula. So Samantha always told him how Paula was doing. So when he was told that Paula was going to be part of the wedding ceremony, Tom was ecstatic.
Tom had been waiting for this moment. It had been years in the making. He was rich, handsome, successful, and now all he needed was Paula, the girl he could never get out of his mind. He knew that she was now an elementary school teacher and most importantly...still single. If things worked out with Paula maybe they would be the ones having a June wedding next year.
Still at the police station, Tom McDaniels shook off his thoughts of the past week and stared at the pretty brunette next to him. She shook his hand and introduced herself, "Eva. Eva Lewis. I'm sorry did you say your friend was missing?"
"Is missing," Tom corrected.
Eva touched the locket she wore around her neck and mentally asked for forgiveness for what she was about to do but she had a strong feeling this man's friend and the lady at the murder scene were one and the same and she wanted the scoop. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry. How long has she been missing?"
Tom nodded, "Since five days ago."
Eva gave a look of concern, "I'm sorry to hear that. The cops here are understaffed but they try to do their jobs as best they can. I know a few officers personally if you want to tell me about it. Maybe I can get them to make it a priority." Eva had cast the bait and was waiting to see if Tom would bite.
Tom sighed. He needed any help he could get, "Her name is Paula Masterson."
Eva smiled. Now she just needed to reel him in, "How long have you known her?"
Eva noticed him adjust his collar before answering, "We went to high school together and were supposed to meet that night but she never showed up. At first I figured she just stood me up. I called her a few times but she never answered. Then I went to her hotel room and she still didn't answer. According to her reservation, today was her check out day but the hotel staff said she never did. We checked her room and her stuff was still there."
Eva's curiosity was pricked, "How did you get the hotel staff to tell you that information?"
Tom actually stiffened, "Well, to be honest, one of my friends owns the hotel. It wasn't that difficult and besides, I ended up paying for her hotel stay."
Eva frowned. She wished she had rich friends that could easily break rules and get her private information with the exchange of money. It would definitely help her land more stories. Eva brushed her jealousy aside and asked, "How come you didn't file a report after two days? Why now?"
Tom explained, "I was going to file a report but when I had questioned the front desk about her possible disappearance, one of the hotel staff members said they saw her leave with a man. I figured she really did just stand me up. Our friends Kevin and Samantha have been on their honeymoon. I was finally able to reach them and Samantha tried calling her and wasn't able to get in touch with her either. To ignore my calls is one thing. To ignore Samantha's is another. Now her phone is off or dead. Our friends are still on their honeymoon and I told them not to worry but something doesn't feel right. Why would she leave all of her clothes at the hotel? It makes no sense."
Always one to question things, Eva couldn't help but wonder, "Why did she have a reservation at the hotel for so long after the wedding?"
Tom shrugged, "I don't know but during the reception Paula had mentioned needing time for herself to relax."
Eva took a moment to soak in all the information Tom had just given her. If her calculations were correct, Paula Masterson was the latest victim of the Demon King and she had an article to write. She looked at the time on her phone. She had a few more hours before she had to turn in her article. Eva was about to politely exit when a familiar voice came booming towards her.
"What is she doing here?" Detective Jerry Gonzales snarled as he pointed to Eva. Eva took that as her signal to leave. She smiled at Tom and then turned to Jerry and his partner David.
"It must be my lucky day to run into you not once but twice today Detective Gonzales," Eva said in a sweet voice, causing David to snort. He knew there was nothing but animosity between Jerry and Eva since she had started reporting on the Demon King case. Prior to it, Jerry got along with her just as well as all the other officers and detectives.
"I want you out of here Lewis," Jerry gritted through a clenched jaw.
"I know you do and I wanted to win the Pulitzer last year but we can't always get what we want," Eva grinned.
"Are you here to see me Eva?" David interjected before Jerry could begin yelling at Eva again.
She shook her head, "Nope. I came to bring Gina coffee."
"Stop buttering up the other officers for information and leave. I don't want you interfering with my investigation," Jerry demanded.
"I'm not sure why you're making my job difficult," Eva sighed. "I'm just trying to inform the public of the serial killer that's on the loose. That's not a crime."
"You gave him the name Demon King! You're probably stroking his ego, making him want to kill more victims. You're so wrapped up in getting your next story that you probably never thought what these poor women and their families are going through," Jerry fumed. "How would you like it if he went after you?"
David stepped forward and stood between Eva and Jerry, "Okay that's enough big guy. We need to get to work."
Eva felt her stand taller and widened her stance. She hated it when men tried to bully her. She lifted her chin, "Well Detective Gonzales it looks like you have a serious case on your hands for the time being but I suspect that the FBI may be taking over for you in the near future."
"What the hell are you talking about Lewis?" Jerry's hands were clenched, an obvious sign that he was upset.
Eva, not one to be easily intimidated, answered him, "Well detective, it's not often that this small town gets its very own serial killer. Maybe your captain thinks you need some extra help. Oh by the way, this here is Tom. If I were you, I would talk to him." With that Eva sauntered past Jerry Gonzales and out the door.
The angry detective watched Eva Lewis brush past him and muttered, "What a bitch." Then he looked at the man she called Tom and barked, "What do you want?"
Tom took another deep breath to calm himself, "For the millionth time, I'm here because my friend has been missing for five days. I last saw her at a wedding where she was a bridesmaid."
David chuckled and looked towards the door Eva just exited, "It makes you wonder how she does it."
Jerry looked at Tom and frowned. He knew where this was heading. "What color was her dress?"
"Yellow," the man answered.
"Well ain't this a bitch?" Jerry cursed.
Later that evening, Eva was ready to call it a day. She had finished typing out her article and had submitted it to Tony, her editor. He had promised to run it the next day. She was quite proud of herself. It read, "Demon King Seeks Queen: Who Will be the Unfortunate Bride?" Eva turned in her story and walked out the door.
It was late but she didn't mind. She loved the dark. According to her thinking, the most interesting things happened when the sun went down. She walked to her car and paused. The hairs on her neck were standing up. Slowly, she turned around. She could've sworn someone was watching her. She shrugged off her fear, "This story must be getting to me." She could feel the skin on her arms get goose bumps. She quickly unlocked her doors and was about to get in her car when something caught her eye.
It was on the passenger's side.
It was a small crown of white flowers.