Fade to Black Read online

  Where dreams go to die...

  Starring in a cult TV show was a blessing for Marnie Davante, especially now that her former fame could support her future dream of starting a children’s theater. So she’ll work the convention circuit. But then a costar is brazenly murdered in front of her. With a killer who vanishes into thin air with seemingly inhuman skill, and strange events plaguing Marnie, she feels she can’t even trust her own senses.

  Although his dear departed parents were famous actors, PI Bryan McFadden is about as far from Hollywood as you can get. The former military man is reluctant to get involved in such a bizarre case, but it quickly becomes obvious that Marnie is in grave danger, and he is compelled to help. It’s unclear if the killer is an obsessed fan or something more sinister. Could the show’s cast be cursed? How can Bryan keep Marnie safe when it becomes apparent there’s a force determined to make this her final curtain call?

  Also By HEATHER GRAHAM

  A DANGEROUS GAME

  WICKED DEEDS

  DARK RITES

  DYING BREATH

  A PERFECT OBSESSION

  DARKEST JOURNEY

  DEADLY FATE

  HAUNTED DESTINY

  FLAWLESS

  THE HIDDEN

  THE FORGOTTEN

  THE SILENCED

  THE DEAD PLAY ON

  THE BETRAYED

  THE HEXED

  THE CURSED

  WAKING THE DEAD

  THE NIGHT IS FOREVER

  THE NIGHT IS ALIVE

  THE NIGHT IS WATCHING

  LET THE DEAD SLEEP

  THE UNINVITED

  THE UNSPOKEN

  THE UNHOLY

  THE UNSEEN

  AN ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS

  THE EVIL INSIDE

  SACRED EVIL

  HEART OF EVIL

  PHANTOM EVIL

  NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRES

  THE KEEPERS

  GHOST MOON

  GHOST NIGHT

  GHOST SHADOW

  THE KILLING EDGE

  NIGHT OF THE WOLVES

  HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

  UNHALLOWED GROUND

  DUST TO DUST

  NIGHTWALKER

  DEADLY GIFT

  DEADLY HARVEST

  DEADLY NIGHT

  THE DEATH DEALER

  THE LAST NOEL

  THE SÉANCE

  BLOOD RED

  THE DEAD ROOM

  KISS OF DARKNESS

  THE VISION

  THE ISLAND

  GHOST WALK

  KILLING KELLY

  THE PRESENCE

  DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR

  PICTURE ME DEAD

  HAUNTED

  HURRICANE BAY

  A SEASON OF MIRACLES

  NIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD

  NEVER SLEEP WITH STRANGERS

  EYES OF FIRE

  SLOW BURN

  NIGHT HEAT

  Fade to Black

  Heather Graham

  Copyright

  An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

  1 London Bridge Street

  London SE1 9GF

  First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2018

  Copyright © Heather Graham Pozzessere 2018

  Heather Graham Pozzessere asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

  Ebook Edition © May 2018 ISBN: 9781474082808

  Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham

  “Graham stands at the top of the romantic suspense category.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Graham is a master at world building and her latest is a thrilling, dark, and deadly tale of romantic suspense.”

  —Booklist, starred review, on Haunted Destiny

  “Intricate, fast-paced, and intense, this riveting thriller blends romance and suspense in perfect combination and keeps readers guessing and the tension taut until the very end.”

  —Library Journal on Flawless

  “Graham is a master at writing stories that weave the paranormal with the everyday…. This book was a great read with twists and turns on every page that is classic Graham style.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Wicked Deeds

  “A compelling and suspenseful case that keeps readers guessing until the end…. Graham is a master at crafting stories that never feel old.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Dying Breath

  “An incredible storyteller.”

  —Los Angeles Daily News

  “Graham is the queen of romantic suspense.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  For Deborah C. Neff

  Incredible bookseller and so much more—

  Incredible friend!

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  The McFadden brothers—Bryan, Bruce and Brodie, all former military, now registered as private investigators

  Maeve and Hamish McFadden—celebrated actors of screen and stage, killed tragically in an accident

  The Krewe of Hunters

  Adam Harrison—head of the Krewe of Hunters

  Jackson Crow—field director, Krewe of Hunters

  Angela Hawkins—special agent, married to Jackson Crow

  The Cast of Dark Harbor

  Marnie Davante—most popular character, played Madame Scarlet

  Cara Barton—played the matriarch

  Jeremy Highsmith—played the patriarch

  Roberta Alan—played the sister

  Grayson Adair—played the brother

  Bridget Davante—Marnie’s cousin, a screenwriter

  Vince Carlton—television producer/director

  Malcolm Dangerfield—popular action actor

  David Neal—stage manager

  Contents

  Cover

  Back Cover Text

  Booklist

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Praise

  Dedication

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  About the Publisher

  Prologue

  Comic Con, Los Angeles

  Blood-bone stepped out onto the show floor, his massi
ve black cape sweeping around him, his supercharged sword lighting up the space around him in all colors of the rainbow. The black-masked and black-suited villain was from the new cable show Wolfson, which was topping ratings charts across the nation.

  The character of Lars Wolfson, the hero of the show, had made several appearances that day as well, some costumes better than others.

  But just as they liked to say women love bad boys, people of both sexes and all ages seemed to really love a good villain.

  Young men and women, children, old men and old women clapped and all but swooned and rushed over to him. Blood-bone was the most popular new villain to grace the pages of comic books since the beginning of the written-and-drawn comic world.

  He suddenly cried out, “Those who oppose me—pay! They pay the ultimate price.”

  The crowd around the actor—or would-be actor, dressed up for Comic Con—grew substantially, people everywhere snapping photos.

  “We bow to you, Blood-bone!” the crowd called out in turn.

  “Jerk,” Cara Barton declared beneath her breath.

  “He’s just playing, creating a good show,” Marnie Davante said.

  “Lord, who are you? Pollyanna? Mary Poppins?” Cara asked her, letting out a long sigh.

  “He’s just playing. Let him entertain. Relax. Try to have fun,” Marnie said, offering Cara her beautiful and natural smile.

  Marnie. She was the type who would make the best of it.

  Cara wished that she could. But it was dismal.

  No. It was beyond dismal. Continuing to plug a show that had been off the air for ages, just because she had no other options.

  And still, sitting at their booth, Cara smiled as graciously as she could. It was a smile that she’d practiced over the years, yet still felt plastered into place.

  “How’s this?” she asked Marnie.

  “Grim, but it will do,” her friend said, laughing.

  Grim. Yes.

  However, Cara kept smiling.

  * * *

  It was amazing; it was an unbelievable thrill. He was able to watch as if he were a fly on the wall, as if he were at a screening, seeing it all unfold. He knew the angles from which the cameras would be rolling; he could just see it all.

  And he was the puppeteer. He was the producer, the director...

  Everything all rolled into one.

  He could already picture the blood.

  Cold-blooded Comic Con? He needed a better title...

  Act 1, Scene 1...

  Cameras rolling.

  Action!

  * * *

  The damned wannabe actor in the Blood-bone costume was really becoming annoying.

  The few people who had been coming toward Cara Barton and the old Dark Harbor cast were now rushing off to see Blood-bone.

  It was a comic-book convention, Cara reminded herself. And she knew how a comic con went.

  Monsters roamed the floor in costumes that rated between the ridiculous and the divine. Superheroes in stretchy, skimpy attire were just as plentiful—some looking quite good, and some who obviously owned no mirrors. Booths sold T-shirts, toy weapons, jewelry, corsets, steampunk clothing and other items, makeup, art and just about anything that might relate to the comic world in any way.

  The fans loved connecting with their favorite comics and movies and TV series. Writers’ row offered comics, graphic novels and novels of all kinds.

  Artists’ row offered some fantastic pieces, from those who had long been in the business to those who were just starting out.

  And then there was Actors’ Row.

  The place where used-up B-list stars came to die.

  Well, as far as Cara was concerned, it really was a kind of death—it was where one came to pray to sell enough twenty-dollar-a-shot autographed pictures to pay the rent for the month. Maybe that train of thought was a little melodramatic. The show was in syndication, and they all made residual money, but it did not provide for the lifestyle that many a popular actor had become accustomed to, so, in a sense, it was about a particular kind of survival.

  But that was all going to hell. They’d been just about to get some fans—and then Blood-bone came out of the woodwork, swinging his great cape and his laser sword. If only he weren’t out there—probably paid a fortune by the convention organizers to give the attendees a bit of a thrill for free.

  Oh, the bastard! She didn’t even know who was behind the mask. Blood-bone wasn’t even always portrayed by the same actor. And at this freak show, anyone could dress up. There were actually dozens of Blood-bones roaming the convention room floor; it was by far the most popular costume of the year. Hell, she could put on the damned costume and lift shoes and play Blood-bone. In fact, if they’d let her, she would. That could mean some big bucks again!

  But this Blood-bone was evidently committed to pretending to be the real thing. He postured and postulated. Everyone ran up to him, waving autograph books, begging him to pose for selfies with them.

  It made her sad.

  Yes, sad for herself and for many others.

  Just one booth down, the great-great-great—oh, so many greats—grandson of a German shepherd of tremendous TV fame was letting out a sad little yelp now and then.

  There was a leak in the ceiling. It happened to be right above Actors’ Row. The aging star of a long-ago weekly Western TV series was valiantly trying to save his photos from the dirty droplets that fell now and then.

  It was heartbreaking to see the poor pup and the faded star reduced to this. And now, with that wretched Blood-bone figure running around, for the most part the actors were being left alone.

  Ignored.

  At least the dog didn’t know that he was a has-been.

  Only every now and then someone would pause and look and remember them. After all, Dark Harbor had been an extremely popular show in its day.

  Cara had actually sold a few pictures—mainly thanks to the rest of the cast, especially Marnie Davante. Just a few more and rent for another month in West Hollywood—where she could still hope for the guest spot on a show now and then—was guaranteed.

  She looked down the table. There was Jeremy Highsmith. Her TV husband. All those years.

  And, now, go figure!

  Maybe it was all bearable.

  Along with the stupid Blood-bone guy, it didn’t help that they’d happened to draw the booth next to Malcolm Dangerfield, the new superhero of cable television.

  Malcolm was not dying in any way.

  Malcolm was charging a hundred dollars a shot for pictures taken on a cell phone.

  People were paying it.

  That made Cara’s position very hard—well, in her mind. Marnie didn’t care; she was chatting with their onetime castmates: Jeremy Highsmith, Roberta Alan and Grayson Adair.

  The lines to pay a hundred dollars for a selfie with Malcolm were deep. And now, on top of that, Blood-bone was right in front of them, drawing any possible customers away. Cara didn’t think that Blood-bone would be there long, though. She could see that Malcolm Dangerfield was gone, that his publicist was managing his line. He had probably gone to complain to the comic con management about the Blood-bone guy in full costume who was messing with his line.

  “Oh, my God!” someone screamed. Cara waited for the screamer to call out Malcolm Dangerfield’s name. Or to go running across the floor, amazed that they’d seen the “real” Blood-bone.

  But the screaming fan wasn’t coming for Malcolm or Blood-bone.

  “It’s Madam Zeta!”

  Cara smiled. A real smile.

  She was not Madam Zeta.

  Nope!

  But she was with Madam Zeta.

  People might not be coming for her, but at least they were coming toward her little group.

  Madam Zeta had been played by Marnie Davante
.

  And Marnie was seated next to Cara—on her right side at the booth.

  Marnie smiled, and her smiles were always real. She was ready to greet a fan. She was a good kid.

  A really good kid, Cara knew. Marnie hadn’t wanted to be here; she hated doing comic cons. She didn’t say as much to Cara because she was a nice person. She had agreed to come along because she knew that signing pictures was how her old costars—Cara, Jeremy, Roberta and Grayson—survived.

  None of them had gone on to find work on another series.

  But Marnie had moved on. Marnie had kept acting. Cara had kept waiting for a new TV series or, at the least, a good supporting role in a movie.

  Marnie had gone back to theater, which she loved. Theater didn’t always pay well in LA, but Marnie had also caught the occasional commercial or modeling gig. Like everyone else, she went to dozens of auditions for roles, but she seemed to accept that easily and kind of kept on ticking—just like the Energizer Bunny.

  Marnie hadn’t cared if Hollywood was calling—or if she was cast in a road show, just as long as she was working and she fulfilled her professional obligations. She had done okay, maybe not as a multimillion-dollar-earning star, but as a working actress. She was even about to open her own theater, which would be named for her dad—The Peter Davante Theater for Young Artists.

  Fancy name for a kids’ theater, but hey, to Marnie, it was living the dream. Personally, Cara thought that working with young people—children—was akin to water torture. But Marnie loved theater and she loved kids, so...go figure. For her, it worked.

  But Cara felt that Marnie also thought that the conventions were where washed-up stars came to die. Metaphorically, at least. There were, of course, those few—like Malcolm Dangerfield—who were at the top of the game, making enough in a few hours to pay Cara’s rent for the next year.

  And then there was Marnie.

  She was here—simply smiling through the torture of waiting for fans—out of friendship.

  To be fair to herself, Marnie had been young when their show had been canceled—barely twenty-four. And Cara had been...

  Well, hell. Not twenty-four.

  The cancellation of their show—Dark Harbor, the story of a town inhabited by vampires and other strange supernatural beings—had been a true death knell for her career.