A.N- 1) There is a clue in this chapter that relates back to another chapter that could help you figure out the killer if you look for it.

2) Carl and Marcey? Yay or Nay? Should they get together? (Poll is also available on my page)

Inventing Shadows

Chapter 36: Miss Max-Carl

August 6/2015 4:48pm

"I only know of one Max," the owner, Jason, answered.

"Do they come here often?" Marcey flickered her glance over to Jason from Carl.

"He has a room upstairs. If you'd like to check it out, go ahead. I don't usually allow strangers to go rummaging through my paying customers rooms but I would do anything to stop this 'Crimson Kisser' from taking another victim. I have a teenage daughter myself." At least there are still some decent people in the world.

"Thank-you," Carl smiled at the man. Jason nodded and replied,

"Last door on the left." He slipped his set of keys into Carl's palm. Carl nodded and grabbed Marcey's elbow and led the way to the stairs.

"I feel like you may actually be getting somewhere." Her big brown eyes beamed at him.

"I sure hope so." The hallway lights weren't turned on but the pair could just make out where they were stepping. When they reached the door Carl searched for the number written on it.

"Eight," Marcey stated as she watched Carl squint his eyes. Carl found the key that had an 8 etched into it. He slid it into the lock and with a deep breath turned the key. Hopefully this won't be for nothing. Carl pushed the door open and was greeted with blackness. The hallway was dark but this room was an abyss. All the windows were closed and the blinds were drawn. There was not a single trace of light in the darkness. Carl gave a cautious glance to Marcey and then ran his hand along the wall inside the room to try and find a switch. It took him a few seconds to find one but flicked it on right away. The light wasn't obnoxiously bright but had a golden hue that radiated the room. Carl took a step in and he felt like he was stepping in predatory area. Marcey entered and her head swiveled as she scanned the room. "Carl," her breathy rasp came to him before he could even begin to process the new area. He quickly glanced at her and then proceeded to examine the room. It didn't take long for Carl to realize what caused Marcey to speak up. The golden hue along with the pictures that lined all the dressers and walls made the room look like a shrine. Carl treaded carefully along the carpet to a desk that rested by a barred up window. It had three pictures in black bold frames of the same girl that decorated the rest of the room. He lifted the picture that was in the middle and stared at the person smiling at him. She was a young thing with icy blue eyes that pierced the camera in a way that almost made Carl feel uncomfortable. She was surrounded by trees and the sunlight beamed down on her. It made her dark hair appear to have caramel tones. She was smiling at the camera even though her eyes conveyed a darker feeling. He set the frame down and inspected the one on the right. This one had the girl bundled up in some snow gear and she was holding a pair of skis. This one had a more natural feel. Her eyes seemed soft and the smile genuine. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail in this image. Carl felt Marcey creep up behind him and look over his shoulder. He glanced at the last image. The girl was on a bed with a smirk on her lips. She was on a laptop and eyeing whoever was taking the picture with mischief. Carl stood up straight and pursed his lips in thought. Who is this girl? I'm not sure what to make of this. "She's pretty," Marcey commented.

"She is." Marcey pointed at a picture that covered the back wall.

"Do you think she is a model?" Carl looked over at the giant image. The girl was in a flowing white dress that cascaded down in ruffles. Her hair was curled and appeared to be up in a 'bump' that Kaylee was so fond of. Always told me it gave her hair volume. Not that I know anything about what that means. She had a sparkily silver headband adorning her forehead. She wasn't smiling but her ruby red lips weren't frowning either. The focus of the portrait was her eyes though. The make-up was so dramatic and dark that they just made her light blue eyes pop. "If I didn't know any better I'd say she was modeling for a wedding agency."

"You don't think she is?"

"They eye make-up gives it away. Most bridal magazines go for a light shimmer around the eyes to bring focus to the dress." Carl nodded slowly pretending he understood the whole concept of make-up and dresses. I thought shimmer was sparkles. I am not even going to ask. Carl sat on the couch that was in the back corner of the room. It was a beige leather couch but under the lighting looked gold. He processed every part of the room. Another leather chair was in the corner beside him. There was a side table next to the chair that had another picture on it. The wall that had the door was covered in another picture. This time the girl wasn't the focus. It was of lush green woods. The sky was clear and blue. Just in the back corner could you see an ebony haired girl sitting on a rock by a stream. Marcey joined him and rested a hand on his knee. "Overwhelmed?"

"This was not what I was expecting when I turned on the light."

"There might be something hidden in here and we just haven't found it yet." Marcey squinted and rubbed her left eye.

"Something wrong?"

"Contacts. They're a bitch. I'm switching back to my glasses after we're done."

"I didn't know you wore contacts," Carl laughed. "You'd think the hours we spent talking at the office I would have picked up on it."

"Well," she laughed, "Not to be rude, but you aren't very good at picking up the fine details. I clearly remember Brandi asking you about table cloth patterns and you saying they looked the same and she then flipped out."

"Oh, yes. 'This one is a weave, idiot! It's in the details!'" Carl mocked Brandi's reaction. "They did look the same." The frame. Why do I keep thinking about the frame? Carl quickly got up and rushed to the table. He picked up the middle picture and opened the back.

"Carl? What are you doing?" He ignored Marcey's question and flipped the back cover. His blue eyes widened at the writing on the back. Max 2010.

"Marcey."

"Carl?" She stood up carefully and slowly made her way to him. He showed her the back. "Oh, God." Carl closed the frame and put it back. He grabbed the picture on the right and flipped the back open. Max 2010.

"Same thing."

"Max is a girl?"

"It could be the photographer."

"No, they would label it on the corner of the picture if it was a professional."

"You're right. Something isn't adding up."

"So whoever owns this room is just using the name Max?" Carl stared at Marcey and set the frame back down. There's more to it. There has to be.

"We need to find out who this girl is, Marcey." Carl eyed the single drawer that the desk had. Marcey noticed where his concentration was and she tugged on the drawer; it opened with ease. Carl reached in and grabbed the single item in there; a silver key. He glanced up at Marcey through the corners of his eyes. She was staring at him with confusion and anticipation. Here we go.