Chapter Eighteen
Kidnapped
After leaving Sunrise studio, Mickey and Tatum have been at the library researching the studio and all the people that worked their. The library isn't too far from the studio and this particular library much like the archives building Gale and Jennifer were at hold lots information about the studio there. They've been there for a few hours and haven't come across any new information. The only information listed is what they already know. Tatum is looking through resource guides while Mickey looks at computer scans. Both are equally tired yet know this info can help in finding the killer.
"I'm so annoyed right now." Tatum said vocalizing her frustrations.
"I know what you mean. I've scanned this computer for a while and haven't come up with anything useful. Everything here is what we already know." Mickey said.
"Ok so let's start there. What do we know about this case so far?" Tatum asked as they try and come up with options in looking their search for info leading to the killer.
"Well, Cotton Weary, his girlfriend Christine, Sarah Darling, Roger Corman, Steven Stone and now Tom Prinze were all murdered. Gale, Dewey, Jennifer Jolie and Angelina Tyler were all attacked but are alive." Mickey said.
"The killer found knew where Sid and Billy were the whole time but didn't attack them due to the fact that Sidney had the twins." Tatum said.
"And more importantly, the killer keeps leaving pictures of Maureen Prescott taken back when she was a young woman at the same Sunrise Studios twenty-Five years ago." Mickey said.
"Ok. So what don't we know?" Tatum asked trying to think. "What are we missing?"
"The identity of the killer." Mickey said being sarcastic.
"Yeah but what does Maureen Prescott have to do with these murders?" Tatum asked.
"We know she was an actress of some sort but….." Mickey said stopping in his tracks. Then it hit him. "That's it."
"What's it?" Tatum asks.
"We've been going at this the wrong way. We need to start with Maureen Prescott." Mickey said.
"I already know that." Tatum said.
"No, listen, remember we know she was an actress. All we need to do is find out what movies she was in an go from there. Roger Corman was the executive at Sunrise studios so it's possible in fact it's likely that he came in contact with Maureen at some point." Mickey said typing.
"What are doing?" Tatum asked.
"Trying to find out all the horror movies filmed at Sunrise studios. It will help I'm certain." Mickey said as he typed in his search, then hit the enter key. The search brought a list of over six hundred movies filmed at Sunrise studio.
"Who was the producer of Stab 3?" Tatum asked wondering.
"That would be John Milton." Mickey said as he and Tatum looked at each, smiled and then Mickey entered Milton's name, then hit the enter key. The search brought up two hundred movies produced by John Milton. "Ok, look through all the cast members of those movies and see if we can spot Maureen Prescott's photo. Mickey does so and scrolls down a list of all the actors to have worked with John Milton. Tatum spots the photo. "Stop." She tells him. "Back up two photos." He does as they spot Maureen Prescott under an assumed name. "That's Maureen."
"Are you sure? Cause the name under the photo says Rina Reynolds." Mickey said.
"Rina Reynoolds. It's a stage name. All actors change their name to get better roles. That's why they couldn't find anything under Maureen Prescott. She changed her name to become an actress. It makes sense now." Tatum said.
"Yeah but we still don't know what her connection is to Corman or Milton for that matter." Mickey said.
"Hm." Tatum thought for a moment. You said that Maureen had to come in contact with Corman at some point right?" Tatum asked.
"Yeah, what are you thinking?" Mickey asked her.
"Maybe, they encountered more than once. Try typing in both of their names only change Maureen Prescott to Rina Reynolds and see what comes up." Tatum said as Mickey did exactly that. A moment later, an article comes up regarding Rina Reynolds which also includes John Milton and there's pictures of them. "I knew it." Tatum said triumphantly.
"Babe you are so smart." Mickey said kissing Tatum's lips. She smiles. "Let's read what it says: At a private party, John Milton held his annual screening party at home in Beverly hills. Amongst the attendees were his good friend Roger Corman, several studio members, actors and actresses and other movie producers. One the actresses to attend the party was a young actress name Rina Reynolds. She had a part in Amazombies and was looking for bigger roles and parts. However after the party, allegations was made that Rina saying that she was raped by a couple of gentlemen at the party. One of the men being Roger Corman." Mickey said surprised. "Oh shit."
"That explains why Corman was killed. He raped Maureen Prescott when she was Rina Reynolds and why the picture the words "Corman's Crime" was written on the back." Tatum said. Mickey nodded. "Keep reading."
"Rina Reynolds got an attorney and threatened to go to the police with what happened. Roger Corman threatened her by saying he'd have her killed if she did that. Rina told the police what happened but no charges were brought up. Roger Corman lied to the police saying that she participated in causal sex and that John Milton vouched for him."
"Son of a bitch. They got away with raping Maureen." Tatum said.
"Looks that way." Mickey said. Both are shocked at what they've learned.
"We definitely need to tell the others what we know." Tatum said.
"There's more. Since no charges were brought up, an angered Rina Reynolds told her lawyer that that she's suing the studio for punitive damages. They ended up settling out of court paying Rina 100,000 dollars. Rina was carrying a child at the time. She was six months pregnant." Mickey said.
"Maybe her child is the one who is killed the victims." Tatum said.
"It certainly explains why Corman was killed. I don't know about the others. Maybe Tom Prinze and Sarah Darling's murders were coincidences of the fact that they work at the same studio where Rina worked." Mickey said.
"If that were the case, why come after Cotton Weary and his girlfriend? Then the killer is targeting Sidney, Billy, You, me Gale and my brother. It still doesn't make sense." Tatum said.
"Rina and Maureen were the same person, then that means Sidney has a sibling she doesn't know about." Mickey said to Tatum.
"Oh Shit. Would her sibling be willing to killer over something that happened with her mother?" Tatum askes.
"Shit anything is possible." Mickey said.
"Holy shit!" Tatum cursed. "We've discovered something huge. This is fucking huge."
"I'm gonna print this and bring it to Sidney." Mickey said.
"Ok." Tatum said looking around the library. She had this feeling that they were being watched.
Mickey prints the information and then gives to Tatum. Suddenly the lights go out. Both freeze in place not wanting to move. Tatum holds Mickey close. Both are frightened.
"If something should happen to me, get the info to Billy and Sidney." Mickey said.
"No I can't lose you." Tatum said.
"I know baby. I don't want to lose you either. Do I say please?" Mickey orders. Tatum nods. "We should leave." Tatum nods. Both see the exit and make a b line for it. Suddenly Ghost Face jumps out at them slicing Mickey on the arm. He falls back. Mickey kicks Ghost Face down to the floor. "Run Tatum!" Mickey yells but Tatum doesn't. She goes over to Mickey and tries to help him but Ghost Face punches her in the face then shoves her into the tables and she hits the floor hard. "Fuck." Mickey jumps up and tries getting to Tatum but Ghost Face grabs him and tosses him a table knocking down several computer monitors.
Dazed, Tatum awakes trying to get up. She sees Ghost Face over Mickey's body. Ghost Face holds the knife poised to stab and Mickey then plunges the knife deep into his stomach.
"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Tatum screams crying. Mickey gulps spitting up blood as Ghost Face stabs him several more times. Then takes it a step farther and slices Mickey's throat. Mickey dies before Tatum's eyes. "Mickey." Tatum cries. Ghost Face rushes over to Tatum and kicking her in the head knocking her out cold.
Deciding that she'll be bait for Sidney, Ghost Face puts the knife away and lifts Tatum's body up carrying her out of the library.
To Be Continued!