Chapter 2: A Dark Obsession

my lone girl on a Mission podcast. I'm back in my hometown of Hollow Falls trying to crack open the lit killer case. The lit killer was a serial murderer who scream queened this town a decade ago, leaving bodies posed like literary references from your high school reading list. My aunt, Beth, his last victim, took all the blame, and since I know she wasn't the killer, I'm back

for justice only. I didn't count on the real murderer making an encore appearance, resulting in one very dead Tony del Canto folly, and I witnessed his body drop from three stories up. Now the whole town is freaking out because they're open and shut. Case isn't so shut anymore, and guess who's to blame. So let's cut back to Hollow Falls High, where you're fearless heroine was hiding in a closet. No, oh, hey, Principal Block, come with me.

I'm tig Torres and this is Lethal lit I've ever been so obsessed with something that you couldn't eat or sleep, that's me this case. My aunt's innocence has been part of my DNA since we left this town years ago. But if you've been plugged into the real freaks of Hollow Falls, then you already know that. Less well known is the fact that Hollow Falls and its residents are

invested in keeping the lit killer dead and buried. So Tony's murder, even hinting that the lit killer is back, things around here are going to go from zero to Riverdale real quick. Maybe my new pals at the Talent the student newspaper will help out. Maybe not, But first I had to get through this meeting with Principal Block. Mrs. I'm going to make this brief. Exactly what in the hell do you think you're doing? Principal Ronald Block is a Hollow Falls lifer super imposing I think infinity war

Thanos minus the whole purple part. He lives alone and has been working at the high school since graduating college. What does that tell us, Well, it means Block was around the first time the lit killer terrorized the town. It also means he wants to keep the glassy eyed status quo at Hollow Falls High. Is he a suspect? I'm not sure yet, but until I know otherwise, I have to treat him like one. Let's go back to our chat. Are you listening, Yes, sir, I'm just still

a bit freaked out. You can relax now. I know you've been through and seen a lot. As much as I blame you for bringing this new chaos into my school, I don't want any of my students being chased around like some looney Tunes clip. So take a breath for the moment you're in what they call a safe space. Block showing me even an ounce of compassion through me, as did the creepy stuffed bird on his desk. His name was Henry and he was the school's original mascot,

the reason they're the Hollow Fall Hawks. But historical mascot or no, Keeping an old dead bird on your desk is well it's kind of glass a hollow falls. All right, Mr Doris, we're done here. One more thing, though, Principal Block seems the resemblance to your aunt isn't just skin deep. I said you could go, Mr Doris, and I totally will. But first, can you tell me anything about Tony's case? Did you not hear what I said? Are they reopening the lit killer case? I'm not trying to cause trouble.

I will give you major trouble unless you stand up, turn around, and walk out. This instant trouble was something I could count on finding me no matter what. When Max and I found that first tape of my aunt Beth's recordings at the Star Diner, I knew it wouldn't be the last, but the clue gave me some doubts. I figured out the quote. It was from a clockwork arnge by Anthony Burgess. Is it better for a man to have chosen evil than to have good imposed upon him?

But it was hard a solid GPS pen. I needed to brainstorm with Ali Win and Max the talent crew if we had any hope of finding that next tape or you got snagged by Principal Mussolini. Yeah, it was super lit. But that bird, right, Henry has reserved seating in all of my nightmares. Okay, So in terms of clues, Who've got the free fall and clockwork orange quotes plus the note from Tony's good morning Losers. So this is

scary on grande listeners. Meet Ella high Smith, spoiled daughter of the mayor of Hollow Falls, and until a few days ago, the arm candy of one Tony del Canto. Since then, she's kind of been basking in the veiled glow of her new gig girlfriend in mourning. So here's the deal, freaks and geeks, all this serial killer talk from little Miss Murder has got to stop, right about the important stuff. I'm the tragedy here. My boyfriend, my sweet strong Tony is gone Hill and Tig. Don't think

I didn't notice. Tony's death was right after he had a run in with you Big city Torres back with a podcast full of lies about a new killer, when it was her psycho aunt who racked up the body count in the first place. So this want to be true crime doc of yours has got to go. It's distracting from Daddy and all the good things he's doing for this town. So your boyfriend got acts, but you want us to write about your daddy and you way a compartmentalize your grief, Electra, I don't know or care

what that means. Just don't tell me how to grieve. Tony was my sweet baybear and you need to leave him out of this pathetic side hustle. Can I just ask what conceiler you're using to mask your too your stained eyes, because it is doing a fabulous job. Self censor yourselves before someone else does it for you. Okay, configure yourselves off blast as if we needed more drama. But Ella high Smith would have to wait when and I had another tape to find? Oh, this place, it's disgusting.

Why do I get pared on all the dusty and gross missions when and I have just walked into a used bookstore known as the book Barge. The place wreaked of aged cat pie and lemon scented lysol. While stalling out on deciphering where my aunt's clockwork orange clue was pointing, we found out a fun fact. Anthony Burgess's dystopian book was banned in Hollow Falls, well mostly banned. You couldn't find it at the school or at the library, which left the book Barge the dumpiest of dumps as our

last hope. So far we've found two copies of the book with nothing special in them. Why would anybody come in here? Much less bodish? Hi? Uh? Do you have any other copies of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess? I can only find these? What do you see which to get? Okay, hey, wait a second, you're the tourist kid christ a lot of helps she was. In fact, she asked us to leave a few minutes later. If I hadn't looked at the clock above the register, we

probably would have two. But there it was orange. H nothing, It's just the hour hand on your clock is orange. It's funny. Why is that funny? Really? Because the book? Never mind? Um? Actually, ma'am, do you have a band aid? By any chance? This looks like a cvous to you? Girly customer service here is ond? I know, I'm sorry, but I think I cut my ankle on one of your shelves and I don't want to get blood on your floor. And all right, Jesus age, hang on, let

me go check in the back. Last thing I need to sing the story in her defense. I was up to no good, and when she came back, she caught me balanced on a stool with the clock in my hands busted. In that moment, I did the only thing I could think of. What did all you do to get back here? Like cloth? Slow down for plea? Please be another tea? If I had arrested for stealing a quick down, yes, but I found it to be kidding Clock her Grange, You were so not my favorite books,

but I could seriously kis this clock right now? Are you? The tape we found at the book Barge gave us another snippet of Aunt Beth recording her notes from the original lit Killer murders. We brought it back to the Talent offices to give it a listen. It shows what you found. Guys. You should have seen that place. You should have some serious Jomo right now kissing out That means Win hated it, Alexa. Fast forward to the Hide

and Seek Intrigue. Brace yourself for synergy. This new Man Beth tape zoomed in on one of the Lip Killer's first victims, Tony Delcanto's dad in Big Tone. Delcanto was a local businessman with the spotty record and the varsity football coach at Hollow Falls High had a reputation for being hot headed, violent and prone to screaming at the kids. I was already looking into him because of his business dealings. Some associates had been caught up in some shady stuff.

But I think ever connected back to Delcanto directly. When we ended up dead beaten to death in the back of a local dive bar, the Wet Whistle, A lot of people chalked it up to karma, but people don't get beaten to death in Hollow Falls, and definitely not with stones. A few weeks after Tony Sor's body was found, Aunt Beth returned to the crime scene. Sneaking into the office in the back of the bar, she discovered a beat up copy of The Lottery and Other Stories by

Sure Jackson, shoved between two stacks of invoices. She also knew the Hollow Falls p D had been in a hurry to clear the case, so a tattered paperback wasn't going to raise any of their thick eyebrows. Why did it catch her attention? Well, if you're not familiar with the story, I'll give you a spoiler. It ends with a death by stoning. It was a type written message on a note card stepped into the middle of the book at the conclusion of the Lottery short story. Here's

what it said. I hope you've enjoyed the first few chapters of our tail. It's quite the epic saga, I promise you, and you've only just begun. Reminds me of a book I once loved. Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you dropped dead in ten seconds. Such a strong, powerful climax. Perhaps I'll save that for

my final chapter. But that's still aways away. No happy rating the quote, at least according to Steiner's from then hype link, Bradberry seminar hold that thought you guys right, Victorus, This pirate radio operation is done, and I believe you have a few things that belong to us. That's Detective Laura Carver again. It's a safe bet to say she doesn't want the case reopened. Kind of makes you look bad when a serial killer, you said, committed suicide is

up and murdering again, right, filer under suspicious. These officers are here to collect the evidence you're withheld and therefore contaminated, And the notes over fast and we might not have any problems. We'll also be confiscating a recording epintment. Why Mtorius, I hope I don't need to remind you of our little chat. Close the notes, good eye, Principal Detective Lane, grab those. Your little d I Y radio show has been draw some unwanted attention. That was the hidden evidence

gives me more than enough reason. This is total Mr Price, Sorry, kids, but these notes are considered evidence in connection with a recent homicide. US do you think serious? Right now? Hey, it's my laptop? Is this even legal? Don't you need some kind of probable cause? School grounds tour? As what Principal Block says goes he gets an anonymous tip, we act on it. I didn't realize anonymous was spelled e l l A real. So what connects my podcast equipment

to the murder? Can you at least tell me that? Listen, kid, I don't have to climb jack to you. Boys. Let's wrap this up and move out. This is such b s So sorry, Tig Tig you okay, we'll say something. Did you guys hear that they said recent thomicide? Looks like the cops are treating Tony's death like a homicide. Not a suicide. That's huge. We need to keep your eyes on the prize. Ace. They didn't get your MP's teapes, did they? They did? But I have copies on the clouds,

So we're good. What can we do to help? I know what we can do, what we should we discuss? What? Where are you guys going? Oh, typical dudes so great at communication? Hey? You sure you're okay? You're shaking. I'm no, I'm actually not okay. I need more allies. I need more evidence, and I need to keep getting the word out. They can't just shut me up. Just take everything I've worked to build. Hey, you're not alone. We are with you on this. I'm with you on this. Thanks. I

just I don't know what to do next. I need to think. Damn, I can't stop my hands from shading here, grab my hand. Just stop and breathe for a second. I'm sorry. I mean, I'm sure my clammy book barge hands aren't going to help that much. But no, this it's nice. Thanks. When it's cool. I like you, Taurus, you know I feel like Wait, did my and Beth mentioned sam Steiner on that tape? What her partner sam Steiner? She worked with him at the paper, but when we

went there they said he was long gone. Am Beth mentioning him on this new tape? Though, I bet you anything, he's still in town. Come on, let's go. Are you sure you're ready to? Yeah? I'm sure. Whatever. When we visited the Hollow Falls Ledger, they told us Sam Steiner had gone full hermit. But even shut ins have to eat right, and what better spot than the one stront most people in town of Bold. Hey, welcome to the star dining home of out of this world eating CATTERA booth, ladies,

I guess I should say Ridge, you're engineering? But what Hi? Phil? Do you remember me from the other day? You're the one sniffing around the Sorry, yeah that was me. So how well do you know the regulars here? Phil? I'm looking for one in particular, older dude mid fifties at Sam kind of a loner, regulars, specials who called bad in the bathroom. I'm a little kiddo. Yeah, I see Sam a lot loves the b lt not too chatty, good tipper. Not here now, though, Oh that's okay. You

know what I think we'd like a booth? Please thank yourself? Are you cool? With hanging out for a bit to see if Sam shows up. I'm know it's a long shot. Luckily we didn't have to wait long before our hunch paid off. Hey look old Sawlock. That's got to be him. Hey, Mr Steiner, Sam Steiner, I'm take Truss Beth Trust's niece. And I was wondering funny thing. It seems like people in this town don't like being recorded. But we managed to calm Sam down long enough to get a few

minutes with him. Sam, seriously, thank you for doing this. Yeah, you're totally doing us a solid. Don't let me yet. I'm thinking my food will go. The best I can do is give you a few tips, and if you're smart, you'll take him to herd. I could save your life. I'm all your Sam, But do you mind if I ask you a few quick things first? Okay? Shoot, So you worked at the Hall of Fall's ledger right for my aunt path Yeah, for a while. She was. She was great. A few people in this life are, you know,

genuinely good inside, but she was. We were both on the cop speaking though I did some municipal reporting too, small paper problems and all that. When the lid killer arrived. It was all hands on, dick, What was that like? It was nuts? What do you think this is a It's a strange town. The buzzing't even before the first body was discovered and your men she ran into that case headed on. She was fearless and innocent. Right you

believe that too? Don't you look at it? Do you want to prove your aunt wasn't the likuler dig up the next person? The liquilar murdered the person he got to after your aunt died? What who is that? I thought Beth Torres was the last her back. As McClellan said, the medium is the message. Don't just take everything and face value. You get stuff in this down when someone wants you to have it, don't forget that anything else you can tell us, Sam yea quit now? Why do

you still can't that? This case eight year in alive and you don't want to end up like her. The best cases, you'll wind up like me and I barely even get out of the house these days. The lind killer will break you. Your heart is sold, your spirit? Can you watch it? This sweater is already the perfect amount of distress. Hey win take I'm glad I found you. You You guys ready for some tea one over here? Hope? No, that's not what that means. What's up next? Always been arrested?

What that boy went full baby driver on the cops and try to steal your stuff back with a moral? That's really stupid and sweet? Sweet or not? We had a problem when and Max noted he wasn't about to get bailed out by any parentals anytime soon. But after our run ins with the cops, we needed to tag in an actual adult on this one, so we called up the Talents faculty advisor, Harry Levinson. Hey, guys, it's Mr Levinson. I just wanted to let you know about Ali.

I'm at the police station. It might be a little while, but I'm sure it's all just a big misunderstanding. I'll let you know when I have more figures. He's already down there in old dead mode. Such a daddy. I feel like I owe Ali for trying to get my stuff back. I'm going to head over. Hey, did you guys notice there was a car still out there on the lot. Yeah, the red camera probably block because he has like zero homeland. If he's here, let's go talk

to him. Are you insane. The first thing he'll ask is why we're here. Look, Black knows something about Tony's death, and if there's any intel to get I want it. I can't believe you guys are talking me into this. Come on, Max, I thought you gave up that Damsel in Distress act in first grade. Okay, First of all, Jordan Harris consistently stole from my cubby hole, and I had everybody to be afraid. Somebody's are right his door, it's open and the lights are off. Well, everyone achieves

serenity on the who you okay? So us? Yeah, I'm fine. I just slipped on something. Um, hold on, it's starting here and let me still play on my phone. Uh no, no way. That is blood on the floor and we are officially in the danger zone. It's coming from Block's office. Are you kidding me? We need to get out of here and call the cost could be heard in that. I mean, obviously that sucks for them and all but hashtag I'm with her. We need to get out of

here and call the boys in Blue. Okay, wait here, Chase, don't Yellow, you need back up. This is aft. I know what you're thinking. This goes against everything you learned from watching horror movies. Oh yeah, this is bad, This is so bad. Oh my god, only ship the face or parts of it belonged to Principal Block. I say parts of it, because his head was sliced in half by an axe. The entire office was splattered with blood. In less than a week, I've been inches away from

two dead bodies, people I've seen alive hours before. I don't I'm not sure yet I can describe what that. This feels like Sarah Party from High Principle Lock was half dead on school ground residence, wondering if the town toorious serial murderer blood killer has returned. All right, that's enough, we need more info. We'll circle back to you tomorrow. In the meantime, enough with the podcast, Torres, So what is it then? Certainly not a suicide. Don't push my kid,

like I said, shut it. You'll be in some pis. You can't just silence us. You know, words already out and people need to know what's happening. Let us handle it. Go on home, Hey, Detective Carver, what now? Torres? Every Crime and Punishment. Frez Kolnikov slices Lizabetta's face in half with an act. We're looking for real evidence, not ap English highlights. Okay, like the note, but not does your name on it? Tig? That's see scary stuff. Did you

steal evidence from a crime scene? Again? Torresm Is that what I'm hearing? I found the note post Principal Block body discovery. I almost missed it while trying not to look at the shell of a man I once thought was a suspect. But when I picked up that note card, I knew exactly what it was. Hello again, dear Tig, so nice to see you. It really does feel like old times, though it'll be a spell before you reach the heights of our dearly departed Beth. She did have

a rough go of it there in the end. Huh, But as Dostoyevsky said, pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. Let's hope you and your little squad survive long enough to get to the next chapter. I knew the lid killer was back the second I'd seen Tony Delcanto's dead body. Now the cops knew they were back to on the next episode of Letha Litt, What do you mean, Mr Levinson? Well, I don't always say it. It just felt to me

that your aunt Beth was a bit off. You've probably already heard about her obsession with the case, but it seemed she was so utterly consumed with understanding, with getting in his head that she may have taken it too far. Iinhorn's Epic Productions and I Heart Radio present legally in a take Tourism Mystery Created an executive produced by Heather Einhorn and Adam STAFFARONI written created an executive pretty by

Alex Sigura and Monica Gallagher. Was directed by J. B. Bloch, produced by A Rupe, Senna, Kayla, Chris Peterson and Sandy Smallen. Art by Rebecca Mock. Creative direction and design by Ryan mccam, with performances by Rebecca Silaire, J B. Block, Matt Gumley, Paul Guide, Jennifer Giles, Rachel Orum, Land, Alba Ponsta Leone,

Shelley Shnoy, Luke Slattery, and Keil Artino. Post production supervisor Michael Sinterer Nicholas, recording engineer and dialog editor Michael Schneider, mixer Michael sinter Nicholas, sound designer Justin Kohler composer Jered Faber, Creative consultant Monique Chavez, studio manager Clark Chang, Production coordination Gail Artina and Laura Martin, Production assistant Rachel Slotsky and

Francesca Collo. Recorded at n y V Post in New York City, featuring the song's Jupiter performed by Donna Missile courtesy of Harvest Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises.

And Guardian Alien performed by Dana Williams, written by Dana Williams s C, s A C and Aaron Fenning s E. S A C courtesy of the Royalty Network, Inc. On behalf of Snig's songs ascap Captus Pallace s C, s A C and Dana Williams Letha litt A. Take Torres's Mystery is a production by Ironhorn's Epic Productions for I Heart Radio Head to take Torrest dot com to share theories, discover new evidence, and follow case updates. For more information, visit Einhorn's Epic Productions dot com