by Hood, D. K.
Twenty-Two
Stanton Forest, Black Rock Falls
Atohi Blackhawk stared down at the unmistakable top of a skull poking out from beneath a white snowberry bush and swallowed hard. He took a few steps back and then took a roll of yellow tape from his pocket and marked the tall pine growing close by. He turned and walked back to Brad Kelly, stepping over the carefully constructed grid they’d searched tirelessly. “Brad, I’ve found something.” He gripped Brad’s arm. “Don’t go over there, it’s best we don’t disturb the evidence.”
“I need to see.” Brad stared at him, eyes wild with distress, and pulled away.
Atohi held him in a bear hug. “No! There is nothing to see. Act like the son she knew—be strong and brave.” Under his arms, Brad’s muscles relaxed, and Atohi sighed with relief. “It’s out of our hands now. Shane Wolfe is a good man. He will treat her with respect, you have my word.”
“He knows nothing of our ways but I’ll agree. We have no choice, do we?” Brad shook his head. “She’s where I saw her in my dream.” He turned and pointed through the trees. “I remember running toward that rock and hearing the sound of water.”
Atohi nodded. “If it is her, she will rest easy now. We’ll take her home.”
“Is my brother with her?” Brad’s head turned in the direction of the grave.
Atohi gave him a shake. “I don’t know. There is only one bone. It may not even be her or your brother. We’ll have to wait and see.” He waved over one of his friends. “Take Brad back to camp and wait for me. I’ll contact Shane and he’ll be able to give us more information.” He took out his phone and found Wolfe’s number.
“Okay.” Brad turned away, shoulders hunched.
“Shane, it’s Atohi.” Atohi walked back to the gravesite. “I’ve found a skull. I’ll send you the coordinates. When can you get here?”
“Are you sure it’s human?” Wolfe sounded busy, and Atohi could hear other voices in the background.
“Yeah, the top part of the cranium is visible and part of both eye sockets. I’ve marked the area but no one else has disturbed the scene.” Atohi glanced at Brad sitting on a log, drinking something from a cup, and sighed. “Brad is concerned she won’t be respected, but I’ve explained. He seems okay now.”
“He led you right to the spot?” Wolfe sounded skeptical.
Atohi stared at the grave. “No, the general area. He recalled landmarks. We searched an area back from a stream he remembered from the night his father killed her. We did a grid search and split up. I pulled the lucky straw.”
“I’ll come take a look to confirm. Then all I can do is secure the remains. We’ll need a forensic anthropology team to recover the body and any evidence left behind. I have a friend in Helena; I’ll have her come down.” Wolfe cleared his throat. “It’s likely the killer buried both victims together in a shallow grave. It would be better if your friend wasn’t present.”
Atohi stared into the distance. “He won’t agree. I figure, he’ll camp out here until he’s sure she’s safe. He said he’s been having dreams. I’m not sure how stable he is. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s changed. It’s as if remembering what happened has sent him a little crazy.”
“I’m not surprised—it would have been a shock.” Shane’s voice was muffled as he spoke to someone else. “Ah, sorry, I’ve just asked Emily to call Jenna and explain. I’ll leave now and be there as soon as possible. How far are you from the highway?”
“Not far at all. Only a few hundred yards. You’ll see our trucks parked alongside the forest. I’ll send Jenna the coordinates as well.” Atohi turned to see Brad staring at him. He gave him a nod.
“I’m on my way.” Wolfe disconnected.
Twenty-Three
The wind buffeted Jenna as she made her way along Main to the beauty salon. The ice had melted and the damp sidewalk glistened in the sunshine. The cold air blowing from the snow-capped mountains rising in the distance held the promise of snow and yet not a cloud marked the brilliant blue sky. She loved this about Black Rock Falls. No matter what happened in her town or how lousy she felt, the scenery made every day worth living. She nodded to the townsfolk as she passed by and all greeted her as a friend. Yes, life in this town was special.
The beauty parlor was busy as usual, and a girl came to the counter to greet her. Jenna wrinkled her nose at the confection of chemical smells accosting her and smiled. “I’d like to speak to Ann.”
“She’s just finishing up with a client.” The girl waved to a row of chairs. “Take a seat, she won’t be long.”
Jenna glanced at her watch. The autopsies had taken longer than expected and she wanted to catch Cliff Young and Kyler Hall at the ski resort site this afternoon. To save time, Kane had gone by Aunt Betty’s to grab lunch. They could eat on the way. Her phone chimed and she frowned at the caller ID. “Hi, Em, what’s up?”
After Emily explained about Atohi Blackhawk’s call, Jenna leaned back in her chair and her shoulders slumped. She’d need another team of deputies to handle the current caseload. “Okay, tell your dad we’ll be there as soon as I’ve finished an interview.” She glanced up as Ann walked toward her, ushering a client toward the counter. “Ah, Ann, is there a place we can talk?”
“Sure, come in here.” She led the way into a small kitchenette. “Has there been a complaint? If so, you need to speak to the owner. I just work here.”
Jenna shook her head. “No, I need to talk about Lucas Robinson.” She waited for a reaction. It wasn’t what she expected. The girl’s expression was belligerent. “You do know him, don’t you?”
“It’s his wife causing trouble, isn’t it, sending you around to my workplace to get me fired?” Ann’s hands went to her hips. “He told me she wasn’t too happy when he asked her for a divorce. He said we had to cool things for a while until he moved his assets into a place where she couldn’t get to them. They haven’t slept in the same room for over a year.”
Interesting. Jenna took out her notebook and made notes. “When did you last see Mr. Robinson?”
“Sunday morning.” Ann giggled. “He told his wife he was going to church.”
Jenna raised one eyebrow. “And how long has your relationship been going on?”
“About three months.” Ann met her gaze. “We’re in love.”
“You were seeing Cliff Young before him, is that correct?” Jenna glanced at her notes.
“Yeah.” Ann twirled a strand of her hair. “He wasn’t real happy when I broke it off with him.”
“You better sit down.” Jenna pulled out a chair and waited for her to sit. “Lucas Robinson is dead. Someone broke into his home and shot him.”
“Oh my God!” Ann followed a horrified expression and rapid breathing by a wail that brought people running.
Jenna stopped the owner at the door and quickly explained. She returned to the kitchenette, poured Ann a glass of water, and then sat opposite her, so their knees were almost touching. “Ann, did Lucas ever mention anyone who might want to harm him? Was he worried at all?”
“Nooooo.” Ann lifted a tear-streaked face. “Only his wife. She didn’t understand him.”
Not able to keep the truth from this distraught young woman, she leaned forward and squeezed her shoulder. “Lucas was known to have several girlfriends.” She took in the girl’s astonished face. “Men who have affairs usually tell their girlfriends they’re leaving their wife. His wife didn’t have an argument with him, and he died in the bed beside her.” She sighed. “Ask anyone he worked with; it was common knowledge. That’s how I found you.”
“He was just using me?” Ann’s eyes rounded in surprise. “The pig.”
“There’s one very important thing I need to know.” Jenna used her most comforting voice. “You’re not in trouble but I have to eliminate something important. Did you happen to bite Mr. Robinson in the last few days?”
“Oh God.” Ann looked horrified. “That’s how his wife found out, isn’t it? Yes, that wa
s me—we were fooling around and it got out of hand is all.”
“I don’t know if his wife knew about his affairs.” Jenna stood and closed her notepad. “That’s all for now, Ann. I’m sorry for your loss.” She handed the girl her card. “If you think of anything at all, anyone he mentioned who might have a grievance against him, call me.” She headed for the door, leaving the stunned girl staring after her.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, Kane pulled up to the curb and she jumped inside. “Great timing.”
“Did she have any idea who might have killed Robinson?” Kane waited as a truck carrying pigs drove by, and then he turned toward Stanton Forest.
Jenna shook her head. “No, she had no idea he’d died. I had a call from Emily: Atohi found bones in the forest. Wolfe is on his way. We’ll help secure the scene and hope we get to the ski resort before Hall and Young leave for the day.” She sighed. “That’s assuming they went to work today and aren’t halfway to Canada by now.”
“Did Wolfe mention the name of the FBI agent he wanted to call about the murders?” Kane reached blindly into the bag of sandwiches on his lap.
“No, I haven’t spoken to him since the autopsy.” Jenna opened the takeout bag and peeked inside. “Are you worried it might be someone you know?”
“Not really.” Kane shrugged. “When Agent Josh Martin dropped by a few months ago to assist with the missing girls case, he didn’t recognize me, and I’ve worked alongside him, so I believe I’m safe.” He frowned. “I’m wondering who it is, is all.”
As they drove along Stanton, Jenna could see several trucks parked off-road at the edge of the forest, and Wolfe’s white van with the Medical Examiner decal on the side. “We’ll be able to ask him soon.” As Kane pulled in behind the van, Jenna pushed the last of the sandwich into her mouth and grabbed her to-go cup of coffee. “Oh, good, he hasn’t left yet.” She hurried to the van.
“Jenna, Dave.” Wolfe climbed from the van, gripping his GPS in one hand. “The grave is about two hundred yards in that direction.” He pointed into the forest. “I guess we take this trail and see where it leads us.” He adjusted his backpack and led the way through the trees.
Jenna followed behind him. “Did you speak to your FBI contact?”
“Yeah, Jo Blake.” Wolfe ducked under a low-hanging branch. “She’s willing to look at the files at least. She’s opening a branch office in Snakeskin Gully. That’s a small town tucked in the shadow of the same mountain range as Black Rock Falls, but it’s at least a three-hour drive from here.”
“When was her most recent case?” Kane crunched through the undergrowth, pushing low pine boughs away.
“The same year as I arrived here.” Wolfe trudged on, checking his GPS. “She handled the profiling of a sadistic killer and found herself tied up in knots because of the variants in each kill.”
Jenna frowned. She had Kane, why would she need another profiler? “What makes Jo Blake so special?”
“She was the behavioral analyst for the FBI’s CSI out of DC and has a reputation for being one of the best profilers in the business.” Wolfe glanced over one shoulder. “It’s not her expertise we need, it’s her knowledge of the killer. From the old case files, I studied, our current killer might be the same man. There is a similarity we can’t ignore.”
“And that is?” Kane moved beside Jenna as the trail widened.
“The switch from hit to personal.” Wolfe stopped walking and turned to face them. “Jo had a theory. The killer she was hunting down in Baltimore was not only exhibiting criminal psychopathy but was perhaps suffering from dissociative identity disorder as well. He killed with almost clinical precision one day, like a hit, and the next he’d mess up the victim; with some he’d be horrendously cruel. He didn’t have a preference for type or gender, and Jo couldn’t pin him down.”
It was obvious to Jenna that both men understood the conversation. She held up a hand. “Just a minute, you lost me at ‘exhibiting.’ What is dissociative identity disorder?” She sighed. “In plain English.”
“Oh, sorry, Jenna.” Kane frowned. “You’d know it by the term ‘split personality.’ Over the last few years, new and less demeaning terms have been used for patients.” He met her gaze. “I find it hard keeping up myself.”
Jenna snorted. “As if, your nose is always stuck in a book.” She glanced ahead. “How much further?”
“From the trampled undergrowth, I’d say they went off the trail just ahead.” Wolfe took the lead again.
“Now you know that information, do we really need an FBI agent on the team?” Jenna looked at Kane, wondering what was going through his mind. “Wouldn’t you be stepping on each other’s toes?”
“I don’t think so. I’m a sniper who studied profiling; she is a behavioral analyst. She is way above me.” Kane shrugged. “I’d be able to learn from her, much like Wolfe learns from his forensic anthropologist friend.”
“What’s she like?” Jenna wrinkled her nose at the smell of bear scat. “Some of these professional types can be unbearable.”
“Not Jo.” Wolfe turned to look at her. “She speaks her mind and jumps in boots and all. Her job and her daughter are her life.”
Jenna winced. “I hope not in that order. So, she’s unattached?”
“Divorced. Think on it, Jenna, and I’ll contact her again if you’re interested in bringing her in on the case.” Wolfe moved on through the trees. “Ah, I see Atohi. He has a group of people with him.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Jenna followed as Atohi moved away from the small clearing to an area marked off in grids with yellow tape. Ahead, Wolfe held up a hand and they all stopped, forming a half-circle. “What can you see?”
“Human skull.” Wolfe took a brush from his pocket and crouched down. With gentle care he brushed soil from the rounded skull. “It’s been exposed for some time. It has moss growing over it. I’m surprised no one has discovered it before now.” He flicked Jenna a concerned glance. “Substantial head trauma. I’ll have to call in a forensic anthropologist—you’ll remember Dr. Jill Bates from Helena?”
Jenna nodded. “Okay, we’ll secure the scene and inform the forest wardens. They’ve already posted notices saying there is an archaeology dig taking place in this area, so with luck we might be able to keep people away.”
“No need.” Atohi touched her arm. “There will be two of us camping close by. She is family and we don’t fear her spirit.”
“Secure a wide boundary.” Wolfe pulled out his cellphone and walked some distance away, disappearing behind bushes.
Jenna, Kane, and Atohi soon had the area enclosed with crime scene tape. Checking her watch again, she waited impatiently for Wolfe to return. “We need to leave now if we’re planning on speaking to Young and Hall.”
“We’ll make it.” Kane checked his own watch. “Here’s Wolfe now.”
“Jill will be here in the morning by chopper with her team. She’ll need accommodation and transport for six. Can you get Maggie to arrange that for me, please?” Wolfe raised both brows as he looked at Jenna. “I’ll leave everything to Jill. She’ll be able to use one of my labs for the remains and then give us a report.” He sighed. “I’ll have to get back to the lab. I haven’t finished my investigations into the cases we have already.”
Jenna nodded and turned to Atohi. “How is Brad handling all this?”
“Disturbed but I think relieved.” Atohi smiled at her. “Don’t worry, go on your way, I’ll make sure no one disturbs anything.”
“Thanks.” Jenna turned to the others. “Let’s go.”
“Disturbed, huh?” Kane glanced at her as they followed the path back to their vehicles. “Maybe we need to look a little closer at Brad Kelly.”
Twenty-Four
Kane accelerated along the highway, lights flashing and sirens blaring. It was good to be able to drive his truck fast on the open road, and the way his engine roared made him smile. The drive alongside Stanton Forest and high into the mountains was
one of his favorites. It was almost like flying as they gained altitude at speed. All good things must come to an end, and he slowed, turned off the lights and sirens, and then took the new off-ramp leading to the ski resort.
The mayor’s vision for a winter tourist boom was working well. Wide roads snaked their way to the top of Black Rock Mountain and gave spectacular panoramic views of the forest as far as the eye could see. The snow-covered mountain offered a natural array of ski runs without destroying the beauty of the area. So well concealed, even the ski lifts didn’t spoil the views. Surprised by the interest and investments coming in by the dozen, the mayor had commissioned another ten cabins. He’d set them in a little picturesque village within walking distance of the main lodge. It seemed since the popularity of the White Water Rapids Park, everyone wanted a share in the prosperity of the town.
Trucks littered the road alongside dumpsters filled with discarded building materials, and radios blared from the small cabins like a badly tuned orchestra. He turned into the village and parked out front of the site manager’s trailer. “I guess we should start here.”
“Okay.” Jenna pulled out her notebook and gave him a stern look. “It’s freezing out there. Are you wearing the thick cap I got for you?”
Kane smiled at her. “I never leave home without it.” He pulled the cap down over his ears and climbed out.
The cold blast of wind made his eyes water as he hurried into the trailer with Jenna hot on his heels. They stepped inside a temporary construction, desks with computers and papers everywhere. From the array of equipment on-site, the building work employed many different trades. He’d met the large man sitting at the main desk behind a sign saying “manager” on his last visit. Wearing a hunting cap lined with sheepskin and glasses resting on the end of his nose, he looked up curiously as they entered. Kane nodded to him. “Sid Glover, this is Sheriff Alton. We’re looking for Kyler Hall and Cliff Young. Are they working today?”