Whisper in the Night: An absolutely heart-stopping serial killer thriller

by D. K. Hood

  “Don’t forget the stalker friend from school, Peter English.” Kane took a long drink of his coffee. “He ticks a few of our boxes as well. With no contact from Amanda’s abductor and no sign of her anywhere, I figure we’ll have to speak to all the people on our list again and see where they were last night.”

  “Okay, while we’re waiting for Mr. Samuel J. Cross to arrive, might as well make a few calls.” Jenna made some notes and handed the list to Kane. “Chase down the whereabouts of Kittredge, Packer and Lancaster. I’ll do the rest.”

  Kane stood and glanced down at the list, then at his watch. “We need more help.”

  “We need more time.” Jenna reached for her phone. “I’m just hoping it’s not too late already.”

  * * *

  Kane had finished making the calls when Samuel J. Cross strolled into the office announcing himself loud and clear then leaned on the front counter, chatting to Maggie, as if he had all the time in the world. Kane got to his feet and took in the man with his insolent grin, wearing faded jeans, a battered Stetson and cowboy boots. A long blond ponytail curled down his back and his leather jacket appeared to be his only item of clothing less than ten years old. He looked as if he’d come straight from a cattle ranch rather than the office of a defense lawyer. As Kane approached the counter, Cross turned his head toward him, then straightened to about six-two and gave him an assessing look.

  “Samuel J. Cross, and you’d be Deputy Dave Kane.” Cross stuck out his hand. “Heard a lot about you since I arrived back in town.”

  “All good I hope?” Kane shook his hand in a firm grip.

  “I guess it depends on the client.” Cross gave him a brilliant white smile that faded in an instant. “You’ve Matt Miller in custody. I’d like some time with my client alone.”

  Kane nodded. “Sure, but can I see some ID?”

  “I guess I don’t fit into a lawyer stereotype, huh?” Cross handed him a business card, then pulled out a wallet and flipped it open to display his driver’s license. “I’m listed with the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. You’ll find my qualifications hanging on the wall in my office, or give Mayor Petersham a call. He’s known my family since I was a kid.”

  “He’s legit.” Deputy Walters came to Kane’s side. “Good to see you again, Sam. Where you been workin’?”

  “Here and there. Nice to see you again, Duke. Can’t chat now, I’ve a client.” Cross turned away from the old deputy, pulled a notepad out of a battered briefcase at his feet and scanned it. “Hmm, suspicion of abducting one Amanda Braxton, fifteen.” He lifted his gaze to Kane. “Any sightings of the girl?”

  Kane shook his head. “Nope.”

  “Is this all the evidence you have against my client?” Cross waved the notepad. “If so, it’s not enough for you to charge him, it’s circumstantial and my client doesn’t have any priors.” He shook his head. “I’ll have him released within the hour.”

  Annoyance rolled over Kane but he stared back at the man’s challenging gaze. “Well, we’d like to interview him. He clammed up the moment we mentioned we’d obtained a warrant to track his GPS.” He straightened to his full six-five. “Wouldn’t it be better to straighten this out now? Or we’ll just have to pull him in again for questioning the moment he steps out the door. We’ve the right to hold him for twenty-four hours for questioning.”

  “I’m aware of the law.” Cross tucked the pad under one arm and picked up his briefcase. “I’ll see if Matt is prepared to speak with you. He’s already exercised his rights and if he decides to remain silent, that’s his prerogative.”

  Kane almost wanted to laugh. The lawyer’s tone and professionalism were the complete opposite of his appearance. He waved a hand in the direction of the interview room. “I’ll take you to him in just a moment.” He turned to Deputy Walters. “Anything to report?”

  “Nope. I’m heading home now. I’m taking another shift at the Braxtons’ house later.”

  “Okay.” Kane turned back to Cross. “The interview room is this way.” He led the way along the hallway.

  Inside the room, Kane switched off the sound to the camera and pointed to a button mounted on the table. “Press the button when you want to leave or if you need assistance. The CCTV is on and we’ll be monitoring the feed for your safety. The sound control is here.” He pointed to a control on the desk. “As you can see, I’ve muted the sound.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’ll work it out.” Cross waved him away, and then turned to Matt. “How’ve they been treating you?”

  “Fine.” Matt rubbed the end of his nose and flashed Kane a disgruntled look. “I didn’t do anything.”

  Part of Kane wished he could listen in to Miller’s excuses but he shut the door and made his way back to Jenna’s office. Sometimes circumstantial evidence was enough to convict and what they had on Miller was substantial, with the GPS records proving Matt had visited Glacial Heights during the timeframes of both abductions. He’d like the opportunity to question him about Lindy Rosen as well.

  “Ah good, the lawyer’s here.” Jenna indicated the monitor above her desk and frowned. “He’s a strange one. Did you check his creds?”

  Kane handed her the business card. “The card and license match and Walters vouched for him.” He took a seat. “Walters is off duty now and will relieve the Blackwater deputies at the Braxton house later. It’s all quiet there.”

  “I wish we’d get a break in either of the cases.” Jenna let out a long sigh. “It’s all circumstantial or supposition. I feel like I’m swimming upstream, in the rapids.”

  “I don’t figure Sam Cross will take long with Matt.” Kane pulled out his notebook. “I’ve a list of where our potential suspects are working. They’re all in the same general area, so depending how long it takes interviewing English and Lucy we’ll be able to speak to them today.”

  “Lucy is at home, not far from the Braxton ranch. And English lives on Maple Drive.” Jenna glanced up at the monitor, then back at Kane. “Do you think Matt’s involved?”

  The evidence had been live streaming through Kane’s mind since they’d left Miller’s Garage. “It could be a coincidence he was in the area when both girls went missing but he does have friends in the general area. The use of explosives is worrying me. I couldn’t find squat to link him.”

  “He could’ve gotten that via YouTube.” Jenna blew her bangs from her forehead. “Remember what Josh told us – most of the terrorists planting IEDs get their info via the web.”

  The phone on Jenna’s desk rang and she gave Kane a hopeful look and picked up the receiver.

  “Sheriff Alton.” She lifted her gaze to Kane. “What do you have for me, Wolfe?” She gave him an update, and then put the phone on speaker. “Kane’s here. We’re waiting on the lawyer to finish speaking with Miller.”

  “I don’t have any good news. Blackhawk’s found no clues yet. Nothing I collected from Miller’s pickup matches either of the victims and he hasn’t cleaned the vehicle recently. I’ve the results of Lindy Rosen’s blood tests. Her abductor subdued her with diethyl ether. He used a considerable quantity, which makes me believe he wore protection of some kind over his face. I’m waiting on DNA results and Emily is here to run the office. I have some spare time – do you want me to go ’n’ pick up Noah McLeod?” Wolfe cleared his throat. “He’s admitted to dealing with a child under the age of sixteen and could be involved in the current cases. Sometimes a perp will admit to a lesser charge so we overlook them in an investigation – or he could be some crazy just trying to get famous.”

  “Yeah, go right ahead. McLeod’s on our list of persons of interest but we haven’t gotten to him yet. It’s chaotic here at the moment and we’ve been hunting down suspects who’ve had direct contact with the victims in the last week or so.” Jenna exchanged a worried look with Kane. “You’re right, he could be involved.”

  “He’s confessed to committing a crime in the presence of two deputies, and we don’t need an arrest warran
t. I’ll speak to the girl and see if she confirms his story but whatever she says about him, I’ll search his house then bring him in.” Wolfe took a deep breath. “I figure it’s best to leave no stone unturned. Look at the facts, Jenna – he knows both girls and has admitted to being a pedophile. He could be the Shadow Man.”

  Thirty-One

  Overwhelmed with the immense pressure of the job, Jenna replaced the receiver and stood. She stared at the whiteboard for long moments, and then paced up and down the room. She checked her cellphone again. Why isn’t he contacting me? Time was ticking by and she had a fifteen-year-old girl in mortal danger. The man she had in custody would likely walk and she needed more evidence. She could feel Kane’s gaze following her and returned to her desk. She snatched up the phone. “Anything to report, Rowley?”

  “Nothing yet, ma’am.”

  “Okay, we might be chasing smoke here, but I want you to go down the list of girls Julie gave me.” Jenna pushed a hand through her hair. “Concentrate on the ones who’ve had nightmares about seeing a man in their room. Get me their details and contact their parents and ask if it’s okay to interview them.” Exhausted, she sighed. “I’ve no idea when this will be, so if it’s okay we’ll call them and make a time.”

  “I’m on it, ma’am.”

  After disconnecting, Jenna stared at the whiteboard again then continued to pace, allowing the information to filter through her mind. There had to be a clue, something to tie the two cases together. No one was perfect – people made mistakes – but so far this killer hadn’t faltered. Another strange twist was the fact he didn’t seem to follow a pattern. Yeah, he kidnapped girls, but the cases were different enough to make her believe the second could be a copycat. No video file had arrived, no time limit had been set… and she’d kept those pieces of evidence from the media. She stared at Kane. “Do you think this is a copycat?”

  “It’s too early to tell yet.” Kane frowned. “There’s a small connection – both girls had dreams about people in their rooms. I figure if it’s the same guy, then the next victim will be another one of them. It’s as if he’s conditioning them somehow.”

  The idea of something so crazy happening seemed ridiculous. Jenna raised both eyebrows. “You don’t mean mind control?”

  “Hypnotism maybe, then he uses a trigger word to get the girls to leave the house.” Kane shrugged. “I’ve been thinking on it too but like I said, it’s too early to tell.”

  “That’s a cop out and you know it.” Jenna leaned on the desk and stared at him. “Not everyone is a serial killer; people do murder one or two people and then stop. You’re the profiler – if it’s the same person, why hasn’t he contacted me yet? What’s his endgame?”

  “If Miller is our man, he’s tied up at the moment and if it’s a copycat, he won’t know the play.” Kane stretched out his legs and looked up at her. “If Miller’s not our guy and the Shadow Man’s watching the office or the news, which I’d do if I was planning my next move, he’d know we’ve a man in custody.” He shrugged. “Why would he show his hand when he could be on the run and home free if you charge Miller?”

  Jenna snorted. “You’re sure full of metaphors today, Dave, but not many solutions.”

  “From where I’m sitting you already have a sound plan of action.” Kane got to his feet. “We speak to Miller. If he walks we hunt down Amanda’s best friend and the stalker, and then shake down the other persons of interest to see what falls out.” He walked around the desk and placed one arm around her shoulder. “You’ve people out searching for Amanda, there’s nothing else we can do.” He gave her a little squeeze. “If it’s not Miller, we continue to investigate and wait for the Shadow Man’s next move. I’m convinced we’re still in his perverted game.”

  A buzzer sounded and Jenna looked up at the monitor. Cross had finished speaking to his client and now she had an opportunity to ask the questions burning in her mind. She turned away from Kane. “Okay, I’m taking the lead in this interview. You watch Miller and see if you can get a take on him. My gut tells me he’s hiding something. Lawyers don’t come cheap and for him to clam up like he did, he had a reason.”

  “Roger that.”

  * * *

  Jenna swiped her card through the reader outside the interview room and stepped inside with Kane close behind. She took in the cowboy standing before her. “I’m Sheriff Alton, Mr. Cross. Is your client prepared to answer a few questions pertaining to the abduction of Amanda Braxton and murder of Lindy Rosen?”

  “I’ll allow questioning to clear my client of suspicion.” Cross moved to the other side of the desk and took a seat beside Matt Miller.

  Jenna sat down and unmuted the sound on the CCTV camera, then pressed the record button. She gave the date and time of the interview and who was present. “Mr. Miller, do you know Amanda Braxton?”

  “Yeah, I already told you I know her. Her brother Luke introduced me to her at Aunt Betty’s Café. She’s a friend of his girlfriend, Lucy.” Matt sighed. “Why do we have to go over this again?”

  Jenna noted his aggravation. “I want it on the record, Mr. Miller. Do you know or have you ever met Lindy Rosen?”

  “Nope.” Miller glanced at his lawyer. “Never met her.”

  “Are you sure? She’s a friend of Amanda and Lucy.” Jenna pushed a photograph across the table. “Take a look. Do you remember her now?”

  “Answer the question.” Cross glanced at Miller. “Have you seen her around town?”

  “Nope.” Miller shook his head. “She’s a kid, why would I even look her way?”

  Jenna left the photograph on the table and stared at Miller. “We’ve collected the data from the GPS in your vehicle and cellphone. We’ve been able to track your movements over the last few days. We know you were in the vicinity when Lindy Rosen and Amanda Braxton went missing. Further to that, we know you stopped near the old schoolhouse on Station Road and visited the Triple Z Bar the same day we discovered Lindy Rosen’s body.”

  As they hadn’t given out where they’d found Lindy’s body to the media, only the killer would know the location. Jenna observed Miller’s body language but he kept the same defiant posture. “Well, did you have a reason to be in those locations at that time?”

  “You don’t have to answer those questions, Matt.” Cross leaned on the table and eyeballed Jenna. “I figure if I did a survey and asked how many people used Stanton Road over the same timeframe on the same days, I’d have a list as long as my arm – it’s the main highway out of town – and just how many people frequent the Triple Z? It’s always standin’ room only when I drop by.” He leaned back in his chair. “Come to think of it, I was there on Monday night. I drove on Stanton Road and right past Glacial Heights like at least twenty or more others during the evenin’. Am I a suspect too?”

  Irritated by Cross’s wide grin, she pushed on. “He was in the area and wears the same boots as the footprint we found at the scene of Amanda’s abduction. He knows her and could have arranged to meet her last night.” She took a deep breath. “She’s out there somewhere alone and frightened.” She turned her attention to Matt. “Tell me where she is and stop playing games.”

  “Hold on a minute, Sheriff. Don’t go harassing my client.” Cross held up a hand as if stopping traffic. “If you want to charge my client go ahead, but the DA will agree with me. You’ve no case against him. As I’ve explained, any number of people use that road. Just about half the tradesman in town, in fact all over America, wear the same brand steel-toe boots. You have no DNA, no hair or fibers; you found no trace evidence in his vehicle. The families of both girls in your investigation exposed them to a number of different tradesmen over the same period. I know for a fact most of the families in Glacial Heights use the same companies on a regular basis. Just the gardening service alone employs a ton of different casual workers.” He glanced over at Kane as if waiting for him to back him up. “Surely, if Matt kidnapped Amanda or Lindy Rosen, you would’ve found evidence in his pickup? T
he ME’s statement states clearly that his vehicle hadn’t been cleaned.” He turned his attention back to Jenna. “Matt has a clean record and a wholesome reputation, goes to church on Sundays. You’ll never get the charge to stick, let alone convince a jury he’s a killer.”

  “The judge agreed with me.” Jenna jutted out her chin in defiance but inside her heart sank. Of course, he was right. She was grabbing at straws and they both knew it. “He considered we’d probable cause for a search warrant.”

  “Okay, okay. I would agree with you on that point but you’ve zip to charge my client, Sheriff.” Cross raised both eyebrows. “Why don’t you call the DA and lay it out for him? I know he’ll say you’ll be wasting the court’s time. You’ve provided insufficient factual evidence and there’s no case to answer.”

  Defeated, Jenna closed the interview. She looked at Miller and caught the way his mouth tipped up in a cocky grin and his eyes flashed in amusement as if he’d won this round. “Okay, you can go. Deputy Kane will return your property to you before you leave.” She waited for Kane to escort Miller out, and then headed for the door when Cross caught up to her. She turned and looked at him. “Was there anything else?”

  “We’ve gotten off to a rocky start.” Cross flashed a white smile and held out his hand. “No hard feelings?”

  Jenna shook his hand and took in his honest expression. “None whatsoever. We all have a job to do, Mr. Cross.”

  “Call me Sam.” Cross hadn’t let go of her hand. “Not often I cross swords with such a beautiful sheriff.” He lowered his voice to a sexy drawl. “Maybe we could have dinner sometime?”

  Memories of the last lawyer she’d been involved with flashed into her mind. James Stone had become a huge problem and this scruffy cowboy didn’t come close to her ideal man. Be tactful. Remember what happened last time. She pulled her hand away and smiled. “Thank you so much but I’m in a relationship.”