“Yes, why don't we start from there.”
Harri recounted how she and Jake had arrived at the Portland airport the day before and driven down to Eugene to speak with Tim Ledeyen.
“Why meet with Tim Ledeyen?”
“He was the last person to see my sister Lauren alive.” She explained the circumstances of their visit and the search for her sister’s remains.
“This is the same Tim Ledeyen with the missing son?” Detective Robinson asked.
“Yes. We found out about Dan from Molly Ledeyen. Tim was out searching for Dan. I spoke with Detective Gavin French about the disappearance not long after. We’d become friends over the years as he’d taken over Lauren’s case with the Eugene PD. I said I would help the family.”
“As I understand, he hasn't yet been found?” Detective Robinson asked.
“That's correct.”
“And where are you staying?”
“I'm staying at Daniels Inn. I always stay there when I come to search for my missing sister.”
“I'm not familiar with that case,” he said. “When did she disappear?”
“She disappeared on September 23, 1994. She came here to the Tamolitch Pool trailhead to hike with Tim and her friend Stephanie Lebron. She left the others to go back to the car to get water and was never seen again. The keys to the car had been found at the head of the trail right there,” Harri said and pointed to the opening in the forest trail.
“Have you found any evidence that her body might be in this forest?” Detective Robinson asked.
“She vanished without a trace. The only thing that was ever found were the keys,” Harri said.
“Your sister went missing here twenty-five years ago. The boy she’d been with had his son go missing the day before you arrived, one day before the anniversary of her disappearance. And now we’ve found the body of another boy some hundred feet away from the spot she went missing,” Detective Robinson said.
“This is all a coincidence, don’t you think?” Harri asked. It was quite a stretch to think the disappearance of her sister, an eighteen-year-old college student from twenty-five years ago, could be connected with a missing sixteen-year-old addicted boy and a thirteen-year-old boy.
“The woods are always a popular place to drop bodies, I suppose,” Detective Robinson said. The look he shot the forest made her think he didn't particularly like the outdoors much.
“Not a fan of this forest?”
“My mother told me too many fairytales. The woods are dangerous places and I'm sure there are many bodies still hidden inside of them,” he said with a grimace.
“Do you think we’ll be able to continue the search for my sister's remains?” she asked.
The detective leaned back and sighed. “Not at this present moment. I don't think he was killed here, but he was dumped right off a popular trail. Somebody wanted him found.” He sighed again.
“What is it, Detective?” Harri asked.
“Between one detective to another,” he started. “This one's a weird one.”
“The clothes?” she asked.
“Yes, the clothes. They’re spotless. Clean and pressed. The boy, too. He’s been washed. I’m sure you’ve seen your share of weird cases down in Los Angeles.” Detective Robinson’s shoulders hunched.
“Did Jake mention he was an FBI profiler?” Harri asked. “He’s seen weird ones like this before.”
“Yes, he did. I have a call out to Quantico right now.” He scratched his head. “All right, thank you, Detective Harper.”
“Any idea of a time of death?” Harri asked. She wasn't sure if he would answer her question, but it was worth asking.
“Looks like forty-eight hours ago. Which means your team are all in the clear once we check out the flight manifests for each of you. Once we get that squared away, I’m hoping we can use NecroFind to help us with the scene. We could use the manpower.”
“I’ll speak to Dr. Susan about that,” Harri said.
“I'm sorry, Detective Harper.”
“I'm sorry too, Detective Robinson.” She stood up and picked her way back to Jake who was leaning against their rental car.
“This is going to be an ugly one,” he said.
“Why?” Harri asked even though she knew the answer already.
“The appearance of the victim’s body speaks to a particular pathology. This isn’t going to end with one victim.”
“I assumed the same. Have you offered your services to Detective Robinson?”
“I wanted to talk to you first. They won’t let us search here now.”
“I know,” Harri said.
She looked helplessly out at the darkening woods, thinking of what Detective Robinson said about the bodies buried within them.
“Have you seen Dan Ledeyen recently?” Jake asked.
“Why?”
“What does he look like? Does he look sixteen?”
Harri bit her lip again thinking back to the meeting she had with Tim last year. Dan had flitted in and out of the kitchen, his bony shoulders poking out of his t-shirt.
“He looked small for his age. He had a slim figure. Lots of acne. He couldn’t be more than five and a half feet tall.”
“He looked young for his age then?”
“I don’t like what you’re getting at,” Harri said.
“If Dan Ledeyen isn’t drugged up somewhere, then he disappeared soon after Atticus Menlo was dumped. Atticus was missing for eight days. We could be looking at a similar pattern here.”
“Thirteen is very different than sixteen when it comes to these kinds of predators, I thought,” Harri said.
“If it was an opportunistic grab, and Dan is as small as you say, then it’s within the victim profile,” Jake said. His face was as drawn and worried as Detective Robinson’s was.
“We have a week to find him then,” Harri said.
“I hope. When the killer finds out how old Dan really is, we might have a problem.”
“Dammit.”
The loss of a loved one destroyed lives. Her sister’s loss and assumed death killed her mother and sent her father into a dark spiral of alcohol and depression. Tim had confessed how much guilt he’d felt over Lauren’s disappearance and Harri knew all too well the grief and panic Tim and Molly had to be going through right now.
“We focus on bringing Dan Ledeyen home. I can pick up my sister’s investigation when we find him.”
Jake nodded in agreement. “I’ll offer my services as a profiling consultant to Detective Robinson. The FBI needs to be invited to help even profile a case and with only one victim, I don’t see that they will.”
“Do you think he has the budget for that?” Harri asked. She knew how tight budgets were at the LAPD and that most cops weren’t fond of outside aid.
“It’s always worth a try,” Jake said. “The age of the victim might bolster my prospects of joining the team. No one wants a case like this to drag.”
“I won’t be able to talk to you about the case then?” Harri asked, knowing there was no way she’d be able to get on a Eugene PD case.
“You keep searching for Dan,” Jake said. “I’ll keep an eye out for any connection to his disappearance with Atticus’ death. If I find one, I’ll bring that to Gavin and Detective Robinson and get you to come in to download what you’ve found. I don’t think anyone will mind bringing a kid home whatever the method.”
Harri wasn’t sure about that but agreed anyway. The body of the boy flashed in her mind again and she turned away from the woods.
The devastation of loss punched a hole in her gut. She remembered the panic and worry; the horrifying nightmares of what Lauren was enduring as Harri and their parents searched for her. She imagined Tim and Molly going through the same thing.
“I’m going to call Tim and tell him our plans.”
“I’m off to see Detective Robinson,” Jake said.
He squeezed her hand before walking off. She pulled her cellphone out, her hand trembling.
Day 2 – Night
Harri Harper stepped out of the shower into the small steamed-up bathroom. She checked her watch and found she had ten minutes to get ready. The search party, including NecroFind, Harri, and Jake, decided to meet over dinner to talk next steps. It would be a short conversation.
Unfortunately, Harri saw no other options besides canceling the search. Detective Robinson must have already spoken with Dr. Susan about helping at the crime scene. It’s what she would do if she’d been in Robinson’s position. Harri hoped Dr. Susan would be willing to share whatever information she could with them tonight. Her disappointment at ending the search after a year of pleading her case with NecroFind was tempered by her focus on finding Dan Ledeyen.
She wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror and smoothed down her dark hair. She leaned in and peered at herself. Her green eyes stared back at her and the purple smudges she’d had for the last month had grown deeper. Her face registered the horror of the crime scene. Every line and crease appeared deeper to her. She’d aged ten years in a day. Harri bet some of the others at the scene today would show similar symptoms of shock.
Her mind wandered to Jake and the now familiar feeling of butterflies in her stomach awakened at the thought of him. She didn’t understand this new reaction she was having towards him. Maybe it was the more natural reaction of seeing death and wanting to experience life in some way.
Harri pushed the butterflies away. This was not the time or place. She refocused on Dan Ledeyen’s disappearance as she rushed to get ready. The boy in the woods was not her case. Eugene PD would not let her get anywhere near it. Her mission was to bring Dan home in one piece, wherever he was.
She finished drying off and put on new black blouse and black slacks. She checked herself again in the mirror. Good enough. Harri grabbed her purse and her door key. She locked the door behind her and headed downstairs.
Jake waited at the entrance of the dining hall for her. Her breath caught when she saw him. His skin glistened from the dampness of his recent shower. His brown hair curled at the top of his white shirt and his rolled-up sleeves exposed his deeply bronzed forearms.
Harri's heart skipped a beat. Jake Tepesky had grown into a handsome man. Jake smiled and Harri’s world stopped for a moment.
Get a grip, Harri thought. She smiled back.
“Thank god for hot showers,” she said.
“Indeed,” he said.
His eyes flicked down her body and Harri blushed.
“Have you seen any of the NecroFind team inside?” she asked.
Jake’s eyes met hers. “They’re already inside saving us seats,” he said.
Harri nodded and followed him into the dining room. Four tables were pushed together to form a large square fitting eleven chairs, two of which were empty. The NecroFind team was eating appetizers and drinking wine, beer, and water. Harri waved at Dr. Susan and they made their way over to the large table.
“Thank you for saving us a seat,” Harri said.
“Of course,” Dr. Susan patted the seat next to her. “I’m so sorry, Harri. I know how much this search meant to you,” she said as Harri and Jake sat down.
“You’ve heard then,” Harri said.
Dr. Susan nodded.
“Detective Robinson said that it would be at least a week, if not two, for the crime scene techs to comb for more evidence. In my professional opinion, the victim’s body was dumped there and not killed there. Either way, it’s an active crime scene,” Harri said.
“Which we won’t have access to,” Dr. Susan said.
“Right. We’ll have to wait for another time,” Harri said.
A waiter came over and distributed dinner menus. Harri took the offered menu and focused on what she should put in her stomach. She wasn’t hungry but needed to eat. A wave of exhaustion crashed into her and her vision blurred. Protein. She needed protein.
She found a burger under the dinner section. That would do. She placed the menu back down again and turned to the rest of the table.
“The way you work differs so much from what I’ve seen before. It was fascinating to watch,” she said. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that we won’t be able to go back to the site for the rest of the week.”
“We found a body,” Doug said. “It’s not the one we were looking for, but we were successful.”
“Many times, we don't find bodies,” said Robbie the botanist.
“Your success rate is pretty high, though,” Harri said.
“We have successes. But we’ve had more failures. When we first started, not finding a body was a big disappointment. We’re scientists, though and we’ve used those failures to hone the processes for the next crime scene,” Dr. Susan said.
“I have to tell you though, finding the boy like that startled me,” Doug said.
“Have you come across a lot of bodies in a similar state?” Harri asked.
“I've seen my share of bodies. I’m military and served overseas. This one was different,” Doug said.
“How so?” Harri asked.
“One of the crime scene tech guys asked me to take a closer look at his hair,” Robbie the botanist cut in.
“For plant matter in his hair?” Harri asked.
“Exactly. And you know what was weird?” Robbie asked.
“You didn't find any plant matter,” Jake said.
“That's exactly right,” Robbie nodded. “There was no debris in his hair. At all. The tech combed his hair in front of me. The body had to be transported in a bag to keep it that clean. His clothes were pristine. They had no grass stains or dirt marks on them.”
Robbie hesitated, then crossed his arms. “What I don’t get is this. The boy’s body was in that forest for over forty-eight hours and no animals scavenged it? That’s not normal,” Robbie shook his head.
“Did you notice any odor coming from the body?” Jake asked.
“I didn't know animals were so discerning,” Harri said.
“That's the thing. They're not,” Robbie continued. “That was the first crime scene we've ever been at that animals didn’t touch. In all the years we’ve done this. I don't know what to make of it,” Robbie said.
“That's a good point,” Harri said. “Could they have gotten the time of disposal wrong then?”
“That's right. Just because he had been dead for forty-eight hours doesn't mean that he couldn't have been dumped until earlier this morning,” Jake said.
“I'm sure the detectives and coroner are trying to nail that specific timeline as we speak,” Harri said.
“Are you going to be helping on this case?” Dr. Susan asked.
“A friend’s son is missing. I’m helping look for him,” Harri said.
“I’m consulting with the police on the body we found,” Jake added.
Harri hadn’t had a chance to speak with Jake about whether Detective Robinson had agreed to bring him on. She shot him a glance.
“He called me right before dinner,” Jake explained at her questioning expression.
“You're an active FBI profiler, then?” Dr. Susan asked.
“No. I do private consulting now. Using my profiling skills to assist various jurisdictions,” Jake explained.
“I've never heard of profiler consultants,” Robbie the botanist commented.
“It's not really a thing. I retired from the FBI last year. Some of my fellow colleagues had private clients and I decided to try my hand at it. I can choose the cases now and that helps my sanity.”
“You think there's any connection to this case and your sister's case?” Dr. Susan asked.
“I don't see how there could be,” Harri shook her head. “It's a boy, not a girl, and the age is so different that it would be a completely different type of killer profile. Don't you think, Jake?” Harri asked.
“I agree. Woods tend to make particularly good dump sites. I’m thinking this is a strange coincidence.”
The waiter came over to take orders and every
one’s attention shifted to dinner. Harri glanced over at Jake and he took her hand under the table and squeezed it.
She was so thankful for the reassurance that small gesture made. She blushed and smiled at him again. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him.
Jake’s dazzling smile made her heart flutter. She always kept her emotions checked, but his closeness and attention to her were making her walls crumble. Warmth spread through her body as the heat of his hand pulsed in her own. She was grateful for his being at her side especially under such harrowing circumstances.
The food was warm and welcomed, and for once Harri ate everything on her plate. The rest of the table enjoyed their dinner. Dr. Susan surprised Harri by telling her that most of the team was leaving first thing tomorrow morning. When Harri questioned her further, she was surprised to hear that Detective Robinson didn’t ask them to help search the woods. It was a foolish mistake on the part of the Eugene PD in her opinion. But it wasn’t her case.
The dinner ended and everyone said their goodbyes.
“If you need us again, call. I’ll find a way for us to come,” Dr. Susan said.
“Thank you for that,” Harri said.
Harri noticed Dr. Brand off to the side.
“Have a safe flight, Dr. Susan,” Harri said and approached Dr. Brand.
“Would you mind sitting down with me and talking about the Willamette Forest?” Harri asked.
“What do you want to know?”
“I’m not sure yet. Can I call you?”
Dr. Brand handed Harri her business card. “Sure. I’ll help in any way I can.”
Harri waved goodbye to the NecroFind team and found herself alone with Jake.
“Want to grab some tea? I’m not ready for sleep yet,” Jake said.
“Same,” Harri agreed.
Jake went over to talk to the remaining waiter as Harri stepped through the double doors to her right into the sitting room. Jake soon followed her in.
“They’ll bring us some tea,” he said.
They chose two adjoining comfy chairs in front of a large fireplace and sat down in front of the fire to watch it crackle.
The Hidden Grave (Harriet Harper Thriller Book 2) Page 4