Promises in the Dark

by D. K. Hood

  “So, does this prove the bomber is John Cleaves?” Jenna shot a look at Kane. “The one who took the video of the house burning.”

  “Not necessarily.” Wolfe looked from one to the other. “They make a great deal of C-4 and the same batch could be widespread but the batch number on the wrapping tells me it’s at least five years old.” He leaned back in his chair. “The analysis matches the batch used in the DC bombings.”

  “This surprises me.” Carter moved his toothpick to the corner of his mouth. “I’d have to check on distribution but I can’t imagine the same batch appearing in different states and used for a crime. That is way too coincidental.”

  Kane allowed the interview with Cleaves to run through his mind. “Cleaves was charged for stealing it from his workplace, right?”

  “Yeah but what is military C-4 doing at a mine’s supply depot?” Carter removed his hat, scratched his head with both hands and looked at him with a bewildered expression. “What is it with this part of the country? I’ve investigated weird stuff before but nothing that happens here follows the normal course of events. Since I arrived, it’s like I’ve walked into another dimension.” He held out a hand to take the coffee Emily offered him with a nod and gave an exasperated grunt. “It’s as if we have two separate halves of one man. Cleaves knows explosives, is in possession of C-4, is excited by fires, and then we have Suffolk, who is threatening and has a fondness for underage girls. Put them together and we have a solid suspect.”

  Kane smiled. “Yeah the cases get a little twisted around here and don’t discount Harvey Haralson and Simon Dexter, any of them could be involved.”

  “We haven’t discussed the possibility of two men being involved either.” Jenna stared at the ceiling and sighed. “What if Haralson is in it up to his eyes? He might be the follower. We’ve seen psychopaths with men who admire them and go along just to be involved in something exciting. The bomber could have used him to steal the vehicle and, Haralson was on his way to dump it when Kane pulled him over.” She dropped her gaze and looked at him. “We need to look closer at Haralson and Dexter.”

  “The blue Ford is likely the vehicle used to transport Sophie.” Wolfe glanced at his watch. “I’m waiting for the DNA result and it won’t take too much longer to confirm.” He sipped his coffee and sighed. “The prints in the vehicle belonged to Haralson, so he wasn’t taking precautions or didn’t have time to wipe the vehicle clean. It was wiped down prior to him returning it because I didn’t find the owner’s prints anywhere. However, I did find hairs in the back seat and blood. The hairs are the same color as Sophie’s and the blood will give us proof one way or the other. The mud on the tires is from Stanton Forest and it contains small amounts of gravel, so I would assume it was driven on a fire road during the time it was missing.”

  “If Harvey Haralson took it from opposite the Triple Z Bar and drove it into town, he wouldn’t have been anywhere near a fire road.” Jenna looked at Kane. “The Whispering Caves are deep in the forest but since they cut the new fire roads, he could have gotten closer than before. I bet there’s easy access to them by foot now.”

  Kane smiled at her. “I looked into the area last night. There are trails that hikers have used for years to the area but if he followed one of the fire roads we took to get to the lake, it would be an easy walk to the caves from there. The old trails are signposted as restricted but that wouldn’t stop a killer.”

  “Hmm.” Jenna drummed her fingers on the desk. “Rowley was heading up there to take a look this morning. It will be interesting to see what he finds.”

  A buzzer sounded and Wolfe stood and headed for the door. Kane stared after him. “That must be the results.”

  “I hope Rowley didn’t head up there alone.” Jo looked anxious. “This killer is dangerous. One young deputy will be no match for him.”

  Kane barked a laugh. “He’s highly skilled.”

  “And he has Atohi, his grandfather, and a friend with him, they’ll be fine.” Jenna sipped her coffee. “He’ll check in every half an hour but I’m not sure if he’ll get any bars inside the catacombs.”

  “Okay.” Wolfe came back into the room. “The blood in the vehicle is a match for Sophie Wood.”

  “This, the mud on the tires, and Sophie Wood’s body showing up in Dead Man’s Drop, is sure making the Whispering Caves look good as the bomber’s hideout.” Carter moved the toothpick across his lips. “I figure we need to contact Rowley, like yesterday.”

  “Okay.” Jenna pulled out her phone. “I’ll put it on speaker.” She called Rowley.

  Unease crept over Kane as he listened to the unanswered call. He leaned forward in his chair trying to be positive. “He’s likely out of range. The mountain is magnetic and there’s no signal deep inside there.”

  “What about the guys that set up trail cams inside caves?” Jenna stared at him. “They seem to get them to work just fine.”

  Kane shrugged. “They run a cable to an antenna on the outside and we don’t have that equipment on hand at the office.” He looked at her. “One thing’s for sure, the satellite phone won’t help him. That needs to be out in the open.”

  “I’ll check with Maggie to see when he checked in last.” She made the call, listened, and frowned. “Okay, let me know when you hear from him.” She looked at Kane. “Not since he left the office. It’s been over an hour. She tried to call us earlier but she couldn’t reach us.” She glared at Wolfe. “Did you really install dampening fields in the examination rooms? I thought you were joking.”

  “Yeah, I can’t do my job properly with phones going off all the time.” Wolfe leaned back in his chair, coffee cup in hand. “If she’d called the front desk, a light flashes in the examination room. She didn’t call.”

  “Can we get back to Rowley’s safety, please?” Jenna stood, collected the empty cups, and placed them in the small sink set into the counter beside the coffee machine. “How long do we give him before we hightail it up there? I don’t like this situation one bit.”

  “Rowley is going into the caves with an experienced caver.” Carter stared at Jenna. “I’ve met Blackhawk and he’ll have his back. Plus, they have another man along.” He flicked his toothpick into the garbage and reached for his cup. “I wouldn’t worry just yet.”

  “Maybe not.” Jenna straightened and pushed hair behind her ear. “But the Whispering Caves are coming up clear as the bomber’s hideout. I figure we should head up there anyway. It will serve two purposes. We’ll be checking out a possible crime scene and Rowley at the same time.”

  Kane nodded. “That sounds like a plan and we have hiking boots and equipment at the office and Duke would love a run in the forest.”

  “We don’t.” Jo wiggled her feet to show her low-heeled sandals. “How about we go and speak to Harvey Haralson? According to the update from the DA he got bail and would be home by now.” She turned to Carter. “I’m sure you’ll be able to pry out information from him. If he’s involved in the kidnapping, we need to know.”

  “He’s got a smart mouth.” Kane stood and stretched. “I couldn’t get a straight sentence out of him.”

  “As long as he doesn’t lawyer up, I’ll give him some outs.” Carter grinned. “I’ll make sure it’s in his best interest to cooperate.”

  Kane patted his leg and Duke stood slowly and yawned. He looked at Carter. “Do you want us to take Zorro with us?” He noticed the Doberman didn’t as much as move a hair at the mention of his name.

  “Ha.” Carter brushed off his Stetson and pushed it over his shaggy blond hair. “Like I told you once before, you’d have to show him my body before he’d go anywhere with you.” He winked. “But you can try.”

  At the idea of a challenge, Kane looked at Zorro. “Hey Zorro, playtime. Come walkies with Duke, come on boy.” He twitched his fingers in the same manner he’d seen Carter do a thousand times.

  A tremble went through the dog’s muscles but his gaze remained locked on Carter. Kane looked at him. “Wou
ld he come with us if you told him to?”

  “Nope.” Carter glanced at Wolfe. “You know the deal, right?”

  “Yeah.” Wolfe nodded. “Carter found him in a drain after a tornado destroyed the house where the bitch and her pups lived. He raised him on a bottle and they’ve only been apart when Carter was wounded.” He looked at Kane. “They have a special bond.”

  “Yeah.” Carter patted Zorro on the head. “I kept him alive and found his owners, but by that time I’d become attached to him. I offered to pay them for him but they gave him to me, they said we were meant to be together. He went through training by my side, came on my tour of duty, joined the FBI with me.” He looked at Kane. “He’s family.”

  “That’s lovely.” Jenna looked all dewy eyed. “I’ve seen a side of you I never expected to see.”

  “Nope.” Carter’s green eyes flashed. “That’s not a side to me, what you see is what you get, Jenna. Zorro is my Achilles heel is all.”

  Kane rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. The conversation about dogs was going on far too long and did Jenna realize that Carter was trying to twist her around his little finger? “That’s good to know but Rowley might be in trouble. You coming, Jenna?” He headed for the door. “I’ll wait for you in the truck.”

  Thirty-Five

  Excitement ran through him as the sedan bumped over the uneven trail. It was a clear day with no rain forecast and a perfect time to be in the forest. He’d found the old trail months ago and after removing a few fallen logs had made it so he could gain access to the Whispering Caves without using more than one of the firebreak roads. He figured the old trail had once been used by tourists, way back in the day before the forest wardens had closed access to them for fear of another person vanishing within their dark depths. He’d dragged tree branches over the entrance and now he could vanish into the forest without a trace. It was only a few hundred yards to the caves and he could leave his vehicle hidden in the forest, not that he ever used his own vehicle. He wasn’t that stupid.

  The end of the trail loomed up ahead. At once the canopy of tall pines and thick undergrowth made the area dimmer. The darkness of the forest worked well for him, the girls he brought with him could clearly see they had no chance of escape. So deep in the forest, their screams would be unrecognizable from the wide variety of wildlife. Not that they screamed. They learned fast after the first slap, that keeping their mouths shut was the better option. He turned the sedan around just in case he had to make a fast getaway and parked it hard up against the trees where it blended into the bushes. After collecting his backpack, he slid out and went around to the trunk and popped the lid. His gaze slid over Pamela. The dress he’d given her had ridden up to expose her long legs and the curve of her buttocks. He ran one hand over her flesh, waiting for her reaction. Most would pull away or attack him but she looked up at him, blinking with her mouth working but forming no words. Perhaps some exhaust fumes had leaked into the trunk and if he’d left her much longer, he’d have found a corpse. He chuckled and tugged at the cord around her neck. “Get up. I’m taking you for another nice walk in the forest.”

  “Okay but don’t pull the rope so tight, I can’t breathe.” Pamela coughed and slid her fingers under the rope. “I’m no good to you dead, am I?” She tried unsuccessfully to climb out a few times but then crawled awkwardly out of the trunk and stood on unsteady legs swaying a little. “Why did you kidnap me? A good-looking man like you wouldn’t have any difficulty getting a woman.” She lifted her chin defiantly and glared at him. “Or are you a pedophile and can’t do it with women of your age?”

  Rage smashed into him making his hands tremble. She was a smart-mouth just like her grandpa and he wanted to hurt her. “It’s not about the sex, sweetheart.” He pulled her around and tightened the slipknot on the rope around her neck and stared into her bulging eyes. “It’s about the pain.”

  He shoved her through the trees, as she stumbled on tethered to him like a dog on a leash. The spikey lower branches and undergrowth would be cutting into her flesh but she made no complaint. He urged her forward toward the black mountainside rising to the sky. It dominated the edge of the forest for miles in all directions and dropped a shadow over the forest. This close to the Whispering Caves, it was like twilight and held an eerie silence until he heard the voices. Walking ahead of him, Pamela heard them too. He tugged at the leash to prevent her screams and then dragged her into the shadows. He put his mouth close to her ear. “Shut your mouth.”

  “Noooo.” Pamela turned, one hand raised to strike him.

  He grabbed her arm and pulled her against him clamping one hand over her mouth. Just in time to silence her before four men, one a deputy he recognized from Black Rock Falls, broke out the forest and headed toward the entrance to the Whispering Caves.

  In his grasp, Pamela wriggled and kicked frantically, making grunting sounds. Gripped by the fear of being discovered, he tightened his hold around her chest and slid his gloved hand to cover both nose and mouth. Once unconscious, he’d hide her under the bushes until they left and she’d come around soon enough once he allowed her to breathe again. She fought hard, and he enjoyed her feeble attempts to get free before lack of oxygen stilled her. He leaned back against a tree breathing heavily as the men disappeared into the tunnels. Had his secret place been discovered? He’d removed all trace of his visit from inside the caves. The old mattress was fouled from bears and critters. He’d sprayed it with a very useful agent he’d discovered after dating the owner of a DNA testing laboratory. A handy non-corrosive liquid that removed all trace of DNA. He’d stolen a case of the spray bottles from her storeroom and that night the entire place had exploded due to a gas leak. He grinned into a shaft of sunlight. No one would ever know he had the magic liquid.

  He released his grip and Pamela slid to the ground. He couldn’t take her there now. He’d take her back to the cabin. She wouldn’t be able to escape and she’d be easier to visit until she’d served her purpose. He looked down at her and rolled her over. Wide staring fixed eyes looked back at him but saw nothing. He pressed two fingers to her neck feeling for a pulse. “Dammit. Did I say you could die on me?”

  He paced up and down for a few moments to clear his head. He couldn’t leave her here. If anyone found her, the local sheriff would know for sure he was using the Whispering Caves as a hideout. Right now, if the deputy found nothing inside, they’d leave and he’d have his special place back again. He lifted Pamela’s inert body over one shoulder and headed back to the old sedan. He dropped her in the trunk, stashed the chain under a fallen log, and spent time wiping down the vehicle. He’d been wearing gloves but checked all over for anything incriminating. He went back to Pamela ripped off her dress and pocketed the cheap metal chain with a tiny unicorn attached, she had been wearing. Taking a spray bottle of DNA remover from his backpack, he sprayed her all over. He looked at her; without the fear, she was nothing to him, just another piece of garbage he had to dispose of. He’d left his truck hidden in the forest about two hundred yards away from the barn where he’d taken the sedan. It was a wooded area, easy enough to drive in unnoticed by the backroad and slip away without anyone seeing him. The ranch house was facing the main driveway. He’d return the vehicle and leave her inside, the old folks living at the ranch would never know what had happened.

  He climbed into the sedan, pulled on a baseball cap and sunglasses, and then headed back to town. He turned off the fire road and on to Stanton but had not driven half a mile when a woman standing in the middle of the road, flagged him down. He buzzed down his window and looked at her. “Is something wrong, ma’am?”

  “Yeah, I have a flat but my spare is at Miller’s Garage.” She gave him a small smile. “I’d ask my husband to go get it but I can’t reach him on the phone right now. Could I get a ride into town with you?”

  He cleared his throat. Unbelievable. He had a body in the trunk and now this woman not only wanted a ride but could identify him as the driver of the old
sedan. He glanced in his rear vision mirror. Not a soul was on the highway and making an excuse would make her suspicious. He smiled and teased her a little. “Oh, I’m not sure, picking up a beautiful young woman might get me into trouble with my wife.” He rubbed his chin. “Why not call out one of Miller’s mechanics to help you?”

  “I’m sure it will be okay and I’ll be happy to explain to her if you want.” She looked desperate. “I’m Sandy Rowley, I’m married to Deputy Jake Rowley. With all the serial killers stalking these parts, I really don’t want to be out here on a lonely strip of highway all alone.” She patted her purse. “Even if I am carrying a weapon.”

  He grinned so wide his face ached. As if that would stop him. “Well then, I guess you’d better jump inside.”

  Thirty-Six

  Concerned, Jenna climbed into Kane’s truck and fastened the seatbelt. She turned to look at Kane as he started the engine and backed out. “Do you think something’s happened to Rowley?”

  “Nope.” Kane flashed her a smile. “I’m just sick of hearing about Carter’s life. He’s trying to make you feel sorry for him. I figure it’s a ploy to get women to like him.”

  Astonished, Jenna stared at him. “He’s a good-looking guy and I’m sure women like him just fine.” She shook her head. “So why the rush to go find Rowley?”

  “I’m starving.” Kane headed down Main. “You mentioned Rowley was with Blackhawk, his grandfather, and another friend by the name Mingan?”

  Not surprised in the least by his excuse to leave, Jenna nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Well, Rowley is armed, Atohi can take care of himself, and Mingan, I met at Rowley’s dojo. Between them, one of them would get away to call for backup if something went wrong. Nootau knows the caves like the back of his hand and there would be other ways in and out. Don’t worry.” He pulled up outside Aunt Betty’s Café. “Give me five minutes to grab some takeout, we might be stuck out in the forest for hours.”