by D. K. Hood
Twenty-Five
Jenna rubbed the snow from Duke’s coat, dried his feet, and set him in front of the fire in their suite. Not knowing how long they’d be away, she’d walked him and then made sure he was comfortable and she’d given Rio one of their room keys to check on him if they were delayed. She’d spoken with Julie to make sure she was in her hotel room. With Rio staying in the next room, she’d be safe. Looking all around to make sure she hadn’t forgotten to do anything, she hustled to the elevator and headed to the ground floor. Surprisingly, the foyer was empty, a sign on the front counter telling guests to press a buzzer if they needed assistance. She sighed with relief. Kane and Emily would have been able to move the body without being seen. With the guests on the verge of mass panic attacks after the blackout, she didn’t need any more fuel on the fire. She’d have to make an announcement as soon as the victims’ next of kin had been notified. With the media at the conference, she couldn’t risk the loved ones of the victims finding out on the evening news.
Bracing for the arctic blast, Jenna pushed her way through the main doors. At once the bitter cold caught in her throat and pained her chest. The temperature must have dropped again. The smell of ozone filled her nose as small shards of ice cut into her cheeks. Battered by wind howling like a pack of wolves, she put down her head and trod with care toward the Beast. Kane had parked with the engine running as close to the main door as possible. It took a couple of goes to pull open the passenger door, the wind adding an unseeing force that, once she’d pried the door open, threw it back with such force it dragged it from her fingers. She glanced inside as Kane slid out his door and ran around the hood to secure the door before returning. She looked at his concerned face. “The weather is getting worse. I felt ice on my cheeks before. If we get Graupel snow, it will make the blacktop slippery.”
“What on earth is Graupel snow?” Emily leaned forward in her seat. “I thought I’d seen everything here.”
“It’s kind of like ice pebbles made from snow, a bit like hail.” Kane stared out the windshield. “It looks like Styrofoam.” He turned the steering wheel and headed through the trees. “The back road was cleared at six. It will be our best bet. The Beast has bulletproof glass. I can assure you it won’t shatter. Worst-case scenario, we hit ice and slide off the road and down the mountain, but the snowplow driver told me he salted the road three times in case we had an emergency. Just as well, the back road comes out well past the road blockage on Stanton. If we hit any rough patches, the new snow tires should keep us safe.”
Openmouthed, Jenna gaped at him. If it weren’t bad enough driving with a corpse in the back of the truck, now there was a chance they wouldn’t make it to town. “Oh, well, I feel so much better now. Sliding off a mountain and flying right out there will be fun until we hit the rocks.”
“Oh, you of little faith.” Kane gripped the wheel. “You trust me, don’t you, Em?”
“Implicitly.” Emily chuckled. “Although Dad figures I’m missing the fear gene.”
“Wonderful.” Jenna fixed her seatbelt and hung on as the wipers battled the snow. “Well, mine is firmly in place.”
The Beast was a heavy vehicle, but as they negotiated the back road, the wild wind battered snow against the side. Jenna watched Kane’s mask of concentration as he negotiated the winding narrow road through the glow of the headlight beams. It was like driving through a white tunnel. Snow covered everything and draped over fences and trees like dripping white frosting, but apart from a dusting of snow, the road glistened with a thick coating of sand and salt. She held her breath as they rounded each corner, but the snowplow attachment on the Beast took care of any snow that had fallen from trees to settle in great piles across the blacktop.
“I hope Sandy is doing okay.” Kane’s attention hadn’t left the road. “Maybe when we get there, we shouldn’t mention we drove down with a murder victim in the truck.”
“Do you think she’ll tell the twins when they’re older?” Emily poured coffee from a Thermos and handed it to Jenna. “You know, that they were born in a morgue during a blizzard and delivered by the medical examiner?”
Pondering the question, Jenna took the coffee and offered it to Kane. “Well, it is a strange story to be sure. What happens if anything goes wrong?” She turned to look at Emily. “I know Wolfe is good but he doesn’t have incubators or anything like that does he?” She took another cup of coffee and raised an eyebrow.
“He’ll make do.” Kane cleared his throat. “You can trust him, Jenna. I’ve trusted him with my life many times.”
Jenna sipped her coffee. “Oh, I know that and I do trust him but babies are a bit different to his usual guests.”
“Oh, he has heaps of medical equipment in the storeroom.” Emily nibbled on a choc chip cookie. “You probably don’t know but in an emergency he’s on call for the hospital, being in town, he can get to people faster than the paramedics.” She sighed. “This is why I need to get my final degree and work alongside him full time. He works so hard.”
Without warning the world spun like a top, the Beast’s headlights lighting up the snow-covered forest one second or gaps of blackness the next. Giddy, Jenna gripped her to-go cup. Behind her Emily cried out in terror. The comforting rumble of the engine stopped and an eerie silence descended on them. The lights whipped around again as Kane grappled with the steering wheel, spinning it this way and that to gain control. As the truck slowed, she breathed a sigh of relief but the next second the Beast picked up speed and slid backward down the mountain.
Terrified, Jenna pushed her to-go cup in the console and held on tight as the truck skated closer to the edge. Far below she could make out the lights of Black Rock Falls. Out of control they careered down the mountain trail with death hovering six inches away. Heart in her throat, she stared at Kane. “Do something.”
“Nothing I can do until we come out of this patch of ice.” Kane was peering over his shoulder into the darkness. “If we don’t hit a bend, we’ll slide into a tree or something soon enough.”
“Or go over the edge.” Emily gripped the back of Jenna’s seat. “Can’t you try and start the engine?”
“I’m not taking my hands off the wheel just now, Em.” Kane was spinning the wheel again. “It won’t make any difference on the ice. I’ll just try and aim for a tree. Hang on tight.”
Panic gripped Jenna. “Just how close to the edge are we? Should we jump out?” Her hand went to the door.
“You’ll freeze to death in less than five minutes.” Kane’s breath came out in a puff of steam. “It’s going to be okay. We’re slowing now.”
The truck bumped into a snowdrift with a muffled thunk. Jenna’s fingers ached from hanging on. She looked all around and shuddered. They’d come to rest inches from the edge of the mountain. “That was too darn close. What happened? Did they forget to salt this part of the road?”
“Nope, a small avalanche is my guess.” Kane started the engine, righted the Beast, and moved slowly back onto the salted blacktop. “If you recall, this road runs parallel to the steepest slope. The wind being so strong, snow dislodges and slides down the mountain. The salt can only do so much. That volume of snow coming down would melt some and then freeze fast. Looking at the time, the snowplows will be up here clearing it before we drive back.”
He sounded so calm. Jenna gaped at him. “That didn’t scare you? We came close to dying, Dave.”
“I was too busy to be afraid, Jenna.” He smiled. “It’s all good. We’re at the end of the road now.”
They headed along Stanton and into town. The roads were clear right to the medical examiner’s building and they drove round back to the morgue entrance.
“We’ll deal with the body.” Kane turned off the engine. “Go and give Sandy some support. We’ll be along shortly.”
Jenna hurried along the hallway and through the foyer into the visitors’ area. The warm vanilla smell wafted over her as she peeled off her clothes and pulled on the scrubs she’d grabbed from a cupboa
rd outside the examination rooms. She heard a baby crying as she reached the door. Knocking and peering inside, her mouth widened in a huge grin at the sight of Sandy sitting up, holding a baby in each arm. Rowley on the other hand was sitting in a chair with his head between his knees. “Can I come in?”
“Please do.” Sandy was beaming. “Come and meet Cooper David Shane Rowley and Vannah Jenna Rowley.” She giggled. “And when Jake has recovered from the shock, he’ll be asking you and Dave to be godparents.”
“Oh wow! They are so beautiful. You named that angel after me? I’m delighted. Thank you so much.” Jenna laughed. “Oh, Jake, are you okay?”
“He’ll be fine.” Wolfe patted Rowley on the back. “He was good until I asked him to cut the umbilical cords.” He sighed. “My fault.”
“I’m good.” Rowley looked up, his eyes glistening with tears. “Look at them. They’re so incredible. So—perfect and they’re mine. I’m just a little overwhelmed is all.”
“That’s normal.” Wolfe smiled. “I’ll go and speak to Kane and Em. I’ll be back soon.”
Jenna nodded and walked to the gurney, holding out her arms. “Oh, can I hold one of them?”
“Of course. I’m hoping you and Dave will be part of their lives.” Sandy looked at her. “You’re the closest person to a sister I’ve ever had and I know Dave is Jake’s best friend.” She indicated with her chin to one of the babies. “This is Vannah.”
Jenna took the baby from her arms and looked into the deep blue eyes of the tiny face and sighed. “You won’t be able to keep us away.”
Twenty-Six
Julie Wolfe lingered in the tub. The room was better than she’d imagined and the resort supplied everything she needed: soap, shampoo, bubble bath. Being alone didn’t worry her. Zac Rio was in the room next door and her sister would be back soon. As the water had cooled, she climbed out with a sigh, dried off, dressed, and headed to her bed. It was already warm from the heated electric blanket and she soon snuggled down to sleep. Although Emily hadn’t said much when she left, she had mentioned the electrical problem had been caused by a woman dropping a hairdryer in the tub. She really didn’t want to know the details and the idea of her sister, Jenna, and Uncle Dave risking their lives to take the poor woman’s body down the mountain in the middle of the night worried her. That was Emily though. She might be years away from being a board-certified medical examiner, but she took the care of any deceased person very seriously. Julie closed her eyes. No dead bodies for me. I prefer caring for children.
Unsure of how long she’d been asleep, Julie started awake at the creak of a door. Had Emily returned or was she dreaming? She lay for a few seconds listening and blinked into the darkness at the sound of footsteps brushing the carpet. “Em, is that you?”
Nothing.
Very afraid, her mouth went dry and every hair on her body stood to attention. She peered over the top of the sheets and froze in horror at the outline of a figure standing at the end of her bed. She blinked into the darkness, opening her eyes wide. Was her mind creating an image out of the shadows? Her stomach dropped as the black outline moved. Stunned into silence, she stared, not believing her eyes. No features were visible but she could hear heavy breathing.
Rolling over, her hand landed on the stun gun Uncle Dave had given her. As her palm closed around the handle, she sucked in a deep breath and, brandishing it before her, screamed. The shadowy figure turned to run out the bedroom and stumbled over her boots. Arms waved in the darkness before a soft beam of light from the hallway fell across the floor. They’d left the main door wide open. Terrified and too scared to move, she gaped at the half-closed bedroom door in horror as the sound of heavy footsteps pounded along the hallway toward her.
The intruder was coming back.
She screamed again, and eyes wide with terror, Julie stared at the door as it slowly opened wider. “Get out! I have a weapon and I’ll use it.”
“Don’t shoot. It’s me, Zac.” Zac Rio’s head peeked around the door. “What is it?” He hit the light and keeping his back to the wall, scanned the room, Glock in hand. “What happened, Julie?” He moved inside, his hair ruffled, and he was wearing only sweatpants.
Trembling all over, Julie tried to control the tears spilling down her cheeks. “Someone was in my room. Standing at the end of my bed.” She clung to the stun gun. “They ran out when I screamed. Did you see anyone?”
“No, but I’ll check the CCTV feed first thing in the morning. Stay where you are. I’ll check the bathroom.” Rio moved around cautiously and went through the bathroom and did a complete circle out one door and through the sitting room and back. “There’s no one here. Will you be okay for a minute?”
“No!” Julie shook her head and her hand gripped the stun gun tighter. “I’m not staying here alone.”
“Can you put on a robe and come with me then?” Rio pushed a hand through his hair and dropped the Glock to his side. “I’ll grab some pillows and blankets from my room. I’ll bunk on the sofa. My room is a single, or you could come stay with me until Em gets back.” He walked out and checked the door to the main hallway. “How did he get in here without a key?”
Julie dragged on her robe, stuffed the stun gun in the pocket, pushed her feet into her slippers, and wrapping the robe around her, went to his side. “I don’t know.” She pointed to the keycard on the table beside the door. “I left my key there. Jenna came by before she left. I shut the door but didn’t put the lock on it because Em could be back at any time and she wouldn’t be able to get inside.” She rubbed her arms. “He must have had a passkey. I heard Jenna talking to Uncle Dave about going with the maintenance crew to check the rooms, and they all have passkeys.”
“Okay.” Rio rubbed his chin and stared into space for a few seconds. “Before we go, take a quick look around. Is anything missing?”
Taking her time, Julie moved around the room. They had the basics for a few days’ stay, but she did notice something. “My scarf is missing but Em could have taken it, we do share things like that.”
“You can ask her in the morning.” Rio headed for the door. “Coming?”
Julie hustled after him, her legs feeling like Jell-O. In the hallway, people hovered at their doors, peering in their direction. She forced her lips into a smile. Whatever was going on, she knew better than to give away any clues.
“There’s nothing happening here, folks.” Rio smiled at them. “A spider in the bathroom is all. Go back to bed.” He opened his door and Julie followed him inside.
As Rio collected a few things, Julie leaned against the door. “I know you think I’m still a kid. I know everyone does, but I’m eighteen and I’m not stupid. I know there’s been two murders and now I’m pretty sure another one happened tonight. So three makes a serial killer. For everyone to take off in the middle of the night, something is pretty bad. Now this has happened, I want you to be straight with me.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Is Sandy really in labor or was that an excuse to dash off?”
“The twins are coming, so I hear.” Rio sighed. “You’re right about the murders and nobody thinks you’re a kid.” He pulled on a black T-shirt. “Jenna didn’t want to spoil the convention for you with all the gory details. The woman in the tub, we believe, is a homicide. There are no signs of forced entry, so either she let the person in, which would say she knew them, or they had a passkey.” He tossed a pillow to Julie and dragged off the duvet. “But most people engage the lock on the door unless they’re expecting room service. No one wants strangers walking into their hotel room.” He pushed his feet into his boots, picked up his Glock and key, and waved her toward the door. “Let’s go. It’s late and I need to get some sleep. All hell is going to break loose in the morning.”
Julie followed him back to her room and watched as he settled on the sofa in front of the fire. “Thanks.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Rio snuggled under the duvet with his eyes closed. “Get some sleep.”
Still s
haking, Julie went into her room and crawled back into her bed, keeping the stun gun within reach. The threat from the figure still hovered in her room like a nightmare she couldn’t wake from. She closed her eyes, seeing the shadowed menace watching her. Terror gripped her and her eyes popped open again. Had that shadow moved? Would the stranger come again and kill her next time? Her heart raced so hard, she couldn’t sleep. In fact, she didn’t think she’d ever sleep again.
Twenty-Seven
My heart pounds as if I’d run a mile and sweat trickles down my brow. The salty rivulets burn my eyes and, annoyed, I brush them away as it reminds me of the tears I once shed. My limbs are slick with perspiration just at being close to her. The long blonde hair cascading over the pillow, the red nails black in the half-light, like blood after lying a week in the sun. She is so like my mom, and when the soft glow from the hotel hallway pierced the darkness of her inner sanctum, I was transported back in time. It was as if I’d shrunk into the young child I once was and had crept into my mom’s room.
My mom was so beautiful when she slept, but I’ve come to know the outer shell of people are deceiving. My mom was not the angelic creature filled with love she portrayed. Inside was pure evil and I was her burden. My punishment was to do her bidding without a word of complaint. At the slightest word of protest, she would scream and lash out, tearing at my cheeks with her nails. I can still feel the sting and how it burned across my face. At school she’d humiliate me by explaining to the teacher how I wouldn’t listen to her and had run away to the river through the brambles. She would dab at her eyes, gaining sympathy. How could I ever explain to anyone the torment I’d suffered? I was by all accounts a belligerent child. A liar who made up stories.
The need to see Julie had become overwhelming. My chance came about by sheer luck. On the way to the elevator, I’d seen the sheriff, her deputy, and Julie’s sister leave. They’d slipped away with a body on a gurney like thieves in the night. I knew Julie would be alone. I had my passkey and had to see for myself if the beauty hid evil inside. Was she another reincarnation of my tormentor? When I stood at the foot of her bed, watching her breathe, she looked so peaceful, angelic, and then she screamed. Her face became ugly and the glowing hall light reflected in her eyes like a demon. In an instant, my brain shattered—all thoughts of revenge gone. Thrown back in time, I was small and vulnerable again—I had to get away. I’d planned my escape and dashed into the sheriff’s room.