by D. K. Hood
“We’ll need to keep him under surveillance.” Jenna pushed a strand of black hair behind one ear. “I wonder if he is going to be at the dance at the fairgrounds tonight.”
“If he isn’t, we’ll have to arrange surveillance.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “I think he’ll take the opportunity to kill again while everyone is at the dance. It wouldn’t be too difficult to lure a girl away in a crowd, and the fairgrounds are filled with places to hide.”
“Count me out.” Wolfe’s eyes narrowed. “I’m taking Emily and I don’t break promises to kids. After working since before six this morning, setting up tests on the evidence, and doing two PMs, I’m owed the time.”
“We planned to go too but watching Provine is more important.” Jenna bit into her bottom lip. “I do understand you are working two jobs and I don’t expect you to pull extra shifts. You had better get going. We’ll finish up here. How long before we have any DNA results?”
“On the evidence we found on Aimee, three days. The other victims’ samples should be ready this afternoon.” Wolfe’s mouth twitched into an uncharacteristic smile. “I’m hoping I have enough to convict the killer. I did find cells on Kate’s hands, most likely sweat dripped from the murderer.”
“Brilliant!” Kane bent to gather all the used equipment and pushed everything into a bag. “Can you call me after you inform the sheriff?”
“Yeah, not a problem.” Wolfe’s nostrils flared as he stared at the large bag of stinking discarded coveralls, gloves, and booties. “I need to make a new rule as M.E. I want all contaminated materials from a crime scene placed into an incinerator, not into the garbage. I’ll take it with me. There is one at the funeral home but I’ll ask the mayor to have one installed at the sheriff’s department. The contaminated trash can you have there is an environmental joke.” He grabbed the bag Kane held out for him and headed toward his SUV. “I’ll catch you later.”
Kane took the crime scene tape from his bag, tossed one end to Jenna, and walked into the forest, looping the tape around trees until he had made a full circle. He emerged to see her tying her end securely around a pine tree on the edge of the trail. He twined the tape around the opposite tree then pulled it across the trail entrance and fastened it beside Jenna’s tape. “That will keep everyone out but we’ve done a thorough search of the scene.” He smiled at her, glad to see her rigid stance relax a little. “What next, ma’am?”
“I think we should pay Lionel Provine a visit. I wouldn’t mind seeing what his demeanor is like and we have an excuse to drop by now.” Jenna’s dark gaze searched his face. “I’ll ask him if he is going to the dance tonight. If he is going, we’ll park outside Aunt Betty’s Café and wait for him to leave then follow him to the fairgrounds.”
“We’ll be able to keep a close eye on him.” He gathered up his bag and headed for his SUV. “How did you like driving my ride?”
“I’m not sure what you did to the engine but it takes off so fast it should be illegal.” Jenna dangled his keys between her long fingers. “Handles well. I’m jealous.”
He gave her a sideways look, glad she had coped with the murder scene better than the last time. “I can make your vehicle faster and beef up the suspension, if you like? I’ll look at it the next time we get some downtime.” He threw his bag into the back of his SUV then climbed behind the wheel. His body ached with weariness and he had to attend a dance. Tonight is going to be a long night.
Forty-Eight
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Jenna stared at her reflection, wondering if the fringed sequined shirt she purchased was a bit over the top. Since arriving in Black Rock Falls, she had spent the rodeo carnival weekends on duty and in her uniform. She pirouetted in her soft leather cowboy boots, checking how her butt looked in the tight blue jeans. The hat had cost her a fortune; black and made from beaver, it fit her head perfectly. She looked the part and hoped the “Learn the Texas two-step” DVD she purchased online would at least make her moves on the dance floor acceptable.
With Rogers still on the run and Lionel Provine attending the dance, she had everything under control. Kane had monitored Provine’s store all afternoon and Rowley had taken turns with Walters to keep him under surveillance until he showed up at the dance. With all eyes watching Provine, he would have to be a fool to attempt anything tonight.
A horn beeped outside and she headed for the door, making sure to engage the alarm system on the way. She picked up a tiny purse, stuffed her keys and cellphone in her pockets. Closing the door, she turned to see Kane leaning casually on his black SUV, dressed all in black with a leather vest over a shirt embroidered with six-shooters. He resembled a gunslinger from the Old West. She slid inside and noticed his Glock sitting in the console.
“Do you think you’ll need a weapon at the dance?”
“Uh-huh, never leave home without it.” Kane’s mouth twitched. “I have a holster in the small of my back but it digs in a bit when I’m driving.”
“I couldn’t fit my Sig in my purse.” Jenna shrugged. “It would have looked a bit obvious if I’d worn a shoulder holster with this outfit considering we are supposed to be undercover.”
“Don’t worry; I have a backup strapped to my ankle. If you need a weapon.”
Jenna smiled. “I somehow knew you would.”
“You look spectacular tonight, ma’am.” His long lashes dropped over his eyes. “Am I allowed to say that or is it stepping out of the bounds of our professional relationship?”
“You may.” Jenna’s cheeks grew hot at his frank appraisal but deep inside it felt good to have a compliment. “You look like you just walked out of an old western movie.”
“Oh, shit. The shirt is new.” His mortified expression made her giggle like a teenager.
“No, no… you look great.” She grinned at him. “You’ll be fighting off the women tonight.”
“Nah.” He started the engine and headed down the driveway. He flashed her a perfect white smile. “Tonight, I’m undercover. Oh, by the way, in the glove compartment you’ll find our earbuds and wireless transmitters. The microphone attaches to your shirt and the reception is amazing. We’ll be able to keep in touch with Wolfe and Rowley just in case anything happens but with the four extra deputies and Walters on duty at the fairgrounds, we should have a quiet evening.”
She reached into the glove compartment and pulled out two plastic bags. “This is different to what I’m used to. How do I turn off the microphone? I don’t want all my deputies listening to everything I say.”
“Press it—it’s like an on and off button.”
She turned the device over in her hands. “So how do I speak to each one individually?”
“Once you turn it on, you’ll be speaking to everyone, so use names. Just remember to turn it off when you’ve finished.” Kane’s full lips turned up at the corners. “I remember one time we had this guy on the team who’d forgotten to turn off his mic and went into the bathroom. Let’s say his time in there was explosive to say the least, and he sounded like a pig in labor.” He chuckled. “I was standing next to another agent each side of the president of the United States in front of a press gallery, and it took every bit of my willpower not to burst out laughing. That guy never lived it down.”
“Oh my God. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” She could not believe he had met the president. “I didn’t know you worked that close to POTUS.”
“Yeah, after my last mission, HQ was worried I’d been compromised so I was moved to the White House.” He slanted her a blue gaze. “It should have been safer but it seems there are no safe places anymore.”
Her cellphone belted out a ringtone and she glanced at Kane. “That’s Wolfe. I wonder what couldn’t wait until the dance.”
She pressed the phone to her ear. “Alton.”
“If you’re with Kane, don’t put me on speaker.”
Flicking a glance at Kane, she shrugged. “Sure.”
“The DNA trace I found on
Kate Bright is a match for Dave. As she was in the water, this has to be a secondary transfer. The problem is, he was covered from head to foot like me when we found her, and I had bagged the hands before I asked him to help me lift her into a body bag.” Wolfe cleared his throat. “I don’t believe for a second Dave killed anyone, and the only explanation is the killer rubbed the body with something belonging to him, like a sweaty T-shirt or even a sock.” She heard Wolfe’s sharp intake of breath. “Do you know where he was at the time of death?”
She stared out the window as the trees flashed by and swallowed the lump in her throat. “No but I’ll find out. If this is a set-up like I believe, then you’ll find the same result on Aimee’s body.”
“I agree because the other strange thing I found consistent to both murders is the fibers. They are identical to the crime scene coveralls we use. I tested the fibers for DNA as well and both swabs came back a match for Dave Kane.” Wolfe’s voice had become hard and serious. “Were the ones he used for Felicity’s murder thrown in the trash outside the sheriff’s department?”
Jenna winced. “Yeah, I’m afraid so. I didn’t think to have them incinerated.”
“This will be considered indisputable evidence in court. You’ll have to ask him to prove his whereabouts, but in my opinion, someone is setting him up for the killings. I’ll talk to you later, Emily is anxious to leave.”
“Okay, we’re heading for the fairgrounds now.” She disconnected, turned in her seat, and met Kane’s curious gaze. “Where were you when Kate was murdered?”
“Don’t you remember?” Kane raised one black eyebrow and the nerve in his cheek twitched. “I was with you.”
At no time did she doubt him, not for a second, but the week had been a complete blur. “I wouldn’t ask if I knew, would I?” She glared at him. “For Christ’s sake, Dave, your DNA was found on Kate Bright’s body.”
“What do you think?” Kane’s blue gaze narrowed as he stared at the road. “I may be a cold-blooded killer but do you believe I’m capable of raping and murdering girls?”
“No, of course not, but Wolfe said he can’t suppress evidence in a murder case.” She touched his arm, feeling the bunched muscles under his shirt. “This week has been one long day to me, and with this evidence you’ll need a rock-solid alibi.”
“Well then, it’s just as well I was with you most of the time. Let me see, I was at the office until six, at Aunt Betty’s Café having dinner with you until about seven thirty then we drove home, had coffee at your place, and I walked back to my cottage around eight. You called me at eight thirty and told me Chad had found Kate’s body. I’d have to have superpowers to commit a murder somewhere in between.” He turned the SUV into the parking lot at the fairgrounds and headed for the area allotted for the sheriff’s department vehicles. “I’m glad you told Wolfe someone was setting me up. I need to know you trust me and I’ll appreciate someone on my side if this evidence hits the courts.”
“There will be plenty of people who remember seeing us at Aunt Betty’s.”
“I’m sure, especially Susie Hartwig. She must have mentioned going to the dance ten times. I wonder when she’ll give up the chase.” He gave her an eye-roll then rubbed his chin. “Okay, what else did Wolfe say?”
Relief flooded over her and she swallowed the lump in her throat. “He found your DNA on Kate’s palms and on fibers consistent with the comparison samples taken from our crime scene coveralls. He believes the killer took them from the garbage and rubbed them on Kate’s hands.” She looked into his closed expression. He had become the detached professional again. “Likely he’ll find the same result on Aimee’s body.”
“The murdering son of a bitch is trying to set me up. Dammit, I dumped ours in the trashcan outside the station. I mean, who the hell takes the risk to touch contaminated material?” Kane snorted in disgust. “Well, I’m sure you remember where I was last night.”
She cleared her throat. “I remember. Come on.” She pushed open the door. “Earbuds in, mics attached. Let’s get this guy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Forty-Nine
The spicy smell of barbecued ribs, fried onions, and beer smacked Jenna in the face the moment she stepped from the SUV. People flowed into the fairgrounds from every direction wearing brightly colored clothes and cowboy hats, but the way they dressed did not disguise the air of unease rippling through the crowd. The threat of a killer in their midst hung over the carnival like a wet blanket. Parents kept their children close to their sides and she could not help noticing the way people bunched together, their worried expressions darting in all directions. Every stranger was a potential threat.
The uneasy chatter rose and fell over the loud country and western music blaring out of the huge hall. Flashing fairy lights lined the pathway leading to the entrance and they joined the line to the hall. Apprehension of allowing the dance to proceed flowed through her but the mayor had insisted the event take place as usual. His idea to flush out the killer might cost another girl her life. With the threat of a serial killer on the loose, she intended to keep everyone on high alert for the evening.
The Blackwater deputies moved around the entrance and she had spotted a couple near the parking lot; no doubt, Duke Walters would be inside. She decided to use her new communication toy and went through the names of all the deputies, asking each one to check in. Glad to find Deputy Rowley had Provine in his sight, and in fact had been speaking to him earlier, she relaxed a little. “This communication device is fantastic.” Turning off her mic, she grinned at Kane. “I’m surprised with all this noise I could still hear everyone reasonably well.”
“Yeah, Wolfe knows his gadgets.” Kane gave her an appreciative glance. “I know you don’t dance but will you have a go around the floor with me? It would be a good excuse to scope the room and see who is here.”
“Yeah but don’t make it too obvious, we are meant to be enjoying ourselves.”
“I think the people here would expect us to be watching out for their safety.” He sighed. “Come on, Jenna, taking the first step is the hardest.”
Suddenly concerned she would make a complete fool of herself, she glanced at him. “I’ll give it a try but don’t expect too much.”
“You’ll learn the moves in no time.” Kane’s wide back turned toward her for a second as he handed in their tickets, then he smiled at her. “You pick up new moves in hand-to-hand combat fast. Dancing will be a breeze.”
Hoping her self-taught skills would pass muster, she nodded. “Okay.”
As they walked inside the brightly lit hall, she eyed the twirling couples on the dance floor. She caught sight of Jake Rowley dressed to the nines leaning casually against the bar, his gaze moving around the room. Since Kane’s arrival more than six months previously, he had worked with Rowley to improve his skills, and in fact, Rowley’s input in investigations had been invaluable. He seemed to notice the small important things people overlooked. She trusted him to watch Lionel Provine, and if he made one move toward a girl, she would know. Her gaze drifted over the dancers and she noticed Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley spinning around the floor with a couple of women, all smiles and laughter as if oblivious to the lingering threat. Although they had given her a scare, she discounted both men as possible killers from the evidence, and their alibis for Kate’s murder checked out.
She stood in the jostling crowd at the edge of the dance floor, nodding greetings at the townsfolk. In her periphery, she noticed Susie Hartwig making a beeline for Kane. “Told you the women would be falling all over you.” She laughed as she continued scanning the room.
“Save me.” Kane held out one large hand and his blue eyes sparkled. “Come on, show me your moves, we can watch everything from the dance floor.”
Jenna stepped into his arms and they moved together with ease. Although Kane’s eyes never left the crowd, he kept up an easy conversation with her. After the third song, she discovered the Texas two-step might well be her favorite dance.
She smiled up at him. “I’m beat and I’m not attempting the boot-scooting. I need to take a look around.”
“Sure.” Kane closed his long fingers around her hand and led her toward the tables set around the hall. “There’s Wolfe. I’ll go get some drinks and see who is at the bar.”
She took a seat at the table and smiled at Wolfe. “Everything okay? Where’s Emily?”
“On the dance floor.” Wolfe gave her a look of despair. “You have no idea how difficult it is raising three daughters without their mother.”
“You are doing a great job.”
“Nah, I mess up more times than you imagine.” Wolfe huffed out a miserable sigh. “For instance, Emily asks my opinion on what she is wearing. She wants a man’s opinion. Now, I see her as my little girl, so I put my foot down on allowing her to wear short shorts and have a bare midriff.” He shook his head slowly. “She is growing up way too fast.” His attention had not left the dance floor.
Jenna followed his gaze to see Emily dancing with a young man. All smiles but respectfully dressed in blue jeans and a western shirt with sparkles. “She looks great, what are you worrying about?”
“She is impulsive and I’m sure she lacks the fear gene.” His mouth flattened to a thin line. “I’m frankly scared to buy her a car, although she has her license. She is too much like me. The other girls take after their mother.”
Feeling sorry for Emily, she patted him on the arm. “Lighten up, she’s been through a hard time, she needs a night to have some fun.”
“I’m trying.”
Not long after Kane came back with a pitcher of cola and glasses, Emily came to the table with Julia, one of Aimee’s friends. Jenna smiled at her. “Having fun?”
“Well not really but I’m glad Emily dragged me out, I couldn’t stop crying. My parents are here as well for extra safety. Have you noticed the ring of men standing around the dance floor? It looks like the townsfolk are on full alert waiting for someone to make the wrong move.”