Bring Me Flowers_A gripping serial-killer thriller with a shocking twist

by D. K. Hood

  “We’ll talk about this later.” His daunting expression gave no hope for a reprieve. “Can you stand?”

  Biting her bottom lip, she nodded. “My head is sore. He punched me in the face too.”

  “So I see.”

  Flashing lights came into view as the paramedics drove toward them, sirens blaring. She looked at her father. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. If you think I’ll need an X-ray on my head, you can do that, can’t you?”

  “I think an ice pack will suffice.” His pale gray gaze moved over her face. “You did good, kid. You survived because we planned for all contingencies, but if you ever put yourself in danger like this again, so help me, I’ll lock you in your room until you turn twenty-five.”

  Emily smiled at him. “You have the killer. Do I get points for that?”

  “Nope.”

  * * *

  Two deputies arrived to escort Reverend Jones to the lockup. Emily sat in the back of the ambulance and allowed the paramedics to tend her injuries without complaint. Her dad had walked away and was speaking on the phone, no doubt to the Department of Homeland Security. He had mentioned the killer was probably responsible for identical murders across the state. With a dangerous man in custody, the Black Rock Falls Sheriff’s Department would likely need assistance.

  A wave of relief flooded over her at the sight of the sheriff and Deputy Kane carrying Julia in his arms. Her friend had one arm wrapped around the handsome deputy’s neck, and as they came closer, she could hear her talking. When he deposited Julia into the ambulance, she smiled up at him.

  “I’m fine now. You didn’t have to carry me, but thank you.”

  “You should thank Emily, she saved your life.” Deputy Kane’s full lips curled into a smile, he touched his hat and walked away.

  Seeing the dreamy look in her friend’s eyes, Emily snorted. “Don’t waste your time.” She glared at her friend. “By the way, I nearly got murdered because of you. The reverend was going to stab me so I tore his face apart with my nails.” She pressed ice to her face. “I’d be dead if the sheriff hadn’t flown through the air and tackled him then held him until Deputy Kane arrived. You should have seen her, she was amazing.”

  “You look a mess.” Julia stared at her. “I guess you’ll be going to the hospital with me.”

  “No, but I’m glad you’re going to the hospital. You need your head examined after running off like that alone.”

  “I know that now.” Julia pulled a face. “I’m going to be grounded. I promised my parents I wouldn’t leave the hall. They are going to be so mad.” She frowned. “Oh shit, here they come now.”

  Emily took one look at the sour expression on her father’s face and sighed. “Yes, they will, but not half as mad as my dad is with me right now.”

  Fifty-Three

  Five days later, Kane strolled into Jenna’s office and waited for her to look up at him. “They’ve picked up Steve Rogers just outside Blackwater. The deputies are bringing him in now but when they interviewed him, he gave them a signed confession to killing his wife. They’ll be here before twelve.”

  “That’s great.” Jenna leaned back in her chair and gave him a long, considering stare. “If he pleads guilty, it will make our job a lot easier.” Her mouth turned up at the corners. “The mayor called me and, would you believe, the new road he had planned to his property has been axed and the funding is coming here. This means we get two new deputies, the computer system that Wolfe wanted, and money to spare.”

  Kane dropped into a chair and grinned. “Lockers for our personal items would be something to consider. There are a few rooms sitting empty, we could turn one into a locker room and have a keypad to get in and out so it’s secure.”

  “I’ll add it to my list.”

  He rubbed his chin. “Wolfe has finished his reports; he’ll be here soon to give us the evidence he found at Jones’s house and update us on what he discovered on his computer.”

  “I know you wanted to be involved in the search of Jones’s residence but with your DNA on two of the victims and me as your only alibi for Kate’s murder, it was best I ordered him to handle it with Rowley.” Jenna gave him an apologetic look. “Waiting for one of Helena’s forensic team to go in with them was the correct thing to do.”

  He nodded. Her quick thinking had removed any conflict-of-interest accusations. “I appreciate your consideration, ma’am.”

  “While we’re waiting for Wolfe, bring me up to date with the Rogers investigation.”

  As a familiar headache threatened, he rubbed the scar on his head. “I’ve collated the evidence against Rogers; even if he hadn’t admitted guilt, the case against him would have been solid. I’ll print it up and have it on your desk within the hour.”

  “Good work.” Jenna gave him a bright smile. “When Rogers arrives, I’ll send it along to the DA with his confession. I’d say the county jail will be taking him off our hands.”

  A knock on the door heralded Wolfe’s arrival.

  “Come in.” Jenna’s interested gaze flicked over his face. “Shut the door. I take it you have finished your reports on the Jones case?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Wolfe deposited two folders on her desk then eased his large frame into a chair. “He made a mistake and one that usually brings down serial killers. In one word: trophies. We found sixteen different locks of hair taken from his victims and all are under DNA analysis. We hope to link him to similar killings throughout the state. He worked as a preacher all over and arrived here some months ago. According to the GPS on his car, he often traveled to other counties during his time here. I have matches for all of our victims; it’s enough evidence on its own but I have proof he used the Golden Wizard game, the one where the kids collect the virtual reality characters, to lure his victims.”

  Kane leaned forward in his chair. “So, Lionel Provine is in the clear? Surely, we can get him on something. He was luring young women to join his private group.”

  “I agree.” Jenna looked expectantly at Wolfe. “What he is doing is creepy to say the least. Yet he comes up clean on priors. How did your interview go with him?”

  “I think he was a pawn in Reverend Jones’s game but we’ll need to keep an eye on him.” Wolfe stretched out his long legs. “Jones is a Black Hat hacker and used his ability to rewrite the codes on games. Jones told Provine he worked as a programmer in a major games company before God called him into service. He actually convinced him for a twenty percent share of his profit, for the church of course, he would make him rich. The idea was to invite teenage girls to join an exclusive group of gamers. Jones agreed to supply the toggles to gain remote access to the kids’ computers and bonus codes to give out as enticements.”

  “How did Provine make money giving out bonus cards?” Jenna frowned. “It seems a bit lame.”

  “The money part of the deal came from the same agreement I heard Provine use with Emily. He told the ‘exclusive members’ of his club he would supply them with bonus cards if they convinced their parents to buy merchandise from his store.” Wolfe shrugged. “Kids who play games would do just about anything to get the bonuses, and Provine didn’t believe the idea was exploitation. When I questioned him, he did wonder why Jones insisted he only enlist teenage girls into the club but he did give the boys who came into his shop the cards as well.”

  “So, Reverend Jones kept a low profile and put Provine in the line of fire?” Kane frowned. “You thought he was manipulating the game but how did he hack the girls’ cellphones?”

  “Yes, I’d like to know that too.” Jenna’s mouth turned down. “I had no idea carrying a cellphone made a person vulnerable.”

  “He didn’t hack the cellphones, he used the game interface. The toggles gave Reverend Jones remote access to their computers. He spied on them using their webcams to track their movements. When he wanted to lure a victim to his pre-chosen spot, he programmed the next sequence of the game. The girls played on their cellphones and, using the camera interface,
collected the virtual characters in real time. The characters popped up close to them.”

  Kane nodded. “Yeah, I saw Aimee playing that game in Aunt Betty’s Café—it was like the character was in the store. Freaky.”

  “Ah yes, I’ve seen them heads down staring at their cellphones and running around like crazy.” Jenna shook her head. “They collect the characters as part of the game, is that right?”

  “Exactly, and Jones tweaked the game so he could literally use the characters like a trail of breadcrumbs leading straight to him.”

  Kane frowned. “How did he send the message to Chad to change the time of his date with Kate?”

  “I have evidence he hacked the online games room to send messages using the kids’ usernames. I found the messages he sent changing the time of Kate’s date and the one sent to Aimee from Julia. They originated from Jones’s computer.” Wolf’s pale gaze narrowed. “He made an error and didn’t delete the files. I think he believed he was invincible.”

  “I’m impressed.” Jenna flashed him a white smile. “The DA will be fascinated with the details and I’d bet due to your conclusions The Department of Homeland Security will be extending the case throughout the state.”

  “Yes, as you requested I have kept them up to date with my findings.” Wolfe scratched the blond stubble on his chin. “I take it Jones will stand trial here? Will he be remaining in the county jail?”

  “Yes, I would say from these results, our initial charge of attempted murder of Emily will be upgraded to murder in the first for Felicity, Joanne, Kate, and Aimee.” Jenna’s look was troubled. “We still don’t have a motive. What pushed Jones to kill?”

  Kane tapped a folder on the desk. “The DHS sent over a file. He has been on a watch list for some time so I’m not sure why they didn’t arrest him on suspicion earlier. His cruelty to animals goes back years. When he attended high school, the local police implicated him in the drowning of a girl but he wasn’t charged. He graduated top of his class and won a scholarship to study computer science.” He met her gaze. “His mother, as we assumed, was a prostitute and took her johns home. They lived in a tiny apartment, and from Jones’s garbled statement, his mother made him watch, and at times, the men used him as well. His mother performed abortions for the local hookers and ordered him to assist her. The DHS included photographs of his mother and she wore bright red lipstick.”

  “Do they mention why he left the flowers?”

  Kane winced. “Yeah, when his mom got mad with him he picked her wildflowers and she forgave him. He actually said, ‘They all wanted me to bring them flowers.’”

  “So why did he kill young women?”

  Kane sighed. “He isn’t saying, but who can figure out the mind of a psychopath?”

  “I would have never picked him as a killer in a million years. He seemed like such a nice, caring man. I can’t believe I called him in to help with grief counseling.” Jenna pushed both hands into her dark hair and stared at him. “Was he a reverend?”

  “Yeah, and I would imagine he became a preacher to get close to girls. When you think about it, it is a good cover. Who would suspect a reverend?” He winced. “He slipped through our net.”

  “I saw pure evil in him when he was attacking Emily.” Jenna moved her gaze to Wolfe. “How is she doing?”

  “She is still very upset for not telling me about Aimee but after preventing Julia’s murder she is a bit better.” Wolfe’s smile was genuine. “She feels instrumental in finding the killer of her friends.”

  “That is good to hear, I’m looking forward to her continuing her internship.” Jenna flashed a white smile at them. “I’m very proud of my team. We were the only sheriff’s department in the state to stop Jones’s killing spree and we’ve taken two murderers out of circulation. You have both excelled, as did Rowley and Walters.” She cleared her throat and eyed them from under her lashes. “But don’t get too comfortable, I’m still going to be cracking the whip.”

  Kane leaned back in his chair and glanced at her. He had to admit Jenna led them to perfection. He had respect and deep affection for her. “So, case closed, ma’am?”

  “Yeah.” Jenna’s warm smile made her eyes sparkle. “Case closed.”

  He returned her smile with a grin. “Now we’ll have time to work on those dance moves of yours. I’ll have you boot-scooting by the fall dance.”

  “That’s what I like to see in my deputies.” Jenna chuckled. “Ambition.”

  * * *

  Have you read the first book in the Detectives Kane and Alton series? Don’t Tell a Soul is a gripping novel that will have you hooked from the start.

  Don’t Tell a Soul

  The floor was stone cold on her bare skin. Her heart pounded in her chest. ‘Not a soul knows where I am,’ she thought as she took in the darkness around her. And then she heard his footsteps…

  * * *

  When a body is found stuffed into a barrel at the local dump, covered in long red cuts, Detective Jenna Alton and her new deputy, David Kane, rush to the scene.

  * * *

  Nothing ever happens in the small town of Black Rock Falls, so Jenna believes the victim must be one of two recent missing persons, and she fears for the life of the other.

  * * *

  Both were strangers to the town, but there’s nothing else to link them. Jenna knows someone must have seen something, but no one’s talking; how well does she really know the people around her?

  * * *

  Then a disturbing clue makes Jenna suspect a connection with other disappearances in the town’s history. Just when she begins asking the right questions, she realises she’s being followed. Is she next on the killer’s list?

  * * *

  In a race against time, Jenna and David must unlock the dark secret at the heart of the town, before it’s too late…

  * * *

  A completely addictive detective thriller that will have you guessing right to the end. If you love Robert Dugoni, Karin Slaughter and Rachel Abbott, you’ll love Don’t Tell a Soul.

  A Letter from D.K. Hood

  Dear Reader,

  * * *

  I am delighted you chose my novel and joined me in the thrilling world of Alton and Kane in Hiding Place.

  If you’d like to keep up-to-date with all my latest releases, just sign up here.

  I really loved writing about Jenna Alton and David Kane, and it was fun introducing Shane Wolfe into the team. I think I am going to have fun exploring his expertise in the future. I love forensic science and researching every aspect of the crime scenes.

  If you enjoyed my story, I would be very grateful if you could leave a review and recommend my book to your friends and family. I really like to hear from readers because when I write, it’s as if you are here with me, following the characters’ story.

  I would love to hear from you, so please get in touch on my Facebook page or Twitter or through my website.

  * * *

  Thank you so much for your support.

  * * *

  D.K. Hood

  * * *

  www.dkhood.com/

  Also by D.K. Hood

  Detectives Alton and Kate series

  Don’t Tell a Soul

  Acknowledgements

  To my fantastic editor, Helen Jenner, and all the amazing Bookouture team who have worked with me to make this story possible. Also, thanks to Kim Nash and Noelle Holten—the best promotion team ever.

  Published by Bookouture

  An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.

  Carmelite House

  50 Victoria Embankment

  London EC4Y 0DZ

  * * *

  www.bookouture.com

  Copyright © D. K. Hood 2017

  * * *

  D. K. Hood has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.

  * * *

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by a
ny means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

  * * *

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-78681-273-5