Killing Season

by Faye Kellerman

  William stiffened. “What about her?”

  “Hold on,” Ortiz said. “Just let me get the question out. You must have searched for her many times before you found her.”

  “Is there a question here?” William asked.

  “I kept my sister’s searches in another notebook,” Ben said.

  “Where’s that one?”

  “Burned it once we found her.”

  “Once you found her.”

  “Once the police verified that it was her.”

  “That must have been a shock . . . finding her remains exposed like that.”

  Ben sent a quick glance to his father. “Do we really have to talk about this?”

  His father said, “Answer the question, Ben.”

  “It was horrible. By the way, there were about fifty people looking for Ellen, so I wasn’t alone.”

  “But you were alone when you found the remains.”

  “I was looking by myself. Increases the odds, the more places you look.”

  “You seem to have a good track record for finding bodies.”

  Ben sat up. “Did you find a body in the depression, Detective?”

  Ortiz pulled back. “I don’t know what’s in there, and that’s the truth. It’s going to take time. All I’m saying is you’re good at finding things.”

  “Not if you calculate it like a batting average. I just take a hell of a lot more at-bats than the police. My actual stats wouldn’t even qualify me for the minors.”

  Ortiz was stoic. “Okay. So why were you looking in that particular spot, Ben? It wasn’t random.”

  “No, I never do things randomly. I hadn’t tried that area.”

  “That doesn’t answer the question,” Ortiz said. “Why did you choose that spot?”

  A long pause. “I have some theories.”

  “I’d like to hear them,” McLaren told him.

  “It’ll take a while. I don’t want to keep my father here longer than necessary.”

  “I’m sure your father won’t care.”

  Ben said, “I want Detective Shanks to be present.”

  “Why?” Ortiz asked. “You don’t like my charm?”

  For the first time Ben smiled. “This is the deal. I’ve got a mountain of data just sitting in my room. I’m sure you have a mountain as well. It might be good to compare and contrast. If I’m going to open a vein, I’d like to do it properly. I’ll come back if you want. Or you can come up to River Remez and we can go over it in Shanks’s office.”

  “A mountain of data on what?” McLaren asked.

  “You don’t have to answer that,” William told him.

  “Can I answer it?” When his dad was quiet, Ben said, “My sister was murdered and her killer hasn’t been caught. I know you have a backlog of current cases. I also know that the Demon is taking up a lot of your time. And we know that the Demon didn’t kill my sister. So, until Ellen’s killer is either fried or behind bars for life, I’m going to do whatever it takes to find him.”

  “Which is what, Ben?” Ortiz said.

  “Well, since I have no idea who it is, I do what I can, which isn’t much. I collect data.”

  “Which brings us back to the original question. What kind of data do you collect?”

  He looked at his father. William said, “Do you do anything illegal? If you do, don’t answer it.”

  “Nothing illegal. I’d just prefer to do this another time.”

  William said, “I know what you’ve been doing.”

  “That may be. But I’d really prefer not to talk in front of you.”

  His father stood up. “I’ll go grab a cup of coffee.”

  When he left, Ben said, “I look at unsolved murder victims like my sister—young, female, in their teens, with dark hair, that were sexually assaulted. Innocent girls—not runaways or hookers or girls doing high-risk behavior. No one deserves to be killed, of course, but I think my sister’s killer was looking for a different profile than someone like the Demon.

  “Even so, I look at everything. When. Where. How. If the victims were the same age, if they were murdered in the same way, if the time of abduction was the same, where they were murdered, how they were violated. Fact upon fact upon fact. I enter all the data into the computer and see what it spits back. If something’s related geographically, like Katie and Ellen, I make a note of it. If the age is related, like Katie and Ellen, I make a note of it. If appearance is related, I make a note of it. If they were kidnapped in daytime or on certain days, like Katie and Ellen, I make a note of it.”

  “And you insist that Katie Doogan and your sister are related cases even though there’s no body.”

  Ben leaned forward. “I was looking for Katie near water because Ellen was found near water. When Katie’s remains are found, it’s going to be near water. That depression is about a hundred yards from the riverbank.”

  Ortiz nodded, hoping to encourage the kid to keep talking. Instead Ben sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “When would you like to meet to look at my stuff?”

  “My schedule is probably more open than yours. Pick a day and a time.”

  “I’ll look at my school schedule. After the New Year, things will open up for me. Plus, I’ll be down here most of the time.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Going to school and working.”

  “Going to school where?” McLaren asked.

  “UNM.”

  “You graduated.”

  “No, but I’ve been taking math classes there since I was fourteen.”

  “Where will you be working?” Ortiz asked.

  “Circuitchip. Some people consider my talents an asset to their businesses.”

  The kid was definitely an odd duck, but Shanks had always said that. Ortiz said, “Ben, I want to ask you something about your data. Do you just have information on murders like your sister’s or do you also have other kinds of information?”

  “Not all the murder cases link up to hers. Very few of them do link up.”

  “How many?”

  “Those that are really similar to Ellen?”

  “Yes.”

  “Katie Doogan links up. Maybe there are a couple of other cases. We can talk about them when we go through the data. It’s easier when the facts are in front of my face. Besides, I’d really like to talk to Shanks first.”

  Ortiz wasn’t going to let him off the hook. “But you have investigated other murder cases that have nothing to do with your sister’s death.”

  “I don’t know how they’re related until I read them. But I’ve read through a lot of unsolved murder cases, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  Ortiz cleared his throat. “With the other murder cases that aren’t related to your sister’s . . . do any of them link up to each other?” When Ben’s shrug was noncommittal, he said, “Specifically do you have anything that might help us with the Demon? If you do, son, now is the time to spit it out.”

  Ben’s foot started tapping. It was obvious that he knew something. He said, “I’ll take a look.”

  “Because if you do have information, I’d appreciate it. We know there are other bodies out there. If you’re not comfortable with me alone, talk to me and Shanks.”

  “I’d prefer to talk to Shanks first. No offense.”

  “I’m very offended.” But Ortiz was smiling. “Sure, go talk to Shanks. But do it soon . . . this week.”

  Ben’s father came back, cup of coffee in hand. “How much longer?”

  “I think we’re okay right now,” Ortiz said. “If we find something in the depression, I might have a few more questions.”

  William said, “Then we’re going to go.”

  Ben said, “Could I talk to Ro for a moment? It doesn’t even have to be in private.”

  “I don’t know if she’s done or not.”

  “I’ll go check,” McLaren said.

  Five minutes later she came back. “Gone.”

  Ben blew out air. “I was hoping to catch Mr
. Majors to apologize.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what you’re going to do.” To Ortiz, William said, “If you need anything else from Ben, call me first.”

  “I understand.” Ortiz shook Ben’s hand. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  As Ortiz watched them leave, his mind went into overdrive. Was Benjamin Vicksburg a strong suspect in Katie Doogan’s murder? No. Was he a suspect at all? Couldn’t rule him out even with the alibi. Was he a suspect in his own sister’s murder? Even less likely. But until those crimes were solved and the killer put away, he had to consider everything.

  The infinite possibilities made Ortiz depressed as well as hopeful.

  Chapter 20

  Ro’s parents had chosen to rent an upscale house perched on the ridge of the Sangres. It was a one-story, free-form adobe that sprawled over the top of the crest and faced southwest, giving the interior a peek of distant downtown Santa Fe and the Jemez Mountains beyond. Ben had never been beyond the hallway—waiting to pick up Haley and Lilly—but it had a big picture window and the view from it was incredible. It was cold outside, probably in the thirties. Clear to the south, cloudy to the north. He knocked on the door, but then decided to ring the bell.

  Griffen answered. “Hey.” He walked outside and closed the door behind him. He was in his pajamas. “If I were you, I’d think about turning around. It’s a little dicey inside.”

  “They’re pissed?”

  “Well, put it this way. My mom’s pissed at me, I’m pissed at my mom, and everyone’s pissed at Ro.”

  “Did my name come up?”

  “Yeah, Vicks, you’re pretty much at the top of the shit list. Your saving grace is my mom told your mom about Gretchen. She may have bought you a hall pass with that one.”

  “I’ll take whatever I can get. How’d that go . . . with your mom talking about Gretchen?”

  “Emotional. We all walked away and got coffee and bagels. I went home with you guys, as you know, so that pissed my mom off.”

  “That’s why she’s mad at you?”

  “I embarrassed her in front of your mom. I try to be patient with her. I know she’s gone through a lot. But I’m not going to die on her. I’m in high school. Just . . . leave me alone.”

  “I hear you.” Ben paused. “Is Gretchen’s death still taboo?”

  “Today she talked about it. Tomorrow?” Griffen shrugged. “My mom’s gonna need a serious twelve-step program. You don’t unwind overnight when you’re wound up as tight as she is.”

  “I need to see Ro.”

  “That may be a toughie. My dad’s still yelling at her.”

  “It’s important.”

  “You go at your own risk.”

  Just as Ben was about to go inside, Jane Majors opened the door. She had on navy slacks and a thick white sweater. Her hair was impeccable. Her face was made up, piercing blue eyes focusing in on his face. “Hello, Ben.”

  “I’m very sorry for what happened, Mrs. Majors. It was never my intention to get Ro in trouble or put her in danger. I apologize.”

  “I appreciate your words.” She looked at her son. “You should come in, Griffen. It’s cold and you aren’t properly dressed.”

  He threw his hands up. “You want to knit me a cap with earflaps?”

  Ben gave him a gentle shove forward and he disappeared into the living room. Mrs. Majors took in a deep breath and let it out. “I spoke to your mother today, Ben. She’s a lovely woman.”

  “Thank you. I’ll pass along your words.” Ben tapped his toe. “If it’s not too much trouble, could I have a word with Ro? I wouldn’t bother you except it’s important. I think I left my notebook in her car.”

  Mrs. Majors’s sigh was long-suffering. “Wait here.” Then she seemed to think better of it. “It’s cold. Come inside.”

  “I’ll wait here. I’m fine.” He was dressed warmly, but even so, thirty-plus degrees gets real chilly when standing around. He jumped to keep some circulation going. It took about ten minutes. When Ro came out, her eyes were red and swollen. She was dressed in jeans and a red sweater and fluffy slippers. Her mother was hot on her tail.

  “Hi,” Ro said.

  “Hi. I think I left something in your car.”

  “I don’t think so. I didn’t find anything.”

  Ben zeroed in on her eyes. “I’m positive I left something.” As subtly as he could, he extended his forefinger and pressed his thumb on top of it. Ro’s eyes got wide. “Oh . . . sure. Maybe. Hold on. I’ll get my keys.”

  Jane said, “I’ll go with Ben. You go back inside.”

  “No, no, no,” Ro insisted, a little too vociferously. “It’s my car. It’ll take a minute.”

  Andrew Majors came out. He was still dressed in a suit and tie, his blond hair slicked back and light eyes holding malice for all. He was not a happy man. “What’s going on?”

  Ben said, “I came over to apologize.”

  “You certainly should apologize. I realize that my daughter has a way of pushing herself into situations, but c’mon, Ben. Use some common sense.”

  “You’re right.”

  Andrew turned to his wife. “Would you mind if I talked to Ben for a moment?” Without waiting for an answer, he threw his arm around the kid’s shoulder and led him away from the front door. “Were they hard on you . . . the police?”

  “No, not too bad,” Ben said. “I’m sure they asked Ro a lot of questions about me.”

  “They did. They think you’re an oddball. You arouse their suspicions.”

  “I know. I suppose if the tables were turned, I’d be suspicious of me as well.”

  “Your father is a general lawyer. He’s not a criminal lawyer.” His eyes bored into the kid’s. “Do you need a criminal lawyer?”

  Ben’s face went hot, but he managed to keep eye contact. “No. Not at all.”

  “Now’s the time, son. We all make mistakes. Don’t tell me what happened, but you can tell me if you made a mistake. I’ve hired myself as your pro bono lawyer and we have confidentiality.”

  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes, sir, but crime isn’t one of them.” He should have been offended. Instead he was just tired. “I don’t need a lawyer. But I appreciate your asking.”

  Majors patted the kid’s back. “Okay, I believe you. Personally, I think you’re just one of those weirdo math types. I knew a few of them at Princeton. Ro thinks you’re a genius. She told me your scores. Are you considering Princeton?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “You should.”

  At that moment Ro came out holding the car keys. She regarded her father. “He left his notebook in the Explorer. You can go inside, Daddy. I think I can handle this.”

  “Give me the keys.”

  “Daddy, don’t be ridiculous.” She pushed him toward the house. “Mom’s waiting for you. Go inside and think about other ways to make my life miserable.”

  “Dorothy, stop it. You deserve all the grief that we’ve given you.”

  “I’m a good kid. I don’t deserve any grief, FYI.”

  “I’m not saying you’re not a good kid. But you can be infuriating.”

  “Can you give me a few minutes alone with my friend without embarrassing me, please?”

  Mr. Majors shook his head. “Remember what I said, Ben. Princeton has a great physics department.”

  “Dad, stop!” She pushed him again. “Go away!”

  Ro waited until her dad was inside, then she unlocked her car. Ben climbed into the backseat, retrieved the gun and ammo, and placed them in his jacket. As he exhaled, a cold cloud of mist surrounded his face. “Sorry.”

  “For what? I insisted that I go with you. I’m not sorry about it. I found the grave.”

  “Yes, you did. Good eyes, girl.” A pause. “I’d better go.”

  “See you in school tomorrow?”

  “Uh, no, actually. I’m playing hooky. I’m going back down to Albuquerque tonight. They’re digging up the spot. The Doogans got wind that something’s going on and . . .” He threw up his
hands. “They’re probably there right now. I need to be there too. But this time I’m going to meet up with Shanks at the spot and be official.”

  “I’m coming!”

  “Ro, you know that’s not happening.”

  “I’ll talk to my dad.”

  “I’m not taking you.”

  “I have a car. And I don’t need your permission to come down, Vicks.”

  Andrew Majors came back out, the porch light bathing his face in a yellow glow. With his blond hair, he looked like he was frozen in amber. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Ben said. “I was just leaving.”

  Ro held his arm. “Ben’s going back to Albuquerque. They’re digging up the spot we found . . . that I found. I want to go with him.”

  “And I told her no,” Ben said.

  Mr. Majors said, “Ro, come inside and stop pulling a tantrum.”

  “I wouldn’t pull a tantrum if you wouldn’t treat me like a child. I’m going to be eighteen in three and a half months.”

  “But you’re not eighteen yet.” Ro’s dad rolled his eyes. “Come inside. Let’s not create a spectacle.”

  “Dad, did you know the age of sexual consent in New Mexico is seventeen?”

  Ben hit his forehead. “I’m going.”

  Ro kept her hand clamped on his arm. “If I’m old enough to have sex, I’m old enough to go with Ben. Besides, I found the spot. Why can’t I go?”

  “I don’t want you to go,” Ben said.

  “Okay. Don’t take me,” Ro countered. “I’ll go myself. I’ll flounder around in the mountains and probably get lost and be eaten by a bear.”

  Mr. Majors said, “Give me your car keys now.”

  Ro dropped them into his palm. “I will remember this.”

  “You’re not going to the mountains by yourself and Ben doesn’t want you to go with him.”

  “Only because he knows that you don’t want me to go.”

  “Um, Shanks is expecting me. I really do have to go,” Ben interjected.

  “Sam Shanks, the detective? He’s going with you?” Mr. Majors asked.

  “No. I’m meeting him at . . . where we were hiking today.”

  “See? I’ll be under police protection.” Ro looked at her father. “Please!”