The Killer in Me

by Winter Austin

  Here it was—the reason the voters of Eckardt County had chosen Elizabeth over Kelley Sheehan. Her first test.

  She would not fail them.

  Chapter Two

  Her body lay broken and twisted, curled about a stout juniper tree. Dirt and dried leaves tangled in blond hair, blood and mud caked once-youthful, unfamiliar features. The red and black flannel button-up and faded jeans were tattered and ripped, whether by design or from the trip down the steep, rocky embankment. Appearances being what they were, it looked as if she had been flung from the road at the top of the ravine. It was uncertain if she’d been alive or conscious at the moment she was tossed over like a bag of trash. One thing was clear to all who had come to this gully: she was not meant to be found.

  Elizabeth rose from her crouched position, jingling the carabiners on her rappelling harness. She peered up the ravine wall, her keen eye assessing the forty-foot drop. Scrub brush, thorny vines, and saplings grew among the outcroppings of rock and slate. She could visualize the young woman’s body tumbling, bouncing, and slamming into the obstructions as she made the horrific descent until crashing into the juniper’s trunk, coming to rest under the needle and berry laden limbs.

  God have mercy on this poor girl’s soul if she was alive when she went over.

  Putting her back to the ugly scene, she faced the deputy who had rappelled down with her. “Fitzgerald, have them send down the equipment. We’ve got a big scene to process.”

  Wary lines deepened the wrinkles etching Deputy Ben Fitzgerald’s bronzed face. He gave a slow nod and gripped his handheld radio, rotating to peer up the steep incline as he spoke into the bulky device.

  The lone holdout left in the wake of Sheehan’s ousting, Fitzgerald still didn’t believe she should be in the sheriff’s position. He was a fine deputy and a dedicated officer of the law, so his loyalty to the crooked bastard cut deep. She would win him over, or he’d eventually do as the other loyal Sheehan followers had done and quit. If she were honest with herself, Elizabeth wasn’t sure about Fitzgerald.

  She rotated on the balls of her feet, squatting as she moved, and studied the area around the body. She mentally imprinted the whole scene, absorbing the fresh, brisk scent of the fir trees, the sharp bite of dust rising into the frigid December air. The cloying odor of decay suffocated human nostrils but was attractive to vermin. She tilted her head, squinting at the sky. Beacons of death, four vultures lazily circled above, waiting for the humans to clear out and let them feast. A murder of crows perched on nearby trees squawked their displeasure at being kept at bay.

  Not today, birds.

  This young woman belonged to Elizabeth now. The large birds had done their duty, alerting their two-legged counterparts of the grisly scene far below them. Once the medical examiner and the team had what they needed, they would tuck her away and send her to the hospital where Dr. Olivia Remington-Thorpe would take the victim under her care. The vultures would have to find a moldering meal elsewhere.

  “Sheriff.” Fitzgerald practically choked on the title.

  Rising to her full height—how she loved that she inched over the man who found any chance to slight her by word of mouth or facial expression—she took the offered radio and engaged the talk button. “This is the sheriff.”

  “Ellie.” Her ex-brother-in-law’s gravelly tone was the complete opposite of his brother’s. “Georgia called. Your expected visitor has arrived.”

  Rafe was her voice of sanity. Had been right before, during, and after the divorce. Rafe’s cajoling was what had brought Elizabeth back to Juniper, and into the election for sheriff.

  He never treated her as a new strain of black plague.

  She clicked the mic. “Prepare for me to come up. What’s the ETA on Dr. Remington-Thorpe?”

  “Ten minutes. I don’t know that she’s going to like having to rappel down there.”

  “I hope you told her to wear clothes she didn’t care about.”

  “I mentioned it.”

  “Coming up.”

  “Roger.”

  She handed the radio back to Fitzgerald. He eyed her, most likely trying to figure out who her visitor was. Her change in the wind she’d kept hidden under her hat, that’s who. No one in the department had an inkling. She dared not say a word to her dear sister for fear that someone would rip the strings from her hands.

  Elizabeth Benoit was about to tip the scales in her favor with a jack of spades.

  *

  Lila Dayne stood at parade rest, the deep-seated training instinctual, while the woman who held her future in her hands perused the dossier at her leisure. Off in the corner on a chair better suited for the dump, a red and white border collie watched her. Trying to ignore those brown orbs boring holes into her soul, Lila stared at the bare wood paneling above the sheriff’s head.

  Knock, knock, the seventies were calling.

  Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit was not what Lila expected. To have a woman sheriff was rare in this country, rarer still in a rural community like Juniper, Iowa. It mattered little to Lila. She needed this job. This deputy position with the Eckardt County department was about as perfect as she could get.

  “You have an impressive résumé, Ms. Dayne.” The older woman’s gaze lifted to meet Lila’s. “It would seem taking this deputy position would be a step down from what you were doing in Chicago.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “You worked in one of the roughest precincts, did a stint with a few narcotics task forces, trained with SWAT, and the coup de grace, you passed your detective exam and worked one year in homicide. So, why come here?”

  Because this place gave her the promise of a new start she sorely needed. “Ma’am, if I may, I’m still not comfortable discussing certain private matters.”

  Steepling her hands, the sheriff folded her fingers together as she rocked back in her chair. Those piercing dark brown eyes, so like her canine companion’s, roved over Lila, seeming to pick apart the elements that made her whole and find the parts that were missing. Never one to back down, Lila did her own scrutinizing.

  Elizabeth Benoit was a tall woman, standing a good five inches over Lila, with rich brown hair that skimmed her shoulders. A gold star glinted over the left pocket of her desert tan uniform top, declaring to all she was top of the food chain. Except for some bits of leaves clinging to her hair and shirt, she was put together with near military precision. A tidbit of knowledge Lila tucked away for future reference.

  “For the sake of an argument, I won’t press the matter.” The sheriff tapped the dossier file. “Everything I need is right here. I can study your file and read up on all of your past accomplishments ’til the cows come home. What these papers can’t tell me is what I want to know by listening to you. You have outstanding credentials, a stellar law enforcement career, and you fast-tracked through the ranks in Chicago PD. Eckardt County is by no means a place to advance a career. Especially for a woman.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, ma’am, but you are the sheriff of this county, are you not? Elected by the people to keep them safe? A woman sitting in a position of power normally controlled by men. I’d say that’s a fine career advancement.”

  Lila enjoyed watching the warm smile appear on Benoit’s lips.

  “That being said, I need to know one thing from you, Ms. Dayne. I need to know where your focus lies.”

  “My focus?”

  “The deputy whose position you applied for quit. Let’s just say there was a major difference in opinion that caused the man to forsake his career. Before I make any final decisions, I want to hear from you what your intentions are for this job and if Eckardt County is a place you can see yourself living in for a good long while. To be frank, I have no intention of appointing someone who will bail on me the moment things go south.”

  On the spot. No holds barred. Everything the dispatcher had mentioned about Elizabeth Benoit was true. Finally, someone who didn’t give a damn about their political rising star and was ready for rea
l police work.

  “Ma’am, I firmly believe this position came available at just the right time for you, and for me. I wouldn’t have bought a house here if I wasn’t certain of where I wanted to live. Being from Chicago, there isn’t much I’ve seen or dealt with that makes me turn tail and run. The final decision is yours, but I don’t sense that you’re willing to turn me away.”

  Bowing her head, Sheriff Benoit stared at the open file, then with a bob, she looked up, coming to her feet at the same time. “Ms. Dayne, I’d like to welcome you to Eckardt County. While you’re not official until I get the paperwork pushed through on this, I will swear you in today. And consider your position twofold.”

  “Twofold, meaning what?”

  “Meaning, I need an investigator. The deputies I have now aren’t capable of handling those details that fall on a detective’s shoulders. You have the experience, and it saves me some hassle of having to bring DCI down here every time there’s a questionable death.”

  “Why not ask one of the city departments to provide a detective?”

  Sheriff’s smile was thin, more of a grimace. “There is only one town in Eckardt that has a police department; the villages rely on the sheriff’s office for our services. On top of it, I’m not popular around here. My election into this position brought an end to decades-long crooked dealings by certain officials, and there are about to be some nasty shake-ups. I’m the last person anyone in this county wants to give aid.” She crossed her arms, tilting her chin down. “If being an investigator is more than you bargained for”—she pointed behind Lila—“there’s the door.”

  It wasn’t an option she had considered, but Lila couldn’t disagree with the sheriff. She did have the training, and she was a detective before everything fell apart in Chicago. Why not? As a deputy, Lila still maintained a low profile, and would still do the police work that had been the driving factor in her choosing this career.

  “While it’s unconventional, I accept it.”

  “Perfect. Don’t worry, I’ll be working right alongside you.”

  “Sheriff, if I might be so bold, but do you have any experience as an investigator?”

  A sly smile appeared. “And that right there is why I wanted you. To be frank, I don’t have the formal training, so I’ll be learning as we go.” Rounding her desk, the sheriff approached and thrust out her hand. “Congratulations. Once I’ve sworn you in, we’re putting your skills to the test.”

  Shaking the woman’s hand, Lila frowned. “I’m not following.”

  “Deputy Dayne, your first day on the job is processing a homicide scene.”

  Chapter Three

  Elizabeth had spent a fair chunk of her life in Juniper, except for the years when she was base hopping while Joel rose through the ranks and deployed to the likes of Iraq and Afghanistan. The day her divorce finalized, she returned to Juniper and tried to leave Joel in the past. Tried being the operative word. Damn fool wouldn’t take a hint.

  Bringing her Ford Interceptor to a stop amid the bevy of flashing sheriff’s department vehicles, Elizabeth threw the gear shift in park and turned to her newly pinned deputy.

  Lila stared at the activity, her gaze narrowing. “You have a medical examiner?”

  “Yes. That, we manage to have.”

  Bentley propped herself on the center console, panting in Elizabeth’s ear.

  Lila glanced at their ride-along, her gaze sweeping to Elizabeth. “Will she stay in here?”

  “Don’t worry about Bentley.”

  Exiting the SUV, both women approached the yellow barrier someone had obsessively strung from one twisted tree limb to another and back again about five times.

  “Rookie,” Lila muttered, ducking under the taut plastic.

  Elizabeth swallowed her chuckle. When she had left to meet with Lila, Meyer’d had the crime scene tape in his hands. The young deputy had taken his training seriously and wasn’t about to let anyone ruin what could rightly be Eckardt County’s first homicide in over a decade. Speaking of the zealous deputy, he caught sight of their entry and bolted over.

  “Sheriff, I’m sorry, but you can’t just let anyone in here.”

  Halting his progress, she slipped an arm around his shoulders and redirected his course. “Deputy Meyer, I’m ever so grateful for your keen attention to protocol, but it’s okay. This is our newest addition to the team, Deputy Lila Dayne. She’ll be handling investigations like this one from here on out.”

  Brent Meyer’s pale brown eyes darkened. His family hailed from the Rhineland via Ellis Island circa 1898, crossing the country to plant roots here in a little corner of Iowa to farm, bringing with them their dark brown hair, and strong German stature and features. After Elizabeth and Joel had eloped, Brent’s father, Pratt, had sold the family farm and was making a go of it in financing and banking. Rumor had it that Pratt was into more than just helping people financially. But his son was far removed from his father’s shadow.

  After Brent had earned his criminal justice degree at the local community college, he fast-tracked through the law enforcement academy, and had applied for a deputy position under Sheehan. The crooked sheriff would have nothing to do with him, and Elizabeth won the election. It was a no-brainer to bring the kid in, and she didn’t regret her decision.

  “If you say so, Sheriff.” Brent cast a look over his shoulder at Lila.

  “I do say so.” Elizabeth released him as she caught the wary eye of another one of her deputies. “Next time let’s ease the strain on the pocketbook and not string so much tape. ’K?”

  “Sure thing, ma’am.” He headed back toward his guard duties.

  Lila stepped past Elizabeth, turning to face her. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get a better look at the scene and the body if possible.”

  “You’ll have to gear up to rappel down to it. Ask Fitzgerald over there to help you out.” Elizabeth pointed at the bearded, blond deputy. “I’ll join you in a minute.”

  Lila gave the approaching Rafe a passing glance as she beelined for Fitzgerald.

  Elizabeth stiffened her shoulders as her ex-brother-in-law slowed his stride. Rafe Fontaine was as tall and as dark haired as his brother, except that Rafe was four years younger than Joel and less hotheaded. Coming to stand next to Elizabeth, he watched Lila get Fitzgerald’s attention.

  “Is that the expected guest Georgia mentioned?” Rafe’s voice held a hint of amusement.

  “That she is, and she’s about to save us time and patience. And maybe earn some trust from our residents.”

  He turned those blue eyes on her and tapped the corner of his mouth. “You’ve got a bit of a beard burn going on right there.”

  “Can it.”

  His stoic features cracking with humor, he looked away. “I wanted to mention it earlier but decided it wasn’t the right time.”

  Asshat. She redirected her attention to the activity at hand. “Did he even bother to stop to see you?”

  “Does he ever.” Rafe said it as more of an answer than a question.

  The brothers had a love/hate relationship, and Elizabeth was a partial reason for the ongoing tensions between the two.

  “Joel is like a drug,” she muttered.

  Crossing his arms, Rafe grunted his response, keeping his gaze fixed on the newest deputy as she was stepping into the rappelling harness.

  “Don’t you dare judge me, Rafe Fontaine.”

  “I didn’t say a word.” He nodded at the female addition to the department. “So, what’s her story?”

  “She’s keeping the details close to the vest for now. But her credentials are highly impressive. It’ll be good to have someone with strong investigative skills on the team.”

  He shifted to block Elizabeth’s view of Dayne clipping on her rigging. “You may think so, but time will tell whether this was a good move on your part or a bad one,” he said. “Someone unwilling to divulge their past reeks of trouble.”

  “Let’s not jump to those conclusions so fast.”r />
  “Sheriff!”

  “Our new investigator calls.” She moved to pass Rafe.

  His hand shot out and he gripped her elbow. “Ellie.”

  Staring at their connection, she swallowed hard at the underlying tenderness in his voice.

  “I’ll stop by your place. If Joel is still there, I’ll try to convince him he needs to stay at the farm.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’ve got it handled, but thanks anyway.”

  His face scrunched. “You don’t have it handled.”

  She held a finger up, pointing it at him. “No judging.” Slipping free of his hold, she strode over to Fitzgerald. “Gear me up, Deputy.”

  As Fitzgerald assisted Elizabeth with her rappelling harness, two volunteer firemen, trained in search and rescue operations, guided Lila down the side of the ravine. Once Elizabeth was geared up and clipped into the ropes, the men aided her descent where she joined the county medical examiner, Dr. Olivia Remington-Thorpe. Deputy Dayne and the ME were making introductions. Remington-Thorpe’s lone assistant had stayed up top to help lower the basket carrier they would use to hoist the body up the ravine. Elizabeth’s last remaining deputy, who had not stayed up top with the others, was moving about the crime scene.

  Deputy Kyle Lundquist collected anything that could be considered evidence around the unidentified female victim. Lundquist had come in late in Sheehan’s term, and had no distinct loyalties to the former sheriff, which in turn made it easier for Elizabeth to keep the man on. His past service record in the navy’s criminal investigation unit and a penchant for science made Lundquist a perfect choice for preliminary evidence collection before the crew from DCI arrived. Personally, Elizabeth was aware of Lundquist’s reasons for being a cop; they aligned with her own in becoming sheriff. They were both looking for answers in his eldest sister’s death.

  “Sheriff.” Olivia nodded.

  “Doctor. Is there anything you can tell me?”