by D. K. Hood
“Did they contact any other friends or relatives?”
“We spoke to Sander’s workmates and the same for Paige. Like I said, they seemed to vanish. We listed them in the missing persons’ database. I put out a BOLO on the vehicle but again nothing came to light. I’ll give you the details.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Jenna took down the make and license plate then leaned back in her chair; it would seem Stokes had done a thorough investigation. “Did either of them have a rap sheet?”
“Nope, clean as the driven snow, the pair of them, and they had no financial worries either.” He cleared his throat. “Now it’s a murder investigation, I’ll dig deeper into Paige’s background and shake down her old boyfriends to see what falls out. It looks like we’ll have to work together on this one.”
“That was the general idea. I’ll email you the files we have to date and the full autopsy report when I have a copy.” She had a thought. “Ah, before you go. Do you know of any similar crimes in your area? My deputy is a fine profiler and he believes this isn’t the first time this man has killed.”
“If we knew what state to search in, it would help, but I’ll get my team on it and see what we come up with. I suggest you do the same. This is the Hollywood precinct. I’m pushed for time and resources here; we have a heavy caseload as it is without this on top. Problem is with cold cases they tend to get pushed down the line but I’ll do my best.”
Jenna wanted to bang her head on the table in frustration. Heavens above, she had two of his citizens in her morgue and he had practically yawned his way through the conversation. “Would you at least notify the next of kin?”
“Yeah, that I can arrange. I’ll give them your details and they can make the necessary arrangements once the ME has released the remains.”
The line went dead.
Jenna stared at the handset in disbelief. “So much for cooperation.”
She collected the files she had to date and sent them through to him. The phone rang and Wolfe was on the line. “What do you have for me?”
“It’s the cellphone found at the crime scene. I managed to download the contents of Paige Allen’s SIM. The last number dialed was 911 in October last year. The call lasted one second, so if anyone answered I doubt they would have worried, especially as 911 calls go through our private cellphones out of office hours.”
“It’s chilling knowing one of them tried to call for help.” Jenna sighed. “Anything else?”
“Apart from the 911 call, no, there are images on the SIM but most of them are corrupted. They are of the general area, the Cattleman’s Hotel restaurant, and some mountain views.”
A wave of relief spread over her. At last, she had a lead. “So, they could have stayed at the Cattleman’s Hotel?”
“It would be worth checking.”
Jenna made a few notes. “When will you finish the post?”
“I’ll have a full report sent to you later today but there is one thing of interest. In layman’s terms, the cuts on Paige Allen’s bones are consistent with a hunting knife and a machete.” He paused for some moments. “I’m not ruling out there might have been two killers. The crossbow bolt we found in Dawson Sanders is unusual and out of place. Why did the killer only use it once? It is something we need to investigate further.” Wolfe sucked in a deep breath. “If that’s all, ma’am, I’ll get the report underway.”
“Yes, and thank you. Thank Jill for me too.”
“I will. Have a good day, ma’am.”
“Bye.” Jenna disconnected then searched through her contacts for the Cattleman’s Hotel.
She was just about to dial when a knock sounded on the door. “Yes, come in.”
Rowley stuck his head around the door and appeared ruffled. He sported a large red welt under one eye and his hat was askew. “The ruckus at the Triple Z? It is the same two men as last time. Do you want them in the cells?”
She waved him away. “Yeah, write them up, I’ll get to them next.” Why did I take this job?
18
Kane finished his lunch at Aunt Betty’s Café, picked up a bagel with cream cheese and a takeout coffee for Jenna, then headed back to the office. His morning had been a complete shambles. He hadn’t questioned Jenna’s insistence to send him out with Bradford this morning, and although he had worked on a variety of ridiculous problems in his time, his patience was running thin.
The morning had consisted of writing tickets for illegal parking and sorting neighborhood squabbles. Right this moment, he would have given a month’s pay to be swinging punches at the local ruckus at the Triple Z with Rowley and Webber.
He enjoyed the thrill of profiling and catching killers with Jenna and the team, but he missed the variety of action from his past life. Although the plate in his head, courtesy of a car bomb during his days as a government agent, caused him headaches, it had not slowed him down. The only beneficial adrenaline rush of late came from working out with Jenna every morning, or riding his horse at full gallop, but after seeing active service for so long, life in Black Rock Falls made him yearn for excitement.
He entered Jenna’s office and placed the food and coffee on the desk. She had all the windows open and the mingled scents of the pine forest and Jenna’s shampoo filled the room. “I’ve had lunch, what else is on the agenda?”
“One second.” Jenna tapped away at her keyboard then lifted her attention to him. She pounced on the takeout bag, inhaled, then smiled. “Oh, thank you. Bagels and cream cheese… You do read minds, I knew it.” She pointed to the takeout. “You are the only person who has ever turned up with food for me when I am famished.”
Kane grinned. “Maybe I just like to keep on your good side.”
“Keep this up and you’ll always be on my good side, Dave.” Jenna gave a moan of pleasure and bit into the bagel.
“Too easy.” Kane chuckled. It did not take a genius to know she had not eaten since breakfast. When Jenna was on a case she forgot what day it was, let alone allowing herself time for a meal break. “Did Rowley and Webber sort out the fight at the Triple Z?”
“Yeah, it was more of a domestic between Leroy and Abel Finch. Can you handle the interviews? Rowley would have finished his report by now.” Jenna sipped her coffee and sighed. “Get Bradford to write the reports from your patrol this morning. Anything interesting happen?”
“Nope and she is already hard at work.” He stretched, wishing it was time to head home. “I gather the troublemakers from the Triple Z are in the cells?”
“Yeah, I was going to interview them but I’ve been snowed under with phone calls and autopsy reports.” Jenna leaned back in her chair. “I’ve spoken to the detective on the Sanders and Allen cold case at Hollywood PD. I’m afraid he has little to offer the murder investigation but we are exchanging case files. He did at least interview the family and close friends at the time they went missing.”
“Don’t expect too much help.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “The case will be right at the bottom of his list.”
“That’s why I’m working the case. I need to chase down any leads here before they vanish. The couple stayed in town at some time before they died, and what happened to their car? It isn’t on the DMV list as found or abandoned.”
“It could have been sold to a chop shop. They don’t ask too many questions about ownership.” He rested the palm on the handle of his pistol. “Do you want these idiots from the Triple Z incident charged or released with a warning?”
“I guess it depends on the damages to the bar and if the proprietor wants to press charges.” She nibbled at her lunch. “The brothers have nothing of value, and this time they were fighting each other and everyone else joined in. Use your own judgement.” She sighed. “I’m heading over to the Cattleman’s Hotel with Rowley to see if anyone remembers seeing Sanders and Allen. I hope they’ll give us access to their records when I tell them the couple are victims of a homicide.”
“They might want to avoid a court order but it’s more
likely they’ll give you specific information about the couple rather than open their books. If they have kept a video it would be useful but it’s likely they have overwritten the data by now, and if not we’ll need a court order to obtain a copy, privacy laws being what they are.” Kane indicated over one shoulder with his thumb. “When I’ve finished the interviews, do you want me to check out local junkyards and see if anyone has had eyes on Allen’s vehicle?”
“Would you?” Jenna popped the last piece of bagel into her mouth and licked a smear of cream cheese from her lips. “If you find anything interesting, call me.”
“Roger that.”
* * *
After contacting the proprietor of the Triple Z and discovering he did not intend to file for damages, Kane interviewed Leroy and Abel Finch. The brothers had argued over a bar tab, and after agreeing to split the amount between them, he let them go with a warning that next time they caused trouble, they would be heading for court.
As he followed them to the front door, he caught sight of Jenna climbing into her vehicle with Rowley riding shotgun. The afternoon sun glistened on her hair and when she turned to glance at him, he gave her a wave. He pushed on his hat and climbed into his rig. They usually worked together, and her insistence for him to go on patrol with Bradford had puzzled him. Maybe he had gotten a little too close to her the previous evening and this was her way of keeping him at a distance. After pulling out into the traffic, he grimaced. He had come close to kissing her goodnight. If this was her reaction, he had better keep his distance. Pity, she was only the second woman in his life he had ever cared for.
The first recycling yard yielded nothing but as he drove into the second he could hear the screaming sound of tearing metal as the crusher compacted cars into neat cubes. Heavy machinery lifted the cubes and dropped them onto a waiting truck that sagged under the weight. Entering through massive gates, he pulled up outside a ramshackle office and glanced around. Rows of vehicles of every description spread out over at least five acres; they ranged from almost pristine to rusty relics from the 1950s.
The air in the office hung heavy with the smell of oil and cigarettes. Stained wooden shelves held car parts, each with a paper tag tied with string. In one corner, a motor looked out of place with its bright chrome pipes gleaming in the dim interior. Kane moved through the office and a scattering of metal shavings and glass fragments ground under his boots. Behind the counter sat a man in his fifties with slicked-back salt-and-pepper hair.
“What can I do for you, Deputy?” He stood then wiped his hands on his filthy coveralls.
Kane stepped closer. “Afternoon, I’m Deputy Kane. I’m searching for a late-model silver Ford Sedan. It went missing over a year ago. Has anything similar come through here?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” The man sat down at his computer. “I run this place to the letter of the law. If it came in, I’ll have a record.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Long moments passed and then the man printed up a list and handed it to Kane.
“We had two late-model Fords. One was a burned-out wreck brought in from Blackwater, the other from a deceased estate here in town. All the details are listed.”
Kane tipped his hat. “Thank you for your help.” He headed back to his car.
Once inside he checked the vehicle identification number of the burned-out wreck with Allen’s missing vehicle. They matched. He called Jenna. “I’ve found Allen’s car. No plates but the numbers match. It was stripped and burned out in Blackwater then transported here to be crushed.”
“That would involve two men: one to drive and one to follow.”
Kane stared at the line of rusting vehicles. “It is a possibility but there are ways around it. For instance, the killer could own a tow truck. Take the car to a deserted area, strip it down, and set it on fire. That vehicle wouldn’t stick out, they’re a dime a dozen here.”
“True, but Wolfe still is in two minds about how many killers were involved. Not many hunters carry a rifle and a crossbow.” Jenna let out a long sigh. “Of course, we can’t rule out the fact someone else stumbled on the remains and decided to put a bolt through the head either. As Webber believes, the bolts are expensive and not usually left behind, I’ll send him out to hunt down the supplier at the local stores.”
Kane scratched his head. “Do you know how many online retailers there are as well? It would be like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“I might just find that needle.” Jenna cleared her throat. “The Cattleman’s Hotel confirmed the victims stayed there and the dates. Funny thing is, they checked out. I would have thought after a few days in the forest they would want a hot shower and a good night’s sleep before they headed home. Most hikers do.”
“Maybe they were running out of cash.”
“That seems unlikely but you have a point. I’m going to be spending the next couple of days digging into the couple’s past. The detective I spoke to sent his files. I’ll contact their friends. If this is a crime of passion, Paige’s BFFs will know about her boyfriends. There is always gossip. I can’t let this go, Kane; I’m going to catch the lunatic who murdered Paige Allen and Dawson Sanders.”
Kane sighed. “We’ll find him.” He stared out the window and into the peaks in the distance. “One thing we know for sure, with the reputation this place has gained in the last couple of years, anyone planning on hiking into the mountains unarmed is crazy.”
19
A cool breeze lifted Bailey Canavar’s hair and she turned to embrace it. “Oh, Jim, it’s amazing here; I can feel the cold wind toning my skin.” She giggled and danced along the trail beside him, feeling like a young kid on her first outing. The spectacular views had her spellbound. Jim had picked the perfect place for them to visit. “This part of the forest is beautiful, I’m so glad you convinced me to come with you. I was getting a little bored in the hotel. How did you find this place?”
“After finding the skull, I thought you’d prefer to be far away from any potential ancient burial sites. I promise that will never happen again.” Jim’s tanned face creased into a broad smile. “I had the maps from the counter at the hotel and wanted to find somewhere secluded. There are tons of old trails people don’t use as much here, mainly because they are too far from the highway, but they are perfect for us to get away from people for a while.” He caught her in his arms and spun her around. “Thanks for leaving your cellphone behind. I don’t want to be disturbed. Mine is at home as well. I’m sure as hell not taking any damn calls from the office on my honeymoon. We can use the burner I purchased for emergencies.”
She gave him her best sexy smile, the one that made his eyes smolder, and ran a hand through his sandy hair. “I’m not going to miss my phone for a few days. I think I’ll be busy.”
A shot rang out and pain struck her side in a glancing blow. “Ouch! Something hit me.” She ran her fingers down her side and found a tear in her shirt. “How did that happen?”
“Get down.” Jim pushed her to her knees behind a tree. “Are you okay?”
Blood coated her fingers and she sagged in his arms then collapsed to the ground, gaping at him. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.” Jim peered around nervously. “I didn’t hear a gunshot.”
Blood spattered her jeans and oozed from a small tear under her ribs. “Oh my God, I’ve been hit.”
“Stay down. I can’t see or hear anyone.” Jim examined the wound and his voice dropped. “It’s just a nick. You’ll be fine. Take a few deep breaths.”
As usual, Jim tried to calm her but panic tightened her chest and she looked around terrified another shot would hit her. “Who would shoot at us?”
“Don’t be silly. If anyone was shooting at us they wouldn’t give up that easy. Look at me, Bailey. You need to calm down.” Jim squeezed her arm. “You’ll be okay. It’s just a scratch. Probably just a stray bullet or something. Some of the hunting rifles can reach five hundred yards.”
&n
bsp; “Okay. I have a dressing in the first aid kit.” She took a few deep breaths. “How did this happen? I thought the hunters were miles away.”
“They should be. You fix up the scratch. I’ll need to report this accident and get help.” He pulled out his cellphone. “No bars. I’ll walk up the trail a ways. That huge boulder is probably blocking the signal.”
Terrified of being alone, she glanced around. “Okay but hurry. I don’t like it here.”
“Stay in the trees. I won’t be more than a few yards away.”
Bailey watched him walk out of sight then took a few seconds to check her side. She shrugged out of her backpack and pulled out the first aid kit then heard the sound of something big moving through the undergrowth. In sheer panic that a bear had smelled blood and was heading her way, she searched the backpack for bear repellent then froze in terror when a man dressed in army fatigues came out of the forest.
The man had his face covered with camouflage face paint, he had a strange contraption covering his mouth, wore sunglasses and a woolen cap pulled low over his ears. She tried to crawl away but the man was on her in seconds and dragged her to her feet. Bailey tried to slap him. “Let go of me.”
A backhand from Face Paint sent her reeling and she fell onto her back, head spinning. She tasted blood in her mouth. Confused, she scrambled on hands and knees to get away. Her husband was only a few yards away and he would hear her. “Jim, I need help.”
Without a sound, Face Paint lifted her with ease, pushed her to her knees, and dragged back her arms with such force she cried out. As tendons ripped, pain shot through her shoulders. She sobbed as he fastened a zip tie around her wrists and pulled it so tight it burned through her flesh. “Stop it, you’re hurting me!” She let out a long scream. “Jim, help me!”
No one came running and Bailey let out a sob of fear. “Why are you doing this?”