by D. K. Hood
“Okay. I want Kane to take the lead in planning the tactical, and Wolfe you’ll lead in the field.” She looked at him. “Make sure everyone is on the same page; our lives are on the line.” She scanned the faces before her. “I’ll speak to the couple by phone; we can’t risk being seen with them. If they agree, we will arrange to switch places with them in the clothing store, Dowy’s, the expensive one. It won’t be busy early in the day. I’ll send Maggie in with uniforms well beforehand, and Mr. Dowy will cooperate.”
“It could work.” Bradford wet her lips nervously and her eyes darted to Kane then back to Jenna. “Where do I fit in?”
Jenna smiled at her. “You’ll be the lookout, and if Wolfe is busy, you’ll be able to relay messages to the team via your com.”
“What if we have to stay up there overnight?” Bradford picked at her fingernails.
“Then Wolfe will organize sentry duty.” Kane’s look was direct. “It’s going to be cold and you’ll be sleeping rough. Say now if you want to stand down; we’ll understand.”
“No, I’ve slept rough before, I’ll be fine.” Bradford lifted her chin. “I’m part of the team.”
“And me, ma’am.” Webber straightened and looked at Jenna and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Jenna waved a hand toward Kane. “Kane will organize tactical.”
Kane’s chair creaked as he turned to look at Webber. “You and Rowley will join Wolfe as our sharpshooters. You’ll be positioned up high to scan the immediate area for the killer.”
“Roger that.” Webber looked suitably impressed. “Who will take care of things in town?”
Jenna sighed. “Colter Barry will be in the safe house by the weekend. So I’ll have Walters and Maggie here. They are quite capable of holding the fort at the weekend.” She rubbed her hands together. “Okay, now all we have to do is convince Crane and Benton to set up a serial killer.”
Kane’s almost blank combat expression remained set in place. “And we have to hope the murdering SOB takes the bait.”
49
Thursday, week two
The outdoors store was busy and he waited in one of the lines to the counter, arms piled high with spare camo, two new pairs of hiking boots, and spare ammunition. He glanced sideways and straight into the eyes of Mariah Crane. She lifted her nose as if he smelled like old socks and turned to her companion. The same older man he knew as Paul Benton. As they shuffled to the counter, he could hear Mariah as clear as if she was speaking to him.
“For once I agree with you, Paul.” Mariah fingered the thick hoodie over one arm. “We do need warmer clothes for the mountains. I’m so glad you persuaded me to go up to Bear Peak; that old Native American trail leads right to a plateau. I’ll get some wonderful shots of the valley from there.”
“Look here.” Benton maneuvered his shopping cart to one side and took a map from his pocket. “We can drive here and leave the car. See – there are three trails: The one on the left is the old one; the other two lead to the falls. So if we take this one that follows a trail to a canyon with a spectacular ravine, it will be amazing to view from the top.” He smiled at her. “I spoke to Nigel at the hotel; he told me it’s colder up there at this time of the year. Most visitors take the trails lower down the mountain and visit the rock pools and rivers. It’s well away from the designated hunting areas and the chances of us running across anyone from the conference will be remote. In fact, darn near impossible. I asked around and no one is heading up that way this weekend.”
“I hope you didn’t tell anyone where we’re heading.” Mariah pouted. “I don’t want another day ruined.”
“I’m not a complete idiot.” Paul touched her cheek. “This weekend will be one to remember, I promise.”
I promise too. He pushed the graphic images he’d conjured of Mariah’s body after he’d finished with her to the back of his mind and focused. He waited a beat to present a calm exterior, dropped his purchases on the counter, and smiled at the sales clerk. “Great weather for hunting.”
“Sure is. I think this has been our busiest season this year. Tons of new faces in town as well, and everyone is spending big. It seems like Black Rock Falls is becoming a top tourist destination.” The man dropped the goods into a paper bag and gave him the total.
He used cash, much safer in case anyone decided to check out credit card receipts for his caliber ammunition. “I’ll be well away from the tourists. I aim to bag me a ten-point buck. I spotted one yesterday heading right toward a hunting zone.”
“Good luck.” The man handed him his purchases.
He strolled outside and grinned into the sunshine. Some days it was worth getting out of bed. The players in his pay-per-view had just confirmed the weekend’s schedule. He could not believe his luck. Rather than following them around for the next couple of days to discover their plans, he could finish any business he had to do in town, collect his gear, and head to the checking station closest to Bear Peak. His cover for being in the area would be secure. It was a long hike through the hunting area to the old trail they had mentioned, and fortunately close to his cave. He’d have plenty of time to set up then just sit back and wait for them to arrive. He dumped his shopping in the back of his rig, took out his burner cellphone, and sent a text to the organizer:
* * *
Saturday. Will give a one-hour countdown. Lock and load.
50
Saturday
In town, multicolored leaves blew across the blacktop and sat in drifts over the curb, giving the air the earthy smell that came with fall. It was a great day to be outside, sunny with clear blue skies, and the townsfolk and tourists were making the most of it. It was not yet eight thirty, but stalls selling everything from cakes to hotdogs lined the sidewalk. Kane slipped from Rowley’s cruiser and followed him and Jenna to the clothing store. So far, everything had gone to plan. Mariah and Paul were more than happy to cooperate after discovering they could be the next victims on the killer’s list. In fact, Mariah informed the sheriff she had the feeling someone had been watching them since their arrival in Black Rock Falls.
The couple had been enthusiastic in helping them trap the killer after Jenna had ensured their safety. Armed with one of Wolfe’s tracking devices, to activate if threatened, and with a deputy on duty close by, the couple had visited all the locations that handed out the old maps over the past two days. They had made a point of publicly discussing their plans for the weekend in each store and at the Cattleman’s Hotel. If the killer had stalked them, he would have all the information he needed.
They had planned the arranged changeover to the second. The couple arrived earlier to browse the range of goods for sale, more expensive than in the local outdoors store. Kane took out his notepad and paused to read his notes, to give the appearance he was on the job, then went inside the clothing store. He gave the owner a nod then went straight to the fitting room area, where he found Paul wearing one of his old uniforms and Mariah dressed as Jenna. “Okay, wait at the counter then go with Rowley. He’ll drive you to a safe house—it’s a ranch out of town. Deputy Walters will be checking on you by phone.” Kane handed them a burner cellphone. “His number is in the contacts. Don’t call anyone else at all. Understand?”
“Yes, the sheriff made it quite clear.” Paul pulled the black woolen cap down over his ears and shrugged into a jacket.
Kane gave the couple a once-over and nodded. “You’ll pass as us at a distance. Don’t make eye contact with anyone, just go straight to the car.”
The couple waited a few minutes then left with Rowley. He would drive them to the ranch then leave his cruiser in town. After changing into camo, he would collect Bradford and drive an unmarked rig to meet the rest of the team at Bear Peak.
Kane changed clothes and met Jenna at the counter. “All good?”
“Yeah.” She handed over her folded uniform to the clerk. “Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Dowy. We’ll drop by on Monday and pick up our things.”
“M
y pleasure, Sheriff.” Mr. Dowy placed both uniforms in a large bag and pushed it under the counter. “These will be safe with me, don’t you worry none.”
Glad that Dowy was a retired cop and understood the meaning of secrecy, Kane grabbed the bags of spare clothes and ammunition they had stashed there and followed Jenna to Paul Benton’s rental car. He slid behind the wheel. “That went well. I hope the killer took the bait.”
“That was just a precaution.” Jenna buckled up. “I figure the moment he discovered the couple’s plans he would have hightailed it to Bear Peak to set up his macabre theater.” She glanced at him as they headed out of town. “If not, this is all a waste of time.”
Thirty minutes later, Kane checked his watch and pulled the rental into the parking lot near the falls. The success or failure of any mission was often in the timing. He called Wolfe for an update and listened in silence. “Roger that, we are moving out. ETA twenty minutes.”
Wolfe and Webber had taken positions above the trail and each could cover a one-eighty-degree angle of the forest below. Rowley and Bradford would be along soon. The team had dressed in camo to blend into the forest, and from the moment the couple had agreed to their plan, he had drilled the team like a sergeant. They were as ready as they would ever be.
Agreed, his plan had more holes than a sieve, but if it was one chance in fifty of stopping the killer, it was worth it. The location posed a number of problems and gave the killer an advantage. The density of the trees would hide a man in camouflage but Kane had selected a small area for the couple to talk about and Wolfe and Webber could zero in on them in seconds if the killer attacked. He had confidence in the team but his priority would be keeping Jenna safe. She was the killer’s main target and he was just window dressing.
As they climbed from the car and collected their backpacks, he glanced at her determined expression and an unusual trickle of worry ran down his back. She had jumped in boots and all to take down a killer who would dissect her alive. That took guts. Oh, yeah, she could fight, and if he went down, she had superior skills plus the backup of three good men with sniper rifles. I don’t plan on going down.
“You know, I can tell when you’re worried.” Jenna shrugged into her backpack and slid one hand inside her jacket to check the Glock in her shoulder holster. “You pull this face, like you’ve been turned to stone or something.”
“Yeah? I’ve been trained to turn off all external stimuli and concentrate on the mission.” He slid the handle of the bag carrying supplies over one shoulder then adjusted the straps of his backpack. “I didn’t think it was that obvious.”
“It is.” She smiled at him and slid on her sunglasses. “The killer could be scoping us right now, and you’re supposed to be a married man out with your secretary for a dirty weekend. Lighten up a bit.” She slid her hand into his and dragged him toward the trail. “Walk slow— you’re meant to be out of shape.”
“With the metal plate Wolfe added to my backpack for extra protection, I won’t need to act.” He grinned back at her but the smile did not reach the eyes peering at her over the top of his sunglasses. “Stay alert.”
“I’m always alert.” She led the way down the narrow path then took the trail to the left. “Here we go.”
51
He leaned against the moss-covered wall of his cave, an iPad balanced on his knees. Using his cellphone as a wireless hotspot, he brought up the images from his webcams and smiled. Exhilaration at seeing Paul and Mariah heading in his direction made his heart pound. He watched them weave between the trees, picking them up again as the trail brought them along the face of Bear Peak. He looked up and grinned at his friends; all looked back and their black eye sockets gave them a wide-eyed appearance. He liked the way their flesh-peeled skulls smiled at him. “Here they come. He turned around the screen to show them. “Do you like her? I chose her just for you. I’ll bring her here soon enough to keep you company.”
It had not taken him long to set up his webcams then hike back to the designated hunting area. He waited for a couple of strangers to come by then made up a story about seeing two black bears heading toward Bear Peak. He voiced his concern that the tourists visiting the falls might be in danger. As he expected, the older of the two called in the sighting to the checking station to warn hikers to avoid the area. He had waved them goodbye and headed back to his cave for the night.
He enjoyed making camp in his cave. Most men would worry about the smell but he found it stimulating and the way his friends changed fascinated him. It surprised him how they moved as they decayed. He had wrapped them so tightly in plastic, he would have thought it impossible, but he would come by and they would be lying down or collapsed into a heap of bones. He sighed and turned his attention back to Paul and Mariah. They had reached the main trail and the forest gave way to a few small clearings. Areas big enough to pitch a tent or safely build a fire. In fact, many had fire circles of rocks left by other hikers. If they followed the normal pattern, Paul and Mariah would make camp soon and rest a while, perhaps eat, then he hoped they would venture out to walk the surrounding trails.
He might wait for them to return from their adventures before he struck. They would be tired and Paul would be exhausted after hauling his bulk up the mountain. Paul would be easy prey and no fun at all but Mariah. Excitement at thinking her name made his hands tremble. He stared at the screen. “Mariah, will you run? Will you scream?” He ran one finger over the image of the woman getting closer by the minute. “Will you beg?” He moaned. “I so want you to beg, Mariah.”
She would be hot from her walk, cheeks pink and her body coated with sweat and fragrant. The hunt would be slow. He wanted to stalk his prey and watch the fear in her eyes before he disabled her and took her back to Paul. He had messaged his online associate a list of what he planned to do to Mariah and already the votes and payments were coming in. The thrill would be in what order his viewers wanted him to kill her. From the last pay-per-view, they all enjoyed a slow kill, just like him.
52
Jenna led the way through the forest and they had been walking for some time before Kane tugged on her jacket. She turned to face him and he pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. Surprised, she relaxed against him then heard his voice close to her ear.
“He took the bait and we’ve just entered the danger zone.” Kane cupped the back of her head and stared into her eyes, his voice just above a whisper. “Trail cam at two o’clock. When I spin you, scan the trees on the other side of the trail. They could have audio so be careful what you say and stay in character.” He lifted her and twirled her around laughing.
Jenna put her arms around his neck, and when he lowered her to her feet, she stared into the lens of another camera. She grinned at him and kept her voice low. “I see another. We are in the lion’s den. Hold my hand and squeeze if you see anyone or a trail cam.”
“I think we’d better find somewhere to make camp. There should be a place close by.” Kane took her hand and led the way, stepping with care over the uneven ground littered with tree roots. “Ah look, a clearing with firestones. Perfect.” He pulled her into the clearing and dumped his bags onto the floor. “I’ll pitch the tent. You gonna fix us something to eat?”
“Okay.” Jenna shrugged out of her backpack. “We’ll have the sandwiches I picked up from the café and there’s hot coffee in the thermos. We can collect some wood and light a fire later.” She sat on a convenient log set beside the ring of firestones and went through one of the bags.
Behind her, Kane worked fast and had the tent up in minutes then vanished inside with the sleeping bags. Hidden inside, he would contact Wolfe and make sure everyone was in place. She pulled out the thermos, cups, and the bag of sandwiches. It took an effort to appear relaxed when every muscle had tensed so hard they ached. Jenna pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose and moved only her eyes to do a visual reconnaissance of the immediate area. She spotted another trail cam set high on a tree leading away from the
campsite. Her skin crawled knowing a violent, vicious killer was watching her and planning how to make her suffer like his other victims. Glad Kane was close by and they had deputies watching over them, she tried to relax. Get it together, Jenna.
“You okay, honey?” Kane stepped over the log and sat beside her, his sunglasses masking his expression. “Or are you just bored with me already?”
The unfamiliar term he used for her surprised her for a moment before she realized he was acting the part of Paul Benton for the benefit of anyone listening. “Nope, I’m just starving.” Jenna smiled at him. “So, what’s next on the agenda after we eat?” She poured him a cup of coffee.
“We can head down the mountain and take a look at the ravine, collect some firewood, and come back.” Kane took a sandwich from the bag. “We’ll get a fire going and get cozy then in the morning we’ll hike up the mountain to the plateau so you can take photographs.”
“That sounds great.” She leaned into him and did her best to play the role of Mariah, a secretary having an affair with her married boss. She added a slight whine to her voice. “I like being alone with you, Paul. I hate it when we have to go back to work. When are you going to tell your wife about us?”
Kane’s sunglasses slipped down his nose and he peered at her cross-eyed. Trust him to make a joke when a violent criminal intent on killing them was close by. Jenna smothered a laugh with a cough and bumped his shoulder. “Well? Cat got your tongue?”