by D. K. Hood
“Yeah, I understand. You work with flesh and fingerprints to discover the cause of death and identity and they look at things like moss or mold on the bones, animals in the area, and determine sex and cause of death in other ways.”
“Exactly.” Wolfe’s face cracked into a smile. “I’ve studied the field but it is a different degree. For instance, they’ll be able to extract DNA from teeth, if any are intact, and arrange carbon dating if it’s an old burial.”
Kane looked into the never-ending vista of trees. “It’s going to be difficult getting a team up here with the equipment required.”
“Not necessarily.” Wolfe scratched his blond stubble. “I had a good look around when we took a break and I’m pretty sure they could land a chopper on the top of Black Rock Falls. There is a large flat area on one side of the mountain far enough away from the falls to be safe.”
“I wish I’d known that earlier.” Jenna held her back and groaned. “Although, asking the mayor to pay for a chopper might be pushing my luck.”
Kane urged his horse forward. “That won’t be our problem if it is more than we can handle; the Helena forensics team will take over. As the girls are reportedly missing from all over the state, they’ll want to be involved from the get-go, and so will the FBI.”
“Maybe, but they’re not excluding us.” Jenna’s expression was determined. “This is our case in my county and I plan to solve it.” She moved ahead of him along the trail. “I’m just holding my breath nothing happens while we are on a field trip.”
“Walters said he would go into the office. You have three capable deputies on duty and they’ll contact you if anything happens.” Kane rode beside her. “We can’t do anything in town. If the vigilante is going to strike, she’ll do it anyway.” He shrugged. “If we had a clue who she picked out for her next victim, we could have placed him in protective custody, but we don’t. All we can do is wait and hope her killing spree is over.”
“Maybe if she has led us to the grave site, we will discover enough evidence to find the girls’ killers and bring them to justice.” Jenna sighed. “Then she might be satisfied and stop killing the men responsible, but if she figures sending us up here will get her off the charge of murder, she is sorely mistaken.”
Kane nodded in agreement. “She would be underestimating you if she believes you’ll ever give up chasing her.”
“Yeah, and playing the victim card with me won’t work.”
“Craig’s Rock is in front of us now, which makes Old Corkey’s cabin some ways west from here. It’s close to private property, so we’ll have to be careful.” Rowley turned around in his saddle and brushed at the sweat trickling down his temples. “Orders, ma’am?”
“We’ll dismount and spread out on foot. Stay in sight. I hear there are bears in this area, so stay alert.” Jenna slid off her horse and winced as she landed. “Take the bear spray just in case.”
Kane dismounted and took in his surroundings. A trail led through the dense pine trees and the jagged rock face peeked out between them. “I think it would be this way. I would not risk walking through poison ivy; I’d use the animal trail.” He gave Jenna a long look. “This is a very remote place. Why send us here?”
“Well, it may be a hoax, but we won’t know until we take a look.” Jenna strode away, back straight and head erect.
“I wouldn’t mind betting those cabins have something to do with the missing girls.” Wolfe moved beside Kane and his expression turned murderous. “You mentioned Rockford’s son was doing time for having child pornography. Maybe we need to pay him a visit in jail?”
“That’s a thought but the FBI investigation turned up zip. I doubt he was involved and trust me, during the court case he would have given up his soul to avoid jail time.”
Thinking of Mayor Rockford’s extensive estate before his son went to jail, Kane turned to speak to Rowley. “Hey, Rowley.” He removed his shades and pushed them into his shirt pocket. “Those cabins are miles from anywhere—how did Rockford maintain them? I couldn’t see him trekking all the way up there to change the sheets.”
“There used to be a road that ran down the other side of the falls. It met up at the top near the cabins. Many folk stayed up here on weekend fishing trips. There was a trailer that came every weekend through summer, sold everything from milk to hot dogs.” Rowley removed his hat and wiped his sweat-soaked face with a cloth. “After the rockslide, I doubt Rockford came up here to check out the cabins. The hikers had to fend for themselves, I guess.” His brow furrowed. “There are people living all over up here, scattered around the national park areas and all have private roads off the mountain, but they pretty much keep to themselves. Most are self-sufficient and don’t leave their properties more than once or twice a year.”
A memory of Lizzy Harper flashed through his mind. “Hey, hold up a minute.” He waited for Jenna to turn around. “When was this rockslide?”
“I’m not sure—about six years ago, maybe longer.” Rowley’s brow wrinkled into a frown. “Why?”
“Wolfe was wondering if the cabins have anything to do with the missing girls and I recall Lizzy Harper mentioning her father took her fishing on the weekends. That’s where he molested her and no doubt had other men involved as well.”
“Then once we’ve checked around here, we’ll find Old Corkey’s place then check out the cabins.” Jenna pushed back her hat, allowing her dark hair to fall over her cheeks. She raised both eyebrows. “Come on, let’s go, it’s getting late and it will be hard enough riding down the mountain in daylight. I don’t fancy tackling the trail beside the waterfall in the dark.”
“We could stay in the cabins.” Rowley’s expression was hopeful.
Kane opened his mouth to say something but Jenna beat him to it. “Have you lost your mind?” She glared at Rowley. “Not one chance in hell.”
Duke had run ahead with his drooling tongue flopping out the side of his mouth. The crashing through the undergrowth stopped and he gave out three barks then whined.
“I hope he hasn’t disturbed a bear.” Kane followed the dog through the trees and came out on the edge of a small clearing.
Duke came to his side and nudged his leg, clearly agitated. Kane surveyed the immediate area and swallowed hard. Oh, shit! A skull’s hollow black eyes stared at him as if pleading for help. The bleached white skull lay on one side with green moss growing over one cheek. A foot away, the top of another peered out of the leaf mold as if hiding. Long fine bones littered the open space nestled beneath Craig’s Rock. Nothing could be worse than finding the graves of murdered children. He schooled his expression to cover the welling emotion and turned away as Jenna came toward him. “I’m afraid it’s a mass grave, ma’am.”
47
On the way to meet the next monster, she took the old back road, which ran between the end of town and the lower edge of Stanton Forest. It snaked its way through the south side and ended in a large circular area for cars or trucks to turn around. Emergency services used the road and it acted as a firebreak just in case a wildfire sparked into life. After driving her car down a track, some distance from the trail he had mentioned, she parked behind a clump of bushes then slid from behind the wheel and dragged a bicycle out of the trunk. She made sure she had everything she needed then covered her vehicle with a camouflage sheet. With the keys in the ignition, she could make a quick getaway if everything went to hell.
A sound startled her; if he spotted her now, he would know it was a setup. She turned slowly, staring in all directions, but nothing but the breeze moved through the tall pines. After removing her hat and allowing her hair to drop to her shoulders, she replaced it, pulling the front down to cover her eyes. With her large sunglasses covering most of her face, he would think she was fourteen for sure. Now if her monster, or Eighteen and Lonely as he called himself, drove past her on the road, he would not suspect a thing.
The idea of killing him excited her and terrified her at the same time. The fact she enjoye
d watching them die frightened her sometimes. She pushed away the fear and embraced the gnawing need inside her to rid the world of predators.
She pulled a backpack onto her shoulders, mounted the bicycle, and headed down the road. As she turned the bend, she heard a car and hid in the bushes. A car went flying by her, and to her horror, Bobby-Joe Brandon was behind the wheel. I can’t take on two men at once.
Indecision plagued her. Stay or leave? What should she do now? She stared after Bobby-Joe but the SUV kept on going and disappeared around a bend in the distance. Not long after, an identical SUV drove slowly up behind her, and she turned on her seat then stopped pedaling. A man climbed out of the vehicle wearing a clown mask, and every instinct to run screamed in her. Fear gripped her. If he had planned on Bobby-Joe as his backup, she had made a fatal mistake.
“I’m Eighteen and Lonely. Are you Needy Girl?”
Although slightly muffled, the one thing she recognized was voices. This man trying so hard to hide his identity was Chris Jenkins.
Trying to act nonchalant and keeping her head down so the cap shadowed her face, she nodded. “I thought the clown mask was a joke. I didn’t really expect you to wear one.”
“I wanted you to be sure you’d found the right guy. The woods can be dangerous.” Chris rounded the hood of the truck and his gaze drifted over her.
Glad she had the sunglasses as a disguise, she stuck out one hip in a pose she had noticed many teenage girls use. “Well then, now you know it’s me, why don’t you remove it?”
“Ah, because I like to play games.” He chuckled. “All girls like to play games. You do, don’t you?”
“Then I’m keeping on my sunglasses.” She put one hand on her hip and snorted. “I thought we were going to have sex. Have you changed your mind?”
“Nope but I want it to be fun and memorable. Anyone can do it like your parents.” He moved closer but did not attempt to touch her. “I’m gonna make it special.”
“Okay, but let’s get on with it. I’m hot and thirsty.” She shrugged. Acting impatient often put them off guard. They did not want to lose their prize. “Is the cabin far?”
“See that trail just up there yonder?” Chris pointed to a track about six yards away on the right. “It’s just down there. Do you want to hop in my ride and I’ll drive you there?”
I’m not that dumb. “I’ll ride my bicycle if you don’t mind.” She could feel the knife in the sheath pressing into her ankle and its presence spurred her on. “Why don’t we walk the rest of the way?”
“I’ll do whatever you want but I don’t want to leave my vehicle here. I want to make the cabin nice and cozy for us. I have the liquor you wanted and the chocolates.” He pulled his bag from the truck then gave her a long look. “You sure are pretty. I can’t wait to see more of you. Wait here, I’ll park up there a-ways and walk back.” He dropped his bag, jumped into the SUV, and drove away.
Not long after, she watched him jog back to her, still wearing the clown mask, and it made him look ridiculous. When he reached her side, breathing heavily, he picked up his bag. “I told you I wouldn’t be long. Ready for some fun?”
She swallowed the bile rushing up her throat and forced her mouth into a smile. She had to act naive and not afraid but right now, she wanted to get as far away from him as possible. Dammit, I have to stop messing around and kill this son of a bitch.
Chris’s hand trembled as he touched her back. “This way, down this track.” He led the way into the forest.
The idea of Bobby-Joe being close by worried her but she bit the bullet and asked the question burning on her tongue. “I saw another SUV go by just before. That man won’t bother us, will he?”
“No.” Chris’s hot palm ran down her back. “I promise, he won’t come anywhere near the cabin. It’s just you and me. I’ll take good care of you. You can trust me, darlin’.”
A cool breeze rustled the trees and she snapped back to full alertness. She must play the part. The plan played through her mind, each step she needed to take. She hoped he would do exactly what she expected. So many things must fall neatly into place and if she made one mistake and did not strike at the first opportunity, she would be the one to die.
She climbed off her bicycle and leaned it against a tree. Taking a deep breath, she followed him inside the cabin. At once, he dragged out the contents of his bag and covered the bed with a plastic sheet and a large towel. When he noticed her staring at the bed, he chuckled.
“We don’t want to make a mess and upset the rangers or they’ll lock these cabins and we’ll have no place to meet.” Chris moved closer and peered at her through the hideous smiling mask. “Why don’t you take off those glasses, sit down, and relax. We’ll have a drink.” He chuckled.
She kept her head down, acting reluctant. “Okay, but I want to see you first.” She removed her backpack and sat at the table.
“Sure.” He stepped back and pulled his T-shirt over his head but the mask remained intact. “I’ll do whatever you want.” He tossed the shirt onto the table then undressed. He strolled over to the small table and took a bottle of soda from a cooler. He opened it and held it out to her. “You should have a drink, it will help you relax.”
The smell of him, aftershave and sweat, accosted her nostrils. She took the drink and pretended to sip it. “That’s a bit strong.” She coughed dramatically. “You look different from your photo, older.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. Drink some more, it gets better the more you swallow.” He loomed over her. “Then take off the sunglasses, I’m anxious to look at you.” He moved closer and stood in front of her.
“I’m fine and the glasses stay just like your stupid mask.” She put the bottle to her lips again, watching him closely, then placed it on the table. “I’ll have to take off my shoes first.” I don’t want your blood all over them.
A shiver of disgust went through her as he ran his hands over her shoulders. She bent in front of him to untie her laces then tossed her shoes some distance away. Before she straightened, she closed one hand around the hilt of the knife attached to her ankle. The bone handle felt warm and comforting against her palm. With a roar, she pushed upward and plunged the knife under his ribcage with the force of eight long years’ rage. The sharp blade slid into him like butter, missing bone and slicing into his heart. She pulled back and thrust again, cutting deep. As a hot scarlet spray soaked the front of her shirt, laughter bubbled up inside her and she dragged off his mask.
“Hello, Chris.”
He made a gurgling sound and blood trickled from his mouth. He staggered, clutching at her with his rough hands. She winced as his fingers bit deep into her shoulders and she pulled off her sunglasses. “Look at me, you son of a bitch. I want to watch the life go out in your eyes.”
He let out a feral moan and his eyes widened in stunned surprise.
She twisted the knife. “Does it hurt?”
Without a second thought, she spread her feet, dragged the sharp blade out, and forced it deep again. His eyes, now slightly unfocused, stared at her face and his grip lessened. She watched his mouth trying to form words but she did not give a damn what he wanted to say. His lungs were filling with blood and life was ebbing away.
She dragged out the knife and grinned at him. “Don’t tell your mommy, this will be our little secret.”
48
Apprehension fell over Jenna like a shroud as she walked into the picturesque clearing. She hoped Kane was mistaken and the bones he had discovered belonged to animals. The temperature dropped considerably as she entered a shadowed, horseshoe-shaped area surrounded by a sheer rock wall rising hundreds of feet into the air. The air was still and held a damp, earthy fragrance. Underfoot, a coating of twigs and pine needles crunched with each step. She peered into the darkness waiting for her eyes to adjust. Protected from the weather, she considered absently how the secluded area would have made a superb camping ground until her attention moved to the pathetic stark white remains scattered in
the long grass. “Oh, dear Lord. Stand back, everyone. Wolfe take a look and see what we have here.”
Her gaze moved to Kane on his knees peering intently at something. His dog sat obediently on the tree line watching his master as if waiting for a command. “What do you have there, Kane?”
“It’s a locket.” Kane’s expression was grim. “I recognize it from one of the photographs of missing girls.” He glanced over at Wolfe, who was suiting up in coveralls. “Maybe you should start here.”
“I’ll do a preliminary examination but by the weathering of what bones we can see, I won’t be able to determine the age of the remains by usual methods. There is no smell either, which would make me assume the remains have been here for some years.” Wolfe threw a bundle of coveralls to Kane. “Suit up. We’ll need to mark out a grid, make a sketch of the area, and take some pictures. Then I suggest we look for Old Corkey’s cabin.”
Jenna left them to it and did a slow visual scan of the area then turned to Rowley. “We’ll mark out the perimeter of the crime scene.” She moved back a few paces and removed her backpack then took out a roll of crime scene tape. “Start way over there, attach the tape, then come back to me.”
By the time they had finished attaching tape to trees, Wolfe was waiting to speak with her. She strolled toward him. “How many?”
“It’s too early to tell but there are three skulls visible, so the killers buried them in very shallow graves. I can see plastic sticking through the grass in places and they marked each grave with a rock. There are three rocks.” Wolfe stood hands on hips, his face expressionless, a façade he seemed to drop down when on a case. “Once the area is photographed and I’ve made a rough sketch of the positions of the bodies, I will make up a grid. It is easier to have a term of reference when excavating a site of this size.” His gray gaze slipped to the gravesite then back to her. “Once we have finished the preliminary examination, I’ll have more accurate information to relay to the FSD in Helena.”