NightScream

by Morgan Hannah MacDonald

  “What’s this?” Cody lifted the wrapped item.

  “Cheeseburger. Have you eaten?”

  Cody looked at his watch. It was after two. The aroma filled his nostrils and his stomach grumbled. “Can’t say that I have, thanks.” He opened the burger and took a big bite.

  “Perfect. You dressed it for me?”

  “I knew from last night we liked the same things, so I took the liberty of having it prepared like mine.” Jilly shrugged as she unwrapped her burger, then took out a handful of fries and put them on the paper next to her sandwich. She handed over the rest of the bag.

  Cody grabbed a few, and handed it back.

  “No, keep them. I have all I need, the rest are for you.”

  “Thanks.” Cody put the bag of fries down and took another bite. When he’d finished his sandwich, he asked, “What do I owe you?”

  “Nothing, the next meal is on you.”

  “You got it.” Cody picked up a fry. “What happened at your cabin? Any fingerprints?”

  Jilly shook her head. “Hell, no. The place was wiped clean.”

  “I guess that means no footprints either?”

  “Nope, just a broken twig on a holly bush and some disturbed pine needles under the window.”

  “I hate it when that happens.”

  “What, lack of evidence?”

  “No, having disturbed pine needles. I hear they can be dangerous when riled.”

  Jilly laughed. “You’re so weird.” She shook her head.

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “What have you been up to?” Jilly asked.

  “I’ve been going through the victim files and making a list of the pertinent information to see what they have in common. I’m up to number seven. So far, the bodies have all been buried in parks, a lot of them were National Parks. That could mean something.”

  “Like the guy likes camping?” Jilly said.

  “Or he’s some kind of outdoorsman. And something came up with the last vic. She was found in the Rattlesnake Wilderness just outside Missoula, Montana. I don’t believe in coincidence.”

  “Me neither. This bastard is playing games.”

  “Deadly games at that.”

  “I remembered something on the drive to the station. Cleo was locked in my hall closet when I got home last night. Do you think the killer was trying to save my cat?”

  “Or he didn’t want you tipped off when you found your cat dead.”

  Jilly shivered. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad she was saved.” She took another bite of her burger and washed it down with whatever was in her cup with the straw.

  “What’s your plan for the day?” Cody asked before shoving a fry in his mouth.

  “I’m going to work on identifying the victims we found up here.”

  “Good idea.” Cody stood. “I’m heading to the vending machine to get a soda, want anything?”

  “I’m good. Sorry I didn’t get you a drink. I thought you’d prefer coffee.”

  “No worries.”

  When Cody returned with a can of Coke, Jilly was studying something on her computer, so he didn’t bother her. He got back to his list.

  Susan Macintosh, thirty, lived in Dickinson, North Dakota, and worked as a secretary in admissions at Dickinson State University. Disappeared from the nightclub, Lockdown, in downtown Billings, Montana.

  Cody sat up straighter. Shit, I know that bar. Sometimes he’d travel to Billings for a couple of days when he craved city life. Helena was small in comparison. Billings was the biggest city in Montana with over a hundred thousand people.

  A place big enough he could get lost in the masses. Take in a movie, check out a casino, or listen to live music. Anything to forget about whatever psycho he’d just finished dealing with.

  The report had been filed by Susan’s old college roommate, Mary Hill, who’d traveled from Eugene, Oregon, to meet up with her friend for a couple of days. Mary stated that when she last saw Susan, she’d been talking to a guy that she’d been spending a lot of time dancing with.

  When Mary returned from the restroom, her friend was nowhere in sight. As far as identifying the young man, she said it had been dark and she never saw his face, but he was tall and had broad shoulders.

  “Alert the media.”

  “What?” Jilly looked up from her computer.

  “Nothing, just talking to myself,” Cody answered.

  He went back to reading. Her body was found a month later in a shallow grave along the Yellowstone River. Cody started flipping pages to get to the coroner’s report. Most of the bones in her body had been shattered. Her tongue had been cut out.

  He made a note of this and underlined it. None of the other victims were missing their tongues. Mutilated genitalia. Cigarette burns covered her breasts. And acid had been splashed across her face. Cody underlined this anomaly as well after adding it to his notes.

  Judy Phelps, law clerk, lived and worked in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She’d gone cross-country skiing in Harriman State Park and was never seen again. Her body was discovered in a shallow grave a year later in a wooded area of the park.

  Sarah Goodman, thirty-two, kindergarten teacher in Pendleton, Oregon. Met a friend at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort to ski for the day. Disappeared on the ride home. Remains found on the Umatilla Indian reservation just outside of Pendleton.

  Cody wondered if the Indian reservation was another clue. He put a giant question mark next to her name and moved on.

  Gayle Smalls, thirty-one, registered nurse residing in Squirrel, Idaho. Left the hospital in Ashton at the end of her shift around midnight Friday night and never made it home. Her body was found some two hundred miles away in Cody, Wyoming.

  Suddenly Cody got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. This was not just a coincidence. This hit too close to home.

  “Shit,” Cody said under his breath.

  Cody, Wyoming was founded by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who passed through the region in the late 1870’s. He was so impressed by the development possibilities of irrigation, rich soil, grand scenery, hunting, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park that he returned in the mid-1890’s to start a town.

  Buffalo Bill Cody was his namesake. Anyone who knew him or his family knew this. His father was a big fan of the Wild West. All of his siblings were named after famous people from that era: Wyatt-Wyatt Earp, Jesse-Jesse James, Annie-Annie Oakley, Billy-Wild Bill Hickok, and him, Cody-Buffalo Bill Cody.

  Leslie Rivers, thirty, bartender at the Rocking R Bar and Grill in Helena, Montana. What the hell? Cody stared at the picture. At first, he didn’t recognize her, but after a couple of minutes things fell into place.

  Dammit, Les, not you too.

  He gave Jilly a furtive glance. She was immersed in her computer. Someone was either framing him, or exacting some type of revenge.

  Jilly’s landline on her desk rang. “Deputy Reid, can I help you?” She listened, and then stared at Cody.

  He didn’t like the look on her face.

  “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Jilly hung up.

  “Jane Wheaton is missing.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Cody stared at Jilly across their joined desks at the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station. Although mid-afternoon, there were few officers in the bullpen. Most were out on patrol.

  “What do you mean Jane Wheaton’s missing?” Cody ran his hands through his hair. “We just saw her at Duke’s last night.”

  “Yeah, I know, but under the circumstances, we can’t take this lightly. There’s a good chance the killer nabbed her,” Jilly answered.

  “You think he saw us talking to Jane and grabbed her to rub our noses in it?” Cody could not believe this was happening.

  “Who the hell knows? I said I’d meet the sister at Jane’s house.” Jilly grabbed her gun out of the bottom drawer and snatched her keys before she stood. “You can come along if you want.”

  “Gee, thanks.” Cody grabbed his suit jacket off
the back of his chair and chased after her.

  They drove into a quiet residential neighborhood with the homes set back from the street. Pine trees dotted the yards. As they pulled up to the address, Cody noticed a small, barn-red, A-frame home with wind chimes outside the front door.

  A woman stood next to a silver Honda CRV. They parked the county vehicle strategically so it blocked the level driveway.

  Jilly approached the woman with her hand outstretched. “I’m Deputy Jillian Reid, you must be Jane’s sister.”

  The woman shook her hand. “Yes, I’m Anne Carmichael. Thanks for getting here so fast.”

  “No problem,” Jilly said.

  Cody stuck out his hand. “Hi, Anne, I don’t know if you remember me–”

  Her lips thinned. “Yes, Cody Thomas, I remember you well.”

  She ignored his hand and focused on Jilly.

  “Tell us what you know,” Jilly said.

  “I got a call from the principal at Big Bear Elementary. She told me Jane hadn’t shown up for work. She tried to reach her by phone and when that didn’t work, she called me. I’m her emergency contact. I ran over here immediately and this is what I found.” Anne pointed to the small recreational vehicle with the driver’s side door standing open.

  A set of keys lay on the asphalt. Cody and Jilly walked up and peered in. A purse lay sideways on the passenger’s seat as if it had been tossed there. Jilly glanced at Cody, then back to Anne. No words needed to be exchanged. This woman did not leave of her own accord.

  “Have you touched anything?” Jilly asked.

  “No. I’ve watched enough cop shows to know better,” Anne said like it was a stupid question.

  Jilly hit the radio button on her shoulder. “Marge?”

  “Yes, Jilly, what is it?”

  “I need forensics over at Jane Wheaton’s place right away.”

  “Will do,” Marge answered.

  “And please send someone to guard the scene ASAP,” Jilly added.

  “Roger that. Anything else?” Marge asked.

  “That’ll do it. Over.” Then Jilly addressed Anne. “Have you gone inside?” Her head nodded toward the house.

  “Of course. I had to make sure she wasn’t in there, hurt or sick. I mean, what if she got a sudden bout of the flu and had to run in to use the bathroom? I had to make sure,” Anne said defensively.

  Cody stepped up. “No one’s accusing you of anything, Anne. Jilly’s just trying to get the facts.”

  Anne faced him with an angry look. “Just why are you here, Cody? You don’t work for the Big Bear Sheriff’s Department.”

  “He’s helping us with a case,” Jilly answered before he could get a word in.

  Anne stared at Jilly. Cody could see the moment it hit her.

  “You mean the bodies found in Hunters Cove?” Her hand flew to her mouth. “You don’t think. . .” Her knees started to buckle and Cody swooped in and grabbed her before she hit the ground.

  While she was still in his arms, he turned to Jilly.

  “Why don’t I put her in the back of the SUV while we check out the house?” he said.

  Jilly nodded. “Good idea.” “Anne, you’ll be more comfortable there. We won’t be long. Just relax. Did you touch anything in the house?”

  “J-just the doorknob.” Anne’s voice trembled.

  “Okay, thanks.” She nodded to Cody and he assisted Anne to the cruiser and helped her in. Her defenses down, Anne gave him a forced smile.

  “Thanks,” Anne said quietly.

  “No worries,” Cody answered.

  He followed Jilly to the back of the SUV and found her removing the crime scene tape and stuffing latex gloves in her back pocket. They blocked off the driveway and yard by securing the tape around tree trunks.

  Another cruiser pulled up and a beefy-looking dude in his late twenties got out. He hitched up his belt and came over to them and nodded once. “Special Agent. Jilly.”

  “Cody, this is Deputy Mike Hanaford. Mike, Cody.”

  They shook hands.

  Jilly waited until she had Mike’s attention. “We’re waiting on forensics. Let me know the minute they arrive. Cody and I are going to check out the house. I’d appreciate it if you’d guard the scene.”

  Mike nodded. “Will do.”

  “Thanks,” Jilly said.

  Cody and Jilly approached the house. Cody pulled out his gun.

  “You think he’s still in there?” she asked.

  “No, but I’m going in prepared,” he answered and watched as she pulled her piece.

  The front door stood ajar and Jilly nudged it open with her foot. Feeling protective, Cody had wanted to go in first, but she took the lead. The small house was tidy. Wood paneling covered the walls, which matched the floors, giving it a cozy feel.

  The first floor consisted of a kitchen, living room, and a nook which held the washer and dryer. A small table stood to the side under a window with two chairs for dining. A recliner and a couch faced the stone fireplace. A small television sat nearby. They’d cleared the first floor in no time.

  They climbed the narrow staircase and Cody’s shoulders almost rubbed the walls. It made him feel a bit claustrophobic. The top floor consisted of two bedrooms and one bath. They ended their search in the last bedroom at the end of the hall.

  The one obviously occupied by Jane. Several perfume bottles stood on top of an oval mirror on the dresser. Jewelry fell out from an open box as if she’d been searching for something in a hurry.

  They holstered their guns and Jilly handed him some latex gloves before she slipped on a pair herself. “No sign of a struggle.” She opened a dresser drawer and fingered the contents.

  Cody busied himself with the nightstand. “Nope. It looks as if he surprised her outside, getting into her car.”

  After investigating the upstairs and getting nowhere, they continued their search down in the kitchen. Cody sifted through some papers he found next to the phone.

  “We should see what time she normally leaves for work,” Jilly said, opening and closing the fridge.

  “Good idea. The house is pretty isolated by the surrounding trees. I think our only hope would be if someone drove by at the exact moment she was abducted.”

  “We’ll canvass the neighborhood in case someone noticed a strange car, or heard anything,” she added.

  “Of course. I’m just saying, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

  She shot him a dirty look. “Duly noted.”

  Cody shrugged and walked into the living room. What’d he do this time? He sure wished he knew what bug had crawled up her ass. Every time he thought they were getting along, she proved him wrong.

  He shook his head.

  Women.

  He walked over to the table where an open laptop lay. He sat and turned on the computer. It wasn’t password protected, so he scrolled through the files.

  Finding nothing of interest, he searched her web browser.

  “Holy shit.” Then he yelled, “Hey, Jilly.”

  She stuck her head around the corner. “You find something?”

  “She’s signed up with a computer dating site.”

  “Oh, hell.” Jilly came up behind him and stared at the screen over his shoulder. She was quiet a moment while she read the profile. “She might as well have drawn a map. She lists the town she lives in. Her occupation.

  “Wouldn’t take long for some guy to find the school where she worked and follow her home. What is wrong with people today? Giving out personal information over the internet.

  “Like the people who announce to the world they’re on vacation by posting pictures of themselves on Facebook from Hawaii. Geez. They might as well put a sign on their house: no one’s home. Come rob us.”

  She leaned against the table and faced Cody. “I just got one of those emails yesterday on The World’s Dumbest Criminals. It listed about ten idiots who were caught because they bragged about their crimes on Facebook. Some even went so far as to film the crime
s and put the videos on YouTube.”

  “Makes our job easier. Now if this UNSUB would just do the same, I could get back to fishing.”

  “No, shit.” Jilly rolled her eyes.

  Mike stuck his head in. “A couple of people CSI’s are here.”

  “Great. Tell them it’s a possible abduction and to go over the car before they come into the house.”

  “Will do,” Mike said before he disappeared.

  As they left the residence, Jilly went over to Jane’s vehicle where two women were dusting for prints. “Hey, Phyllis.”

  A woman with short silver hair and pale blue eyes turned her head. “Hey, Jilly, how’s it going?”

  “It’s going. Thanks for getting here so fast.”

  “Slow day.”

  “Lucky me.” Jilly cocked her head toward the house. “I’ve got a computer in there I need sent to IT. I want every private email from the last six months sent to me immediately as well as any correspondence found from the dating site.”

  “Sure. Anything else?” Phyllis asked.

  “Cody?” Jilly said.

  “Cell phone records,” he added.

  “Right. Phyll, would you check her purse and see if you can find a phone?”

  Phyllis eased her gloved hand into the outside pocket and produced the phone. Holding it only by the edges, so she didn’t smudge any prints, she handed it to Jilly who did the same. Jilly scrolled through the screens until she found the number, then she handed it back. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Phyllis bagged and tagged the phone before she got back to work.

  “I’ll start on the warrant as soon as we get back to the station.” Jilly walked down the driveway toward the SUV.

  “How long do you think it will take?” Cody followed alongside her.

  Jilly opened her door and addressed him over the roof. “Not long, under the circumstances.”

  Cody slipped into the front seat and looked to Jilly who raised her brows. He nodded for her to start the questioning. They turned toward the back seat.

  “How are you feeling, Anne, any better?” Jilly asked.

  Anne nodded. The color had returned to her cheeks, but she still looked a bit rattled.

  “We just need to ask you a few questions. I’m sure you understand,” Jilly said.