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“The body’s been fingerprinted,” Hoyt replied, “but it could take a day to get the results back from the IAFIS data base. He also has a tattoo.” Hoyt glanced at the coroner, who then lifted the sheet to show a tattoo of a wasp, the stinger strategically placed at the vein in the bend of the boy’s elbow. “Does that mean anything to you?” Hoyt asked Keir.
“Hard to tell. I knew a kid way back when who did that to show he was off drugs but I don’t know if that’s its literal meaning or just his idea.”
“There are no tracks on his arms,” the coroner pointed out, “but we’ll run a tox screen, of course.”
“All right,” Hoyt said, “we’ll leave you to it, Doc. I’ll be back in ten, so don’t start without me.”
As soon as they left the morgue, Keir let out a shuddering sigh of relief. “I know it makes me sound like a wimp, but I’m glad all I had to look at was his face. Are you really going to attend the autopsy?”
“Yep. It’s procedure.” They were at the exit from the morgue by then. “Tell Teague I’ll be in touch as soon I know anything.”
“I will.” Keir started to open the door then paused. “I know it’s none of my business to say this, but Teague’s a good man.”
Hoyt cocked an eyebrow. “Have I said differently?”
“I mean…Oh, hell. Never mind.”
Chuckling dryly, Hoyt replied, “Are you trying, in your own way, to tell me I should look at him as more than just a man I have to deal with because we’re both involved in trying to find the killer?”
“Maybe?”
“Keir, you’re something else. Still,” Hoyt barely grinned, “you might have a point. For now though, get out of here so I can get back before the good doctor wonders if I’ve chickened out.”
“I’m going.” And this time Keir did. When he was outside, he smiled happily. Mission accomplished. I think he’s as interested in Teague as Teague is in him. Now to do something about that. He shook his head. Or not. They’re adults. They can figure it out on their own. I hope. Teague needs a real life that doesn’t revolve around the agency and the people working for him. But short of locking him in a room with Hoyt…Chortling at the image that brought to mind, Keir headed back to the motel, taking a circuitous route to be certain no one was interested in him and where he was going.
* * * *
Hoyt left the morgue no wiser about the killer than he had been when the autopsy started. There was no semen in his mouth, throat, stomach, or anal cavity. According to the coroner that indicated the victim hadn’t had sex in any form within at least a day before his death. When Hoyt asked about condoms he was told there was no trace evidence that one had been used just before the murder. “And no condom wrapper was found at the crime scene to indicate the victim had planned on committing fellatio on the killer before he was assaulted,” the coroner added.
The boy’s fingers, as with Grimes, were broken intentionally rather than being the result of his fighting his attacker. “No flesh or other trace evidence under the nails,” the coroner stated. “No bruising on the knuckles. Some bruises on his wrists, besides the abrasions caused by the ropes. They were probably the result of his killer grabbing his arms to twist them behind his back.”
“Tie them, then when the boy tried to scream, if he did, stuff the gag in his mouth.” Again, as with Grimes, it had been a rag not from something the victim was wearing. The CSI people were going over it in the lab, Hoyt knew, to see if there was anything about it that could connect it to its place of origin.
Hoyt related all of this, as well as the other details of the killing, to Chief Davis when he went upstairs to the police department.
“I just got off the phone with the mayor,” the chief said when Hoyt was finished. “He is on a tear, to put it mildly.”
“Let me guess. This doesn’t make the city look good so he wants the killer caught yesterday,” Hoyt replied acerbically.
“More or less. He’s also ordered us to pick up any transient kids and escort them out of town, with the threat that they’ll be jailed if they return. No potential victims, no more killings, to his way of thinking.”
“If we do that, the killer will just move on to a new town and start again, making it even harder to catch him.”
The chief nodded. “I pointed that out to His Honor. His reply was that that is not our problem. With ski season coming up, he doesn’t want any bad publicity attached to Faircrest.”
“Bad publicity?” Hoyt spat out. “Two kids are dead, horribly so, and he’s worried about bad publicity? Fucker.”
“Calm down. I don’t want any more killings here, any more than he does, but you’re right. If we follow the mayor’s orders we’ll lose any chance of catching the murderer.”
Hoyt began pacing the chief’s office. Finally he said, “Pick up a couple of them, to placate the mayor. Chances are a few of the others will leave of their own accord once they hear about the second murder. All I need is one or two still hanging around so that Keir Upton isn’t the only homeless kid in town. If he was, it would point to a blatant setup.”
“What makes you think our killer will focus on him with other choices available.”
“I told you that I picked him up, ostensibly for hitchhiking, so he could take a look at the newest victim. We’re hoping that the killer was around at some point to see that happen.”
The chief rapped a finger on his lips pensively. “Here’s an idea. We could let out the story that we have a witness who recognized the victim and saw him with someone just before he was killed.”
Hoyt smiled slowly. “I like that idea. It will need some refining to point the finger directly at Keir, but it could work. Let me get with him and Donovan and see what we come up with.”
The chief cocked his head, saying, “You don’t think the two of us can do that?”
“We can, but since they’re directly involved and, I hate to say it, probably have dealt with something like this more often than we have…”
“I would hope so. It’s not as if we have murders happening here on a daily basis, thank God. All right. Go talk to them and let me know what you come up with.”
* * * *
As soon as he got back to the motel room, Keir filled Teague in on what little he’d learned. After that, there nothing to do but wait to hear from Hoyt with an update. Or barring that, wait until late afternoon when they could both go back to the park to continue Keir’s impersonation of a homeless kid with Teague as backup. Thus the two men crawled into their beds to get some sleep.
Teague felt as if he’d barely dozed off when there was a light rapping on the motel room door, accompanied by his phone chiming. Blearily, he answered the call.
“I’m here. Let me in,” Hoyt said.
Teague did, after putting on a pair of jeans. He heard a rustling behind him and knew Keir was awake and probably doing the same thing.
Hoyt eyed the two men but said nothing other than to suggest they put on shirts as well. “As nice as it is to see bare, rather decent, chests,” he commented, “I’d prefer to concentrate on why I’m here.”
“Rather decent?” Keir muttered, grabbing his T-shirt from where he’d tossed it on the desk chair. “I’d say pretty spectacular.”
“Enough,” Teague growled, although he did smile. After also putting on a shirt, he turned his attention to Hoyt, asking, “What do you have for us?”
“An idea that my chief came up with. But first…” He filled them in on what he’d learned from the autopsy.
“Not much to go on,” Teague said when Hoyt was finished.
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Hoyt agreed. “But maybe, if we can fine-tune the chief’s idea, we’ll come out of this with a killer caught.”
“You might want to tell us this great plan,” Teague replied with a trace of a tired smile.
“We, the police, announce that we have an eyewitness who saw the victim with a man around the time he was killed.”
“Do you know when that was?
”
Hoyt nodded. “The coroner estimates it happened somewhere between two and three A.M. Not a lock, but close enough to make our story work.”
“Where was I when I saw them?” Keir asked. “And more to the point, why was I there rather than in the park? The killing took place three miles to the north.”
“One of the things we have to figure out,” Hoyt replied. “If this was real and you were homeless, why would you have gone up there?”
“Good question. Maybe hoping I’d have better luck somewhere else. Maybe because I was hassled by a cop who told me to move on.”
“That might work,” Hoyt agreed. “We could say I was the cop, and it’s why I picked you up this morning since you were still in town.”
“We could have a problem if the killer didn’t see that happen,” Teague pointed out. “There’s no way the police would reveal who the witness is.”
“And why would I be running free if I’m the witness?” Keir asked. “Wouldn’t you have me under lock-and-key for my own safety?”
“We’d have no grounds to hold you and you’re a smartass who thinks he can take care of himself.”
“I guess that works, but Teague had a point. How will the killer know I’m the witness?”
“He won’t. But…” Hoyt turned the desk chair around, sitting with his arms across the back. “The mayor has put out an order that we’re to get every homeless kid to leave town under threat of arresting them if they don’t.”
Keir snorted. “Like that’s going to work. Half of them are probably gone by now, because of the murders. The rest will figure, with that happening, they’ll stand a better chance with their spanging or hustling since there will be less competition.”
With a nod, Hoyt called the chief, telling him what Keir said and suggesting that he let the officers know they were to transport any kids they found to the highway. “Put the fear of God into the boys. Or more the fear of the killer. Give them graphic details of what he does. The news outlets have been downplaying them. Remember, we want a couple still hanging around.” He listened to the chief’s response. “Yeah, good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Teague asked when Hoyt ended the call.
“It’s not as if we have that many homeless here. We’re not exactly a big city and it’s between tourist and ski seasons right now. He’s going to have the officers do a sweep of downtown first and then the parks. That way the word will get out to the kids what’s happening. Some of them will go to ground until the officers have come and gone.” Hoyt looked at Keir. “Right?”
“Definitely. The ones who’ve been in the area for a while and know good hiding places.” Keir smiled dryly. “They’ll think they’re smarter than the cops, and the killer. Lay low for a few days then start up again.”
“Hopefully not too low,” Teague pointed out. “We don’t want you to be the only visible one. That would smack of—”
“A setup. Yeah, yeah.” Keir turned to Hoyt. “Is the sweep happening now?”
“As soon as the chief gets the word out.”
“Okay. Tonight I’ll search for guys that stuck around and try to convince them it’s probably safe to look for johns as long as they keep an eye out for the cops.” Keir smirked. “After all, this is just a small town. The cops are more interested in picking up drunks than protecting stray kids.” That earned him a glare from Hoyt but no contradicting reply.
Teague nodded. “I’ll go to The Red Calf again and sort of let it drop that I ran into one of them in the park on my way there. Especially if Will is there.”
“Who?” Hoyt asked, frowning.
“A guy named Will. He rather subtly came on to me last night then suggested we hook up there tonight. From what he said he’s the nosy type, so telling him might get the word out that the park is still open for business, so to speak.”
“Good idea. This won’t work if the killer’s the only man who’s apparently looking for a hook up. He’d stand out as much as you would if you were the only kid there, Keir. But it’s still a crapshoot,” Hoyt grumbled. “You two can only cover so much territory, even with my help.”
“You can’t be visible,” Teague pointed out.
“I’ll be as invisible as you,” Hoyt replied with a trace of exasperation. “Nice thing about there being so many trees in the area.”
Teague thought about that, then said, “We can cut down how much space we have to worry about. Can you have a heavy police presence where the last killing happened? Enough to deter anyone from hanging out there?”
“Define heavy,” Hoyt said dryly. “We can put on a couple of extra men to patrol the site. Of course there are other places where our man could find a victim. It doesn’t have to be in a park. It could be anywhere along the river, or the road leading up to the ski resort, or—”
“We know that, Hoyt,” Teague put in. “But we have to start somewhere. The main problem as I see it is, how do we point the finger at Keir as the witness without seeming to?”
“Easy peasy,” Keir replied. “I brag a bit.”
“To who?” Hoyt asked.
“Guys I run into. Maybe…Yeah. I’ve got a little cash so I stop at one of the fast food places to pick up a burger. Carp about you busting me for hitchhiking and how I got out of it by telling you something. Something I can’t talk about but…”
Hoyt nodded. “The implication’s there, since by then we’ll have announced that we’ve got a witness. Well, we will have if—” He called the chief again to tell him to make that announcement, and fast. Of course he had to explain why.
Teague listened, shaking his head as Hoyt defended what they had planned. When the detective hung up, Teague said, “Too bad we couldn’t be doing this with him present. You’re running up a nice phone bill.”
Hoyt chucked. “Too true. Not the bill, but the fact it would be easier to do this in his office. Since that’s not an option however, at least he’s not fighting me on what we need to do and my being out there with the two of you.”
“Good. Okay.” Teague looked seriously at Hoyt and Keir. “Take a minute think about what we’re planning. Look for any big holes or problems. We don’t want to lose Keir because we screwed up somewhere.”
“Yeah, I’d rather that didn’t happen,” Keir muttered.
There was a long moment of silence before Hoyt said, “I’m not seeing anything we’ve missed. Still, as I said, it’s all a gamble. The killer could be halfway across the country by now or he could lay low for couple of weeks or…” He shrugged.
“Or he could go after me tonight, we catch him and it’s all over but the shouting,” Keir stated.
“We can hope,” Teague replied. “Hang on. One more thing. Keir, you need a safe word to let us know if the killer tries to grab you.”
“Good catch,” Keir said. “How about…nightmare? It’s not something that would come up in casual conversation with a john and,” he chuckled dryly, “if our man does try to drag me somewhere to play his game it will be a nightmare if you don’t get there in time.”
“That works,” Teague agreed. “All right, unless either of you has an objection, let’s get moving. Keir, hit up the fast food place now and then get to the park.”
Keir gave Teague a mocking salute then donned his battered tennis shoes and a well-worn hoodie. Grabbing his backpack, he strapped the ratty sleeping bag across the top. Finally, he put the wireless ear phone Teague handed him into his ear then left the room after making certain the coast was clear.
“This is going to work,” Hoyt said, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself it would.
“I think so. We’ve got all the parts in place. Now the killer just has to bite.”
“The sooner the better as far as you’re concerned,” Hoyt replied, sounding glum. “Then you can get back to your real life.”
“We both can,” Teague replied with a small smile. “This has have thrown yours way off kilter.”
“In more ways than one,” Hoyt agreed without elabor
ating.
Teague saw the play of emotions on Hoyt’s face and said quietly, “You probably don’t know it, but Keir seems to think we should…umm…”
“Hook up?” Hoyt asked, now almost smiling. “Yeah. He did sort of probe about my feelings when it comes to you.”
“He didn’t!”
“Yeah, he did. Your employee has a strong…not sure it’s a matchmaker gene but I suspect he likes you enough that he wants you to have…well, you know. That is if you don’t already but if you did he wouldn’t be doing that so…” Hoyt stumbled to a stop.
“I don’t. I never seem to have time to even look.”
“Running your agency keeps you that busy?”
“You have no idea. As strange as it seems, I think this is the first time in forever that I’ve been able actually concentrate on just one thing, not five or twenty. Usually when my day is over either I stop for a fast meal or go home, throw something together and then collapse.” Teague smiled wryly. “Never let anyone tell you that owning your own business is easy, because it’s not.”
“So…” Hoyt said slowly, “you’d be open to maybe…? No, that won’t work. We can’t be seen together right now.”
Teague cocked an eyebrow. “Open to what?”
“I was going to suggest we go get dinner before you hit up The Red Calf.”
“I wish we could. It would be nice to do something other than live and breathe this case. For both of us, I suspect. I think spending time with you would be fun.”
“As friends.”
Teague looked at Hoyt, barely nodding. “To begin with anyway. After that, who knows?”
“I do. You’ll be leaving as soon as this is over so there’s no chance anything could develop,” Hoyt replied, walking to the door.
“Wait.”
Hoyt turned, his expression questioning.
Teague took out his phone, scrolling through it. “Which restaurant has decent food and delivers?”
“You have to get to The Red Calf.”
“It’s four-thirty. Will works, from what he said, so I doubt he’ll be there before six at the earliest. Does the place we ate at a couple of nights ago deliver?”