Crystal Mountain Veils

by Kieran York

  They were taken to the room, and when the door swung open, Royce nearly gagged. “A bit whiffy in here,” she said as the blinds were opened so that they could see the squalidness better.

  “Looks like a pigsty exploded,” Nick muttered as his eyes adjusted to the lighting.

  “Conduct a sweep of his room,” Royce directed. “It looks like he left in a hurry. I probably spooked him when I called on him last time. Before I found out who he is.”

  “I don’t see anything incriminating,” Nick reported.

  “Wear your crime scene gloves. We don’t want to lose prints in case we find anything.” Royce pulled the small packet from her back pocket and opened it. She slid the gloves on. She opened the dresser drawers and poked through the clutter. “Nothing.”

  “Look at this, will you?“ Nick pointed down to the stained carpeting. The chest of drawers had been recently moved. A strip of clean carpet ran parallel to the dresser.

  “Grab the other end,” Royce instructed. “Let’s move it and see what’s under it.”

  They hoisted the dresser up and swung it to the side. There was a bundle beneath a tarp. Nick carefully pulled the corner back. Under the worn material was a pile of assorted pictures and newspaper clippings.

  “Jesus!“ Nick said as he stepped back. His eyes were horror-filled. “I think I’m going to lose it.”

  Royce began to scrutinize the stack of Polaroid photos and clippings of unsolved crimes. The photos were of brutally tortured women. They’d been taken at various stages of the murder. Royce’s stomach lurched. “Post-mortem mutilation,” she confirmed. “Women of color. These must be the victims from Florida. Nick, careful in handling these when you take them into evidence. I don’t want to lose the prints. We’ll need to get copies of these photos to Florida for I.D.s on the victims.”

  “Giving Florida first crack at him?”

  “Damn betcha,” Royce answered. With vehemence she uttered, “They’ll execute him. And he’ll deserve it.” The stark photos were of atrocious mutilation. The kind of sordid thing a city officer might expect to come into contact with, but in Timber City it seemed completely out of context.

  Royce opened the closet door. Her flashlight beam reflected cartons of hardcore pornography. Then a pool of light hit the corner. Several empty containers of bullets were scattered. “He’s armed.” A roll of haphazardly clipped electrical wiring snaked across the base of the closet. “When we’re done collecting evidence from the premises, post a sentry to watch and see if he returns. My best bet says he won’t.” She radioed, “Amy, the suspect is armed. Issue a dispatch to that effect. He’s well-armed from the looks of it, so apprehending him could be dangerous.” She lowered her radio. She turned back to Nick. “This scene, here. This is where humanity should be directing its hatred.”

  “Makes the name-calling against you and Hertha look pretty shallow, don’t you think?”

  “Right,” Royce said with a confirming nod.

  “Think he’s still in the area?“ Nick queried.

  “Yes. I feel it. He’s here. Nick, I feel as though we’re at the edge of a cliff and no one knows who will be first over.” Her heart had not stopped its heavy beating since the fax had come in.

  Nick looked away a moment and then back at the stack of mortifying photos. In his eyes were revulsion, pain, and disbelief. “I finally really get what you’ve been saying about crimes against women. This is unbelievably disgusting.”

  Royce reached to pat Nick’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  “These women were someone’s daughters and sisters.” Nick closed his eyes and turned his face away. Royce was relatively certain he had never cried in front of a woman before.

  Chapter 22

  The weather bureau called for an overnight dusting of the Timber County area. By morning the early snowfall was an accumulation of several inches. After dispersing the deputy assignments, Royce carefully considered safety measures. Round-the-clock surveillance of Hertha and of the Lonesome Pine Motel was in place. All available officers had completed a sweep of areas that might offer refuge to a fugitive. Their reports were negative. No trace of the elusive Burke.

  But the APB had been issued, and surrounding counties were also on the lookout for Burke’s vehicle. Royce knew that this was all she could do for the time. Wait and watch.

  The one positive was that it had snowed. Burke was from Florida and probably not used to the inclement weather. Every member of the Sheriff’s Department had been trained to drive in snow, most of them from childhood. And they knew every inch of the area. But Royce cautioned against false security. Burke had demonstrated his unpredictable nature. Everyone was to remain alert.

  Because of the events, she’d put off meeting with Nadine about the campaign. With all stations relatively secure, Royce decided early morning would be the best time to take a few minutes to assemble at the Times office.

  Wearily she trudged across the street. She resented taking valuable time from police work for her campaign. But she also knew it was required. As was her friendship at this time to Gwen and Nadine.

  Royce sat alone in the Times conference room. She had wanted an extra few moments to gather her thoughts when she talked with Nadine. Her agenda was to discuss the campaign.

  Her motive was to intercede for Gwen. Perhaps, she thought, it might mend animosity between everyone concerned.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Nadine remarked as she placed the folder in front of her. “I stopped to check the post office box. Royce, we’ve got more contributions. In addition to a multitude of small checks and money orders, we’ve got some sizable ones.”

  “These sizable ones,” Royce said as she leaned her elbows on the table, “are from major companies?”

  “Right, just like before. We’ve got some from Northern Colorado. From Wyoming. And a couple from Utah. Mining companies. All legal. All within the guidelines. I imagine Granger is getting the same funding.”

  “Maybe.” Royce’s frown deepened. “Is there a common denominator with the names?”

  “No. Nothing illegal.”

  “I don’t mean improprieties. I just don’t understand why.”

  “I don’t care where it comes from. As long as it’s legal. Royce, we’re still not matching the monies that the Coalition is pumping into Granger’s treasury. But with this money, we can buy more radio spots countering Granger’s allegations.”

  Royce slumped back. “I don’t like negative campaigning.”

  “The guy was released from duty a number of times. He’s held down two dozen enforcement jobs in that twenty-five year span. People deserve to know that, and they certainly ought to think about it. He’s not competent to be sheriff. If your predecessor hadn’t hired him, he probably couldn’t have even found another deputy job.”

  “Most people around here know that. I don’t see why we need to dredge it up.”

  “Royce, it might be our only chance at winning.” Nadine’s eyes flared. “I don’t want to lose. That would make Gwen right about me.”

  “What?“ Royce delved.

  “Gwen thinks I’m not good enough to run your campaign.”

  “She’s never said that.” Royce looked away. “Nadine, this election is not about confronting some inner emotional conflict. It isn’t about showing Gwen you can succeed.”

  “Of course, it’s about the best person for the job.”

  “Why am I getting the feeling that it’s about your proving something to Gwen?”

  “There’s more to it than that.” Nadine’s eyes pinched tightly. “Don’t you see, I want to win on my own. I can do that by helping you win. It’s a victory for us both.”

  Royce stood. She leaned over the table and her eyes targeted Nadine’s. “She is in love with you. She wants to talk with you.

  She wants to save your relationship. As I see it, if you don’t call that winning, you’ve lost what’s really important. The best victory will be swallowed away by ego.”

  Royce turned to leav
e. Nadine asked, “What do you want to do about the new radio commercials?”

  “I want my experience reinforced. I want my enforcement history told. I’m not going to keep my town clean with a dirty campaign. No smear tactics.” Royce slowly put on her Stetson and jacket. Then she turned back to Nadine. “I also want to find out why these mining companies are funneling the money into the campaign. But most of all, I want you to think about Gwen’s love for you.”

  ***

  Tension created an eerie calm. Royce had a gut feeling that Richard Burke was out there somewhere. He was also waiting. But he had the advantage of knowing if and when he would strike.

  By the middle of the morning, everything was quiet in the Sheriff’s Department office. Royce glanced outside at the tranquil scene. Show was falling gently in beautiful, fresh sheets.

  Even the conversation seemed uneventful, suspended by critical events. Royce recognized the placid danger. She had mentioned to Nick that even the weather conditions might not detour Richard Burke. In fact, she commented, he might consider it the ultimate element of surprise.

  Standing at the window, at attention, wasn’t getting her work done, she thought. She went to her desk and tackled a stack of reports she’d been ignoring. Her nerves required busywork. Royce opened a file, attempting to alleviate pressure by keeping everything as normal as possible.

  “Only two days until you find out if you’ll need to spend the next six years checking my spelling,” Nick chided.

  “The dictionary for your birthday didn’t help,” Royce muttered.

  “Well if Dillon Granger ever did anything, you’d see that his spelling is much worse than mine.”

  “I don’t doubt it for an instant.”

  “What are all those telephone calls on your desk?”

  “Just a little investigation. Trying to find if some of my recent contributions are related in any way. Checking the CEOs of the companies. You know, affiliations, things like that.”

  “I’m sure you’re not going to find any from the Family Morals Coalition.”

  “Not likely. I’ll return these calls when I go off duty.” Royce punched up a name on her desktop computer. “Back to a traffic report grind. I have to wonder why speeders can’t come up with any new excuses.”

  Nick laughed, “Must be talking about Leary’s excursion. The kid thinks he’s at a speedway.”

  “Judge Carter will rearrange that thinking in a hurry. She’s tough on traffic violations.”

  “She’s tough on everything,” Nick stressed. “Don’t you love it?”

  “But if Granger’s elected, his buddies won’t ever have the opportunity to meet Judge Carter,” Royce noted.

  Nick went to the coffee machine and began pouring. “I saw him play that a few times up in Crystal. His pals get the blind eye. But he throws his weight around with everyone else. He says if you’re elected he’s heading out of state.” Nick swayed around quickly when he heard Smoky yelping as she scampered down the hall. “Fastest pup on four paws.”

  Royce rose and rushed to the door. She knew Smoky’s bark for help. The minute Smoky saw her, she twirled around twice and headed for the courthouse doors. Royce was running behind her. When Royce reached the entry, she heard the radio dispatch.

  “He’s got her,” reported the deputy who had been guarding Hertha. Royce looked in the deputy’s direction when she reached the street. He safely knelt behind a parked car, his gun aimed at the clinic’s door.

  Directly in front of High Country Animal Hospital was Richard Burke’s truck. The motor was running. Royce drew her gun as she raced across the street. She saw Burke moving around the truck with Hertha. Burke blasted a warning shot at the crouched deputy. The bullet kicked the ground. Both the deputy and Royce held their fire. Royce was glad for the restraint. Burke had an electrical cord around Hertha’s neck like a leash and a gun to her head. Burke pushed the vet through the open door of his vehicle and sped off.

  As Royce hastened to her Blazer, she heard the deputy radio that he was okay. He explained that Burke had begun by opening fire and then while the deputy took cover, rushed the clinic. He’d used an exiting family as his shield when the abduction began. It all happened so fast, reported the deputy, that he couldn’t stop the man.

  Royce pressed down on the accelerator. The racing Blazer engine reacted to her chase training as she sped after Richard Burke. By the time they reached the outskirts of Timber City, she had narrowed the gap between them to three hundred yards. She radioed that she was in pursuit. Her mind rushed as she began orchestrating the operation.

  Clasping her radio, she directed Amy to dispatch all available units. Royce described Burke’s truck. “The abduction took place five minutes ago. We’re headed east toward Crystal. Deploy all Crystal vehicles. Institute hostage procedures. Alert neighboring counties of the chase and have them standing by. No heroics. Let’s use our heads and try to minimize the damage.”

  Royce listened for Amy’s unruffled report. “We’ve got units three and four on their way from Crystal. Unit two is behind you and five is leaving the Gold Rush Gulch area to intersect.”

  “Remember our maneuvers. He’s armed and dangerous. From the looks of the ammunition containers in his room, he might have hollow-point bullets. So exercise extreme caution,” Royce directed.

  Royce gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her mind was focused. It couldn’t be the woman she loved in danger. Royce followed behind the recklessly driven truck. She recalled that Hertha’s mother had been abducted and raped. Royce could not prevent the abduction, but she would do everything in her power to prevent Hertha being harmed further.

  Throughout the high-speed chase, Royce listened intently for the positions of other vehicles. Cruisers from surrounding counties were dispatched from various destinations. They would encircle Burke. Royce instructed them to hit their sirens only when needed to clear the highway.

  “Burke is turning onto the Crow Pass exit,” Royce said. They went onto a winding gravel road. The spine-jarring ride continued as Burke drove deeper into the mountains. “Unit three, exit on Pine Trails Road and find a clearing to block him. Make sure we have access. I don’t want him loose in the brush. Snow will make a run difficult, but we’ll have trouble following him too. I want him in the open. Unit four, continue on down in case he turns off again.”

  Royce had just issued her orders when Burke spun to the side and took a winding, snow-covered dirt road. Royce knew that the road would widen into a meadow. She hoped Burke would continue to that clear area. Royce radioed the others. She saw the truck fishtail. She heard the screech of brake metal and saw the shower of sparks as the belly of Burke’s truck drug against rocks still jutting up above the snow. There was a cloud of white before the vehicle came to a stop. The road had ended.

  Royce jumped out of the Blazer with her weapon drawn. Burke had dragged Hertha out of his truck. Royce heard tire squeals from approaching patrol units as they converged. Doors slammed with fury. Her nerves were taut. She was still behind her Blazer’s fender. By the time the final vehicle arrived, Burke stood still with Hertha. His fist gripped an electrical cord that bound her neck. His other hand held a gun aimed at her temple. Surrounding him was a strategically positioned arch of deputies. It looked just like one of the maneuvers they’d been practicing.

  Royce stepped away from her cover. She moved carefully toward Burke and Hertha. Her gun was aimed with precision at his head. “Burke, it’s over. Drop the gun. Release her now.”

  “You’d like that,” he spat. “I’m not giving her back.”

  Royce felt the spiky tussocks of frozen grass beneath her boots as she walked carefully. A gauze of cirrus clouds allowed bars of light. Royce tried to block each distraction. She squinted against the glare of sunlight on freshly fallen snow. She ignored the muffled caws of birds. The moment was electrifying, and she knew that her only chance of saving Hertha was an element of surprise. She could see the naked hatred in Burke’s eyes. They were wildl
y searching, but they held a brutal savagery. Royce’s concentration yielded only piercing silence. She had never experienced the quiet between battles known as an acoustic shadow. It gripped her senses. She stared into Burke’s deadly glower of steel. He had determined that he would kill Hertha. Royce could see that in his eyes. He would watch Royce’s pain, and it would be his final pleasure.

  Royce’s thoughts were rushing fragments. She was satisfied that each of the deputies had taken cover as they had been trained. She was aware that the department’s crack shot was positioned to her right. His high-powered rifle rested in the crotch of a sapling and was trained on Richard Burke. Each deputy was situated safely in a triangulated crossfire.

  Royce stood alone, facing the stalker and his victim. With the stance of a gunfighter, Royce held her gun steadily with both hands wrapped around the handle.

  The taste of fear filled her mouth. Her heart thudded and her eyes smarted. She checked her aim. There could be no margin for error. Death knows where to find us all, she thought.

  His lips thinned with frenzy as he shouted, “Drop your gun and let me go. I’ll release her when I’m out of the area.”

  “I’m not allowing you to leave with her. Throw down your gun or we’ll shoot you here.”

  “I’ll kill her,” he warned.

  “You’re going to kill her anyway. If you shoot her right now, at least she’s been spared your torture. We know who you are, Burke. It’s all over. Drop the gun.”

  “Not me.”

  His glower confirmed that he would not be taken alive. And that he would shoot Hertha. Royce relaxed her hand a moment. She felt the perspiration of her palms and between her fingers. She tightened her index finger. She would need split-second reaction for her plan to work.

  “Burke, I’m giving you one more chance to drop your gun and release your hostage.”

  His face reflected the defiance of a madman. Royce caught a glimpse of Hertha. He was keeping her in the direct line of fire. There were no options and only a hastily thought-out plan Royce was devising as the seconds ticked by. Their only chance depended on the bridge of communication between Royce and Hertha. It would be chancy, but there were no alternatives. Royce had to act quickly. Burke was becoming increasingly agitated.