Be Mine Forever

by D. K. Hood

  “Are you sure it was a silver GMC truck?” Kane tilted his head to look at her.

  “I sure am.” She smiled at him. “My son has one and it’s just the same but he lives in Blackwater.”

  “And he had no reason to be here in town tonight?” Jenna watched the woman’s reaction. “Does he visit you often?”

  “My son is an ER nurse and was working last night.” She sighed. “He tries to get to see me but his work keeps him busy. He’s either working or sleeping lately.”

  Jenna nodded. “Yes, they work very hard.”

  “What happened next door? I saw Sandy being taken away in an ambulance, is she going to be okay?”

  “I hope so.” Jenna pushed a hand through her hair. “We’re trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her.”

  “I’ve written down what you’ve told us in a statement.” Kane handed the woman his statement book. “Could you please read it through and sign it? Please print your name and contact details here.” He pointed to the document.

  The woman complied and Jenna smiled at her. “Thank you for your assistance.” She handed her a card. “If you think of anything else, or that truck comes back, write down the license plate if you can but don’t go near it, call me immediately.”

  “Sure.” The woman looked at the card. “I’m glad I could help.”

  Dreading her next assignment, Jenna made her way back to the house and they both suited up again. Rio was doing a search of the ground floor and she went up to him. “Anything to report?”

  “A few things, there are scuff marks on the floor in a number of places and Webber found traces of DNA at the bottom of the stairs and in the hallway outside the front bedroom. I figure they’re from a struggle as I recall Rowley telling me Sandy had come here specifically to make sure the floors were spotless.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure why, my brother and sister will have them scuffed the moment they walk inside.”

  Taken aback, Jenna stared at him. “Do you still want to move in here, even after a murder?”

  “Sure.” Rio met her gaze. “People die in houses all the time. I know it’s a crime scene but once you’ve released it and the cleaners have been inside, I don’t have a problem.” He raised both eyebrows. “I don’t believe in ghosts and I gather the locked door from the kitchen leads to accommodation for a live-in housekeeper? That would be perfect, if I can find one to live here.”

  Jenna had thought she might have to sell the house and buy another to replace it. Rio’s news was a relief. “Well then, that’s fine and Maggie has a list of suitable housekeepers you can interview. By the way it’s in your employment contract, that as this is the sheriff department’s property, you’ll only have to pay the utilities and there’s provision made for a housekeeper.”

  “Why do you figure I took the job?” Rio smiled. “Trying to get by and care for the twins has been a nightmare.”

  Jenna checked her watch. “It’s getting late. Once Wolfe has processed the crime scene you’d better get on home.”

  “You’ll need an officer on duty to guard the scene.” Rio looked concerned. “In case the killer comes back to contaminate the crime scene.”

  “We have four deputies from Blackwater and Louan cooling their heels at the motel.” Kane pulled out his phone. “They can split the shifts but I doubt Wolfe will want to return again in the morning. He’s usually thorough and I gather you’ve taken footage of everything?”

  “I sure have.” Rio waved a hand toward the stairs. “I took images of every step as well.”

  Jenna glanced at Kane. “Go make the calls.” She turned back to Rio. “Okay, I’ll speak to Wolfe and then we’re heading out to inform next of kin.”

  She headed up the stairs and into the room. The body of Becky was on a gurney and Wolfe was making ready to leave. “I’m going to speak to her parents. What time tomorrow for a viewing?”

  “Eleven.” Wolfe turned to her. “Autopsy at two. Rowley must have been minutes away from saving this girl. She was still warm when we arrived, her body temperature hadn’t fallen much at all, no onset of rigor. I figure she was killed not long before he arrived at the house.” His eyebrows drew together. “She died while Sandy was unconscious in the other room. You’ll need to keep that information from her. At least until she is over the shock of what happened.”

  “That’s going to be difficult but I’ll do my best.” Jenna stood hands on hips and surveyed the room. “We’ll come by after we’ve spoken to the victim’s parents. Kane is organizing a patrol to watch the house overnight; Rio will need to head home when they arrive.” She looked at Carter. “Are you staying or do you want a ride back to the hotel?”

  “I’m staying.” Carter was examining the ceiling. “Shane is not through here yet.”

  “I’d appreciate his help if you can spare him? We have a ton more areas to process and I haven’t started on the other bedroom yet.” Wolfe indicated to the floor. “The killers tipped bleach over the victim but where the body pressed against the wall, I found trace evidence. They rushed the cleanup and I’m going to check every inch of this room before we leave.”

  Jenna wrinkled her nose at the pungent smell of bleach. “We shouldn’t be too long. I’ll drop by Aunt Betty’s Café, I’m sure we all need coffee to keep us going.”

  “Good idea, we’ll use the family room. It’s a clean area and no one went in there during the attack.” Wolfe sighed. “Keep as quiet as possible, we won’t be popular with the neighbors. Webber is going to be searching all the trash cans out front of the houses before we leave. The victim’s clothes are missing and the killers could have dumped them before leaving.”

  Jenna nodded. “It only takes one mistake and we’ll have them. That will be their downfall. Killers all believe they’ve committed the perfect murder. There’s no such thing.”

  Thirty-Three

  The wind was picking up, rustling the trees and making the fall leaves rain down across the blacktop. In the streetlight, it reminded Kane of a flock of butterflies. He leaned against the door of his truck waiting for Jenna. Concerned about Sandy and how Rowley was coping, he pulled out his phone to get an update. “Hi, Jake, it’s Dave. Any news?”

  “Some. They performed an ultrasound on the babies and assured me they’re fine but Sandy is having a brain scan. She said her vision was blurry. Her folks are here and mine are on their way. It’s going to be some time before they complete all the tests and stitch her up. I’ll know more later.”

  Kane glanced up as Jenna walked to his side. “We’ll drop by before we head home. Do you need a change of clothes or anything else I can get you?”

  “Nope, my parents will grab what I need if I have to stay.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you soon.” Kane disconnected.

  “Any news?” Jenna pulled open the door to the truck.

  Kane slid in behind the wheel. “Babies are fine, nothing on Sandy yet.” He backed out the parking space and headed into town. “The Powells’ address is already in the GPS.” He looked at Jenna. “I get a knot in my stomach every time we have to inform next of kin. It’s something you can never get used to, is it?”

  “Nope.” Jenna leaned back in her seat. “I try and rehearse what to say in my head but when I get there I’m never prepared.”

  As they entered Main, Kane was surprised to see the clusters of people still milling around, most of them young people in small groups chatting or eating takeout. The hotdog cart was doing a fine business and seemed to have an endless supply. He smiled. “How do they keep that cart going, day and night?”

  “They own the convenience store and with six grown sons, they can keep going around the clock.” Jenna smiled. “They have more than one cart.” She pointed at the people in a line outside Aunt Betty’s. “Oh, I have to call Aunt Betty’s. They’re so busy tonight, I should order coffee for the team and we’ll drop by on the way back. Wolfe said it’s going to be ages before he’s through. I’ll order some food as well.” She made the call.
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br />   Kane headed for the Powells’ house and smiled to himself. She was using one of his tactics, to ease the stress of the night. A girl’s brutal murder and the senseless attack on Sandy had shaken the team. He could feel the simmering anger from everyone with the exception of Rio. His introduction to Black Rock Falls had been tough but he’d handled himself with a professionalism he hadn’t expected. He glanced at Jenna. “I figure Zac is going to be a real asset to our team. He didn’t need any direction and just mucked in and got the job done.”

  “I agree but do you think he’s what he seems?” Jenna cleared her throat. “I mean he acts like he’s seen it all, no emotion. Most guys of his age would have puked at the sight of a girl bludgeoned to death but he took it in his stride.”

  Kane nodded. “He must have a built-in mechanism. Think about it. He can’t forget anything he sees and as a detective in Los Angeles, he’s seen his fair share of blood and gore. Not being able to forget is an incredible freak of nature. It’s not classed as an eidetic memory. That’s being able to recall an image for about a minute in detail and he hasn’t got what’s classed as a photographic memory either. What he has is a mixture of long-term memory and instant recall, something that hasn’t really been labeled correctly yet. His IQ must be off the board but whatever the doctors decide to call it, he’s had it forever. I guess he’s learned to cope with it and turn off the emotion attached to the memory.”

  “You do that all the time.” Jenna shrugged. “What’s so different?”

  “I don’t have his memory.” Kane kept his eyes on the road. “I do turn off emotion but it’s part of my training and it’s a technique I used to make the shot and kill the target. I don’t forget the people I’ve killed but I’ve learned not to dwell on it. He must do the same. His memory is a gift and a curse.” He slowed as the GPS indicated they’d reached their destination.

  Outside the house, he removed his hat and turned to Jenna. “Here we go.”

  “The front porch light is on and they’re probably waiting up for her.” Jenna removed her hat, dropped it onto the seat, and opened the door.

  They walked up to the front door, and Kane pressed the doorbell, hearing the chimes echo inside. Footsteps and then a woman wearing a dressing gown flung open the door.

  “Mrs. Powell?” Jenna stepped closer.

  “Yes, what can I do for you, Sheriff?” The woman gripped the front of her gown and her mouth hung open. “Oh, sweet Jesus, has Becky had an accident?”

  “May we come inside?” Jenna lifted her chin.

  “Yes, of course.” She turned as a man walked from a side room. “Albie, something’s happened to Becky.”

  Kane looked at the distraught man. “Is there somewhere we can sit down?”

  “Yes, in here.” The man waved them into the family room and stood in the middle staring at them.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Powell, please sit down.” Jenna waited for them to sit on the sofa. “I’m sorry to inform you, Becky is dead.”

  “How? She never drives fast.” Mr. Powell looked up at them, his face drained of color. “What happened to our little girl?”

  “I’m afraid that is yet to be determined.” Jenna sat opposite. “She was found about an hour ago in a house on Stanton. I identified her on scene but we’ll need you to make a formal ID.”

  “I need to go to her.” Mrs. Powell was staring straight ahead obviously in shock. “She’ll be all alone. She needs her mother.”

  Kane cleared his throat. “She’s not alone, Dr. Shane Wolfe the medical examiner and his daughter Emily are with her. She’s in good hands, safe hands.”

  “When then?” Mr. Powell seemed to shake himself and took his wife’s hand.

  “Tomorrow at ten at the medical examiner’s office.” Jenna looked from one to the other. “You mentioned Becky was driving tonight, what is the make and color of her vehicle?”

  “It’s a red Chevrolet Equinox SUV.” Mr. Powell looked troubled. “She said she was going to meet friends at the library. She came home for dinner and then went back out. I told her not to be late because of school tomorrow. She promised to be home by nine-thirty. We were getting worried.”

  “Do you recall the names of any of the friends she was going to meet?” Jenna took out her notepad.

  “Some boy, I think.” Mrs. Powell looked at her husband. “She dressed real pretty and was so excited she hardly touched her meal.”

  Kane nodded. “So, no names you can recall? What was she wearing?”

  “What do you mean by that?” Mr. Powell’s eyes widened. “Are her clothes missing?”

  “We need a list to make sure nothing is missing.” Jenna flicked Kane a meaningful glance. “If you don’t mind?”

  “White top and a denim skirt, she was wearing her boots. Brown cowboy boots with fringes.” Mrs. Powell’s eyes filled with tears. “She took a backpack and her pompoms. I saw her putting them into her bag.”

  Kane nodded. “Is there anyone we can call, family or a minister?”

  “No, we’ll call the family.” Mr. Powell ran both hands down his face. “It’s better coming from us. I’ll call her brothers, they’re both away at college. And then the rest of the family.” He pushed unsteadily to his feet. “Ten tomorrow at the medical examiner’s office, you said?”

  “Yes, that’s right.” Jenna stood and handed him her card. “If there’s anything you need or can recall, please contact me, day or night.”

  Kane looked at the devastated couple. “We’ll see ourselves out. I’m so sorry for your loss.” He led the way outside and back to his truck.

  “It will hit them soon.” Jenna climbed into the seat and pushed on her hat. “After we drop by for takeout, swing past the library parking lot. We might locate Becky’s vehicle.” She let out an explosive sigh. “It’s going to be a long night but we’ll have to keep going. We’ll need more evidence if we’re going to catch the killer.”

  Thirty-Four

  Steam billowed as the hot shower spilled over her and washed every trace of Becky Powell from her hair and skin. The scent of roses filled the room, removing the smell of the dying girl and bleach. She’d shampooed twice and scrubbed her skin after sneaking into the house and undressing in the laundry. She’d dumped her clothes in the washing machine and cleaned her boots with bleach before creeping upstairs to the shower. Once she was done, she’d take her laundry downstairs and start the machine. Within the hour, she’d have everything in the dryer all spick and span.

  Her mind replayed seeing Becky die. It was as if she could relive the moment, rewind, and fast forward at will. Her heart still pounded at the memory of the look in her boyfriend’s eyes as he raised the flashlight. The evil in him had thrilled her. It wasn’t the killing; it was making him do it for her. Power had surged through her. After they’d dragged Becky against the wall and turned her head to watch them, his kiss had been brutal. She’d pushed him away and enjoyed seeing him crushed at her rejection but there’d been no time to waste, they’d had to leave and he’d followed her orders like a pet dog. She controlled him now. He’d never leave her.

  After drying her hair, she wrapped a towel around her and collected her things, creeping downstairs to the laundry, setting the machine, and slipping back unnoticed. She checked the time; of late, she timed everything. The washing machine cycle took thirty minutes on a small load and she could set the timer on the dryer and go to bed. Not that sleep beckoned her. She wondered if her boyfriend had added the pompoms to their collection in the old barn. They looked good side by side on the shelf. No one went there, it was their secret place. Since his pa had left, they were the only people to visit the old barn.

  Her mind went to Vicky Perez. Planning out her demise exhilarated her. She enjoyed frightening people and after chasing down the pregnant woman at the house and hearing her beg for her life, she wanted more. An indescribable rush filled her at the expressions on their faces when they knew they were going to die. If she could make it last longer, it would feed her raging hung
er for death.

  Thirty-Five

  Jenna placed the box containing coffee and snacks for the team in the back of the Beast and covered it with a blanket. She jumped into the passenger seat and waved a hand at Kane. “Drive past the library parking lot.” She buckled up. “We might be lucky for once and find her vehicle.”

  “If we do, I’ll check it for prints but I doubt the killer would have set foot near it.” Kane turned into the library parking lot. “He’s too careful.” The lights moved in an arc across the lot. “Well, we have a hit.”

  “Thank goodness.” Jenna smiled at him, pulling back the urge to give him a high-five. “I’ll run the plates. You go check for prints.”

  As the MDT worked through its program and confirmed the owner, she waited for Kane as he dusted and lifted fingerprints from the vehicle. In no time, he was back. “I’ve added them to the file and sent a copy to Wolfe for identification.” He turned the truck around and headed back to Rowley’s old house. “I hope the coffee will still be hot. It’s gotten quite cold tonight.”

  Jenna nodded. “So do I.” She turned in her seat to look at him. “The coffee is in Thermoses; we’ll have to drop them back to Aunt Betty’s in the morning but I’m sure Rowley will need something hot and the coffee at the hospital is disgusting.”

  “Yeah, I remember.” Kane pulled a face. “I wonder how Sandy is doing?”

  Jenna tucked her hair behind one ear and adjusted her hat. “Jake would have called if it had been bad news. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

  As they pulled up outside the house, Jenna spotted a Blackwater Sheriff’s Department vehicle outside with a deputy on duty. She gave him a wave as Kane pulled up behind Rio’s cruiser. It was Carter who greeted them at the door and Jenna nodded to him. “Anything happening I need to know about?”