Break the Silence: A totally addictive crime thriller (Detectives Kane and Alton Book 7) Read online

  Break the Silence

  A totally addictive crime thriller

  D.K. Hood

  Books by D.K. Hood

  Don’t Tell A Soul

  Bring Me Flowers

  Follow Me Home

  The Crying Season

  Where Angels Fear

  Whisper in the Night

  Break the Silence

  AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

  Don’t Tell A Soul (Available in the UK and the US)

  Bring Me Flowers (Available in the UK and the US)

  Follow Me Home (Available in the UK and the US)

  The Crying Season (Available in the UK and the US)

  Where Angels Fear (Available in the UK and the US)

  Whisper in the Night (Available in the UK and the US)

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Epilogue

  Hear more from D.K. Hood

  Books by D.K. Hood

  A Letter from D.K. Hood

  Don’t Tell a Soul

  Bring Me Flowers

  Follow Me Home

  The Crying Season

  Where Angels Fear

  Whisper in the Night

  Acknowledgements

  To Zack Smith—follow your dreams. You never know where they’ll lead you.

  Prologue

  Saturday

  Music played so loud it vibrated in Chrissie Lowe’s teeth. Students crammed into every spare space talking so loud they sounded like a flock of angry geese. Giddy and uncoordinated, she pushed her way between two huge football players to reach the stairs. The dream date with Seth Lyons—star college quarterback—had faded like a rose in winter. The fruit punch he’d insisted she drink to “loosen up” had the effect of making the room go all misty around the edges. Surrounded by people she didn’t know didn’t help the wave of rising panic and uncertainty of being the only girl at the party. The niggly feeling something wasn’t quite right hit her the moment Seth had refused to give her a ride back to her dorm. His insistence she stay worried her, as did the strange, overly interested looks from his friends. Her legs had become Jell-O and she sagged against the wall. “I don’t feel so good. I want to go home.”

  “And I figured you were all grown up.” Seth grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. “Go upstairs. You can rest up in my room.”

  Glad of a chance to get away from the thumping music keeping time to the throb in her temples, she glanced at the wavering stairs. “Up there?”

  “Yeah, go right to the end of the hallway.” Seth’s hand settled on the small of her back and he gave her an encouraging push toward the steps.

  A group of juniors she recognized as members of the football team leaned against the walls, drinking beer and watching with interest as she staggered up the stairs. When they grinned at her and made hooting noises like a bunch of deranged owls, her cheeks grew hot with embarrassment. Chrissie smacked away the hands trying to snag her and turned to Seth. “Are these your friends?”

  “Uh-huh. Don’t worry about those animals.” He snorted and high-fived his friends. “It will be just you ’n’ me.”

  A wave of nausea hit her as his overpowering aftershave mingled with the smells of beer and barbecue. She just wanted to lie down and hoped the room would stop spinning. Using the wall for support, she eased her way through the packed hallway and opened the door. It was the usual-sized room but with two double beds, not like the singles in her dorm. “You’ve double beds?”

  “Yeah, us guys need a bit more space than you do.” Seth grinned at her. “Sit down. I’ll get you a couple of pills.” He headed for the open bathroom door.

  Warning lights flashed in her brain and the long talk her parents had given her about not drinking or taking drugs filled her swimming thoughts. When she shook her head, her stomach rolled. “I don’t need any pills. I just need to lie down for a spell.”

  “Head all fuzzy?” Seth came out of the bathroom. “Feel like you’re gonna spew?” He handed her two pills then a glass of water. “These will make you feel better. You gotta trust me, Chrissie.”

  She peered at the pills. “Are they like Tums?”

  “I guess.” Seth sat down, making the bed dip. “Come on, Chrissie. We can’t enjoy ourselves with you all messed up like this.”

  She peered at the pills. “I don’t take drugs.”

  “Do you think I would’ve asked you to come here if you did?” Seth touched her cheek. “I like you because you’re so sweet and innocent.”

  When he looked deep into her eyes, her stomach gave a little flip. She so wanted to please him but being drunk and alone with him in his bedroom was a big mistake. Swallowing hard, she wet her lips. “I think I should go.”

  “You don’t trust me, do you?” Seth dashed a hand through his hair in an impatient gesture. “You know there are ten girls I know who would’ve jumped at the chance to be invited up to my room but I chose you—I can’t believe you’re turning out to be basic.” He stood and glared at her. “If you don’t trust me, forget it. I’ll give you a ride back to your dorm—but don’t expect to hear from me again any time soon.”

  Unable to take his condemnation a moment longer, Chrissie allowed her gaze to linger on his handsome face for just a moment then took the pills.

  “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Seth gave her a brilliant smile, and sat down again. “Let me help you with your jacket.” He tossed it onto a chair then puffed up the pillows and eased her down on the bed. “Lie back and relax. The pills will make you feel so good like you’re floating on a cloud.” He stood and stared down at her. “Close your eyes. Let me turn down the lights.”

  Head throbbing, she complied. The door opened and a blast of noise from the party filled the room for long moment before the door closed again, reducing the loud music to a tolerable buzz. Has he left me alone? Heaviness filled her limbs and she tried unsuccessfully to lift her arms. A strange numbing sensation had crept over her and she couldn’t move. It was as if the bed had turned into q
uicksand. Frightened, she tried to call for help but only a moan escaped her lips.

  Whispered voices deep and masculine surrounded her but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. A dizzy, out-of-body feeling swamped her and it was an effort to keep her eyes open. She tried to focus on the faces grinning at her and then darkness closed in around her.

  Chrissie opened her eyes, disoriented and confused, and took in the damp lawn outside her dorm. The freshly cut grass prickled her cheek and the world seemed to be upside down. Stifling a moan, she rolled onto her back and stared into the stars, trying to make sense of what had happened. With effort, she sat up, pulled out her phone, and stared at the screen for some moments, not sure what to do. After sending a text, she stood on trembling legs, stumbled at the curb and her phone slipped from her hand. As it fell down a drain, she stared after it in dismay for a long moment before making her way slowly to the front door.

  Luckily, the glass door to the dorm lobby remained open on Saturday nights and her room was on the ground floor. She found her key, safe in the zippered pocket of her jacket, and staggered into the building. Empty, well-lit passageways greeted her as she made her way to her room. She passed the noticeboard and, among the coupons for free pizza, she spotted a newspaper article about the Black Rock Falls College football team. Familiar faces grinned out at her from a team photograph. Leaning against the wall for support, she grabbed the pen hanging by a string, circled four of the faces, and then added a sad-faced emoji and her initials.

  Outside, the roar of a powerful engine caught her attention and she looked through the glass door as a car, cloaked in darkness, crawled by her building and then stopped. Panic froze her to the spot. She couldn’t breathe. The click as the car door shut sounded loud in the stillness, and moments later, a shadow crossed the lawn, coming fast. Chrissie fumbled for her key. Once, twice she tried with trembling fingers to slide it into the lock. Her heart pounded in her chest as the front door whined opened. She dared not scream. No one must ever know. As the key slid into the lock, footsteps came down the hallway. She gasped in terror. I have to get away.

  One

  Monday

  Black Rock Falls in August was spectacular. An entire artist’s palette of colors painted the landscape, and from Sheriff Jenna Alton’s front porch, she could see for miles across the vast grasslands to the mountain ranges. Under a clear, brilliant blue sky, the black mountain peaks stood out like a wall of protection around the town, with the pines of Stanton Forest marching up to meet them in a mix of luxurious greens. Wildflowers spilled over the lush grass surrounding her ranch, and from where she sat, she could see the horses frolicking in the corral. Jenna put her boots up on the railing, leaned back in her chair—coffee cup in hand—and sighed. “It’s good to be home.” She smiled at Dave Kane, her deputy and close friend. “I kind of missed this place but I sure needed a vacation.”

  “Me too.” Kane yawned. “I wouldn’t have minded a couple more weeks’ rest.” He rubbed the head of his bloodhound, Duke. “But Rowley was worried Duke had started to stress, so next time we’ll take him with us.”

  “That sounds like a really good plan. Think about it—two or three weeks of baking in the sun on a beautiful beach, blue skies, white sand… ah, bliss.” She smiled at him. “It was nice to relax for a change, without the constant caseload.”

  “Maybe we’ll be able to catch another week a bit later, but I guess with the county fair and rodeo in town this week, things are gonna start getting crazy.” Kane leaned back and dark lashes closed over his eyes. “We might as well make the most of the lull.”

  Jenna hoped Deputy Jake Rowley would head out to work early as usual and open the office of the Black Rock Falls Sheriff’s Department. As far as she was aware, all was quiet in town and she really didn’t feel like rushing.

  She’d arrived in Black Rock Falls some years prior after giving evidence against an underworld kingpin and landing in witness protection. After spending a year recovering from PTSD, she’d put her name forward in the elections and won the position of sheriff. She’d finally left undercover DEA Agent Avril Parker behind and slipped into her new life with enthusiasm. Dave Kane, an intimidating, six-foot-five sniper, had arrived a couple of years later, and she’d discovered he was an off-the-grid DC’s Special Forces Investigation Command agent with incredible profiling skills. He’d just lost his wife in a car bombing and gained a metal plate in his head. They had the same secrets: new identities and faces, not to mention security clearances that went right up to the office of POTUS. During their time together, they’d formed a special bond as close friends. When they had the chance to grab a couple of weeks’ vacation, it seemed natural to spend it together.

  The outer perimeter alarm sounded then cut out and Jenna jumped to her feet. With one hand on her weapon, she slid into the cover of the house. “It’s a white van.”

  “It’s Wolfe.” Kane frowned. “Why didn’t he call first?”

  After spending a week of luxury vacationing in Santa Cruz with Kane, the last person Jenna expected to find on her doorstep was the medical examiner, Shane Wolfe. The Texan ex-marine, who resembled a blond Viking marauder, had been Kane’s controller during his time in DC’s Special Forces Investigation Command. When Wolfe had suddenly arrived in town with his three daughters, bulging with expertise in forensic science and technology, Jenna had snapped him up as a deputy, and now he carried the office of medical examiner for Black Rock Falls and the neighboring counties.

  Wolfe carried a device in his vehicle to allow access to Jenna’s ranch security, but it was unusual for him to arrive unannounced. As the van pulled to a halt, Jenna walked back onto the porch to greet him and glanced at Kane. “He doesn’t look happy.”

  “I’m glad you’re home.” Wolfe climbed out of the van and ran up the steps. “We need to talk.”

  Jenna waved him inside and led the way to the kitchen, poured him a cup of coffee, and they all sat at the table. “What brings you all the way out here at the crack of dawn?”

  “I called both of you earlier but your cellphones gave me the same message: ‘I’m not available, call 911.’” Wolfe gave them an exasperated stare. “I knew you’d flown in last night and Rowley told me you’d been by for Duke. Did you forget to turn on your cells?”

  Jenna’s face grew hot. Yeah, she’d turned her cellphone to vibrate and it was sitting on the bench with her keys. “Seems so, I’m sorry to have worried you. Is something wrong with the girls?”

  “No, they’re fine.” Agitation rolled off Wolfe but he took a deep breath and smiled at Jenna. “Emily is home to finish her degree in Black Rock Falls, so she’ll be working with us again.” Emily was Wolfe’s eldest daughter and as smart as a whip.

  “That’s wonderful. So, what’s up?”

  “A call came in on the 911 line yesterday morning from the college about a suicide. Livi Johnson found her roommate Chrissie Lowe, eighteen years old, dead in the shower around seven. Rowley was the first responder and called me.” Wolfe sipped his coffee then lifted his chin and looked at her. “I’m not so sure this is a suicide. I’ve reason to believe Chrissie Lowe was raped before her death but I’ll confirm after the post.”

  Horrified, Jenna swallowed the bile creeping up the back of her throat. “Rowley didn’t mention he had an open case.”

  “He doesn’t know the facts as yet.” Wolfe leaned back in his chair. “I only did a quick visual examination, we processed the scene, and I removed the body. I’ve sealed the room as I can’t rule out homicide. I notified her parents and requested permission to perform an autopsy.”

  “What did you find?” Kane shifted in his chair, making the joints creak alarmingly. “Was it homicide?”

  “I’ve yet to make that determination. I haven’t performed the post yet. I knew you’d be back today so I waited.” Wolfe narrowed his gaze. “As Webber has classes today, would you be able to attend the autopsy this morning?”

  Colt Webber, a badge-carrying deputy, wor
ked as Wolfe’s assistant and was studying forensic science at college. He sometimes acted as Jenna’s representative at autopsies and backup when necessary.

  “Sure.” She frowned. “You smell a rat, don’t you?”

  “Definitely.” Wolfe waved his cup. “From my initial cursory examination, the method used to cut the veins was unusual. In most suicide attempts the cut is made across the wrist but the incisions in this case run from wrist to forearm. Although, we have established the pocketknife belonged to the victim.”

  “So, if anyone found her, she’d likely bleed to death before they could help her. It’s a no-return move.” Kane frowned. “How would she know to do that? It’s not general knowledge.”

  “With all the information available on the internet, I can’t be sure.” Wolfe sipped his beverage. “Although, she does have a brother in the military—a Navy Seal.” He pushed a hand through his hair in an agitated manner. “She could’ve heard about the technique from him.”