Bring Me Flowers_A gripping serial-killer thriller with a shocking twist Page 17

  “We all have a breaking point and you need time to unwind. We have done everything we can for tonight. We can’t compare cases until we get the autopsy results on all the victims. If you want, I’ll write up the case file when I get home and send off an email to Helena to keep them in the loop.”

  Jenna sighed. “Thanks. It has been a very long day and I do need to turn off for a while.”

  “I’ll take you home so you can take a nice hot shower then why don’t you come over to my place and watch a movie?”

  She turned in her seat and looked at him. “No shop talk.”

  “I promise.”

  The SUV slowed outside Aunt Betty’s Café and Kane held up one long finger then headed inside the store. She glanced up the street and a wave of unease slid over her yet the brightly lit street had a number of people strolling by. Music drifted out the door of the café, and through the storefront window, she noticed Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley at a table in animated conversation. She waited in the car but try as she may, she could not drag her mind away from the murders. There had to be something, some clue she had overlooked.

  She turned on the overhead light and took out her notepad, scanning each page with care. She read the interview notes she had taken with Aimee and Kate. Allowing the girls’ replies to her questions to percolate through her mind, she focused on what they had said. Their attraction toward Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley had included Felicity. Would they make a secret rendezvous to meet the men of their dreams? She had to admit she would have walked on hot coals to meet the members of her favorite band at the same age, and these men just happened to be locals. They would have the girls’ trust, and after her unnerving interview, she would not put rape past either of them—but murder?

  Cowboys worked on ranches when not traveling the rodeo circuit; they likely butchered livestock. And most men hunted in the region, and blood and guts came with the sport. She had failed to look deeper into the cowboys’ lives. She made a note to ask Rowley to ask the locals. People gossip and he would be the best person to pry information loose.

  What else had she missed during the interview with Aimee and Kate? Had she overlooked a small but crucial reference or had she failed to ask the correct questions? She rubbed her temples in an effort to force her mind to work harder. Her attention moved to the computer store sitting in darkness, and a spark of memory ignited like a Roman candle on the Fourth of July. Aimee and Kate said they communicate online. She had the impression they would not use the term if they meant called each other by phone. She assumed the games room they used had a live feed; people often played games against each other. Is it possible the killer is hacking their video calls?

  Thirty-Two

  Kane dropped onto the soft leather sofa beside Jenna and handed her a bowl of popcorn. She had been distant on the drive home, and after taking a shower, she had called him to walk her over to his cottage. The murders had spooked her more than she was prepared to admit and spending the rest of the evening watching a romantic comedy seemed the right thing to do. He hit the play button on the remote, and to his surprise, she sniffed and he noticed her eyes fill with tears. “Relax for a while. It has been a tough few days. Don’t take everything so personal; you’re human not a machine.”

  “But I’m the sheriff.” Jenna swiped at a single tear streaming down her cheek. “I need to crack the whip and act tough.”

  He grabbed a handful of tissues from the box on the coffee table and handed them to her. “You are tough. In fact, you’ve surprised me many times. I think you are a great sheriff and so do the townsfolk. They voted you back in for another term, didn’t they? What more proof do you need?”

  “That’s because no one had the guts to stand against me.” Jenna dabbed at her eyes. “What if I missed something and Kate died because of it?”

  He let out a long sigh. “Then we all missed a clue, didn’t we? You have to stop blaming yourself for everything that happens in town. People commit crimes, and nothing we do can change anything. It’s called free will: People decide to keep the peace or break the law, their choice. Our job is to catch them and send them to jail.”

  “In the car, I remembered Aimee and Kate mentioned they spoke online.” She lifted her tousled head and looked at him. “They spoke online. I didn’t put that in my notes. If the killer is stalking them online, and I missed that crucial part of the conversation, I could have saved Kate.”

  “No. The killer is to blame. You have to stop doing this to yourself, it’s not healthy.” He reached for his cellphone, called Wolfe, and put his device on speaker. “Just a minute. I’ll clarify your worries with Wolfe.” He placed the cellphone between them. “Ah, sorry to bother you. I need some info. How long would it take you to trace a Black Hat’s IP address?”

  “Dammit, Dave, you know that’s impossible. They bounce the signal off so many towers in so many countries, it could take weeks, and they change computers all the time. I’m good but if you are alluding to our killer hacking the girls’ computers, it’s possible but highly unlikely. One, maybe, but not all of them. Is that all? I need to finish up here and get home to my kids.”

  “Yeah, thanks, man.” Kane disconnected and looked into Jenna’s distraught face. “See, it made no difference, plus the fact Wolfe already considered the idea. Now blow your nose, drink your wine, and watch the movie. We said no shop talk.”

  “Okay.”

  * * *

  Sleep had crept up on Kane way before the end of the movie, and he woke with a stiff neck sometime in the early hours. The temperature in June dropped considerably overnight, and Jenna was the only thing keeping him warm. He glanced down at her in the blueish light from the flat screen. She had fallen asleep against him. Her long black lashes brushed her pink cheek and one hand gripped his T-shirt. Dressed in soft, white pajamas and her pink slippers, she had a vulnerability that tugged at his heart. If she needed him as a friend, he would be there for her. Soon the darkness and self-doubt would slide away and she would be back in control of her emotions.

  Edging carefully away, her long fingers tightened in the fabric of his shirt and she made a disgruntled moan. He lifted her onto his lap, gathered her into his arms, and stood then carried her into his bedroom. He stared at his reflection in the mirror and shrugged. What am I doing?

  Right now, Jenna needed him as a friend. Holding her would ease the nightmares and ensure she enjoyed a good night’s sleep. He lowered her gently to the bed, pulled back the blankets, and rolled her onto her side. When she moaned and her hands trembled, he let out a long sigh. I’m going to pay for doing this in the morning. Shaking his head, he strolled back to the living room, turned off the TV, and made a quick trip to the bathroom to brush his teeth then crawled into bed beside her.

  It had been a long time since he had spooned, and the thoughts of Annie, his wife, hammered his mind. They had discussed the fact he might not survive a tour of duty and he insisted she should move on with her life. He could still feel her hands cupping his face as she made him promise he would do the same. I’m trying, Annie, but I’ll never forget you. He touched the scar covering the metal plate in his head then allowed sleep to claim him.

  Since his first tour of duty, he could not fall into a deep sleep. His mind remained on constant alert and woke him at the slightest threat. He opened his eyes a crack, remembering with a rush of apprehension he had taken Jenna to his bed. Under his arm, her muscles tensed but she kept her breathing steady. She is pretending to be asleep. He let out a long sigh, abstained from farting, and rolled onto his back. “I know you’re awake. I woke up about two this morning and carried you in here because you were freezing. That’s all that happened.”

  He heard her snort of derision and rolled out of bed then headed for the bathroom. “It’s too late for a workout this morning. I’m taking a shower and heading for Aunt Betty’s Café. I’m famished. I’ll see you at work, ma’am.”

  As he reached the bathroom door, he heard swearing he would regard as c
lassic with a touch of the macabre. Heavy footsteps followed by the front door slamming hard enough to loosen it from its hinges. Not a happy camper this morning? He grimaced at his reflection, pulled out his shaving gear, and started to get ready for work.

  * * *

  After a hearty breakfast at Aunt Betty’s Café, Kane drove to the sheriff’s office and parked in his usual spot beside Jenna’s new SUV, the replacement for the old cruiser she had been driving since her car wreck last winter. When she had a bone to pick with him, she usually arrived well ahead of time, and he gathered his day at the office would be one he would remember for some time to come. He pushed through the glass doors and into the sheriff’s department, surprised to see a young blonde-haired girl at the front desk with Magnolia. He strolled toward them and smiled. “Good morning. Lovely weather today.”

  “Well, aren’t you all sunshine and roses, and the sheriff rolled in here like a thunderstorm with threatening hail.” Magnolia’s brown eyes flitted over him. “Know what’s going on?”

  He shrugged and kept his expression blank. “I have no idea. She hasn’t spoken to me this morning. The cases we’re dealing with are complex and she is under a lot of pressure right now.”

  “Dreadful is the word I would use.” Maggie’s expression changed to sadness. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  He frowned. “Did the sheriff ask you about the janitor at the college campus? We need his name and address.”

  “Hmm, she stormed in here without a word but you won’t find anyone up at the campus for the first two weeks of the summer break. That’s when all the staff, cleaners and the like, take their vacation, then they all come back and the maintenance crew comes in to fix up the place for the new semester. The janitor is back by then. I’ll get his name and address for you and I’ll give his house a quick call just to see if he is at home.” Maggie raised both dark eyebrows. “Oh, have you met our intern for the summer? This fine young lady is Emily Wolfe.” She waved the young girl forward. “Meet Deputy Dave Kane.”

  “Nice to meet you. My dad mentioned you called last night.” Ice-gray eyes an exact replica of Shane Wolfe’s gave him a once-over.

  He shook her hand and smiled at her haughty air. “Yes, Shane has mentioned you too but I wasn’t aware we were getting an intern. Are you planning on becoming a deputy or are you here for the administrative experience?”

  “Neither.” She tossed a lock of white-blonde hair over one shoulder. “I’m planning on studying forensic science like my dad then I can work with him. The school likes seniors to do some type of internship during the break, so here I am. It will be interesting to watch the process of the law in a small town. Of course, I’ll need to be aware of such things if I plan to work beside my dad.”

  The idea the young girl had Wolfe’s almost ghoulish predilection for examining the cause of death in murder victims surprised him. “I’m sure you’ll be a great asset to the team.” He noticed Jenna’s door swing open and, wanting to avoid her fury, turned toward his desk. “I’d better get to work. It’s fifty lashes if I’m late.” He grinned at her astonished expression and strode to his cubicle. Of her tongue.

  Thirty-Three

  Jenna read the horrific details of Kate’s death from Wolfe’s autopsy report and reached for her coffee. Exhausted, she needed the caffeine to keep on her toes. Breaking down in front of Kane was unforgivable, and waking up in his bed a total disaster. All her years of training to withstand torture had vanished and she had fallen to pieces in front of him. Everyone has a breaking point but she had woken up angry with herself—in Kane’s arms. Worst of all, Kane felt sorry for her. Sorry. Holy shit, he had held her all night. She had to pull herself together before he lost confidence in her leadership.

  Her rudeness after waking was inexcusable, especially as she had forced her problems on him. She had seen a different side to him, a gentle, caring side he kept well-hidden. He had treated her with the utmost respect and tried to help her rationalize the situation. In the last six months, he had become a close friend but she needed to remain in control at work. She had to think about how best to handle the situation. Later. I have murders to solve. She pushed to her feet and strode to the office door. “Wolfe, Kane, in my office now!”

  Dragging down the whiteboard, she stared at the notes she had listed under each photograph. When the deputies entered the office and the door clicked shut behind them, she turned slowly and regarded them down her nose. With the two massive men in the room, the area appeared filled to capacity. She cleared her throat and moved her attention to Wolfe. “Are you 100 percent sure there are only two sets of prints on the pool padlock?”

  “Yes, it was wiped clean but I found Kate’s and I collected Chad’s this morning on the way here and they are a match.” His blond eyebrows rose. “The gate must have been open when Kate arrived, and Chad admitted trying to open the padlock to get to her.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin, the sound like sandpaper. “I don’t think Chad can be classed as a suspect. When I went to his house this morning, I asked what time he left and his father confirmed the time as eight fifteen. What the killer did to Kate took, I would say, fifteen to twenty minutes but I would say he took his time and made it last as long as possible. Add the fact Chad was clean and wearing the same clothes his father described him as wearing when he left home puts him in the clear.”

  “I agree.” Jenna sucked in a deep breath. “You are certain Kate was alive most of the time?”

  “Affirmative. The injuries inflicted to her eyes prevented her from closing them. The killer wanted her to see what he did to her. She died from blood loss and shock.”

  “So, different from both the other murders?”

  “Only in a few instances.” Wolfe’s gaze narrowed. “He planned Felicity’s and Kate’s murders. They were calculated and he took his time. Joanne’s murder was different, rushed. It was a quick thrill-kill and messy, proving he didn’t have his tools of the trade with him. If we had released Felicity’s murder to the media, I would have considered Joanne’s murder a copycat.”

  She moved her attention to Kane, who had his secret-agent blank expression in place. “In your opinion as an expert on psychopathic behavior, when do you believe he will strike again?”

  “He is escalating and could strike again anytime.” Kane rolled his wide shoulders and his blue gaze rested on her. “If he is still in the area. So far there have only been two murders of the same type in each town, and he has done three here. He might think it’s time to move on.”

  “Yes, but those murders were spread all over the media, and they called him the Waterside Ripper. Here we have the local newspaper’s consideration to keep the main details of the murders under wraps until we close in on the killer.” She pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I’m wondering if this is the best thing to do—maybe he’ll escalate even more to see himself in the press and on TV?”

  “I don’t agree. Feeding his ego by releasing the details of the crimes is a mistake. Killers love to relive every moment, and seeing this on TV makes him feel powerful. He’ll kill again and again until we stop him, media coverage or not. The parents of the victims know we are working on the cases and all agree they would rather not see the intimate details of their kids’ rapes and murders splashed all over the news. Saying we suspect foul play is good enough for now.” Kane’s mouth turned down at the corners. “My guess is if he is in the area he’ll be watching everything we do and planning his next move.”

  Jenna stared at the whiteboard. “I’ll need one of you to speak to the janitor.”

  “The janitor is on vacation.” Kane raised a dark brow. “He left the first day of the summer break, so you can rule him out. The dean and his family are in Europe for the duration. I found out at Aunt Betty’s this morning. Susie Hartwig is a good source of information.”

  “So it would seem.” She turned to the list of suspects. “We have Steve Rogers in the area and I noticed Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley in Aunt Bettys Café
last night as well. We have two positive sightings of suspects from Felicity’s murder in the area the night of Kate’s murder. I suggest we find out when the cowboys arrived at the café. I want to re-interview the suspects in Felicity’s case and see if they have alibis for the time of Joanne’s murder. Get Rowley to call them and check on their whereabouts. If they seem in any way suspicious, we’ll follow up.” She turned to Wolfe. “Rowley picked up Kate’s laptop last night and it is in the evidence locker. Maybe you can cross-reference their logs or something and see if anything matches. There has to be a connection.”

  “I’ll get on it straight away but you can be sure the same killer murdered the three girls.” A flash of worry crossed Wolfe’s face. “It is a case of who is next. If we take Joanne out of the equation, the killer has chosen two friends. I think we need to be keeping a close eye on Aimee Fox and the rest of the group who hang out together.” He gave her a long, considering stare. “This has now become a personal problem for me because apparently yesterday, Aimee and another girl, Julia Smith, came by my house with their mothers as a welcoming committee. Emily takes after me. She is not a social butterfly and more of a nerd, so the opportunity to be accepted into a group of girls who spend a great deal of time at the computer store was attractive to her.” He let out a worried sigh. “She is meeting them at Provine’s store after her shift this morning.”

  Her mind re-ran a photoshoot of the victims’ mutilated bodies and she blinked to force the images away. Maybe she was suffering from PTSD after all. She cleared her throat. “You should take the time to walk her to the store and pick her up when she is ready to leave.”