Bring Me Flowers_A gripping serial-killer thriller with a shocking twist Read online

  Blinding agony and white flashing lights shattered her vision. She had not seen the punch. Her legs gave way and she staggered, falling against him. The smell of him made her gag but she used the chance to knee him. Like a professional street fighter, he sidestepped and she caught him on the outer thigh. She went for his face but he spun her around and punched her hard in the belly. Retching, she doubled over, but the moment she tried to stand he hit her again. She looked through tears at his ginning face. “Oh God.”

  “God won’t help you now.” He pulled her hard against his stinking body then licked her cheek. “I’m going to have so much fun with you.”

  Ten

  Desperate to identify the victim, Jenna leaned on her desk and stared at the photographs of the crime scene, trying to concentrate on the clues. Old Joey had corroborated Lucky’s story about the injury but the weather-beaten old man had informed her he was sure the two men had left the fairgrounds before eight, which gave them plenty of time to commit murder, wash, and return to their vehicle.

  Kane’s anger toward her at the fairgrounds and his stony silence on the ride back to the sheriff’s office disturbed her concentration. Of course, he had a point and was only watching her back. She would try to smooth things over with him later after he returned from attending the autopsy. Good luck with that.

  Dragging her mind back to the case, she stared at the girl’s face. Deputy Wolfe had taken the image after removing the makeup at the post-mortem. No permission was required for an autopsy in the case of an evident homicide, and Mr. Weems, the mortician and acting M.E., had agreed to perform the official examination immediately. The victim looked so young and innocent without the smeared red lipstick, yet it was after five and no one had reported her missing. After instructing Deputy Rowley to contact the local hospital and ask them to call her if anyone called looking for their daughter, she had hit a brick wall.

  She turned to her computer, accessed the local high school’s yearbook photographs, and scrolled through the sophomore images. Not three pages into the file, she found the cheerleader squad, and there in the front row was her victim. She zoomed in on the image and compared the smiling face staring back at her to the blank staring eyes of the victim. With trembling fingers, she scrolled to the bottom of the photograph and read the list of names. Not trusting the accuracy of the printer or photographer to have the correct names corresponding to the people, she copied the identities into her notebook. She would start with the three girls on the front row, but Felicity Parker, wearing her hair tied up in a ponytail and a cheerleader uniform, was most likely her victim.

  The last name rang a bell and she called out to Rowley. When the young deputy stepped inside her office, she lifted her gaze. “The librarian, isn’t her name Parker?”

  “Might be, I haven’t been to the library since Google.” Rowley grinned. “I’ll ask Maggie, she reads all the time.” He strolled from the office and returned a few moments later with Maggie close behind.

  “Why are you asking about Jill Parker? She isn’t in trouble, is she?” Maggie’s eyes rounded. “Oh Lord, the body isn’t her, is it?”

  Jenna cleared her throat and gestured for Rowley to close the door. “No, I’m looking for Felicity Parker—is she related, do you know?”

  “That would be her daughter.” Maggie’s brown gaze slid to the images spread out on Jenna’s desk and one hand went to her mouth. “Oh no, not Felicity.” She dropped into the chair and covered her face with both hands.

  Selecting one image and turning over the pile to hide the contents, Jenna cleared her throat. “If you know this girl, I’ll need you to take a closer look. Is this Felicity?” She stood, poured a glass of water from the cooler, and handed it to her. “Maggie, can you look at the photograph?”

  Maggie lifted her tear-streaked face and took a deep breath then glanced at the image. She turned her head away and sobbed. “It’s Felicity. I’ve known her since she was a baby.”

  “I’m so sorry. Can you tell me where Mrs. Parker lives?”

  “Number six, Elm Street. Down near Stanton Forest.” Maggie took a tissue from her sleeve and mopped her eyes.

  “Is her husband at home?” Jenna wanted to hug her but had to ask questions. “She’ll need someone with her when we inform her. Does she have any family or friends nearby?”

  “Yes, Sean gets home about five thirty and her sister lives in town. I know her number, I’ll write it down for you.” Maggie blew her nose then took Jenna’s pen and wrote down a name and number.

  “Thank you.” Jenna sighed. “Go home, I can handle things here.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Rowley helped her to her feet. “I’ll give you a ride home. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll come back and help Sheriff Alton lock up.”

  Jenna nodded. “Yes, thank you. Can you send in Kane and Wolfe before you leave?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rowley slid one muscular arm around Maggie’s shoulder and led her away.

  A waft of aftershave preceded Kane and Wolfe’s entrance. Both men had attended the autopsy then showered and changed before returning to the office. She glanced at them. “Do you have anything we can use?”

  “I have a copy of the recording I made at the scene and will have an initial report for you first thing in the morning. The M.E.’s official report will take longer—I insisted on a full blood screen and DNA samples.”

  “Was she raped?”

  “Yeah.” Wolfe’s forehead crinkled into a deep frown and he cleared his throat. “I’m afraid so. No evidence of semen. Right now, we have zip to find this guy.”

  She tried in vain to push the dead girl’s face from her mind and tucked a lock of hair behind one ear. “Maggie identified our victim as Felicity Parker and is really upset, poor woman. I would like you to go and break the news to her parents. They should be home by five thirty.” She handed Kane the address. “I would come with you but I’ll need to remain here until Rowley returns. He has taken Maggie home.” She turned her attention to Wolfe. “I know you wish to speak to me about a confidential matter but I understand if you need to get home to your girls.”

  “I’ve arranged to interview the housekeepers this evening. I have three coming over from seven thirty. All can start straight away and one is prepared to live in, which will be the best option, especially since the house has a separate apartment over the garage.” Wolfe smiled but it did not reach his eyes. “I really appreciate the trouble you took finding these women for me and making sure they are suitable candidates.”

  Perturbed by his complete lack of emotion, she wondered if working with dead bodies gave him the skill to turn off his feelings. She cleared her throat. “I don’t take chances where kids are concerned. The references checked out and Mrs. Mills I know personally. She is a very kind lady and took care of Duke’s grandkids for two years. He gave her a glowing reference and will give you any information you need to know about her. She is a widow in her fifties and I think you’ll like her.”

  “Thanks. I have a nanny cam as well. I don’t trust anyone with my kids.” Wolfe straightened to his full impressive height. “I’ll head home after we’ve spoken to the Parkers. You’ll want one of them to do an official identification?”

  “I’ll handle that part of the business. You go home to your kids.” Kane nodded at him then turned his deep blue gaze on her. “I know you have a lot on your plate right now, ma’am, but we would appreciate twenty minutes of your time to speak to you in private. My house would probably be best. If the housekeeper works out, we could go to my house when convenient. It’s safe from prying eyes and ears.” He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “I know you’re upset with me right now but it’s important.”

  Here they go again. Jenna’s heart picked up the pace and she lifted her chin. “I’m not annoyed with you at all. Okay, if it is as urgent as you say, I’ll speak with you tomorrow morning at seven at your cottage. Rowley can open up in the morning.” She flicked a stare at Wolfe. “Kane
will give you directions.”

  “I’ll drop the Felicity Parker case paperwork in here before I go home.” Kane gave her a long, considering stare. “You look tired. Will you meet me for dinner at Aunt Betty’s café? After delivering the bad news, I’d rather not eat alone tonight.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks, but not tonight. It’s been a long day and I’m going to spend the evening going over what evidence we have so far, then I need to get some rest to get my head straight. I’ll speak with you in the morning.”

  “You have to eat and I’ll be back within the hour if you change your mind.” Kane let out a long, exasperated sigh. “I would really value your company.”

  After staring at the paperwork on her desk for some moments, she lifted her head slowly and met his gaze. “I’ll think about it.” She returned to her paperwork, glad at the sound of the door shutting behind him.

  The one thing Jenna hated above all else was untrustworthy people. She believed her friendship with Kane was rock solid, but the comfortable feeling she experienced with him was evaporating fast. Sure, she knew he’d come straight from a branch of the special forces, more likely special ops or marines, but they had come to a sort of truce, agreeing not to pry into each other’s past, then the moment a new deputy walks into town, Kane acts as if he wants everything out in the open.

  Right now, she had so many bells and whistles going off in her head she could not think straight. After three years of perceived safety off the grid, hidden in Black Rock Falls in wonderful obscurity, the rug had been well and truly pulled out from under her feet. There was no way Shane Wolfe recognized her as Special Agent Avril Parker. After intensive facial reconstruction, the agents she had worked with would not know her. Yet it was obvious Wolfe had discussed something of great importance with Kane.

  A secret bond had grown between them in milliseconds; in fact, about the same time as her intolerable unease had returned. If Kane and Wolfe were both ex government agents, had something she said triggered Wolfe’s memory about her case? If he had discovered her new identity, would he discuss the matter with Kane? Almost four years ago, after the government had recruited her for a special undercover mission due to her lack of family ties, she had testified against international underworld kingpin Viktor Carlos. The trial received extensive media coverage, with her face plastered all over world news. The moment the verdict came down as per her agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, she had vanished. No doubt, after Carlos threatened her in court, he would have offered considerable bribes for information of her whereabouts.

  She chewed on her bottom lip. God help her if Wolfe being here had compromised her security after over two years of obscurity. Dammit, she had just started to feel safe again. She had one option: to divide and conquer. Wolfe seemed a hard nut to crack but Kane had at least offered her dinner. As three years of hiding unraveled in seconds, she pulled out her Glock and placed it on the desk then reached in the drawer for her backup Sig. Cleaning the weapons helped her to think, and if Kane had joined forces with Wolfe, she would need to up her game—and fast.

  Eleven

  Exhilarated, the man pushed through the row of pines and across a clearing to where he’d parked his car. The isolated area was perfect, hidden away but close enough to the road for convenience, and his vehicle could negotiate the narrow trail with ease. He pulled on a baseball cap then slipped behind the wheel. No one would ever discover his secret; he could clean the plastic-covered seats in his car with bleach and incinerate his clothes.

  He shook with the thrill of killing and took a few precious moments to tie a band around the lock of hair he had taken from the girl in the woods. He ran his fingers over the silken strands and rubbed it over his lips. Pressing the hair to his nose and inhaling, he caught the scent of apple shampoo, and a quiver went through him. He could still taste her, and the ecstatic sensation of holding her as her life drained away shuddered though him again like a climax. She had been special, an unexpected gift.

  The time with her had been far too short but someone might have arrived and caught him with her. He regretted hurrying to finish his work. Never mind. He had enjoyed every second of the rush and his next girl would receive his undivided attention. His plans for her would give him as long as possible with her. Ideas seeped into his mind, arousing him again.

  He smiled. The stranger had even picked her own flowers.

  The bouquet had been the sign. The girl was his for the taking.

  The sight of her smiling and waving at him flashed through his mind. He had not met her before, which somehow made the anticipation of having her more thrilling. Jerking himself back to the now, he started his car and headed home, but the memories of the stranger flashed through his mind in an endless parade of desire.

  He preferred to plan his kills and made sure he gained the ultimate pleasure by savoring each one. His pretty stranger had surprised him. In fact, the stimulation of catching her mid-flight had been incredible, powerful. His muscles twitched, reliving the feel of her squirming beneath him. He loved the way she fought like a wild animal. Who would believe someone so small and pretty like her could fight like a cat?

  He had killed his cat.

  He had enjoyed killing her more.

  Twelve

  Breaking the news to a family of a murdered child had to be the worst job Kane had ever encountered. His training had been nonexistent but he had suffered the pain of loss and understood the need to keep the facts clear and concise. He stared at the inquisitive faces of Mr. and Mrs. Parker. “I’m sorry to inform you, we found a body in Stanton Forest we believe to be Felicity. Your friend Magnolia Brewster identified her photograph.”

  “Oh my God. I’ve been calling her for an hour.” Mrs. Parker fell against her husband. “This can’t be happening.”

  “What happened to Felicity, was it an accident?” Mr. Parker hugged his sobbing wife.

  Kane took out his notepad and pen. “The cause of death is undetermined until the results of the autopsy but we believe it was a homicide.”

  “Murder! Who would kill our little girl?” Mr. Parker’s face paled and his hand shook as he held his wife. “I can’t believe anyone would do such a thing. Are you sure it’s Felicity?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Kane watched the couple gaped at him in shocked disbelief. “Would you like to sit down? Is there anyone I could call, a family member perhaps?”

  “No!” Mr. Parker’s voice trembled. “Why aren’t you out looking for her killer?”

  “We have every man on the case but we need your help and I really need to ask you some questions?”

  “Ask your damn questions but I don’t know how we can help.”

  He hated intruding on the family’s grief. “When did you last see Felicity?”

  “At breakfast.” Mr. Parker gazed at him with unseeing eyes as reality set in. “She mentioned she would be meeting up with some of her friends later.”

  “Did she say what friends? Does she have a boyfriend?”

  “Yes, Derick Smith, but they fell out over the upcoming rodeo dance. I’m not sure if they made up or not.” He gave him a tragic look. “You don’t think he killed her do you? Dear God, I allowed him to date her.”

  “We don’t have him as a suspect but we’ll be checking everyone Felicity knows. Do you have his address and cellphone number?” Kane looked at Mr. Parker. The man was trying to keep control of his emotions but now anger had replaced the shock and disbelief. “Anything else you can tell me about Derick?”

  “Yes.” Mr. Parker took out his cellphone and scrolled through his contacts. “I made sure I had his contact details before I allowed her to go out with him.” He rattled off the information. “Derick has a part-time job at Miller’s Garage on Saturdays and during summer break.”

  “Thank you.” Kane kept his notes brief and pushed the questions, hoping they would elaborate a little more. “Do you think she might have paid him a visit this morning?”

  “No, she wouldn
’t go and see him without telling me.” Mrs. Parker choked back a sob. “To be honest, I’m not sure what she was talking about this morning, I wasn’t listening to her. It’s my fault.”

  Kane sucked in a deep breath. “You’re not to blame but you can help me catch the person who hurt Felicity. Do you remember anything at all about her movements this morning? Had she spoken on her cellphone or mentioned doing anything specific?”

  “I heard her talking to Aimee before breakfast.” Mr. Parker absently rubbed his sobbing wife’s back. “She mentioned walking to her house. Aimee has a car and they go into town and hang out there or at Aunt Betty’s Café. I’m sure Aimee will tell you everything they planned to do.”

  Kane could feel the emotion flowing from the couple. “Do you know who else Felicity could have been meeting?”

  “Dear Lord, how many more questions? Can’t you see my wife is close to collapse?”

  Kane pushed on, aware the couple were crumbling before him but he needed the information. “Anything you can tell me might help, Mr. Parker.”

  “You know girls, they have cliques and I’ve lost count of who is in and out these days.” Mr. Parker frowned then lifted tear-filled eyes to Kane. “Although, Felicity wouldn’t need to cut through Stanton Forest, Aimee lives on School Road.”

  Kane made notes. “Do you know Aimee’s last name?”

  “Aimee F-fox.” Mr. Parker stumbled over his words. “The family are close friends.”

  “Thank you.” Kane scribbled in his notebook. “What time did she leave this morning?”

  “Early, before eight.” Mr. Parker blinked away tears.

  “Can you remember anything else at all?” Kane leaned forward in his chair. “What kind of mood was she in—happy?”