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  Kane wanted to sooth her agitation and lowered his voice. “We are all working around the clock on this, Jenna.”

  “I know but I want results.” Jenna pushed a hand through her hair and glared at Rowley. “Which room?”

  “The victim is this way, ma’am.” Rowley’s face paled as he led the way. “This homicide is different from the last one.”

  “Right.” Jenna’s shoulders slumped as she glanced at Kane. “Have you been on scene yet?”

  “Nope. I just arrived.” Kane grabbed his crime scene bag from the back seat of his SUV and headed toward the room. “Wolfe is working it now.”

  The motel room door was open when they arrived. Kane dropped his bag outside and they suited up in crime scene gear. He surveyed the area. “If I planned to murder someone, this place is perfect. No CCTV cameras, trees to give cover. No one has a chance of seeing anyone coming and going.”

  “Murder or a place for illicit sex with a minor?” Jenna’s forehead creased into a frown. “As the killer didn’t book the room or pick up the key, Ely must have snuck his murderer into the parking lot in his car, or the killer came in that white sedan.”

  Kane peered into the door and nodded to Wolfe. Tied to the bed, the naked victim was wearing a condom and had a gag of some sort pushed into his mouth. A blindfold covered his forehead. The man’s face had turned a deep shade of blue. “Sex play gone wrong?”

  “No, I don’t think so. This is a homicide and we can add robbery as well; his wallet is empty.” Wolfe’s eyes peered at him over his face mask.

  “Okay, let me take a look.” Jenna shot him an inquisitive look and peered inside the door. “Oh, I see. What have you found in his personal effects? Is there anything to tie him to the Price case?”

  “Yes and no.” Wolfe strolled to the door with a grocery sack and held it open for her. “Chocolates and wine, condoms. His wallet and clothes are here. No cash. It could have been a hooker but if so, she wore gloves. I found no prints other than the victim’s on his wallet. There are hundreds of others, far too many to consider.”

  “Hookers don’t generally murder their clients; it’s bad for business. They don’t wear gloves either.” Jenna sighed. “Any initial findings?”

  “He has a scar on his right side that fits the description Zoe gave you of one of her attackers, but appendix operation scars are quite common. I’m not 100 percent sure but I think the killer stabbed him in his ear with something like a knitting needle. I’ll give you a definite cause of death after the autopsy.” He sighed. “Doing something like that would be taking BDSM a little too far but as our victim was obviously expecting sex and his wallet is empty, I suggest we look at the local hookers.”

  “I don’t think so.” Jenna cleared her throat. “I’m not aware of any who do call-outs, they all work discreetly at the Cattleman’s Hotel. In my time here, we have not been able to find cause to charge one of them. I’ve never been able to prove they accept money for sex.” She chewed on the end of her pen. “This murder is far more complex. We know this man was a clown and worked at Party Time with Amos Price. We have no indication to suggest he was involved in the pedophile ring unless Zoe can identify him. If she does then we could have a vigilante situation. Suggestions?” She lifted her concerned blue gaze to Kane. “Two murders in a week. I’m not ruling out the possibility just yet.”

  Kane cleared his throat. “If he is an associate of Price then I would agree. The killer could have staged the murder to keep us guessing.”

  “And it may not be related to Price’s murder at all. I’ll be interested in what Wolfe discovers during the autopsy.” Jenna gave Kane an agitated look. “Suspects?”

  “That depends.” Kane flipped through his notes. “If we take the vigilante killer angle for now and include women molested as kids, Lizzy Harper and Angelique Booval fit the profile. Eighteen to say twenty-five, unstable due to kidnapping or other traumatic event involving a man. We have to take into account these men traveled around and could have molested kids in other towns. It’s not unreasonable to believe one of the suspects traveled here to kill them.”

  “You mean the killer was molested by them as a kid and is seeking revenge as an adult?” Jenna tapped her bottom lip thinking. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

  Kane glanced at Rowley. “We need information from as long as ten years ago. Do you remember anything similar happening in town when you were a kid?”

  “Yeah, I do. There is someone else in Black Rock Falls we should consider.” Rowley’s head bobbed. “Yeah, I remember a couple of years back hearing about one of the teachers at the elementary school having a breakdown, caused by some trauma as a kid. I’m not sure what happened. She still works here but it’s common knowledge she hates men.”

  Kane took out his notepad. “You got a name?”

  “Yeah, Miss McCarthy. I think her name is Patricia or Pattie. I’m not sure where she lives but I figure she will have a house near Stanton Forest by the college. All the teachers seem to live in that area. I hear she rarely leaves the house unless it is to teach the young kids.”

  “Okay. Good work.” Jenna’s expression brightened. “Rowley, I want you to head back to the office. Open a case file for this victim and log the interviews of the motel owner and the woman who found the body – that’s a priority. After that, continue to search for cases involving child molestation or disappearance here and in other counties. Go back eight to fifteen years. Get Bradford and Walters involved in the search; split up the counties, it will be quicker. Any cats peeing on cars or domestics that come in today send out Webber. He is experienced enough to handle the smaller cases without supervision.” She took a breath then blew it out, making her bangs fly off her forehead. “I’ll drop my car at the office then I’m heading up the mountain again with Kane to check out the victim’s residence. We might find some evidence to link him to the pedophile ring.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rowley touched his hat and jogged to his cruiser.

  Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “With potentially two more pedophiles on the list, if Zoe’s account is correct, we’ll need to find out who else is involved before the killer strikes again.”

  “Yeah.” Jenna raised one black eyebrow. “I guess we’d better bring in the clowns.”

  15

  Jenna chewed her fingertips in frustration. Her long-awaited day to relax had slipped into oblivion. She sipped takeout coffee and watched the countryside dash by as Kane’s SUV burned up the miles. The beauty of Montana was inspirational. So many different vistas from lush pine forests to dazzling mountain views that went on forever. She liked the people, and overall, life was perfect, until a killer wandered into her town and shattered the peace.

  The road ahead narrowed and rocks tumbled down the mountainside, pinging against the doors as they drove past. Although Kane had slowed the car, a rush of fear rolled over her. The narrow dirt trail fell away to a deep ravine on one side, and the impenetrable pine trees on the other gave no space to get off the road if another car approached. As the back wheels of the SUV slid trying to gain traction and peppered the trees with rocks, Kane’s concerned gaze moved over her.

  “You’re as white as a sheet. You okay?”

  She gripped the seat. “Keep your eyes on the road. I’m fine.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m used to driving in these conditions. My vehicle won’t slide down the mountain, I promise.” He flashed her a white smile. “Well, not on the way up anyway. The way down we might slip a bit.” He chuckled and tapped the GPS screen. “The cabin is just around the next bend.”

  She gave him her best sarcastic look. “I’m so thrilled.”

  They turned down a wider road that had not seen a grader for a long time. Someone had placed planks of wood over the deep ruts and the dry wood creaked and groaned as they edged forward. The cabin, a small roughly built log structure with a hangover, had a rusty water tank attached to one side. A pile of firewood, complete with ax sticking out of a cutting log, appeared to
have been there since settlement. Jenna gaped in amazement. “People actually live in that hovel?”

  “Seems so.” Kane pulled the SUV to a halt. “People like to drop off the grid and live up here, so it’s not fancy.”

  She pointed to the roof. “Good Lord, is that a satellite dish? All the perks with none of the comfort.”

  “Yeah and now the communications tower is perched on top of the mountain, their phone and Wi-Fi would be better than most are getting in town.” He glanced at her. “Shall I take the lead, ma’am?”

  She liked the way he deferred to her seniority on the job. It had taken him some time to adjust to not being in charge. Although he gave her the utmost respect, sometimes she could almost see him chomping at the bit to take the lead. She handed him a pair of gloves then pulled on her own. “Yes, go ahead.”

  Standing back to allow Kane to lead the way, she waited for him to hammer on the door and announce their arrival. When no response came, she used the key Wolfe had found with the body and pushed open the door. “Sheriff’s department, is anyone there?”

  Jenna heard a sound like the clanking of chains and ducked away from the door, pressing her back to the rough log wall. “What was that?”

  “He might have left his dog chained up in there.” Kane did a turkey peek into a window, looked at her, and shook his head. “Is anyone there?”

  A slight shuffling sound came from within then silence. The wind howled through the trees making the hair on the back of Jenna’s neck stand on end. She moved closer to Kane. “Be careful, a shotgun blast would go straight through these walls.”

  “Roger that.” Kane dropped down low to the ground and eased his way to the door.

  The trees creaked and the breeze sent leaves spiraling around their feet. Jenna dropped her voice to a whisper. “I’m sure someone is inside. I can hear floorboards creaking.”

  “Unless you want me to open fire, I suggest you call out.” Kane edged closer to the front stoop. “You have three seconds and I’m coming in.”

  “Don’t shoot.”

  Jenna bit her lip at the sound of a terrified female voice. “It’s okay. We won’t hurt you. Come out with your hands up.”

  “I can’t.” A sob followed. “I’m chained to the wall.”

  “Holy mother of God.” Kane’s astonished glance met hers. “Let me take this, Jenna.”

  Her first instinct was to protest but Kane could shoot the feelers off an ant. She nodded. “Okay.”

  “Watch my back.” He moved through the door, Glock in hand. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes.”

  Jenna kept her back to the wall and Kane’s footsteps thundered through the small cabin as he checked every room.

  “Clear.” His voice repeated the word as he moved through each room in the house.

  Jenna stepped inside and gaped at the skinny teenage girl, face pale and with black circles under her eyes. The girl wore nothing but a long, tattered T-shirt bearing the name of a local beer manufacturer. In her periphery, she noticed Kane dragging a blanket out of a cupboard and heading her way. She took the blanket from him and walked toward the girl. “I’m Sheriff Jenna Alton from Black Rock Falls and this is Deputy Kane. You’re safe now. What’s your name?” She draped the blanket over the girl’s shoulders.

  “Jane Stickler.” She glanced fearfully at the open door. “He’ll be back soon and he don’t like strangers. He won’t be happy you came inside uninvited.”

  Adam Stickler’s missing sister. “He won’t be coming back today.” Jenna led the girl to a chair at a scrubbed wooden table. “What’s his name?”

  Jane’s shoulders slumped and she shook her head. “I don’t know for sure, he made me call him ‘Daddy’ but he ain’t my father.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t even know if my family is still alive.”

  Jenna smiled at her. “Yes, as far as I’m aware they’re fine. And your brother, Adam. He lives in Black Rock Falls. Deputy Kane spoke to him recently.”

  “Can you take me home to see my mom? I live in Blackwater.” Jane blinked. “He took me to town to see a doctor and said we could visit my mom but he didn’t get the time.”

  Jenna opened her mouth to ask why she had not told the doctor Dorsey was holding her prisoner when Kane cleared his throat. She turned and walked with him to the other side of the room. “What is it? I need to speak with her.”

  “She has Stockholm syndrome.” Kane’s eyes flicked to the girl and back. “She has been held captive for so long she figures she belongs here, that is normal. The brain shuts down and protects them from what is really happening. She isn’t afraid of me. That was the clue: Seeing strange men is normal to her. She likely has feelings for Ely as well. Some kids cry for their captors when rescued even after suffering abuse. You’ll have to tread easy.”

  She gave him a nod and returned to Jane. “He sent us to have you see a doctor at the hospital but I promise to speak to your mom and see if she’ll meet us there. Do you know where he kept the key to your manacles?”

  “With the keys to his car.” Jane pushed matted hair from her face.

  “We have his keys.” Jenna glanced at the lifeless eyes of the various elk heads hanging on the walls. The house appeared to be surprisingly clean, unlike the girl standing before her. She was pitifully thin. The skin on her bony arms had bruises, some clear indication of fingermarks, her feet and legs appeared scratched, and she had a festering sore on one ankle. Jenna had seen similar marks to the bruising on her neck on strangulation victims.

  “Can I get you out of those chains?” Kane’s gaze slid over the girl, his face etched with concern.

  Jane leaned into Jenna and looked up at him. Jenna patted her hand. “Kane is a very gentle man; all he wants to do is set you free.”

  When Jane nodded, Kane moved closer and Jenna could feel her trembling against her. “Take it slow, Kane.”

  “Okay.” Kane dropped his voice to almost a whisper and avoided eye contact with her. “I spoke to Adam recently about you. He has never stopped looking for you. I’ll call him straight away and he can meet us at the hospital.” Kane went through the keys then he unfastened the cuff. “There you go.”

  As Kane pulled the cabin apart collecting boxes of thumb drives and a computer, Jenna used her cellphone to access the driver’s license image of Ely Dorsey. She held it up for the girl to see. “Is this the man who chained you up?”

  Jane nodded then turned her face away. “Is he in trouble?”

  “No. Can you tell me anything about him or his friends?”

  The girl shook her head, sending dirty hair falling over her face.

  Jenna sat beside her. “How did you come to be here?”

  She lifted her troubled gaze. “His friends will kill my family if I tell.”

  In an effort to hide her distress, Jenna took a deep breath. “No, we’ll protect your family. His name is Ely Dorsey.” She glanced at the girl. “We are looking for his friends.” She gripped the girl’s hands. “We need your help. Will you at least tell me how you met him?”

  “That was a long time ago.” Jane stared into the distance. “I don’t remember.”

  “When he left, did he tell you where he was going?”

  “No.” Jane gave her a wary stare. “He had a new girlfriend, didn’t he? That’s why the others stopped coming here.”

  Jenna sighed. “I’m not sure. Do you remember anything else at all about the other men? Scars, tattoos?”

  “One had a spider tattoo on his hand between his thumb and index finger.”

  “I’m done here.” Kane came back into the room and Jenna noticed a flash of anger in his eyes. “There are a few chickens out back running loose. They’ll survive on their own, there’s a stream running through the property.” He held out an evidence bag filled with pills. “I found a massive supply of contraceptive pills in the bathroom. I gather that’s why he took her to the doctors. You might need to mention them to the doctor at the hospital.”

  “Okay. Let�
�s go.” Jenna looked at the girl. “Is there anything you want to take from the house before you leave?”

  “I’m not coming back?” Jane appeared agitated. “Maybe we should leave him a note.”

  Jenna shot a glance at Kane. “Don’t worry, we’ll tell him.”

  16

  After delivering Jane to the hospital and leaving Walters to watch over her, Kane waited for Jenna to speak briefly to Jane’s brother and the doctor before returning to the office. The girl would remain in the hospital for a few days to complete tests and a mental health evaluation then return to her family. Any further interviews with her would have to wait until the doctor had cleared her later that day.

  Kane glanced at Jenna on the way back to the office. “What next?”

  “We are in a wait-and-see situation right now.” Jenna’s head bent over her notes. “I’ve requested another interview with Zoe and the doctor will speak to the parents shortly.” She glanced at him. “While we wait for the autopsy on Dorsey, it means some grunt work. We have no other men who might be implicated in the sex ring, so we’ll have to shake the murder suspects and see what falls out. One of them must be withholding information on the men involved or is the vigilante killer.”

  Kane drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and considered her plan. “I gather you want to find the two remaining men in the pedophile ring but how will this lead us to the killer? They could have kidnapped a dozen girls over the last ten years.”

  “If we find just one of them, we could use them as bait.” Jenna smiled. “If the vigilante is coming for them, we’ll catch her in the act.”

  “Okay, I guess we have no choice. Right now the vigilante is all smoke and mirrors but I suggest we keep a close eye on, Harper, Booval and McCarthy as our three prime suspects. Where do you want to start looking for these men?” He sighed. “We can’t set up a sting operation by pretending to be a young girl in one of a thousand possible chat rooms. We’ll be stepping all over a possible FBI investigation and it would take too long. Predators are cautious—they would have groomed the girls for months. They might kidnap a girl but they are unlikely to risk meeting a girl they’ve just met online. They are aware of the traps. By the time we lure one, the vigilante will have killed the other two in the ring. Plus, we might end up with a man from another county. These men travel miles to meet up with kids.”