With their limited manpower stretched to the limit, surveillance wasn’t the best option. Kane shook his head. “We don’t have the time or the resources to watch two men, Jenna.”
“Okay, fine, use trackers.” Her eyes flashed and her mouth turned down. “But if a killer walks free because of it, I won’t be too happy.” She slid from the seat and walked away without a backward glance.
He watched her go to Wolfe and then followed, stopping in shock at the scene before him. The strong smell of vomit rose from a steaming pile beside the road and Rowley walked to meet him, his face sheet white. Kane nodded at him. “Walk me through it.”
“Ah… the body is female and the killer used a chainsaw to dismember her. She wasn’t frozen this time.” Rowley shook his head and his eyes held deep sorrow. “Wolfe said he believes she was restrained and alive at the time. He used the same display techniques as before, most of her is on the bench.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I questioned the truck driver, took a statement, and let him go. He spotted the body and called it in is all. I have his details including the license plate of the truck.” He coughed and heaved. “Sorry.”
Compassion and horror rolled over Kane and he dropped into his special zone. In situations like this, he used a mental technique to regard the remains of the young woman without expression. Having the ability to shut down his emotions at will had its advantages. Rowley didn’t have his years of training behind him and he noticed a slight tremble in his hands. He slapped him on the shoulder. “There’s hot coffee in my truck. Go and take five.”
“Thanks.” Rowley gave him a curt nod and slipped and slid through the slush to the Beast.
Kane picked his way around the evidence markers and went to Jenna’s side. She had her mask of professionalism firmly locked in place as well and was asking Wolfe questions.
“This is different, brutal, like he is trying to make a point.” Jenna dropped into a crouch. “What’s this?” She indicated to an indent in the blood-spattered snow.
“I’d say the indent is from where he placed the chainsaw on the ground.” Wolfe moved around the corpse. “See here and here.” He pointed to indents in the snow. “These resemble boot marks but he’s smart, he used a tree branch to disguise t
hem. He took his time with this one.” He turned to Webber. “Start bagging the body parts. I’ll be back soon.” Wolfe turned back to them. “Come with me.” He walked to a line of trees and ducked behind and then held out a hand to prevent them getting closer. “What do you see?”
The image of the girl’s open staring eyes and hideous smile had fixed in Kane’s head and he lifted his face into the falling snow for a few seconds before examining the crime scene. He scanned the area taking in the scuff marks and large pools of blood. He moved to Wolfe’s side. “From the amount of blood spatter, this is where the young woman met her death. Far enough from the highway to remain hidden but not so far to prevent the killer from carrying her body parts to the bench to display them.” He glanced at Jenna. “He’d be covered in blood.”
“Why has he changed his MO?” Jenna looked at him. “This is all wrong. Everything before was neat, clean, and no blood. It was as if he liked to present his art, like marble statues. This is carnage. It has to be a different killer.”
After taking his time to examine the evidence, Kane shook his head. “I think it’s the same man. There are too many similarities and none of them we’ve released to the press.” He walked back to her. “The eyes are wide open, the smile. He used a chainsaw. It’s the same guy, he’s escalating.”
“Okay. I’ve seen enough and Wolfe wants to get her back to the morgue before she’s frozen solid.” Jenna turned to Wolfe. “When you email the crime scene images, could you send a copy to Jo? I’d like her take on this sudden change of MO.”
“Sure, but Kane’s right.” Wolfe narrowed his gaze at her. “There are many similarities but he was in a hurry this time.” He exchanged a knowing glance with Kane. “I’ll conduct an autopsy in the morning and give you my findings.”
“I want to be there.” Jenna’s gaze moved over the gruesome scene. “This isn’t cool and calculated, this is a frenzy kill. People out of control make mistakes. We need to sift through everything and find a clue to his identity, some shred of evidence to catch this killer.”
Until they found the murderer, as sheriff, Jenna would shoulder the blame, and Kane could see the burden weighing heavy on her shoulders. He touched her arm. “We’ll catch him, Jenna.” He nodded toward his truck. “Rowley is shaken up, maybe you should have a quiet word with him.”
When Jenna walked away, Kane turned to Wolfe. “I need a couple of trackers, suitable for off-road conditions. I figure at least one of our suspects has a secluded cabin in the forest, and I intend to find out where it is.”
“Roger that.” Wolfe grinned at him. “Jenna is cracking the whip on this case. She is not happy.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll do the autopsy at ten and we’ll go through the evidence with a fine-tooth comb.”
Kane stared into the darkness. “I’ll talk to her on the way home. I think a video conference at the autopsy with Jo and Carter will give us a different perspective on the case. They have information at hand from the other murders and we need all the help we can get.” He sighed. “I’ll ask Jenna and if she agrees, I’ll organize it in the morning. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“No, we’re finished here.” Wolfe’s attention moved over to the Beast as Rowley climbed out. “Although, you should send Rowley home and maybe follow him into town. He doesn’t look so good.” He blew out a cloud of steam. “It would’ve been gruesome for him out here all alone. Trees are cracking off like gunshots and the forest moans at night. Webber said he was a little jumpy when he arrived.”
He had to admit no amount of experience prevented a person being spooked when alone at a crime scene, on the edge of a forest with a psychopath running riot. Kane nodded. “Sure, but we’ll wait until you’re finished. After seeing what this killer is capable of, we’re not leaving anyone out here alone.”
As he hustled to his truck, he heard a sound almost like laughter coming from deep in the forest. He turned, hand on his weapon, and aimed his Maglite into the trees. The beam highlighted dark trunks and deep shadows but nothing moved. The hair on the back of his neck stood in a warning and he had the uncanny feeling someone was watching them.
Fifty-Seven
Thursday morning, Week 2
It had been the longest night in Ava’s life, spent wide awake in the fetal position under a pile of blankets. She hadn’t dared close her eyes. Staring in disbelief, she’d watched in horror as Preacher strangled Isabella and then waited for her to recover before rendering her unconscious again. The cruelness he displayed with obvious glee, going by the smile he aimed at the camera for her benefit, had made her sick to the stomach. Helpless to do anything, she’d stared in morbid fascination as he bundled Isabella in a blanket and carried her away to be butchered. Handcuffed to the kitchen table, she’d sat in shock, numb and unable to rationalize what had happened. She couldn’t cry, tears refused to fall. It had been surreal, and she’d had difficulty thinking straight.
The fire was only cinders by the time he returned. He’d laughed as he’d described his hideous night’s work. In his deluded mind he figured she’d enjoy watching him. Unable to speak, she’d pasted the required smile on her lips and tried to block out his voice by humming inside her head. If she’d given him one shred of doubt, she’d be next. Only self-preservation had kept her on her toes.
He was outside now. She’d heard him in the bathroom and the smell of coffee was leaking under the bedroom door. Her only chance of survival was to play along with his delusion. He wanted a partner in crime but was she strong enough to keep up the act? The door creaked open and her eyes moved to Preacher standing in the doorway staring at her. She lifted her head, noting his Glock was missing from his belt and forced her mouth into a smile. “Morning, Preacher.”
“Coffee is on. Use the bathroom and come out for breakfast. We have work to do this morning. We’re going into town. I need to find another Delores and you’re going to help me.” Preacher met her gaze with a raised eyebrow. “You look tired. An adrenalin rush is a bitch, isn’t it, when you want to sleep?”
Ava swallowed the acid creeping up from her stomach and nodded. “It sure is.” She stood on trembling legs and headed for the bathroom.