“Size twelve, huh?” Jenna exchanged a knowing look with Kane and then turned back to Adams. “Well, seeing as you are the last person to see the couple, I’m taking you in for questioning over the death of Payton Harris.” Jenna straightened and read him his rights.
“Really?” Adams laughed at her. “I’m a nurse. I help people, no one in their right mind will believe I’m involved in a murder.”
They always make a mistake. No one had mentioned murder and most people who’d befriended the couple would be shocked to hear of Payton Harris’ death. Unless they already knew. Kane took Adams’ arm and led him from the building, but something gnawed at his gut. The confident swagger hadn’t receded. He ground his back teeth. There had to be another side to Riley Adams, and he figured it was as dark as the entrance to hell.
Twenty-Four
It was a little after three by the time Jenna had secured Riley Adams into an interview room. She wanted to go over his story again but he’d lawyered up and, of course, he’d insisted on her arch nemesis, Samuel J Cross, to represent him. The man made Carter look sophisticated. With his straight off the ranch style dress and long hair tied in a ponytail, battered hat, and scuffed cowboy boots, Sam Cross was the opposite of any lawyer she’d ever met but oh boy, was he smart. After Jenna had waited the obligatory time his secretary seemed to have made mandatory, she winced as Cross picked up the call and addressed her with an overly familiar tone. She certainly did not regard him as a friend.
“Hi, Jenna. I was wondering when I’d have the pleasure of sparring with you again. Who do we have this time?” Cross tapped away at his keyboard as if he wasn’t really interested in what she had to say.
Drawing on her mask of professionalism, Jenna referred to her notes. “We’ve brought in Riley Adams out of Snowberry Way for questioning over the murder of Payton Harris. We found Harris’ body close to Bear Peak. TOD is estimated on Thursday night or Friday morning. Adams was the last person to see him and his wife, June, alive. June is still missing. I also saw a man in my yard on Sunday night matching Adams’ description. My house was shot up with a crossbow and I suffered a home invasion over a period of some hours. Deputy Kane is handling that case to avoid a conflict of interest. Mr. Adams has stated that he is a client of yours.”
“He is indeed, Jenna.” The tapping at the keyboard stopped abruptly. “Have you questioned him?”
Jenna smiled to herself. “Yes, we did ask him a few questions at his workplace about the Harris case, not the home invasion, and he didn’t object or ask for a lawyer. From his replies and footage of him with the couple in Aunt Betty’s Café, I decided to bring him in for questioning.”
“Did you read him his rights before transporting him?” Cross sounded serious.
The hairs on the back of Jenna’s neck rose. “I do things by the book, Mr. Cross. Of course, I did, and when we arrived here, he asked for you. There’s been no delay in contacting you. When can you speak to your client?”
“I’ll be there a little after five.” Cross disconnected.
Jenna stared at her phone. “Why is calling you like having a root canal?”
“Problem?” Kane dropped into the chair in front of her desk.
“Sam Cross.” Jenna pulled a face. “He covers his rudeness in such a polite way it really gets under my skin.” She rubbed her temples. “The circumstantial evidence we have on Adams is enough to convict him and yet Cross will find a way to get him off the charge.”
“He’s a very good defense attorney.” Kane held up both hands. “Don’t look at me like that, Jenna. To get the best of you, he must be good at what he does.”
Jenna peered at him from beneath her bangs. “Give me some good news.”
“Rio and Rowley found Payton Harris’ truck just where Adams said it would be. We’re waiting for a tow truck to take it to Wolfe for forensic examination but unless something happened to them inside the pickup, there won’t be anything we can use.” Kane stood and went to the coffee machine, poured two cups, added the fixings, and gave her one. “I’ve been writing up an application for search warrants for Adams’ truck and residence. As you say, the circumstantial evidence is good. I also presented one for the home invasion and used the evidence we’ve collected. That might be successful, as we have a man who fits the description and a match on the boot size.”
Jenna thought for a beat. “How are we going at locating June and Payton Harris’ next of kin? If we find them, they’ll be able to give us a close relative for June. We need to know if the ear left on my porch post belongs to our missing woman.”
“Rowley and Rio are working on it now.” Kane sat back in the chair and
stared at his iPad. “I’ll print up the search warrant applications and head over to the courthouse.” He looked across the desk at her. “If we discover the ear belongs to June Harris and you’re convinced Adams is the possible killer and the guy who trashed your house, you’ll need to take a step back from the investigation. You know Cross, and he’ll play any advantage he can find, and this screams conflict of interest.”
As the printer hummed into action, Jenna leaned back in her seat, mind spinning. She needed to be involved and not sitting on the sideline, but she’d already decided her course of action. She nodded slowly. “Yeah, I am aware of the situation but all this”—she waved a hand toward the few notes Rio had added to the whiteboard in her new office—“isn’t sitting right with me. There are too many coincidences with the James Stone murders. Adams is so darn sure of himself he must have a trick up his sleeve. It’s as if the murder was planned to keep me out of the investigation. James Stone was my case but Adams knows by invading my home, I can’t be involved in the murder investigation. Problem is, Adams doesn’t seem smart enough to have orchestrated this alone, I’m convinced Stone is behind it. Somehow, some way, he’s influenced Adams to kill for him.” She blew out a long breath and stared at Kane. “I bet he’s just waiting for the reports to hit the news so he can drool over them, as if he’d murdered the victim himself. We must keep the home invasion from the press, because as sure as hell, I don’t want Stone gloating over the notion that he’s gotten away with scaring me.”
“I’m concerned you’ve connected this murder with Stone.” Kane sipped his coffee and eyed her intently over the rim. “Wolfe has already explained that the cases are different. Yes, maybe a copycat, but if Adams is copying Stone, he missed several pertinent clues. The paralyzing of the male victim, the mutilation of the woman, are all very important parts of the scene that are missing.” He blew over the cup, making steam curl around him. “If Stone had communicated with Adams, why would he leave out what he’d consider the best parts of the kill? The stabbing or shot to the spine was his signature, not just the bolt to the head of the man or soaking him with gas. Those two things could have been leaked by the people who found the victims. The spinal injury only came to light during the autopsy. It was a crucial part of the evidence.”
Jenna chewed on her bottom lip and thought it through. “True, and no doubt paralyzing his victim and making him watch the love of his life tortured would be a highlight of the kill.” She leaned back and stared at the ceiling and then lowered her attention back to Kane. “You know, Dave, I know you go on gut instinct so many times and you’re usually right. My intuition, or whatever you call it, is screaming at me that James Stone has a hand in this murder and the home invasion. I know home invasion isn’t his style but by scaring me, I figure he believes he is regaining control. No matter how you try and convince me otherwise, my life is on the line, and it’s only a matter of time before he shows his hand.”
Twenty-Five
Deputy Jake Rowley smiled as he disconnected from his wife Sandy’s call. She’d been for her regular prenatal checkup at the doctor’s, and both she and the twins were doing just fine. They’d hoped for a Christmas delivery but the babies were due to arrive late in January, right in the dead of winter. He went back to check the search results from the many databases he’d been checking since coming back from hunting down Payton Harris’ vehicle. At last he’d found a match, with current details. He picked up the phone and called the Buffalo Ridge Sheriff’s Department and explained the situation. As luck would have it, the sheriff knew Payton Harris and his family. “I’d appreciate if you’d inform them about Payton’s death, and I’ll need a list of June’s family members as well. We’ll need a close blood relative to supply a DNA sample ASAP. Her mother would be the best person to ask. I’m sure you have a doctor in town that could handle a swab for us?”
“No need. I have DNA collection kits here. I’ll get you one from her mother this afternoon.” The sheriff sighed. “Where do you want me to send it?”
Rowley opened a book on his desk and flipped through the pages. “I’ll message you the address of the ME’s office. You’ll need to send it by an express pathology collection courier. Send the bill to the ME’s office here in Black Rock Falls.”
“Sure. This is bad business. They’re a lovely couple.” The sheriff took a long breath as if drawing on a cigarette. “I hope they find June alive.”
Rowley nodded even though the sheriff couldn’t see him. “Same. We have people out searching the forests and lakes in case she is still out there, but it’s been four days since anyone laid eyes on her, so it’s not looking good.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll send you the ME’s phone number as well. The next of kin will want to contact him about the collection of the remains.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Thanks for your help.”