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“I went round back in case she was in the yard.” Lock straightened. “I knocked hard on the back door, so like the front door I used my knuckles but I’m wearing gloves.” He looked from one to the other. “Then I came back here and called 911. This is Black Rock Falls. I’m not walking into a murder scene.”
Rowley frowned. This man appeared to be calm and very controlled for the first on scene of a possible murder. “It doesn’t concern you that this might be a crime scene?”
“Nope.” Lock opened his jacket to reveal a shoulder holster. “I served ten years in the military. I can take care of myself. I figured staying here until you arrived was the correct procedure.”
“Stay here.” Rio glanced at Rowley and exchanged a meaningful stare. “Better still, get into your vehicle and lock the doors. If anyone is lurking about, it will be safer.”
“I’m fine right here with a three-sixty view of everything.” Lock shrugged. “You go and do your thing and I’ll watch your backs.”
Concerned about being shot in the back by a potential suspect. Rowley moved back to his truck. He tossed Rio a liquid Kevlar vest and, keeping the truck between them and Lock, removed their jackets and fitted them. He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Jenna mentioned some killers enjoy getting involved at crime scenes. We need to be aware Lock might be a problem.”
“You read my mind.” Rio pulled out his phone and messaged Jenna. When a reply came back, he looked at Rowley. “Proceed with caution. Check in ASAP.” He shrugged into his jacket and pulled his weapon. “You go first and I’ll cover you. Move fast, find a position, and then cover me.”
Nodding, Rowley took off and, using the trees around the side of the house as cover, dashed into the backyard. He took a position on the corner of the house and waved to Rio. Nothing happened. Lock hadn’t moved from his place beside his truck. As described, the door hung wide open, it creaked as the wind moved it back and forth. The smell of death leaked out and he holstered his weapon and reached into his pocket for a face mask. “That doesn’t smell good.” He pulled his weapon again. “Mask up and we’ll take a look inside.” He paused at the door. “Sheriff’s department. We’re coming inside.”
“After you.” Rio waved him ahead and they cleared the kitchen and moved slowly along the passageway. “The smell is getting worse. I’ll watch the stairs, you go inside.”
Swallowing the bile rising up his throat, Rowley edged inside the family room. The TV was on and a woman was sitting on the sofa staring straight ahead. An untouched cup of coffee and a plate of food sat on a coffee table. He moved closer and peered around the chair. His stomach heaved. Black empty eye sockets stared into nothing and the woman’s mouth hung open in a horrific silent scream. He backed away and went out into the passageway. “One female deceased. Electrocuted, the same as Dakota Slade.”
“We’ll clear the house and then call it in.” Rio headed along the passageway, checked the mudroom. “Clear.”
Rowley nodded. “Okay, head upstairs but I doubt the killer is here waiting for us to arrest him. I’m not so sure about Lock, although why would he call it in?”
“This is the problem. The people who murder don’t think like we do.” Rio ducked into the bedroom and then back out. “This is why they’re so hard to catch. They’re never predictable.” He led the way downstairs. “Call Jenna. I’ll contact Wolfe. If he brings his team out here, we might be able to concentrate on finding Kane while he’s processing the scene.”
After making the call, Rowley headed out the back door. “Jenna’s on her way. She said to get a statement from Lock and then send him on his way. She doesn’t need any more complications, but she does agree with you. Wolfe can process the scene with Colt Webber and we can get back to the office and concentrate on finding Kane for a time.”
THIRTEEN
Fighting her instincts to hunt down Kane and forget about everything else, Jenna ran the current murder cases through her mind. There must be a clue to the person who took him. It was impossible that a terrorist faction had discovered his whereabouts. Her mind went to his recent mission. He hadn’t mentioned why he’d been reactivated and she hadn’t pressed him for information, but if there’d been the slightest chance of him being compromised, Wolfe would know. She had to put her trust in him, and trust was all she had at the moment. Trust in Wolfe’s judgment and her deep conviction that Kane had the experience to get himself out of trouble—but he was just a man and men could be shot dead. That thought alone gripped her chest so hard it hurt. Fighting for each breath and trying desperately to remain calm, Jenna parked beside Rowley’s truck outside the victim’s house and walked up to her deputies. “What have you got for me?”
“Same MO as before.” Rio moved to her side. “Only difference is that the back door is open. No sign of forced entry, no sign of anything. Nothing is disturbed. We looked around the house but didn’t touch anything, apart from opening the front door. It stinks in there.” He wiped at the tip of his nose. “Real bad and it was overbearingly hot.”
“The victim has the same two burn marks on the back of her neck. Same with the eyes. It’s a replica of the other murder.” Rowley’s face was sheet white. “The TV was blaring, so I turned it off using the remote. I was wearing gloves.”
Dragging her professionalism from the depths of despair and pulling it around her in a protective shield, she thought of Kane. How many times had he used his combat mode to block out emotion? She’d try and do the same. Two poor innocent women had become the targets of a deranged predator with a modified stun gun and the only person who stood between him and the next victim was her. She pulled on a mask and examination gloves, lifted her chin, and walked into the house. “You’ve called Wolfe?” She glanced at Rio, who directed her along a passageway and into a family room.
“Yeah, he should be here shortly.” Rio walked into the room and stood to one side.
The smell of death seeped through Jenna’s face mask, but she took her time to scan the room. The body was upright and the victim’s long brown hair swept to one side to display two distinct burn marks. She’d seen stun gun marks and cattle prod burns and these were similar. She understood the entry and exit wounds for electric shock and moved slowly around the body readying herself for the gruesome sight. It was the same as before but this woman’s mouth hung open in almost a surprised expression. She bent and lifted one of her feet, the burn mark had traveled through the victim’s body to exit through the moccasin-style slipper to ground. As Rio had said, it was the same MO.
A crunch of gravel announced the arrival of Wolfe’s team, and Jenna led the way from the house to greet him. She walked to his side, glad to see Emily Wolfe with him. She had become a close friend and right now she needed a shoulder to lean on. For a young woman, Wolfe’s daughter was worldly beyond her years, and Jenna welcomed the comforting hug from her. “Thanks for coming.”
“Don’t worry about a thing.” Emily’s face filled with concern. “We’ll process the scene.”
“Yeah, why don’t you head back to the office and concentrate on finding who might have a beef with Dave?” Wolfe pulled out his forensic kit and looked at her. “I can’t find Carter. I sent him a 911 message, told him about the abduction, but he’s gone dark. Jo and Kalo won’t be back for a week.” He straightened. “Blackhawk has been out searching the forest. There’s not so much as a footprint out there. He found a spot where he believes Kane slid across the road and hit a tree. There’s nothing to indicate he stood and walked away unless he went along the blacktop. If that had been the case, Duke would have picked up his scent. As you said before, he wouldn’t remove his helmet. Whoever took him removed it and threw it into the bushes.” He shook his head. “And now two homicides.” He gave her a long look. “Leave the autopsies to me and Webber. You’ll need all your time. I’ll give you a report as soon as I’m done.”
Biting her bottom lip, Jenna nodded. “I’ll need all the time I can get with two homicide investigations and Dave’s kidnapping. I have no evidence in any of the cases and with Carter MIA, I have only Rio and Rowley with me to work them. Dave could be in mortal danger for all we know and the clock is ticking. This killer is escalating, if he’s killed twice already.”
“Y’all don’t have a choice, Jenna. Kane is law enforcement and we need assistance to locate him.” Wolfe met her gaze. “You must call in Agent Dax Styles from Rattlesnake Creek. His partner, if you recall, was with cybercrime. She’ll be able to do everything Kalo could do. Styles will be able to access a wide spectrum of information and might be able to narrow down the field in Kane’s disappearance.” He gave her a long look. “He was a highly decorated MP before settling in Rattlesnake Creek. He has the experience you need right now.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jenna nodded. “Who I need is Carter. He’s part of our family. He understands how we work.” She rubbed both hands down her face trying to focus. “This Agent Styles, is there anything he needs to know about Dave?”
“Absolutely not for the reasons I’ve already given you.” Wolfe squeezed her shoulder. “Leave the dead to me, Jenna, and I’ll see if I can find answers. Use your resources and delegate the work the same as always. You’re strong and resourceful. I have faith you’ll solve these cases.”
A tremble went through her, but she nodded. “Okay. Call me if you have anything and I’ll do the same.”
“If you discover where Kane is, I’ll come with you. You’ll need extra backup.” Wolfe gave her a long look. “He’s like a brother to me, Jenna.”
