Whisper in the Night: An absolutely heart-stopping serial killer thriller

by D. K. Hood

  As they left Stanton Forest way behind, grasslands stretched out in an endless expanse of fresh bright green. On this side of town, the grass would turn yellow, left untouched by cattle. Too many old mineshafts littered the lowlands to risk grazing animals. Industry had taken over and various industrial plants dotted the countryside like clumps of mushrooms. He glanced at Jenna. All business as usual, she seemed unusually quiet. “You okay?”

  “I guess.” Jenna moved around in her seat. “It’s because this case stirs up a heap of old memories I’d rather forget.” She cleared her throat. “I know first-hand how it feels to be trapped in a confined space, tied up and ready to die by the hand of a lunatic.”

  Aware of her frightening experience – when two men she’d trusted kidnapped her with the intent of raping and murdering her – and the PTSD that followed, Kane squeezed her hand. “Yeah, but we made it in time to save you and we didn’t have a deadline. You’re doing everything possible to find Lindy.”

  “I’m frightened we’re not going to find her in time.” Jenna let out a long sigh. “I feel like we’re being played.”

  Kane switched off his siren but kept the blue and red lights flashing to warn other motorists. “It’s possible. This guy is different to most kidnappers. He hasn’t made any demands.”

  “How many types are there?” Jenna turned to look at him. “And where does he belong?”

  He flashed past an eighteen-wheeler as the GPS announced Goldmine Road was four miles ahead on the right. “There are so many types it’s hard to place him in a category. Most who follow his pattern want something – money usually – or why send the video?”

  “So if not money, what does he want?”

  Kane glanced at her. “I’ve no idea. Usually, when they abduct a victim the last thing they want is contact with law enforcement, so I figure we can rule out someone who wants a child sex slave or a quick kill. He’s made no demands but has made contact for a reason.” He sighed. “If he doesn’t make any requests within the time limit, we’ll have to think outside of the box.” He shot her a look. “Perhaps he’s using the kidnapping to get to you.”

  “I don’t think I’ve upset anyone lately.” Jenna’s mouth turned down. “But then being sheriff is a good enough excuse for some.” She straightened in her seat and gave him a determined look. “Okay, we go in using stealth and I’ll inform the other teams to do the same.” She called Maggie to ask her to contact everyone with her new orders. After disconnecting, she turned to him. “Don’t be a hero. The grasslands have the same laws as the mountains; you’d be surprised how many people have gotten themselves killed walking onto people’s property unannounced.”

  Kane smiled at her. “With you to watch my back, not a chance.”

  He slowed to take the corner and turned off the lights. The GPS informed them the address was 500 yards on the left. Kane slowed to a crawl and peered through a line of trees, searching for any telltale signs of inhabitation, but no smoke came from the chimney and vegetation grew right up to the front porch. As they approached the gate, Kane looked at Jenna. “It looks deserted; this would be the perfect place.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t see a truck.” Jenna picked up the radio mic and called in their position. “Let’s take a look.”

  Kane scanned the immediate area, searching for tire marks or disturbed brush, but found nothing notable. He kept to the tree side of the driveway, using the shadows as cover, then stopped behind a clump of trees about twenty yards from the main house and turned to Jenna. “There could be another way in here; there are dirt roads all over this area and he could be hiding his vehicle in the barn.”

  “I noticed a few tracks along the highway heading this way.” She jumped out the truck and pulled her weapon. “We’ll check the barn for a vehicle first, although he could’ve left her here and be holed up anywhere.”

  “No doubt watching the search on TV.” Kane grimaced. “Having media coverage telegraphing our every move doesn’t help.” He followed her from the truck with Duke close on his heels.

  “Take a few seconds to listen.” Jenna stopped under a tall pine. “We heard the distinct sound of a motor running on the video.”

  “It’ll be hard to hear anything now the wind is picking up.” Kane moved to her side, sliding his Glock from the holster, and they crept closer using the tree line for cover, then stopped a few yards from the house to listen. A crisp fresh breeze brushed his face, stirring the long grass and bringing with it the unique smell of wilderness. The scent of fresh pine and wildflowers filled the air with no odor of inhabitation. High above a golden eagle circled then dived down to pluck a small critter from the ground before soaring into the air but no sound of a motor broke the silence.

  “I can’t hear anything.” Jenna gave him an enquiring look. “You?”

  “Nope.” He shrugged. “That means nothing. He could turn off the air conditioning but I’m not sure this place has power. It must be over a hundred years old.” He stared back at the road. “There are power lines but they don’t come to this site.”

  “There are industrial machinery plants in this area, and potteries. I’d say they’ve had power here for a long time.” Jenna slid into the shadows of the trees. “I hear there’re plans to set up wind farms in the grasslands on this side of town. It would be a lucrative investment in land useless for cattle grazing.” She stopped walking and pushed a lock of raven hair behind one ear. “There’s the barn, we can slip around back and use it for cover.”

  “Roger that.” Kane followed close behind.

  He admired how Jenna took the lead, moving forward into danger boots and all. She’d good reason to use him as a shield; many times in the past she’d become the target of a deranged lunatic. He had to admit he’d willingly take a bullet for her and, after coming close to death recently, she’d proved to be of the same mind when it came to his safety. Ahead, long shadows extended from the trees to the barn and without making a sound, Jenna dashed across the open space. With her back flat against the wall of the barn, she waved him forward. He did a visual scan of the house and blended into the bushes to get a better look. Darkness bathed the front porch but he could make out movement at the front door.

  With every muscle on alert, he held up a hand to Jenna and indicated he’d seen something. She followed protocol and slipped into the shadows. He pulled out his binoculars and scoped the house and front porch. The door stood slightly ajar then moved again before closing. No one appeared at the windows, not one sound came from the house. He waited a beat, then took a deep breath and sprinted to her side.

  “What did you see?” Jenna’s eyes looked huge in the dim light as she peered up at him.

  He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “The front door opened a few inches then closed. I didn’t see anything else, no face at the window, nothing. It could have been the wind.”

  “I hope the place isn’t haunted but since I’ve lived in Black Rock Falls I guess anything is possible.” Jenna shuddered. “I can deal with the living and the dead but ghosts are a whole different ballgame.”

  “Ghosts, huh? Nah, if they existed they’d be hounding me for sure.” Kane pulled the evidence bag from his pocket. “I’ll see if Duke can pick up a scent.” He called the bloodhound to his side and pressed the pair of Lindy’s socks to his nose. “Seek.”

  When Duke sniffed around, then came back and sat at Kane’s feet, he looked at Jenna and shook his head. “Nothing. She’s not been here.”

  “Maybe the kidnapper carried her from his vehicle to the house.” Jenna stared down at Duke. “Or Duke’s scared of ghosts.” She patted the dog on the head. “Trust me. I don’t want to go inside that creepy place either.”

  Kane hadn’t seen this side of Jenna before and if not for the urgent need to find Lindy, he’d take time to discuss her fears. “There’s a side door just ahead.” He glanced at his watch. “Three hours to deadline, we need to move along.”

  Jenna gave him a curt nod and moved swiftly
along the side of the barn, hardly making a sound. He followed close behind, ears straining for any sound of movement inside, but heard nothing. They reached the door and squatted down, one on each side. “See if it will open. I’ll cover you.”

  “Roger that.” Jenna turned the doorknob and the old wooden door creaked open, making enough noise to alert the entire neighborhood. “Shit.”

  Kane turkey-peeked around the door. Inside, a thick coating of dust covered the floor and rats scattered away from the light, disappearing into dark holes. It was empty apart from a dilapidated saddle hanging over the gate to a stall. No one had been inside for a very long time. “I’d say it’s just the rats and us.” He straightened and holstered his weapon.

  “No root cellar here either.” Jenna stood and peered inside. “We’ll do a quick recon of the house. It might have one in the pantry.” She indicated to the barn doors. “I guess we can get to the house through there.”

  A sense of foreboding washed over Kane. His gut instinct never let him down and walking onto the porch after seeing the door open and close could be suicide. He touched Jenna’s arm. “Not so fast. It could be a trap. I figure it would be safer to go around back.” He turned to Duke. “Stay.”

  “Sure.” Jenna walked back out the door, and then sprinted along the side of the barn. She stopped and looked back at him and pointed to her ear, then placed a finger to her lips.

  Kane fell into combat mode. He pulled his weapon and dashed to her side, taking in his surroundings in one quick scan. He stared at her pale face and listened. Faint strains of music carried on the breeze and every hair on his body stood to attention.

  Seven

  A shiver ran down Jenna’s spine as she peered around the corner at the old ranch house. The weather had long ago stripped the paint from the log building and moss covered what remained of the wooden shingles. Untidy birds’ nests and sprigs of green plants filled the gutters as if nature was claiming the old house back. Shutters covered most of the windows but as they edged their way along the wall of the barn, the back of the house came into view. A window stood open and its torn lace curtains flapped in the wind. Music, very soft, seemed to hover on the breeze. She pressed her back against the wall and turned to Kane. “There’s an open window. The music seems to be coming from there.”

  “Could be someone taking advantage of the adverse possession law.” Kane raised an eyebrow. “Although, it sure doesn’t look like someone is making improvements but it would be a perfect place to hide Lindy.” He peered at the house. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

  “I know what you mean, this place is spooky.” Jenna met his gaze. “If it wasn’t for Lindy I wouldn’t go near it.”

  Torn between hammering on the door and erring on the side of caution, Jenna eased away from the barn and aimed her Glock at the back door. “Sheriff’s department. Show yourselves or we’re coming in.”

  They waited.

  Nothing.

  Jenna called out again, louder this time, but the only thing coming from the house was the music. She turned to Kane. “What do you think?”

  “I can’t see any tripwires.” Kane moved the binoculars from side to side. “Put a few rounds at the bottom of the steps. If there’s a pressure plate, that’s where it will be.”

  Jenna aimed and sent four shots into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. The sound of her weapon firing echoed around the buildings, announcing their presence, and the wind whipped the dust into dancing spirals. She called out again, and then moved with caution across the open yard to the back stoop. The dried remains of a rambling rose bush wrapped around the handrail and pulled at her clothes as she placed each foot with care on the rotting step treads. The eerie music set her nerves on edge and sounded so ghostly she had to push through her fear of the unknown to make it onto the porch and wave Kane forward. They took positions either side of the door, and heart pounding, she reached for the doorknob. It turned and swung open with a grind of rusty hinges. She waited a beat then turkey-peeked around the door. Relieved no one had set up a shotgun to kill an intruder, she scanned the small mudroom. Her gaze moved over a grime-encrusted sink to an old kerosene lantern hanging on a rusty hook. Cobwebs filled every corner of the small room but another door blocked her view into the kitchen. “Sheriff’s department.”

  Nothing, no creak of floorboards, only the lilting scratchy sound of an old melody that she found strangely familiar and the flapping of curtains against the window frame. She looked at Kane’s professional façade and his eyes blazed a warning. Her heart picked up and raced. “Let’s take a look.”

  Jenna sucked in a deep breath and grasped the knob. It turned but the door didn’t move. She rammed it hard with her shoulder. “It’s stuck.”

  “Give me a try.” Kane moved into the small room, grabbed the handle and slammed his shoulder into the door. It whined and moved a few inches. “I figure something’s blocking it.”

  “I’ll take a look through the window.” Jenna turned, holstered her weapon and sprinted around to the open window. “Come on, time’s running out.”

  “I’ll have to lift you.” Kane stamped down the bushes under the window, and then bent down. “Get on my shoulders.”

  Jenna walked her hands up the rough log wall and peeked in the window. “There’s a chair pushed under the doorknob.” She pulled open the window and gripped the weathered frame. “Can you push me up?”

  “Sure.” Kane’s palms slid under her feet. “One, two, three.”

  Hoisted up, Jenna wiggled through the window and crawled over a filthy counter, then dropped to the floor. She had the chair removed and door open as Kane thundered up the steps. The music stopped, and then a few seconds later started again. She pulled out her weapon. “Sheriff’s department, come out. I know you’re in here.”

  Only the scratchy sound of music came again. She looked at Kane. “Let’s clear the rooms. I figure someone’s playing games with us.”

  “Roger that.” Kane shadowed her across the room and they cleared the pantry. “No sign of a root cellar entrance in there.”

  They checked the two bedrooms and found nothing but old furniture and dust mixed with a good layer of rat droppings.

  Jenna slid along the passageway to the family room – and stopped dead. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she blinked in disbelief. “T-tell me I’m not s-seeing that.” Horrified, she pointed her Glock toward a rocking chair, creaking back and forth. Beside it on a table was an old electric gramophone playing a record.

  “I’m seeing it too.” Kane moved beside her and the chair stopped rocking. He moved to one side of the doorway and it squeaked back into action. “Okay.” He moved to one side again. “The breeze from the kitchen window is moving the chair. The hall is acting like a wind tunnel.”

  Jenna swallowed hard. “So how is the record playing? There’s no power to the house.”

  “I’ll take a look.” Kane walked across the room, his boots clattering on the bare floorboards, and examined the wiring. “There’s a battery pack with cord running up through the ceiling. I’d say there’s a small solar power unit somewhere on the roof. The record player is set to repeat, so it keeps on playing.” He shrugged. “No ghosts.”

  Trying to ignore her pounding heart, Jenna walked over to the front door and pulled it open. “This has been a complete waste of time. Lindy has never been here. I’ll call this in. Grab Duke and we’ll get back on the road.” She glanced at her watch. “Two and a half hours before deadline and we have zip.”

  * * *

  The sun was heading for the horizon and a promise of a cold night blasted Jenna as she stepped from another old barn and brushed the dust from her clothes. The teams had searched the properties of every possible place. All the ranch owners had willingly allowed them to enter their properties without a search warrant, which was both encouraging and worrying at the same time. If Lindy’s kidnapper did have a place off the grid, he’d be confident and likely act nonchalant, knowing
they couldn’t discover him. The frightening aspect was that none of the search parties had found a trace of Lindy. Worry for the young girl pushed Jenna to keep going without a break. She straightened and dragged weary legs back to Kane’s truck. He’d given Duke a drink of water and glanced up at her as she leaned against the hood and grimaced. “We’ve looked at four places on this side of town and the team have moved their search to cover as many known buildings as possible. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  Her cellphone signaled a message and she peered at the screen. Waves of horror smashed over her at the displayed text.

  Too late.

  Eight

  Confused and dismayed, Jenna stared at the screen of her cellphone. “It says we’re too late.” She looked at Kane. “There should be an hour left.”

  The cellphone beeped again and an image appeared. With shaking hands, she held out the phone for Kane to see the picture of an ashen-faced Lindy, sitting on a moss-covered wooden bench outside an old dilapidated building. “Oh, my God, it’s Lindy.” She handed Kane the phone and rubbed both hands over her face. “And we still don’t know where she is.”

  “I recognize this place.” Kane frowned over the screen. “I drove past it with Rowley one day. I’m sure it’s an old schoolhouse some ways from the Triple Z Bar.”

  “I’ll call Rowley and get the chopper over there.” Jenna ran around the hood and jumped into the seat. “There’s a chance she could still be alive.”

  “I don’t think so.” Kane had enlarged the picture and was shaking his head. His eyes held a tragic expression “There’s something tied around her neck and her lips are blue.” He slid behind the wheel and handed back her phone. “It’s too late, Jenna, and if you want a modicum of dignity for her, call Wolfe to meet us there incognito. If the chopper heads out that way, the media will be crawling all over the place before we get there and we’ll need to preserve as much evidence as possible.”