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

by D. K. Hood

  The next moment a tiny red light high on the wall cut through the darkness like a laser beam. She turned in shivery apprehension to stare at it, mesmerized; then she heard a voice, soft and menacing. It came out of the air around her, bodiless and creepy.

  “Do you know the story of this house, Amanda?”

  Icy fingers of fear walked up her spine and she swallowed the scream threatening to explode from her mouth. “No, ’cause I don’t know where I am.”

  “I’ve heard so many stories about this house. The floorboards carry bloodstains of murder victims and nobody comes here anymore, because they believe it’s haunted. Even on Halloween, the kids are too chicken to face the evil spirits lurking here. Murders, suicides going back decades and the list is no way near finished yet. Two men tortured then cut a young girl, just like you, to pieces in the root cellar, and a man murdered his wife in this very room. He cut her throat from ear to ear and then hanged himself in the barn. People have heard the creak of the rope as he swings back and forth from the rafters, and seen his shadow on the floor. They say the ghosts of the dead are trapped inside this house, forever.”

  Swallowing her fear, Amanda kept her head still and moved her eyes to survey the room. The tiny red light had offered a modicum of illumination and she made out a door and another window. She dashed to the door and pulled on the handle but the door didn’t move. Desperate to escape, she rammed her shoulder against it. Tears wet her cheeks. I’m trapped. “Let me out of here. I want to go home.”

  “There’s no way out and you’re never going home.” His voice sounded amused. “This is your home now.”

  Shaking with terror, Amanda turned and stared into the light. “I’m not staying here – you can’t make me.”

  “Oh, but I can. Nobody is going to find you, Amanda.” Spine-chilling laughter echoed around the room and bounced off the walls. “I just wanted you to know that when I kill you, you won’t be alone.”

  Twenty-Eight

  Jenna didn’t waste time going to the office at Miller’s Garage. She ignored the no customers past this point sign and marched straight into the service bay with Kane at her side. Three young men wearing coveralls and steel-toe boots lifted their heads from under the hoods of vehicles to peer at her. “I’m looking for Matt.”

  “I’m Matt.” A tall, ruggedly handsome young man, not at all like his five-five rotund father, walked toward her, wiping his hands on a rag. “Did Dad send you back here?” His enquiring gaze moved to Kane then back to her.

  “No.” Jenna led him outside. “I wanted to ask you a few questions.”

  “Am I in trouble?” Matt wiped the end of his nose with the back of his hand in a nervous gesture.

  “Why do you figure you’re in trouble?” Kane leaned toward him. “Did you do something last night you need to get off your chest?’

  “No! Luke called me about Amanda going missing. I swear I’d nothing to do with that – heck, I only met the girl once or twice.” Matt gave Jenna a pleading look. “I’m not interested in her, she’s just a kid. I only agreed to go to the dance because Lucy’s mother was making noises about her going alone and Luke didn’t want Amanda hanging around like a third wheel.”

  Jenna wrinkled her nose. The idea that Luke had called him to give him the heads-up annoyed her. If he was involved, he’d had time to have gotten his story straight and figured out an alibi for last night. “Do you have anyone to verify your whereabouts last night?”

  “I was home with my folks.” Matt cleared his throat. “Watched a movie, and then went out to Aunt Betty’s for a burger.”

  “What time was that?” Jenna took out her notebook and made some notes without looking at him. She had no need; Kane would be watching his body language like a hawk. “Do you remember who served you or did you see anyone?”

  “It was after the movie, ten-thirty maybe.” Matt shuffled his feet, then leaned casually against the wall in a pretense of calm. “I can’t remember who served me but I did see Jake Rowley. He was sitting with three people, like on a double date or something.”

  Jenna looked at him. “Then where did you go?”

  “I ate my burger and went home.” Matt moved around nervously, avoiding Jenna’s eyes. “Is that all? I gotta finish Mrs. Rushton’s vehicle or Dad’ll have my hide.”

  “Did you drive into Glacial Heights?” Jenna lifted her pen. “A pickup was seen leaving there around midnight.”

  “Nope.” Matt took a few steps back. “Is that all? I’ve really gotta get back to work now.”

  “What vehicle do you drive?” Kane indicated to a silver Chevy Silverado pickup with the Miller’s Garage decal on the door. “Is that your truck?’

  “Yeah. Why?” A flash of worry crossed Matt’s face.

  “The GPS in the vehicle or your cellphone will confirm you went straight home after you left Aunt Betty’s.” Kane indicated over his shoulder with his thumb. “Mind if I call someone out to confirm that?”

  “There’s no way I’m letting you near my pickup or cellphone – not without a search warrant.” Matt scowled. “I know my rights.”

  Jenna closed her notebook with a snap. “That can be arranged. We’ve probable cause.” She glanced at Kane. “I want his vehicle searched as well. I’ll wait here.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kane turned away and strode to his truck.

  Jenna looked at Matt. “You can go work on Mrs. Rushton’s vehicle but don’t use your cellphone or leave the garage or I’ll arrest you.”

  “You’re crazy.” Matt threw his arms up in the air. “This is crap.” He walked back to his bay and glared at the other workers. “What’re you gawking at? Show’s over. Get back to work.”

  As he stomped back to his bay, Matt walked through a patch of water and Jenna examined his footprints. A shiver of excitement rushed through her. Had she discovered the Shadow Man? The heel had the exact same circle as the one found at the scene of Amanda’s abduction. She pulled out her cellphone and snapped a few images, then she heard Matt chuckle. She stared at him. “What’s so funny?”

  “You, taking photographs of my footprints.” Matt waved a hand at the other men in the garage and grinned. “If you’re planning on using my footprints as evidence, you’d better include my boys here in the warrant. We all wear the same darn boots, ma’am. My dad supplies them and he buys them from Walmart. I figure most of the tradesmen in town wear the same brand.”

  The information came as a blow to Jenna. The first clue they’d found was useless and she’d heard nothing from Amanda’s abductor. She nodded at Matt. “I’ll be sure to check with your father about that.”

  “See that you do.” Matt bent under the hood of the vehicle.

  * * *

  Half an hour later, Wolfe arrived and strolled to her side carrying a laptop. She moved out of earshot of Matt but kept him in view. “Did Kane get the warrant?”

  “Yeah, he’s waiting on the judge to sign the paperwork.” Wolfe met her gaze. “I’ve compared all the fibers and hair samples you found in the woods with those I collected from Amanda’s bedroom and they’re a match. There’s nothing apart from the heel print and the signs of a struggle to suggest anyone else was there. This guy is good and he must’ve been covered from head to foot to avoid getting snagged in the bushes.” He sighed. “The rain didn’t help. I would’ve liked time to scan the area myself.” He glanced at Matt’s truck. “Maybe I’ll find some trace evidence in there.”

  “I hope so.” Jenna pushed her hands into her pockets. “Any news from Rowley or Walters?”

  “Nothing we can use.” Wolfe rubbed his chin. “The usual ambiguous sightings but nothing panned out. No calls to the Braxton house, and search and rescue have been sweeping the area since the first report came in and have nothing.” He cleared his throat. “They tailed a white pickup with a logo on the door out to the Pittman ranch north of the Triple Z after someone called in a sighting. Webber went with them in the chopper. It was old Mr. Pittman and his wife returning from the st
ore.”

  A ringtone chimed and Matt held up his cellphone.

  “I need to get this, ma’am. It’s someone calling the roadside assistance line.” Matt stared at her. “The calls come to me when my sister is on lunch.”

  Jenna nodded. “Sure, but you’re not going anywhere. You’ll have to send someone else.”

  She watched as he filled in a form on a clipboard then walked over and handed the information to one of the other mechanics. He had his back to her for a few minutes but she kept him in view. The next moment, she heard Kane’s truck heading toward them. He pulled up outside the garage, climbed out and handed her the paperwork. She smiled at him. “Thanks.”

  With Wolfe and Kane following close behind, Jenna went to Matt and handed him the warrant. “Your cellphone please and the keys to your truck.”

  “Okay, okay, so I was driving around Glacial Heights last night.” Matt gave her a desperate look. “There’s no law against going for a drive, is there?”

  Jenna held out her hand. “Keys and cellphone.”

  “There’s no law against driving, no.” Kane eyeballed him. “But a vehicle matching the description of your pickup was seen leaving the vicinity of Amanda Braxton’s abduction. If you’ve nothing to hide, why didn’t you allow us to check your GPS?” He stood over the younger man. “Where is she? Tell us now and it’ll save you a whole lot of trouble.”

  “I wasn’t anywhere near Amanda last night.” Matt handed Jenna his keys and cellphone, then gave Kane a deadpan look.

  “How well do you know Lindy Rosen?” Jenna watched Matt’s face pale. “You do know her, don’t you?”

  “I’m not answering any more stupid questions. I want my lawyer.” Matt lifted his chin in defiance. “My dad will give you his details.”

  “Very well.” Jenna handed the keys and cellphone to Wolfe. “We’ll check for ourselves.”

  It didn’t take long for Wolfe to confirm that Matt had driven to Glacial Heights and stopped a number of times along Stanton Road over a period of two hours before returning home. As Stanton Road bordered Stanton Forest on one side and a number of houses and ranches on the other, Matt had enough time to abduct and hide Amanda. He’d also been in the area at the same time Lindy Rosen went missing and was on Stanton Road near the old schoolhouse in the right timeframe. Jenna read Matt his rights and cuffed him, then turned to Kane. “Go see George Miller and ask him for the lawyer’s details.”

  Moments later, George Miller came storming into the garage, face beet red and eyes blazing. Kane was close behind him and gave Jenna an exasperated look. She turned from assisting Matt into the back of Kane’s truck. “Mr. Miller.”

  “Why are you arresting my boy?” Miller came up close to her, spittle dripping from his chin like an angry bull. “He ain’t done nothing wrong.”

  Jenna placed one hand on her pistol. “Take a step back, Mr. Miller, and I’ll explain.”

  “It had better be good.” Miller spat on the ground. “And to think I voted for you in the last election. That’s the thanks I get?”

  “You voted for a sheriff who’ll keep the town safe.” Kane towered over the enraged man. “That’s what you have. Sheriff Alton doesn’t pay out favors for votes – that’s corruption. You want that in Black Rock Falls, Mr. Miller?”

  “I guess not.” Miller lifted both his arms and then dropped them to his sides in a gesture of disbelief. “My boy wouldn’t harm anyone. He’s under suspicion for the abduction of Amanda Braxton? Look at him – you figure he needs to abduct women?”

  Jenna liked George Miller – he’d always treated people right – and arresting his son left a nasty taste in her mouth, but the evidence was there. Circumstantial maybe but right now, it was all she had.

  Twenty-Nine

  He pulled a chair up close and examined Amanda’s face. The changes in a person’s face after near strangulation intrigued him. The broken blood vessels in the eyes and the way the red line around her neck was turning a distinct shade of blue. He enjoyed this part of the game, the fear when she eventually opened her eyes to find him there, watching her and knowing he hadn’t quite finished the job.

  Her eyelids flickered for the second time and he adjusted the light so she could see him. “Did you enjoy your near-death experience?”

  “N-no.” Her voice came out in a raspy breathless whisper and her bloodshot eyes lifted to his face. “Why are you doing this to me?”

  He leaned closer so they were almost nose-to-nose. “Because I can.” He smiled at her. “Tell me what you saw. Did a white light come to snatch you away from life or was there only darkness?”

  When she refused to reply, he soared to his feet, tipping back his chair. It clattered to the ground and he savored the way his sudden movement made her tremble again. He walked behind her, trailing his fingers over her shoulders. “I can make this stop but I need an answer.”

  He gave the cord around her neck a tug, just enough to let her know his intentions. Then he righted his chair and sat down, waiting for the gagging to subside. “Well?”

  “You’ll kill me if I answer you or not.” Amanda had a defiant look in her eyes. “One thing for sure, you’ll rot in hell for eternity.”

  “Don’t you figure I’d enjoy discussing my work with like-minded souls?” He chuckled. “What could be better?”

  “That’s not what I saw.” Amanda’s puffy lids closed and a small smile curled her lips. “But I’ll never tell you.”

  He often wondered why some of the women gained bravado when they knew the odds were stacked against them. Amanda couldn’t win and yet she chose to anger him. Did she want her end to be brutal? As he sat back in his chair and stared at her, his mind conjured the face of Sheriff Alton. He could almost see her sitting tied to the chair before him. Strangulation would be too quick for her. He needed to eliminate the women who wanted to change a man’s world into a matriarchal society. The alpha female belonged in comic books or games. When he took the sheriff to his new hideout, he’d make her death slow and enjoy every bloody second.

  Thirty

  Kane escorted Matt Miller to the interview room, gave him a cup of coffee and turned on the camera. The CCTV fed into the computer system and anyone on duty could view the live feed. It was a simple method of doing two jobs at once. Of course, they disconnected the feed during prisoner/lawyer interviews. He closed the door and went to the kitchenette, collected two cups of coffee and went to Jenna’s office.

  “The lawyer’s on his way.” Jenna took the cup with a smile. “Thanks.”

  Kane sat opposite her and placed one booted foot on the other knee. “Do you want me here while you deal with him?”

  “Yeah, if we get to question Miller, I want your take on his body language. Although, I’m not convinced he’s our guy.” Jenna raised both eyebrows. “Why, do you have a lead?”

  “No, a hunch maybe. I figured I’d go search the areas around where Matt stopped last night and see if I can find out where he took Amanda.” Kane frowned. “She could be in the forest, injured or worse.”

  “Wolfe’s heading out there now and I’m keeping the search and rescue going for as long as possible. Amanda’s our prime concern right now and I aim to find her.” Jenna leaned back in her chair. “When we arrived, Rowley informed me that Blackhawk’s team is out with dogs scouring Stanton Forest along all the points where Matt stopped. He made him aware of the dangers of potential booby traps and the people with him are experienced trackers.”

  “I sure like having Blackhawk around. You thought of making him a deputy?” Kane placed his cup on the desk. “We need more on the team; we’re stretched to the limit right now.”

  “He won’t join the team.” Jenna pushed hair from her eyes. “We pay him for his time but he doesn’t want a badge.” She sighed. “I hate sitting here doing nothing – I feel like I’m wasting precious time. Amanda is out there all alone and we’re her only hope.”

  Kane took in her hopeless expression. She’d done everything by the bo
ok: organized a search, set up a command station, had deputies at the Braxtons’ house monitoring calls and hunting down suspects. “I feel the same but we’re doing everything humanly possible to find her. Right now, we’ll have to hope Matt has some information to give us or we have the same problem we had with Lindy. If Matt isn’t involved in Amanda’s abduction, she could be anywhere – even out of the county by now. We know someone carried her from the woods, so we have to assume he rendered her unconscious or someone would’ve heard her screaming.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “The ranch is about a mile from Stanton Road, so her abductor must have stashed a vehicle close by. He wouldn’t risk someone noticing his vehicle if he left it parked alongside the forest. If it was Matt, we know from his GPS where he stopped and if Amanda’s anywhere close by Blackhawk’s team will find her.”

  “I hope so.” Jenna lifted the lawyer’s card George Miller had given her and peered at it. “I haven’t met Samuel J. Cross. He’s a returned local working out of an office over the bank. Maggie says the townsfolk like him just fine.”

  Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “I figure he’ll have Miller out within the hour. We don’t have enough evidence to charge him.”

  “Yeah, it’s circumstantial at best but I’d like the chance to question him some more.” Jenna sipped her drink. “If he walks we’ll need to dig deeper. Once the lawyer has spoken to Miller, I want to hunt down Amanda’s friend, Lucy. She might have something we could use – they’re best friends and girls discuss boys, maybe there’s more to the friendship between her and Matt than he’s leading us to believe.”