by D. K. Hood
“Smithers is awaiting orders and Martin’s heading back to his office.” Kane tipped his head toward the men in the hallway. “The Millers have arrived and they’re not happy.”
In an attempt to keep her mind running in chronological order, Jenna pushed both hands through her hair and took a few deep breaths. “Okay, will you thank Martin for his assistance and ask Smithers to escort the Millers to an interview room, and then wait at the counter until Sam Cross arrives? Tell him to take Cross to see Kittredge first, then show him where we’re holding the Millers when he’s done.”
Kane gave her a nod and turned back to the hallway. Jenna glanced at the clock on her office wall. The afternoon was slipping away fast and she so wanted this day to be over but it was getting longer by the minute. She heaved a sigh – with at least two, maybe three interviews to conduct she’d be lucky to get home tonight.
“I’ve spoken to the barman at the Triple Z.” Kane walked back into the room and dropped into a chair. “Same as before, he recalls seeing Kittredge there with a woman but he’s always with some woman or another so days run into each other. He’s going to ask around for a woman fitting the description Kittredge gave us and if he finds her he’ll give us a call.” He rubbed the darkening stubble on his chin. “I called Silent Alarms and Anderson’s alibi checks out. According to his boss, he did work both Sunday and Wednesday nights. Unless someone triggers an alarm, all he has to do all night is watch TV.”
Jenna sighed. “Then I guess if we search his property and come up empty we’ll have to cut him loose?”
“Yeah, we don’t have an option. We’ve no evidence to implicate him at all.” Kane drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Ready to interview Packer?”
“Yeah, but before we go, I’ve some interesting information.” Jenna explained Wolfe’s preliminary conclusion of Amanda’s cause of death.
“Okay.” Kane got to his feet. “That places Packer firmly in the ballpark.”
“So it would seem.” Jenna pushed to her feet smothering a groan and trying to ignore the pain in her back. “Let’s see what Mr. Packer has to say for himself.”
* * *
To Jenna’s surprise, when they entered the interview room, Sean Packer stood and greeted them with a smile. She explained the need to record the interview and his rights. As soon as Packer had agreed to answer the questions, she looked him in the eye. “I understand you had a rough childhood? Being moved around in foster care must have been hell.”
“It was better than being locked in a home for orphans.” Packer’s smile had faded at her first question. “It was like being in jail. They treated us less than animals.” He shook his head. “I figured it would be good to be in foster care but I ended up with a bunch of kids and a couple who spent all their money on booze. I was glad to join the army.”
“That’s awful. I’m glad they don’t have that system in Black Rock Falls. The foster families here are very well supervised.” Jenna frowned to give the impression she sympathized with him. “I gather the army didn’t go so well either?”
“It did for a time.” Packer shrugged. “They taught me a wide variety of skills I wouldn’t have achieved alone. I can earn a living because of the army.”
“I see.” Jenna made a few notes. “So why did they dishonorably discharge you?”
“I went into the army to survive, not to be killed in some godforsaken country.” Packer leaned back in his chair and eyed her with curiosity. “I took non-combat jobs but when the time came, I refused to be deployed.”
A grunt came from Kane beside her and she could almost feel his wave of disgust. She exchanged a look with him and his mouth turned down. She turned back to Packer. “I see.”
“I’m not a coward.” Packer’s eyes blazed with anger. “I figured it was a good excuse to leave.” He cleared his throat. “People shouting orders all the time and telling me what to do. I’d had enough.”
Jenna leaned back in her chair. “Can you account for your whereabouts on Wednesday night?”
“I was at home with my wife, Aileen.” Packer sighed. “Same as the last time you asked me. My wife told me how a deputy had arrived on the doorstep and made her sign a statement. When he goes by again, she’ll say the same thing. You’re wasting your time.”
“Okay, Mr. Packer.” Jenna tried to gauge what he was thinking. “We’re aware the army trained you in the use of explosives. Why did you deny this the last time we spoke to you?”
“Basic training, maybe.” Packer sighed. “I don’t recall.”
“So you’d know your way around a variety of weapons. Do you hunt?” Jenna raised an eyebrow. “Or do you prefer the range?”
“Yeah, I hunt. Elk or deer and I own a number of weapons.” Packer gave her a stubborn stare. “Like most of the men who live here. I often go to the practice range. It’s the responsible thing to do.”
“Sure is.” Jenna slid the photographs of Christine Pullman and Joy Coran out of the folder. “Do you know these women?”
“Are they dead?” Packer lifted his expressionless gaze to her. “Nope, can’t say that I do.”
Jenna pushed a little harder. “Do you have any child pornography at home?”
“No!” Packer reeled back in his chair. “Why would you ask me that?”
“So you’d have no objection to handing over your computer or media devices for inspection and allowing a search of your home and vehicle?” Jenna kept her gaze fixed on his face. “Well, Mr. Packer? Or do we need a search warrant?”
“I guess not. I’ve got nothing to hide.” Packer glared at her with contempt. “I can’t believe you’d figure I was involved in hurting those girls.” He pointed at her. “You’re a sly one, make like we’re going to have a chat and you come on like a police prosecutor.”
“You’re within your rights to have an attorney present at any time.” Jenna waited a couple of beats. “No?” She took a statement book out of the file and gave it to Packer with a pen. “Please write a statement to say we have permission to search your premises and vehicle, and then sign it.” She shrugged. “It’s up to you, Mr. Packer. Think about it – if you come up clean, you’ll be able to leave with your head held high. Nobody is aware of why you’re here.”
“Just how long is this going to take?” Packer picked up the pen, wrote a statement and sighed.
“You’ll have to remain here until we search your premises.” Jenna collected her files. “If all is as you say, we’ll have no reason to detain you for more than twenty-four hours.”
“I’m allowed to make a phone call.” Packer glared at her. “I need to tell my wife.”
“You haven’t been charged, Mr. Packer.” Jenna got to her feet. “You’re being held for questioning. I’ll have Maggie contact Aileen and tell her you’re here.”
Outside in the hallway, Jenna leaned against the wall and looked up at Kane. “There’s something creepy about him. I can’t put my finger on it.”
“He ticks the boxes.” Kane stared at the door. “He’s been in the army, so is capable of breaking a person’s neck quietly in a few seconds, and has admitted to some expertise with a rifle. He’s made friends with the kids in the families where he worked, so the girls would trust him, and he knows how to use explosives. As a handyman, he’ll have skills we’re not aware of – but on the downside, he does have an alibi for both nights and no apparent motive.”
“Wives lie and he could easily have a motive.” Jenna glanced down at her notes. “What if he suffered abuse by a woman authority figure as a child in foster care? It’s something we’ll need to check. Maybe his wife would know?” She glanced at Packer through the one-way glass. “We’ll ask Wolfe to come with us when we search his home. Lock him up for tonight. We’ll deal with him in the morning.”
Forty-Six
“Sheriff Alton.”
Jenna pushed away from the wall as the lawyer Sam Cross brushed past Rowley on his way out of interview room three, with George Miller on his heels. “Are
you looking for me, Mr. Cross?”
“Yes, I am.” Cross glanced both ways, and then lowered his voice. “May we speak privately?”
“I’ve four interview rooms and currently they’re all occupied.” Jenna glanced at George Miller, who refused to meet her gaze. “Unless you want to come to my office?”
“We can speak in front of my client.” Cross and Miller stood to one side to allow Jenna to pass. She nodded at Rowley standing at the door. “I can take it from here, Rowley. We’re going to have visitors in the cells tonight. Call the Blackwater sheriff’s department and see if they can spare a few deputies to take over from Walters at six.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley turned and headed back to the main office.
They crowded into the interview room and Jenna sat down. “What do you want to discuss?”
“I’m aware you’ve a witness who places my client in the vicinity of Amanda Braxton’s disappearance?”
Jenna nodded. “Yes, we do.”
“Then we want to cut a deal.” Cross sat down beside Matt Miller and placed one cowboy boot on his opposite knee, then leaned back in his seat. “Full immunity for Matt and the witnesses necessary to clear my client.”
“Full immunity from what?” Jenna shook her head. “If this is a trick to get your client off a murder charge, you’re crazy.”
“A minor offense is all.” Cross waved a hand in the air as if he was swatting a fly. “Problem is I’ll have trouble getting them to step up to the plate if they figure they’ll be incriminating themselves.” He shrugged. “If you’ll agree not to charge my client with a minor offense, we’ll give you the reason why Matt was in the location of the missing girls, but if you want proof, we’ll need to cut a deal with the DA.”
How bad could it be? Jenna would be happy to eliminate a suspect. She sighed. “Okay, what did you do, Matt?”
“He’s not saying a word.” Cross stared at Jenna and his eyes twinkled. “Matt was delivering grass to his friends. He obtains it from a dealer and they split the cost is all. His friends will verify his whereabouts on Sunday and Wednesday nights and give you the approximate times, if they all get immunity.”
“And an assurance he won’t deal drugs again?”
“Sure.” Cross smiled at her. “He wants a quiet life.”
Jenna turned to Kane. “I figure we call the DA.”
“Yeah, but you won’t get him here this afternoon, he’ll be in court.” Kane glanced at his watch. “Maybe first thing in the morning?”
“Okay.” Jenna turned back to Cross. “Matt will have to stay here until we arrange a meet with the DA. Maybe in the morning.”
“I don’t want to stay here overnight.” Matt rose to his feet. “I’ve admitted why I was in Stanton Road.”
“It’s just one night and they’ll feed you well.” Cross placed a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “It will all be over soon.”
Jenna got up to leave. “We’ll make the arrangements and call you with the details.” She glanced at Matt. “Wait here and Rowley will take you to the cells.” She followed Kane out the door with Cross and George Miller close behind.
“Thanks for your consideration, Jenna.” Cross gave her a brilliant smile. “We should have dinner sometime?”
Jenna laughed. “A sheriff and a defense attorney. Been there and done that. Trust me, it wouldn’t turn out well, but thanks anyway.” She turned away and followed Kane to the next interview room.
She noticed the way Kane looked at her and smiled at him. “It’s nice to have an ego-stroke sometimes.”
“Ah-huh.” Kane gave her a slow smile. “I’ll have to remember that.”
As much as she loved the attention Kane gave her off duty, when they were on the job it made it difficult to keep her head straight. After what I’ve been through today, a cuddle would be just fine. Her face grew hot at the thought and she cleared her throat. “Lancaster is next.”
Forty-Seven
He stared at the clock hanging on the wall. It was a familiar, generic round clock, metal, eight inches across with a clear glass front. The face had the usual twelve numerals in black and seconds marked off in sections with hands to match. A red second hand ticked away the seconds, sixty seconds to one minute, sixty minutes to one hour. The rhyme sat in his head like an earwig as he watched time slip away. He had nowhere else to go right now and he liked to watch the clock. Tick tock, tick tock.
The sound calmed him and put everything in his mind firmly into place. Up to now, he’d planned a schedule, each move carefully timed – but he’d added another twist to the game with Sara. Meeting her had been different and he’d decided on impulse to kill her there. The forest had turned out to be a perfect place to kill and he’d consumed her fear. If only the sheriff had wandered into his trap instead.
Tick tock, tick tock. His eyes followed the red hand, moving past the number nine and on to ten. It was almost hypnotic. Clocks were amazing inventions; they measured an illusion that only existed in a person’s mind. An invention by man to measure a creation of man.
From a young age, he’d enjoyed discovering how things worked. Books or the internet filled in the information he lacked but the workings of the mind confused him. He’d once wanted to ask someone, a shrink maybe, why his grandma’s image appeared over the faces of the women he killed, and then the moment he killed Lindy, everything had changed.
It had just been Lindy’s big scared eyes looking up at him as he tightened the rope around her neck, not his grandma’s angry glare. Killing the girls had been different – exciting – and watching their fear of him had seeped into him like a drug. Maybe he could slay his demons for good by killing the sheriff and winning the game. After all, the thrill of abducting and killing a teenage girl was so much better.
The first time he’d laid eyes on the sheriff, ordering men around like she was all that, he’d seen his grandma’s eyes flashing with anger and cursing him, telling him he was useless and would amount to nothing. For a long time, he’d figured she’d been right because as a kid, all the women he’d met treated him like a bug they wanted to squash under their feet.
But he wasn’t a little boy anymore.
One by one, he’d made them apologize and then delivered his sentence. He’d expected one day someone would put a stop to his revenge and he’d grown bored waiting for the fun to begin. The chase he expected had never occurred and the notoriety of murdering twenty-seven women had not rated a mention – then he’d strangled Lindy. His life had changed in that dark root cellar and the Shadow Man had risen, feared and respected. Now one woman stood in the way of redemption – Sheriff Jenna Alton. He had to win the game and destroy the final vision of his grandma then he’d be free. Lady, you’re so gonna die.
Forty-Eight
Exhausted, Jenna waited for Kane to open the door to the interview room, and then walked inside. She recognized the muscular man sprawled in the chair with his feet on the table and cowboy hat tipped down over his eyes and cleared her throat. “Mr. Lancaster.”
“That would be me.” Lancaster tipped up the rim of his hat and looked at her. “Afternoon, Sheriff, nice to see you again, ma’am.” He dropped his boots from the table and sat up in his chair.
Jenna took in the man before her, handsome with a sexy smile – no wonder the young girls chased after him. She explained the situation and his rights and, when he agreed, turned on the recorder. “The last time we spoke, you mentioned knowing Lindy Rosen. Have you met Amanda Braxton?”
“The other girl that went missin’?” Lancaster’s forehead creased into a frown. “Yeah, she was one of the girls who hung around me at the school, just the same as Lindy. Is that why I’m here? You figure I’d something to do with abducting those girls?”
If that was a proclamation of innocence, it sure looked genuine. Jenna ignored his question, opened the file and slipped out the crime scene photographs Agent Martin had given her of the two murdered women. “What about Christine Pullman and Joy Coran?” She placed the imag
es in front of him. “Take a good look. Do you recognize them?”
“Jesus.” Lancaster stared at the images, and then lifted his gaze slowly to her. “You’re prankin’ me, right?” He stared into the camera. “Okay, you got me.” He turned his attention back to Jenna. “This isn’t funny – those women look all beat up and they’re making me sick to my stomach.”
“They’re dead. Beaten to death.” Kane’s expression turned to disgust as he leaned forward in his seat. “Do we look like we’re joking? Do you figure the sheriff has time to prank you with the murders of two teenage girls to solve?”
“Hey, man.” Lancaster held up both hands as if to ward him off. “I can’t kill a snake, let alone a woman, and those girls were just kids. Just because they follow me around don’t mean I killed them. Heck, they didn’t cause that much trouble and it’s kinda nice being someone’s hero.”
“We just find it strange when a girl goes missing and you choose that morning to have your truck professionally cleaned.” Kane glared at him. “Then you can’t prove your whereabouts on the nights someone abducted them.”
“Listen, I get my truck cleaned same time every week.” Lancaster cleared his throat. “If you check out the envelope that’s with my stuff the deputy took you’ll find my bank statement. It shows I pay for car detailing every week, same time.” He shrugged. “I’m seeing a woman who works there. She’s married and I spent the night Amanda went missing with her. That’s why I said I was alone; she’s in a bad situation.” He looked at Jenna. “Check it out but don’t let her husband know. He’s abusive and she’s planning on leaving him.”
“I’ll keep her statement confidential.” Jenna exchanged a glance with Kane. “Give me her name and number.” She took down the details. “Okay, wait here. Kane, with me.”
Outside in the hallway, she made the call, then disconnected and looked at Kane. “Yeah, she covered for him and is on the way to give us a statement.”
