Forgetting Jane

by C. J. Warrant

  Eli grabbed his large flashlight from under the seat and made his usual walk through around the area where Jane was found. The smell of cold tilled corn fields and lake water made him wrinkle his nose.

  Without making a sound, he walked up to the hole she was pulled out of.

  By the water’s edge, he spotted a Canadian goose swimming, bobbing his head for a drink. He thought it odd. One goose.

  His back was to the truck when a soft snap echoed through the air. The single goose took off in a frantic flight. Eli shifted quickly on the balls of his feet. Gun in his hand, he spun around and made sure no one was behind him.

  Nothing was out there. Something didn’t feel right to him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

  Eli headed toward the southern end of the lake, where the sound came from. Shit. He almost face-planted, nearly dropping his gun but he righted himself. He stumbled over a small mound of freshly loosened soil. His bad feeling turned worse.

  Eli didn’t want to admit it but the one night he didn’t want things to happen, the son-of-a-bitch possibly struck again. The four by six pile of dirt hadn’t been there a few days ago. He wished he had patrolled last night. He couldn’t be sure there was a body under the dirt, but he couldn’t rule it out either.

  He scanned the area once more, then ran back to the truck to retrieve the shovel from the back.

  With careful handling of the dirt, he slowly shifted the dark soil into a pile off to the side. As he dug, he also kept his eyes on the surroundings. He didn’t want to be caught off guard if the perpetrator was still around.

  Eli held his breath the whole time until he hit something solid. He didn’t wait to see what was underground; Eli called over the radio for assistance.

  “I have a possible 10-31 at Beaver Lake. Get Tom and Ryan over here quick.”

  It was a few seconds before the dispatch responded. “10-4, Chief. Deputy Faber is on route,” Cindy Lee’s voice chirped out. “I’ll call Ryan right now.”

  Little by little the pile turned into a small hole. He was about six inches down when he decided to wait for the others. When he stepped back, out of the corner of his eye, by the lake’s edge, stood a person. A girl. The beams from his truck cast an eerie yellow glow around her.

  Eli stood motionless with his eyes straight, not looking at her. His gut told him that it was the girl Jane was talking about. She was dressed in a yellow sundress and had long blonde hair. Just the way Jane described the girl.

  He spoke with an even tone, so not to scare her off. “Hello.”

  She didn’t respond. His nerves were tense as a drawn bow. Eli turned his head slightly to get a better look but she was gone. “Damn it.”

  Why was he seeing her? Then a flash of realization slammed him. There had to be another body in the ground.

  With his heart thrashing hard against his rib cage, he knelt down and began working quickly through the soil with his hands. Using a shovel might destroy any possible evidence and damage the victim.

  The dirt was much softer and easy to remove. Another eight inches down, he found an old woolen blanket. It reminded him of an old military blanket, the ones soldiers received back in the day.

  As he pulled at the corners, something heavy was stuck on it. Eli made fast work with the soil, carefully using the shovel; he dug around a little bigger and wider until an oval form emerged.

  Tom’s squad pulled up. The deputy rushed out and helped immediately. “Holy crap,” Tom said as he helped scoop out the dirt.

  Eli paused for a second, “I don’t think...” The ache in his throat pained him to acknowledge that the person wasn’t alive.

  As they pulled more of the blanket, the ground loosened its grip and they were able to lift the blanket wrapped mass out.

  It was a woman. Her feet dangled out from the blanket. She had on only one black boot.

  Tom lost his grip on the blanket and accidentally let go of his side. The body partially fell out, which exposed a mangled face and arms. The deputy backed up and gagged.

  Eli turned his flashlight onto the victim. The woman’s long hair was tangled up around her right arm. Eli dropped his side and covered the blood-drenched body. She had to be dead before she was put into the ground. Her skull was smashed in and there were more pieces than he cared to see.

  The woman wasn’t dressed either. Her boot was her only apparel. Her free ankle had the same rope burns and slash marks on her shin and calf as Jane. He lifted the blanket and against his stomach’s protest, he examined the deep gouged slash marks on her arms.

  A thought crossed his mind. Could this be the woman his father asked about? With the string of bad crap, Eli’s instincts screamed yes.

  The brutality this woman suffered was much worse than the earlier victims. The bastard had destroyed the woman’s face almost past the point of recognition. Was this what he wanted to do with Jane? Was this a message to Jane, or to him? It was as though he made this woman an example of what he was capable of. Loud and clear.

  Eli had no choice but to make damn sure Jane was protected at all times—round the clock protection. He had to let his deputy in on where Jane was. Eli alone couldn’t protect her. With another murder, making this woman two, Eli knew he had to call State in.

  Tom straightened up and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Sorry.”

  “Okay?” Eli asked Tom before calling in the coroner.

  The deputy took a few breaths, spit and answered. “Yeah.”

  Eli had never seen his deputy so shaken. Tom’s reaction made him more nervous.

  Another thirty minutes until the coroner and the ambulance pulled up. It took almost an hour before the dead woman was removed.

  Tom and Eli blocked off the area immediately after.

  Once the spot was cordoned off, and with Eli’s sinking feeling, he had to call Magda.

  Eli pulled out his cell, looked at his deputy for a brief moment before dialing the nurse’s cell phone. He moved out of earshot before pressing the green button.

  “How’s everything there?” he said in a whisper.

  “Everything is good here. Jane’s resting. Eli, you don’t sound good. What happened?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Just checking in, talk to you later.” Eli hung up before any further questions.

  “Who were you on the phone with?” Tom walked up behind him, wiping his forehead with his sleeve. He had a yellow caution tape in his hands.

  “Magda. I asked how Jane is doing.”

  “Oh. How is she?”

  “She’s resting,” Eli said while staring out toward the lake.

  Tom let out a slight huff. “You two are getting close?”

  “Magda and—”

  “Not Magda. Jane Doe,” Tom interrupted.

  Eli turned around and faced the deputy. “Just checking to make sure she’s safe. That’s all.”

  “Are you sure?” Tom had a sly grin on his ashen face.

  Eli wanted to slap the smile off his face. “Get to the point, Deputy. We have a crime scene to scour.” Eli took a step forward.

  Tom took two steps back and raised his hands up. “Nothing. I’m only asking. What’s up with you? You’ve been dangling on a short leash ever since this case.”

  “I know. I can’t wait until this son of a bitch is caught. Tonight proves that I need to bring someone bigger into this investigation. I’m calling State. They have more manpower to handle this.”

  “It’s only two bodies. Sounds terrible to say that but I don’t think it’s big enough for the State cops to take over. But it’s your call.”

  Eli stared down at the marred arm, then at his deputy. “I know we’re in way over our heads.” He watched his deputy’s ashen face turn red.

  “Are you sure?” Tom questioned. A hint of ire resonated in his voice.

  “Damn sure. This case was way out of our league to begin with. We can’t do this alone. This asshole upped the ante the moment he killed that nurse. And now, with this,” Eli said p
ointing the empty shallow grave, “I can’t take the chance of him getting his hands on Jane, or anyone else for that matter. Not anymore.”

  “Well, you said yourself she’s safe at the hospital. No one can get to her there.”

  Eli cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his neck. “Jane isn’t at the hospital.”

  “What?” Tom stammered out the question. “What do you mean she isn’t at the hospital?”

  “I moved her the night she was attacked.”

  “Where?”

  “My house.” Eli looked away again.

  “Are you kidding me? This whole time, I have been patrolling the hospital grounds, walking the halls, and the damned woman wasn’t even there?”

  “I had to make sure the killer thought she was there. It was the only way to keep her safe.”

  “What was the reason for not telling any of us? Or me. Is it trust? You don’t trust me enough to tell me the truth?”

  “I figured the fewer people knew about my plan, the better. It’s not like I don’t trust you, I felt it would be more effective if no one knew.”

  “You thought you could handle this case without me.” Tom’s brows furrowed tight; his frown showed no appeasement.

  “No. I kept it quiet because I know the killer is local. Not sure who, but hiding Jane was a tactic to protect her. That’s all. Tom, I’m making the call and the state police will be taking over this case.”

  “So, that’s it.” Tom’s grated voice shot up. “I guess in a few hours, this case will be out of our hands.”

  Every muscle in Eli’s body became taut. “It’s my call and I’m taking it. What’s pissing you off more, Tom, that I hid Jane and did not tell you or that the State is taking over? I’ve never seen you act like this before.”

  Tom didn’t say another word. He stood there in silence, lips thin and white, eyes cold. The deputy dropped the yellow caution tape and headed off toward the water. He stopped just a foot out of range of the beamed headlights. Eli only saw his statued silhouette in the dark.

  Eli walked off toward his truck, giving Tom time alone, but kept looking back over his shoulder. He trusted Tom. Though with his deputy’s sudden belligerence, he wasn’t sure about anything at that point.

  Once at the truck, Eli opened the back for the evidence gear. He looked up and watched the outline of the man he thought he knew disappear into the night. He tried to adjust his eyes to the darkness but he couldn’t spot him. The knot in his gut told him to beware.

  The phone rang, which made Eli jump. Magda’s cell. He flipped the phone open and answered. “What wrong?”

  “What happened? You hung up on me?” Concern laced the old woman’s voice.

  Eli blew out a breath and hesitated. “We found another body.”

  “Oh my Lord. Is she alive?”

  “No. She was beaten to the point that we can’t recognize her. Her face is in bad shape. I think the bastard is sending a message. I have no choice now but to call State police in.”

  “What does that mean, Elias?”

  “That means the State police will be taking over this case and Jane will be in protective custody under them. This case is way out of our league.”

  “What should I tell Jane?”

  “Don’t say anything. I’ll be home soon. I’ll tell her.”

  Eli hung up but leaned against the truck for a little while longer. He needed to regroup his thoughts. Anger and contempt swirled in his blood for what the bastard did to the victim, but worse, aggravation bolstered tight in his gut about Tom.

  The man’s rage was too quick to reason. What was behind his anger? It made no sense to Eli.

  As though the deputy had read his thoughts, he walked up to the truck. “Can I talk to you?” Tom approached Eli with careful steps.

  Eli straightened away from the truck, but kept his eyes on the man. “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry for my temper. It’s my wounded pride that lashed out. I felt you didn’t trust me enough to handle that secret but I understand why you did it. I probably would have done the same thing.” Tom gave him a half of a smile.

  Tom sounded sincere, but something inside Eli gut warned him to be cautious.

  “I’m glad you understand.” Eli said evenly. “Why don’t you start gathering what you can see while I call State. I’ll help you after the call.”

  It took all of ten minutes on the phone to get his answer.

  “They’ll be here by tomorrow,” Eli said as he slipped on a pair of gloves.

  Eli walked back toward the hole they had cordoned off.

  “So who’s watching Jane?” Tom asked while picking up a small soil sample.

  “Magda.”

  “That old woman doesn’t have enough muscle to protect herself. Why her?” Anger laced his question again.

  “If no one knew where Jane was, then I didn’t need the muscle,” Eli explained. “Let’s concentrate on the evidence.”

  Tom nodded and went back to what he was collecting. “Not sure but I think this is blood and maybe some brain matter. It was too dark to see anything clearly.”

  Eli quickly glanced down at his watch. Three-0- five. “There is nothing to see. We’ll wait until the State arrives to facilitate what needs to be done.”

  “I’ll stick around to look a little more,” Tom said. “I’ll be careful.”

  “All right. I’ll head back to the station. I need a chat with James.”

  “Why?”

  “I have a bad feeling this woman is his girlfriend.”

  Tom shook his head. “That’s a shame.”

  “Afterwards, I’m going to the hospital. I want to know if Dr. Farley found anything on the victim. Until the State gets here, we still work this case. Be extra cautious.”

  “10-4.” Tom saluted Eli, then hunched over the gravesite with a flashlight and a small shovel.

  Eli slid into this truck, took notice of how Tom kept looking into the hole and then spitting off to the side. He thought the deputy had a strong constitution, but apparently not when it came down to mangled bodies.

  As Eli pulled out onto the road, he headed straight to the station. He swallowed hard to soothe some of his dry palate. He didn’t want to admit it in front of Tom, but he also felt green when he pulled back the blanket.

  His nerves were yanked tight and his chest hurt from the boulder-sized weight. The acrid flavor burned at the back of his throat, but he kept it down by swallowing. He hated the anxiousness crawling over his skin. A cigarette would cure the taste but not the bad feeling coursing through his body.

  Jane was the only one who took that anxiety away. He hated to admit it but when he was in her arms, it was as though all the rotten crap of his past was wiped away. Dissolved into nothing. Even his nightmares stayed at bay.

  Admitting his feelings for Jane was difficult enough—he never imagined in his wildest dreams he’d fall fast for a woman like her. She was someone who wouldn’t take his crap, but loved him physically, unconditionally. Even when she called him Ass, it sent a jolt to his system.

  The thought of not seeing her on a daily basis stabbed at his heart. But Eli couldn’t—wouldn’t—put Jane in danger any longer. This was for her.

  If he’d found Jane brutally murdered, the badge he found strength in wouldn’t hold back the vengeance he’d unleash.

  Eli shook off that imagery and rushed into the station and headed straight to the holding cell in back.

  Nearly running into the bars, Eli rushed out, “What kind of shoes did your girlfriend wear?”

  “How the fuck should I know. I’m a guy. If she isn’t flashing lace or something see-through, then I’m not looking.” James got up from the cot and pressed his face through the bars. “Why, did you find her?” His voice shook slightly.

  “Maybe. But I need to know what she was wearing.”

  “Beats me. Short skirt and black heels—no, boots…I think.”

  “We found the body of a woman but her face was smashed in. Does she hav
e long hair?”

  “Very long, and black,” James said shaking his head.

  “I think the victim is your friend,” Eli said, leaning back against the adjacent wall. His assumption was correct.

  “She’s dead?” James leaned against the cell, slipping down to the floor and threw up.

  “Eww.” Caroline cringed.

  Eli walked over to her cell and opened it. “Get out. I don’t want to see your face around here again.”

  She nodded in quick agreement. Eli opened the door wider and she dashed out of the cell.

  “Hey, what about me?” James shouted.

  “State’s coming. I’ll leave it up to them to see if you are a suspect.”

  “What? I didn’t kill anybody!”

  Eli walked out, ignoring James’s yelling.

  ***

  Caroline raced out of the station fast. She wanted to claw Eli’s face off for putting her in jail and leaving her there overnight, but thought differently. She didn’t want another night in jail, especially next to that nasty pig.

  Beth offered her a ride back to the hospital, but she ignored the fat bitch. Every person in the county knew she was carted away from the hospital like some criminal. She wasn’t going to add the humiliation of a squad car dropping her off at the entrance. She’d be a laughingstock.

  “That bastard will pay for my humiliation,” she mumbled. “He will pay.”

  The cold night made her shiver. Caroline’s teeth chattered while she checked her coat pocket for her cell phone. Laney would give her a ride. She didn’t want to go back to the hospital, but her car, purse and keys were in her locker.

  “Fuck.” Caroline stamped her foot in frustration. She remembered the damn thing was in her purse.

  Going back into the station to use the phone was the last thing Caroline wanted to do. The farther she got away from Elias McAvoy, the better. She had no idea what she saw in him anyway.

  She stood by the light post and contemplated what she should do. Caroline smelled her rumpled clothes and noticed her fingernails. “No way. I broke a nail,” she whined as she examined her ring finger.

  After chewing off the rest of her nail, Caroline hugged herself for warmth. The icy wind had seeped through her thin coat. She stomped her feet from the numbness, trying to decide what to do.