A minute passed.
"You sure?" he said. "Okay, thanks."
"Christiansen's land?" Natassia asked.
"No."
"Who owns it then?"
"It's crown land."
Her eyes widened. "Ah, that makes sense. No one would be developing this area so less chance of someone finding all this." She indicated the evidence bags and blood stain.
"That creates another problem. Christiansen can easily deny he had anything to do with this because it's not on his property. Unless we can find actual proof he or someone at Sanctuary was involved."
"Then we'll find it."
Buzz.
"The X-Disc?"
Ben stared at his data-com for a moment. "Oh God."
Natassia rushed to his side. "Did it find the victim's head?"
"Worse."
When Ben turned the 'com toward her, she saw what looked like an x-ray of an area of land to the north that showed occasional white spots scattered over the ground. He slid his finger along the screen to enlarge the area and the white spots became tinier and pixelated.
"What are they?" she asked, squinting.
"According to the analysis, bone fragments."
10
Jasi was a bit leery about their host's instructions—no weapons or data-coms during dinner or the sweat lodge. "I'm not sure we're safe here," she told Brandon while they were changing for dinner.
"I won't let anything happen to you. Trust me."
"It's not you I'm worried about."
He kissed her lightly. "Christiansen isn't going to allow any harm to come to us during such a public event. Not with the RCMP and CFBI watching. He's going out of his way to cooperate."
"That in itself is suspicious, don't you think?"
"Maybe he really has nothing to hide. If one of his flock killed Sheral, there's no guarantee he knew anything about it."
"I don't think you really believe that."
"You know me too well."
"Just to be prepared, I'm packing a little insurance." She turned and hiked up her shirt. She'd tucked a small pistol inside her pants at the small of her back. "To hell with Christiansen's rules." She slid on a gray leather jacket as extra coverage.
"What about our 'coms?"
She shrugged. "We can leave those for now. Once we're finished dinner, we'll come back and report in to Ben and Natassia. We can do the same after the sweat lodge."
For good measure, Brandon tucked both data-coms inside a pair of boots in the closet. "In case the good Father plans to have our rooms searched while we're out."
"Good thinking. Ready?"
"Let's go."
Leaving the safety of their cabin, they headed toward the lodge, only to be redirected by a good-looking guy with dirty-blond hair and a scruffy goatee.
The Brad Pitt double.
"Dinner's inside the small barn," he told them, leading the way.
"You're the driver of the Sanctuary van," Jasi said.
He blinked twice. "Uh, yeah."
"So your job is to find new members and bring them here?"
The man let out a laugh. "You make it sound so…wrong. We help those who wanna be helped."
"Look, uh…"
"Lazarus," the man volunteered.
"Lazarus?" Brandon cut in. "Like the guy in the Bible who rose from the dead?"
Lazarus pursed his lips. "That's me. Well, not the same dude exactly, but I did die and come back. Couple of years ago I overdosed on meth. Father Jeremiah found me passed out in an alley. He took me to the hospital, saved my life."
"What about the rising from the dead part?" Jasi said wryly.
"Oh, I died. Doctor said I was dead for nearly six minutes. Then—wham! Back I came."
"Lucky you."
"Damn right I was lucky. Now I get to help others turn their life around. We save people."
Jasi thought of Zane, her former boyfriend turned criminal. She was unable to save him. Now he was fish food somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
"You can't save everyone," she murmured.
"No, ma'am. But we gotta try. Some of 'em take time. And if we fail…"
"What?"
Lazarus shrugged. "Like you said, not everyone can be saved. We accept that."
Jasi flicked a look at Brandon, then reached into her jacket pocket. "You ever see this woman before? She's a hooker from Vancouver." She handed him the photo of Sheral Downham.
Lazarus studied the picture for a second. "Nope. Never seen her before."
"Are you sure? We have an arrest warrant for her. Word on the street is that you picked her up in Vancouver two and a half weeks ago and brought her here."
"Most of the time the people I pick up are in rough shape. She sure is pretty though. I'd remember her if I seen her."
This threw Jasi off guard. She was sure Lazarus would ID Sheral. Cameron had said Sheral had been picked up by "Pitt." Yet Lazarus seemed sincere when he said he'd never seen her.
As they came within reach of the barn, they heard laughter and music.
"Sounds like a party," Brandon said.
"Naw, just our regular dinner," Lazarus said. "Father Jeremiah believes in community spirit, so we all pitch in for the evening meal. Food here is awesome. And the music is by whoever feels like playing." He looked at Brandon. "You play an instrument?"
"Some guitar, but it's been a while."
"The schedule is already set for the next three days, but maybe you'll play for us one night after that."
Jasi wanted to cut in and tell the man they weren't planning on sticking around that long, but Brandon beat her to it.
"We'll probably be gone by then," he said. "And I'm not that good, anyway."
Lazarus slapped his shoulder as though they were the best of pals. "We won't judge you. No one here's a pro. We play for fun."
Christiansen greeted them in a silver and black satin robe draped over jeans and a gray T-shirt. "Welcome, friends. We hope you'll enjoy the feast we have prepared. We're pleased to have you witness our celebrations."
"What are we celebrating?" Jasi asked. A successful murder?
Christiansen beamed a smile. "One of our members is being reborn tonight. There is no better way to see the salvation that Sanctuary provides than by being witness to the rebirth of a previously lost soul." He beckoned them to follow. "Please, sit here with me and my family."
Nine rectangular tables, each covered with a simple white tablecloth, had been joined lengthwise down the center of the barn. One extra-long table had been placed crosswise at the far end, forming a long "T," and it was to that table that Christiansen led them.
He sat down in the center chair. "Agent McLellan?" He indicated a chair to his left. "Please sit. Special Consultant Walsh, have a seat to my right."
Jasi saw Brandon's brows arch. He didn't like that they were separated by Christiansen. Neither did she. However, if it made their host feel more comfortable, she'd go along with it.
Sanctuary's residents filed in and took their seats. Christiansen's wives and children sat on either side of Brandon and Jasi. When Beth sat down beside her, Jasi noticed that the music and laughter in the spacious barn had subsided. Nervous whispers teased the air. What were they saying?
There was an awkward moment as everyone held hands and Christiansen said grace, but Jasi managed to make it through without snickering in disdain at the words that were being spoken.
"Thank you for our guests," Christiansen concluded. "May they find the closure they are searching for so they can move on to other tasks."
This was said with a finality that unnerved her but also made her that much more wary. Had he just covertly warned everyone to stay quiet?
At the far end, six women and a teenaged girl stood and headed for two buffet tables that held countless dishes. With a food-laden plate in each hand, they made their way to the head table. The girl served Christiansen with her eyes down and head bowed. Two of the women served Jasi and Brandon, then Christiansen's other wive
s and children. When they had finished, everyone else went to the food tables to serve themselves.
"You look like you disapprove, Agent McLellan," Beth said next to her.
"Seems a bit archaic to me to have women serving like slaves."
"No one's making them do it. They want to serve my husband. It's their way of thanking him."
"What about the girl? What has she got to thank your husband for?"
Beth's eyes darkened. "Not what you're insinuating. Katie is extremely grateful for everything my husband has done."
Jasi scrutinized the girl.
"She was a runaway living on the streets," Beth added. "Ripe pickings for the unsavory sort. Jeremiah rescued her. And now tonight we celebrate her rebirth." A dreamy expression filled the woman's eyes. "Katie is home, as are all who come willingly to Sanctuary."
There was some small talk during the meal, which Jasi had to admit was sensational. Dinner consisted of barbecued chicken, roasted potatoes, salads of all kinds and decadent desserts that she feared would make her gain ten pounds just looking at them.
"No shortage of good food," Brandon said when Christiansen and his wives left them to refill their plates.
"Remember what we're here for," she scolded.
"Hey, can't you let a man enjoy his meal?"
She laughed. "You always act like you're famished."
"I am." He slid one hand under the table and rubbed her thigh. "For you."
"Stop!" she hissed.
Brandon withdrew his hand. "Is it my fault you're more delicious than anything they could prepare here?"
"Keep it up and I might just leave you here."
"But then who would keep your bed warm at night?"
She shot him a warning look. "You're incorrigible. I hope you noticed the cabin we're in only has single beds."
He leaned closer. "Then it's going to be a tight fit."
Thankfully, Christiansen and his harem returned, and Jasi was able to change the subject. "While we were conducting our investigation of the victim in the incinerator, we were alerted to an outstanding warrant for a prostitute who is reported to have been on your property." She showed Christiansen the photo.
"I don't recognize her. Are you sure she came here?"
"We've been told that Lazarus picked her up in the city."
Christiansen studied the photo again. "I don't know…"
The girl, Katie, took that moment to collect their empty plates, and when she saw the photo, her face paled. "That kinda looks like that new woman."
Christiansen twitched. "Who?"
"Nan. You know, the woman who came here two weeks ago." Katie looked at Jasi. "Except her hair is different."
"Ah," Christiansen said, "I see the resemblance now. Yes…Nan. She stayed with us for a few days and then decided it wasn't for her."
"So she left Sanctuary?" Jasi asked.
"Yes. Maybe a week ago."
"By herself?"
"I'll ask Lazarus if he drove her anywhere."
"Don't do that. I'll ask him myself." Jasi pushed away from the table, dropped her napkin on her chair and made her way to the far end of the room. "Lazarus, you said you didn't know the woman in the photo I showed you."
The man gave her a confused smile. "I don't."
"According to Katie and Father Jeremiah, she was here not too long ago. Nancy Davison?"
"Nancy?" His eyes brightened. "Of course. Nan! Sorry 'bout that. She changed her looks a helluva lot. I didn't recognize her." His smile faded. "Wow, that picture must've been taken a long time ago. She's not the same woman anymore. Nan's a hooker now. Gone right downhill."
"Did you take her back to the city?"
"Naw, last I saw she was telling everyone she wanted to leave."
"When was that?"
"The same night we had an emergency curfew and had to stay inside because of the killings."
Jasi perked up. "What killings?"
"One of our dogs and a barn cat. Bear killed 'em."
"Where?"
"On the other side of the fence, in the woods. When that happens, we all stay indoors until morning."
"This happen often?"
Lazarus shrugged. "Not really. There are lots of bears in the mountains. They come down once in a while to hunt. That's why we have the barbwire. Keeps the bears out."
She took a breath. "So let me get this straight. The last time you saw Nancy Davison was the same night everyone was restricted to their cabins."
"Yeah. Her roommate found a note saying Nan had gone back to the city. She must've called a cab or something."
"Without a phone?"
Lazarus gave her a dim-witted grin. "Oh yeah. Maybe not. But I never drove her, and we only have a couple of vehicles here—the van and a truck for larger supplies, so she must've walked."
"All the way to Mission?"
Lazarus shrugged again.
"Where's the note now?"
"Dunno. Guess Father Jeremiah has it."
"When was this?"
"A few days—" He stopped, his face blanching. "Just realized something. The morning Katie found the note from Nan was the same morning that body was found in the incinerator."
"And you just thought of this now?"
"Yeah. Once Grace found the body, we all forgot about Nan's note." His head snapped up. "You think it's her—Nan? In the incinerator?"
"If it is, then someone killed her and dumped her there."
"Who would do that?"
"I was hoping you'd know. Did Nancy have any enemies here? Anyone not like her?"
His gaze drifted toward his benefactor. "I shouldn't be talking about this. I don't know anything more. Talk to Father Jeremiah."
Jasi tucked the photo of Sheral back inside her jacket. "Thanks for your help."
"Sure. Lemme know if you need anything else while you're here." Lazarus eyed her up and down. "It can get lonely out here in the middle of nowhere."
"Believe me, the last thing I am is lonely."
As she walked away, she could feel his stare on her backside. "Lazarus?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"If you don't plan on having another resurrection anytime soon, stop looking at my ass."
"Yes, ma'am. Sorry."
Inwardly, she groaned. Lazarus was a few cells short of a full brain, probably a result of his near-death experience, though maybe he'd always been this way.
Brandon made his way toward her and steered her outside. "I was about to come rescue you from old Lazarus."
"I didn't need rescuing. But he might have if I'd stayed there any longer."
"What did you find out?"
She told him everything.
11
As Natassia studied the boneyard on Ben's data-com screen, revulsion filled every inch of her body. "Sheral Downham isn't the only victim." She looked at Ben. "There's a serial killer in Sanctuary."
"We have to let Brandon and Jasi know."
Activating her 'com, she set it to speaker. "Call Jasi."
It rang multiple times, but no one picked up.
She swore. "She's not answering. Should we go back to Sanctuary?"
"No," Ben said. "We'll continue on to ensure the bones are human and not animal. I'll let Matthew know what we've discovered so he can get an extraction team in here. From the look of it, some of the remains are buried several feet below the surface, while others are in shallow graves. Regardless, it's going to take a substantial amount of time and manpower."
"What is going on here?"
"I suspect we may have found the missing people Sheral was searching for."
While Ben updated Matthew, Natassia sent a quick text off to Jasi and Brandon. Possible victims found beyond Sanctuary property. Watch your back! Killer may still be there.
"Matthew's sending in a team right away," Ben told her minutes later. "Have you heard from Jasi or Brandon yet?"
"No."
"Let's keep moving. I want to get to the gravesite before it's too dark."
I
t took nearly an hour of navigating through cedars, spruce and pines before they reached the area. At first glance, one would never suspect what lay beneath the mossy ground. Upon closer inspection, some of the mounds seemed to be fresher than others. And strange yellowish stains were scattered around some of the graves.
Natassia used a branch to scoop the dirt from one of the mounds. It came away coated with a yellowish mucous.
"Sodium hydroxide," Ben said, scooping a sample into a small metal container.
"Someone used lye to destroy the remains?"
"It's effective. Dissolves a body until it's nothing but liquid and a few slivers of bone, especially when water is added."
"Rain. Damn…another reason why I hate our weather."
"According to the X-Disc, we'll only find trace fragments of bone here. I'm not sure there will be enough DNA remaining for identification."
"Maybe they're not all like this one."
They spread out, removing chunks of soil from various mounds.
"Found one!" she called out, poking a dirt mound with a broken branch.
The smell of decay was overpowering. After spraying some Mentho into her nostrils, she dug into the earth, scraping away tree needles, decayed leaves and rich soil until confirmation was evident. In a shallow grave, she'd uncovered a human hand, its decayed, bony fingers clawing upward.
"My God," she whispered.
"This victim was buried alive."
Together they brushed the soil from the remains, revealing a female body. This time the head was intact.
"No lye was used on her." Passing the flashlight to Ben, she took a picture with her data-com. "I'll send this to the Missing Persons Database along with a DNA sample and see if we get a hit."
"She's maybe in her mid-thirties," he said, shining both flashlights over the corpse. "Auburn hair, about five foot four inches tall." He prodded the body with a twig. "Possible GSW." He indicated a small hole in the woman's ribcage. "Smaller caliber than the most recent vic."
"So…different weapons?"
"Definitely."
"Her body's well preserved."
"Based on the condition of her body, the depth of the grave and the dry soil, I estimate she's been out here for maybe two months. The canopy overhead is thick, and not as much rain reaches the ground here, so that helped with preservation." He sighed. "I suspect the coroner will find petechial hemorrhaging as well. She suffocated."
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