by D. K. Hood
“I have permission for you to search Alex Jacobs’ locker, but I figure unless Seth Lyons agrees, you’ll need a search warrant for his bedroom. It’s Lyons’ room too, and his father owns the house. Another thing: Kane mentioned it was bleached and clean as a pin. I figure we’d be wasting our time doing a sweep this late in the game; these guys are way too smart to leave any evidence.”
Jenna sighed. “Roger that. Send a copy of the doc to my phone; we’ll go see the security guy again and get access.”
“It’s on the way.”
Jenna disconnected and waited for the message to arrive. She glanced at the file and turned in the direction of the security guard’s office. “Let’s go check his locker at the gym.”
After showing the security guard the paperwork, they collected a forensics kit from Kane’s truck then followed him to the gym. The guard took them into the locker room and used a pair of bolt cutters to break the padlock. Jenna noted the whiteboard with names and numbers listed. “Are those the names of people and corresponding lockers?”
“Yeah, they all have a combination lock, so they don’t need to carry keys. They pick a locker then add their name to the list.” The security guard stood to one side.
A whiff of body odor crawled up Jenna’s nose as she opened the door and peered inside. “So the lockers are used by anyone?”
“Yeah, but only male students. The women’s locker room is next door.”
Jenna nodded, pulled on a pair of gloves, and used her Maglite to look inside. There on the top shelf was a large gold pinky ring sitting beside a watch. “Get a photo of the ring, Kane, then we’ll bag it along with the watch.”
She labeled the evidence bags and collected the items, and then they bagged his clothes, including a baseball cap and a jacket with the football team’s logo on the back. “That’s it.” She turned to the guard. “Thank you for your help.”
“No worries, ma’am.” The guard strolled away.
“From the stink coming from his jacket, Jacobs wasn’t much into personal hygiene.” Kane wrinkled his nose. “If he was involved in Chrissie’s rape, I wonder if Wolfe will be able to pull any trace evidence from his things.”
“We’ll drop by on the way back to the office.” Jenna glanced at the bagged items. “We need to find evidence against at least one of the guys in Lyons’ house.”
Seventeen
It had been a long day, and after entering all the day’s information into the files, Jenna glanced at the clock. It was a little after seven, and a spell in the hot tub, dinner, and an early night were calling her name. She’d come up against a brick wall with her investigations and would think on them overnight and start fresh in the morning. She closed down her computer, collected her things, and then headed out her office to the reception area. The place was quiet and Maggie had left for the day, leaving Rowley on the counter. She strolled down to Kane’s desk and waited for him to stop typing. “Let’s call it a day, I’m beat. It’s my turn to cover the 911 line tonight so I’m planning on getting an early night.”
“Sure, give me five.” Kane smiled at her and went back to his computer.
Jenna walked to the counter. “No one has been in for a couple of hours, we’ve no outstanding warrants or misdemeanors to worry about, I’m going home.”
“It’s been pretty quiet in town today.” Rowley picked up a bunch of keys, slid on his hat, and moved around the counter. “I figure things will pick up as the rodeo starts tomorrow.”
Jenna sighed. “It would be nice if one festival and rodeo went off without a hitch. Those cowboys seem to get pleasure out of knocking each other senseless or causing trouble with the locals.”
“It’s a small price to pay for the revenue it brings the town.” Kane walked up behind her, pulling on his jacket. “Duke, where are you?” He peered around the counter and grinned at his dog. “Time to wake up and go home to sleep some more.” He rubbed the dog’s head then looked at Jenna. “Ready?”
Jenna nodded. “Yeah.” She turned to Rowley. “See you in the morning.”
Having Rowley lock up and open the office worked to her advantage; as he arrived at the office at the crack of dawn each morning, it meant she didn’t have to dash into work. By the time she arrived at around eight thirty, he’d dealt with most of the walk-in complaints and had the coffee machines bubbling. Of course, she made sure he was paid for his overtime. To her, finding a dedicated deputy like Rowley had been a dream come true.
She followed Kane outside and dumped her things in his truck. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs drifted on the breeze, and people moved along Main Street, chatting loudly. She sighed with relief. The festival, for once, was going on without incident. Her heart sank at the sound of a dirt bike coming fast, and she turned to see who was stupid enough to speed past the sheriff’s office. The bike came right at her and screeched to a halt, turning sideways with the effort to stop. She recognized the rider as Atohi Blackhawk. He often helped with cases.
“What’s the hurry?”
“A mess of joggers are getting into one hell of a ruckus on the path that goes to the top of the rapids. There’s a crowd of college kids watching.” Blackhawk pulled off his helmet and frowned. “I figure someone is gonna get killed.” He pushed long black hair from his eyes. “I would’ve tried to break it up but they’re tough guys and no way was I getting involved.”
“Okay, lead the way.” Jenna jumped into the truck. “Joggers?”
“I’m guessing they’re from the college; there’s a switchback path that follows the river to the top of the rapids then comes down through the forest and ends up back at the parking lot. All the college kids use it to reach the rapids. They jog and hang out there.” Kane backed out of the parking space and followed Blackhawk through the traffic. “Do you remember Mayor Petersham made a big deal out of clearing it last year so it was a safe trail for the students to use?”
Jenna nodded. “Yeah, vaguely. His speeches tend to go on so long I tune out after he’s finished speaking about our budget for the year.” She yawned. “I hope this won’t take long; this day’s been hard enough already.” She glanced at the forest as they sped by; this late in the day the shadows seemed to stretch forever.
“It’s going to get longer if we have to walk to the top of the rapids.” Kane glanced at her. “Maybe Blackhawk will lend us his new dirt bike?”
“Maybe it will all be over by the time we get there.” Jenna shrugged. “How long can a fight last?”
“It depends.” Kane pulled up behind Blackhawk and they jumped out the truck.
Jenna buttoned her jacket. “Where did you see them?”
“Way up the top of the trail.” Blackhawk handed her a helmet. “Here, put this on.” He removed his helmet and handed it to Kane. “Take my ride, I’ll wait here.”
“Thanks.” Kane tossed him his keys. “Duke will be glad of the company.”
After pushing on the helmet and fastening the chinstrap, Jenna climbed on behind Kane and they took off at breakneck speed up the trail. She clung on to him as the powerful bike bounced over the uneven ground littered with tree roots. How people ran up here, she’d never know. The cool evening air seeped through her jacket and she wished she had thought to pull on a pair of gloves. The dirt bike’s engine sounded louder as they moved deeper into the forest, and although the trail was wide, as the light dimmed the tall pines seemed to close in around them, bringing back horrific memories of atrocities she’d witnessed in this forest since arriving in Black Rock Falls.
“I see them.” Kane’s voice seemed to catch on the wind, and she would have missed it if she hadn’t been stuck so close to his back. “Just ahead.” He slowed the bike and then stopped it some ways from a crowd.
Legs still trembling from the vibration, Jenna climbed awkwardly from the seat and glanced up at him. “Let’s hope we can defuse the situation and let them go with a warning. I don’t like the idea of making an arrest then trying to get them back to town this late in the after
noon.”
“It will be slow-going.” Kane headed toward the crowd. “Sheriff’s department. Break it up, folks.”
The wind had picked up and a cloud of spray from the roaring falls washed over Jenna as she headed after Kane. Ten or more young people, all dressed for running, stood in a circle in a small clearing close to the edge of the rapids. She heard the sound of a slap and inwardly groaned; it sure sounded like a fight. Resting one hand on her weapon, she followed Kane through the small gap in the crowd. “Come on now, people, it’s getting late. Get on your way and give these folks some air.” She pushed between two tall, young men and took in a brawl between four others. She recognized all of them: Owen Jones, who they’d interviewed earlier, and Seth Lyons, Pete Devon, and Dylan Court, who they’d met at Lyons’ house. She raised her voice above the noise of the water. “Hey, break it up.”
Seeing Kane moving to the left, she moved to the right, circling the fighting men. The roar of the rapids rushing down the mountainside was deafening, and it was likely none of the men could hear her. The fight was anything but fair: Lyons and his friends had Jones cornered, and he’d become a punching bag. Ignoring the wet grass and slimy rocks, Jenna took a dangerous path closer to the edge of the rapids to avoid them. She edged closer so Jones could see her. Using her harshest voice, she yelled at them. “Hey, that’s enough! Break it up!”
“You should learn to keep your mouth shut.” Lyons aimed a punch at Jones’s stomach. “I wouldn’t want you to have an unfortunate accident.”
Owen Jones dropped his hands and, astonished, turned to see the sheriff heading his way. The next moment, Seth Lyons moved in with an uppercut. The impact radiated through his teeth. The follow-through was a hard push to his chest. He staggered back, and as his feet slipped on the mossy wet rocks, he went into an uncontrollable slide toward the rapids. Arms flailing, he grabbed desperately for the soaking branches, but to his horror, they slipped through his fingers like wet spaghetti. The roar of the falls was deafening but he could hear raised voices from above him. Unable to stop his momentum toward the gaping abyss behind him, he cursed as the ground under his feet vanished.
Airborne for a millisecond, he seemed to hang above the churning water and then dropped fast. Air and water buffeted him and fear froze his senses for a split second, but he’d skied on higher slopes than this. The next moment, the instinct to survive broke through and he sucked in a deep breath before hitting the freezing water. The air rushed out of him on impact and the bubbling depths enclosed him. Lungs bursting as white, foaming water surrounded him, and unable to determine which way was up, he forced himself to relax. The moment his body started to rise, he kicked madly, broke the surface, and gasped for air.
Ice-cold, churning water slammed down on him as he kicked hard, but a current strong enough to shred clothes had him in its grip. He had no chance of swimming wearing shoes and kicked them off. When he broke the surface again, he realized he’d landed where the water pooled before it raced a hundred feet or so to plunge over the rapids. Bobbing in the rushing water like a cork, he tried desperately to grab at rocks but the icy depths had him in their grip and it was like fighting against the strength of an elephant.
Cold seeped into his bones, and with his strength deteriorating, he had to make a choice. Die here or live. There was only one chance of survival: he had to go over the edge and ride the rapids. He’d watched people in kayaks maneuver their vessels over the waterfall. Downstream the water was wild but not deep. Taking a few deep breaths, he surrendered to the current, folded his arms over his chest, and allowed the water to hurtle him to his fate.
Eighteen
Heart racing, Kane dashed to the edge of the falls, concerned for the young man. He stared into the swirling rock pool below and heaved a sigh of relief. Jones had survived the fall but was flailing his arms in a desperate attempt to swim to a rock. He turned to Lyons. “Did you push him?”
“No, and I have witnesses.” Lyons waved to his friends. “Don’t try to pin this on me. Owen started it, ask anyone.”
Kane hurried downstream, unfastening his belt and intending to dive, but stopped when Jenna ran up behind him and grabbed his arm. “What?”
“It’s about six feet deep down there—you dive in, you’ll break your neck.” Jenna pointed down the trail. “There’s another access point on the big sweeping bend. It will take him time to maneuver around the rocks. If we ride down there, we’ll be able to catch him before he reaches the next falls.”
Kane gave her a nod and they took off running. He had the dirt bike hurtling down the trail at full throttle in seconds. Behind him, Jenna clung on tight, moving with the bends. People heard them coming and pressed into the trees as Kane dropped one boot to the ground to slide the bike around the tight bends. Trees flashed by in a blur of green and the bike bucked dangerously over the uneven ground, but he pushed the speed to the limit. “Come on, come on.”
Ahead he could see the sweeping bend. “Hang on.”
Kane took the turn so fast and low, his knee brushed the ground. When they reached the bend, he could hear Jenna yelling behind him to stop. They leapt from the bike and he took off, stripping off his weapon and jacket. He kicked off his boots and waded into the deep, swirling water. Behind him, Jenna followed suit, gripped tight to the waistband of his jeans and followed him. The current was fierce, and every step felt as if he had great weights tied to his legs. They stood together with a huge boulder at their backs and stared into the light. He set his feet apart to keep his balance and then looked up at the swirling water tumbling down the mountain. “Can you see him?”
“Has he gone past?” Jenna was already shivering.
Kane turned and searched the lower reaches but could only see white water. “I don’t think so.”
Anxiety gripped him as he scanned the swirling bubbles trying to catch a glimpse of Jones. Seconds ticked by, each one stretching like a lifetime, and then out of the swirling, misty haze, a head popped up. “There.” He pointed as Jones came hurtling toward him at speed. He gritted his teeth and then lunged at him, snagging one flailing arm. It took all his strength, but with Jenna’s help, he dragged him onto the boulder.
The young man coughed, spluttered, and then spewed. Kane helped him to sit up. “Where does it hurt?”
“Everywhere.” Jones’s voice was a husky squeak and his teeth chattered violently. “I’m s-so cold.” He looked at Kane. “Thanks for saving me. You too, Sheriff Alton.”
“If you’re okay, let’s get out of this freezing water.” Jenna squeezed Kane’s arm. “Oh good, help has arrived.”
Kane heard someone yelling close by and turned to see a chain of college students making their way through the turbulent water. He grabbed hold of Jones’s arm, and with the students’ help, they staggered out of the rapids and collapsed on the riverbank. Jones’s friends surrounded him, offering him towels and thumping him on the back.
“I’ve called the warden.” A bright-faced young man smiled at Kane. “He’s just up the mountain a ways. The paramedics are on their way too. The warden said he’d take Owen down the mountain to meet them.”
“Thanks.” Kane rolled over to see Jenna shivering beside him. “You should’ve stayed on the bank.”
“You needed my help.” Jenna’s teeth chattered like castanets. “Did Lyons push him?”
Kane shook his head. “I didn’t get a clear view with everyone around them but he stumbled back real fast.”
Kane pushed to his feet and went to retrieve their weapons, boots, and his jacket. He pulled on his boots and went back to Jenna. She was shaking so bad, he worried hypothermia might set in. He smiled at her. “You’d better wear my jacket. You’re soaked through.”
“What about you?” Jenna blinked up at him and peeled off her wet clothes.
“I’m fine. Being tall has its benefits.” Although his jeans were wet through, his top was dry. “Here, put it on.”
“Lyons and his buddies took off like greased lightning.
” Jenna shrugged into his jacket and rubbed her arms. “Once we deliver Jones to the warden, there’s nothing more to do here.”
The warden arrived with hot coffee in a Thermos, and they sat with Jones as he recovered. He wanted to tell his story so they listened to his explanation of what happened. “So, what caused the fight?”
“Nothing, just Lyons mouthing off as usual.” Jones dragged a hand through his wet hair.
“Did he push you toward the rapids?” Jenna leaned forward. “It sure looked like it to me. Come into the office in the morning and we’ll charge them with assault.”
“I’m not sure if he pushed me and there’s no way I’m getting involved with an assault charge against Lyons.” Jones coughed a few times. “Can we leave this to another time? I nearly drowned and my head hurts.”
“Okay.” Jenna nodded. “But we’re here to help. If he’s threatening you, we need to know.”
“You sure don’t know too much about Lyons, do you? He threatens everyone.” Jones handed the warden his cup. “I need to get warm, ma’am, and the warden has offered me a ride down the mountain to meet the paramedics. I can handle it from here if that’s okay?”
“Go right ahead.” Jenna turned to the warden. “Thanks for your assistance today.”
“Just doing my job.” The warden mounted his horse, pulled Jones up behind him, and then rode away.
Kane stared at Jenna. “It seems everyone is scared of Lyons.” He gave her a long look. “He even got away with threatening you.”
“No, he didn’t.” Jenna lifted her chin and her eyes danced with mischief. “He grabbed my arm and I pulled my weapon and aimed it kind of low. He got the message real fast that I’m not a woman he can intimidate.”
The daylight was fading fast and long shadows spread across the clearing. The temperature had dropped considerably and the ride down the mountain would be freezing. “Okay. You ready to go?”
