by D. K. Hood
“You’re a gem, Maggie.” Jenna bit back a grin. As usual, Wolfe had called his government contacts and fixed the problem. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll be sure to thank him.” She made her way to her office.
After calling Deputy Blake in Blackwater, she updated her whiteboard, then strolled down to the kitchenette to fill the coffee maker. Kane and Rowley were busy and didn’t look up as she passed. She collected a container of chocolate chip cookies and headed back to her office. At eight fifty-five, the room filled with her deputies and Kane placed a cup of coffee on the desk for her before taking his seat. She thanked Wolfe for organizing the furnace and brought them up to date with the Knox interview, then looked expectantly at Wolfe. “Have you had time to look over the evidence we collected from Knox’s motel room yesterday?”
“I haven’t had time to reach any conclusions. The DNA tests will take a few days.” Wolfe rubbed his chin. “I can tell you the marks on the sheets are blood. I typed the sample and it’s the same blood type as Sky and Knox, so it’s inconclusive at this time.” He frowned. “What worries me is your incident occurred along the same stretch of road as the Palmer accident and possible abduction. I re-examined the photographs of the scene and if Mrs. Palmer had swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle, the result would have been the same. As we found no evidence of a collision, we assumed she lost control on the ice taking the bend and slid off the road. It happens frequently at this time of year.”
Jenna leaned forward in her seat. “So have you changed your finding?”
“I’m leaving it an open verdict for now.” Wolfe reached for his coffee. “When you catch the Axman, I’ll see if his tires match any of the other sets we found.”
“I have Deputy Blake out of Blackwater chasing down any known associates of Knox, especially women.” Jenna took a sip of her coffee. “I had the feeling he was lying or covering up for someone. He carried a blonde-haired woman into his motel room the same night as Sky Paul went missing. Blake knows the townsfolk and we’ll have to hope Knox talked to one of his friends. He likes to boast, so I can’t see him keeping a secret.” She turned her attention to Rowley. “Okay, now on to the report from Mr. Lars about Chuck Burns. Have you found any additional information?”
“Everything she told you about him appears to be true enough.” Rowley flicked through his notes. “We have spoken to him before when we checked out the junkyards. We didn’t find anything suspicious.” He flicked through his notes then lifted his head and looked at her. “As you know, Burns owns the old garage next door to the junkyard and a storage area adjacent to the garage. It’s a collection of red brick buildings. He frequents the road between Blackwater and here, looking for abandoned cars or wrecks, and owns a white pickup used for towing. He’s an ambulance chaser and owns a scanner. I gather he collects abandoned vehicles valued under $500 so he can crush them without verifying ownership.” He frowned. “Not many of the townsfolk were forthcoming about him running a chop shop but unless the recycled parts have identifying numbers on them, as in some parts of vehicles, he could be selling them through his yard.”
Jenna smiled at him. “That’s all we need. I’ll add that information to the warrant for you to take over to the judge. I want you to stress the importance of serving it this morning and wait for a reply.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay.” Jenna pushed to her feet. “The moment the warrant arrives, we’ll move out.” She glanced at Wolfe. “Do you want to be involved?”
“Not at this stage.” Wolfe indicated to Webber. “I need to work on the Knox evidence. I can spare Webber for backup.”
“Good, then that’s all for today.” Jenna exchanged a look with Kane and he hung back as the others filed out. “Do you figure Chuck Burns will cause any trouble?”
“I’m not sure. He was wary and defensive but he gave us permission to search his property. He didn’t have too many wrecks there at all and nothing even remotely late model. We just gave it a quick sweep and left.” Kane shrugged. “Of course at the time I wasn’t aware he owned other buildings close by.”
Jenna chewed on her bottom lip. “If he has Sky’s car hidden somewhere else, he wouldn’t be worried about you searching his yard.” She leaned one hip against her desk. “Burns is looking more like a suspect by the second.”
Fifty-Four
Anger raged through him with each step from the parking lot and between the red brick buildings. He used his key to open the hidden entrance to his secret rooms. The freezing fingers of melted snow running down his neck did not cool his temper. No one had ever gotten so close to destroying his business. He reached the next door and thumbed in the password on the keypad. He grunted as red lights flashed his error. “Dammit all to hell.”
The nosy sheriff was sticking her nose into too many places. She was smarter than he had given her credit for and the deputy always at her side had a stare that cut into a man’s soul. He snorted, recognizing a killer. When he looked into the mirror, the same truth reflected back at him. It takes one to know one.
Deputy Kane was hiding a secret just like him. His reaction on the highway when he challenged him was unexpected and showed Kane was a certain type of man—one who doesn’t fear death—which made him a threat. He thumbed in the password slower this time and the door clicked open. Smashing the metal door against the wall, it echoed down a passageway lit only with small downlights. After removing his coat and boots, he shoved them into a locker containing his spare coat and the male nurse’s clothes then dragged hospital scrubs over his clothes and wore a hat and face mask as a disguise. He would never risk anyone seeing his face just in case one of his victims escaped. It was going to be a rush; he had so little time to complete his orders and didn’t want his reputation for delivering on time shot to hell because of Sheriff Alton. Due to her interference, he would have to cease operation until the smoke cleared and it would cost him millions.
His temper hadn’t cooled by the time he came up on the male nurse he’d cajoled into working with him. In truth, he wanted to feed the wimp into the hogger machine and watch his eyes as the machine slowly shred him into little pieces but right now, he needed him. Maybe later. “You’ve watched the doc harvest organs so I need you to work on Doug alone because we’re runnin’ out of time and I have business to attend to in town.”
“No way.” The nurse stopped washing Olivia and peered at him over his face mask. “Watchin’ is one thing and I assist but doing a number of complicated procedures is another matter. If I made one mistake and cut too deep, the sample would be useless.” He raised both eyebrows. “Then your reputation won’t be worth a dime.” The nurse cleared his throat. “Another thing—you’ll have to pull back on the drugs before shipment, you’re givin’ Doug enough meds to bring down a grizzly.”
A wave of frustration gripped him at the sight of Olivia’s terrified stare but he’d no time to indulge in his fantasies, he’d need to leave soon to convince the doc to drop everything and complete the next shipment. “Okay, drop him down some but keep him strapped to the bed. He’ll be first when I can get the damn doc here.”
“What about Olivia?” The nurse met his gaze.
He shook his head. “We’ll get to her later. Is she on the zombie drug?”
“Yeah but it won’t last long, maybe another ten minutes or so.” The nurse picked up the bowl and towels and left the room, leaving them alone.
It took an effort to control the rush of excitement. Unlike Sky, she’d be alive when he fed her into the hogger, and watching the machine do its job sated his desire. He’d once preferred to strangle them. Stabbing left too much evidence behind. He had to admit leaving their bodies to rot beside the highway had been a waste but all that had changed now. Now, nothing went to waste.
Fifty-Five
Caught up in Jenna’s exuberance, Kane slid behind the wheel and waited for her to fasten her seatbelt before peeling out of the parking space and heading to the outskirts of town to Chuck Bur
ns’ junkyard. The tires gripped well on the newly salted blacktop, and he accelerated leaving the decorated main street behind. “I sure hope we find something substantial this time.”
“Time has been our enemy, not getting the report from Mrs. Lars until yesterday then waiting for the judge to sign a search warrant, we’ve given Burns plenty of time to dispose of evidence.” Jenna waved the document. “I wish we’d had this yesterday.”
Kane shrugged and pulled his truck to a halt outside the junkyard with Rowley’s cruiser close behind. “Then Knox could have slipped through the net. He looked the most suspicious and he’s still on our list. How are you playing this?”
“We’ll go see Burns. I’ll send Rowley and Webber round back of the old garage in case he tries to run.” Jenna climbed from the SUV and issued orders then led the way into the office. “Mr. Burns, we have a warrant to search your premises.”
“Sure, I said before you could look around.” Burns wiped greasy hands on a stained rag. “I ain’t got nothin’ to hide.”
“The warrant extends to all your premises, including the old garage and storage areas you own in this location.” Jenna slapped the warrant on the desk. “If you have keys it would be wise to open the doors or I’ll give my deputies instructions to break them down.”
Kane tried to avoid the rancid smell of male sweat and dirty motor oil and rested one hand on his weapon; if Burns planned to escape, he would try in the next few seconds but the man’s face paled and he leaned heavily against the wall. It was as if all the life had drained out of him. “Hand over the keys, Mr. Burns.”
“Okay, sure.” Burns’ eyes shifted from him and back to Jenna then he went for something below the counter.
Don’t go for a weapon. I don’t want to kill you. We need answers. Before he finished the thought, his Glock was in his hand. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“One more step and Deputy Kane will blow your fingers clean off.” Jenna had her Glock aimed at Burns’ chest. “Hands on head. Step away from the counter.” She exchanged a meaningful glance with Kane.
Kane moved around the counter and pulled open a drawer. Inside he found sets of keys and whistled at the sight of a Smith & Wesson 500. He holstered his Glock and pulled on a pair of latex gloves, then lifted the pistol out the drawer. “You weren’t planning on shooting me, were you, Burns?” He smiled at the quivering man. “And just for the record, I wasn’t aiming for your hand, I was aiming right between your eyes and I never miss.” He unloaded the gun, letting the bullets tumble back in the drawer, then slipped the heavy weapon into his jacket pocket.
“Show me the keys for the garage.” Jenna held her weapon steady. “Then cuff him, Kane. I don’t want any surprises.” She read Burns his rights. “Let’s go.”
“Move.” Kane gave Burns a little push in the back and marched him out the door and to the old garage next door.
“Oh, lord. Don’t go in there.” Burns’ head hung down on his chest and his shoulders slumped. “You don’t understand.”
“Oh, I understand just fine.” Jenna slid the key into the padlock on the garage door. “Do you have something to tell me, Mr. Burns?” She gave him an enquiring look. “No? Well then I guess we take a look for ourselves.” She bent to slide up the door.
The door moved without the grating sound Kane would have expected for an old rusty door. He took a hold of Burns’ arm and the man’s muscles trembled against his palm. Light flowed into the dark interior and hit the polished finish of a late-model yellow sedan. The car was little more than a shell and Burns had stacked parts on shelves complete with labels giving the make, year and model of the vehicle. The exact same car owned by Sky Paul.
He heard Jenna ordering Rowley and Webber to return, then she turned to face Burns.
“Where’s Sky Paul?” Jenna holstered her weapon. “This is her vehicle. Best you tell us now before my deputies tear the place apart.”
Burns trembled but said nothing.
Kane squeezed Burns’ arm just hard enough to let him know he meant business. “Where’s Sky Paul?” He glared at him. “The DA will go easy on you if you cooperate.”
“I don’t know anyone by the name of Sky Paul.” Burns lifted his head and a determined expression crossed his face. “I found the vehicle abandoned on the side of the road up near the industrial area out on the highway.”
“Why didn’t you report it?” Jenna stood hands on hips and her eyes bored into him. “It’s been all over the news we were looking for this car.”
“I ain’t sayin’ no more.” Burns turned his head and spat on the ground at Jenna’s feet. “I know my rights, I want a lawyer.”
Just then, Rowley and Webber came jogging back through the snow toward them. Kane pushed Burns toward Rowley. “Escort Mr. Burns to the back of your cruiser.”
“Yes, sir.” Rowley took Burns’ arm and led him away.
“Right.” Jenna raised her voice. “Let’s tear this place apart. Check for root cellars. Webber, I want evidence. There should be blood in the car. The seats are over there, check them as well.” She pointed to the beige car seats leaning against one wall. “Kane, check the other buildings.”
Kane waited for Rowley to return, then grabbed the set of keys hanging from the padlock. “Show me the storage area.” He followed Rowley down a dirt road recently cleared of snow. “This looks promising. Burns took an effort to clear this area. I sure hope we find Sky Paul alive.” He bent to examine tire tracks. “Hmm, I make out three maybe four tracks here. It’ll be difficult to isolate one.”
“Something big came through here and ripped the branches clean off the trees.” Rowley stared down the row of naked western larch. “There’s a clear track here. A delivery van maybe?”
The image of the confident Knox flashed into Kane’s brain. They hadn’t considered it could be a group of people involved in the kidnappings. He grimaced at the thought. “I hope it’s not sex-slave traders.” He brushed away the snowflakes from his cheeks. “Tracing the victims would be impossible.”
The dirt road led to a massive separate red brick building with a small parking lot at the back. An alleyway divided two buildings and Kane led the way, taking in what resembled air conditioning units attached to one side. Someone sure wanted it cold inside that building. He approached a metal door and fitted a number of keys in the lock. After a few tries the door clicked open. He glanced over his shoulder at Rowley. “Watch my back.” He stood to one side and swung the door open.
Inside was pitch black and Kane swore under his breath. It seemed every time he investigated a missing person, he ended up venturing into some eerily dark place or another, and it didn’t get any easier. He used his flashlight alongside his weapon to light the way and edged slowly forward with Rowley close behind, his breath sending great clouds of condensation into the air. It seemed entering the dark unknown wasn’t Rowley’s job of choice either. Further along the hallway they found an empty inner office covered in a thick coating of dust and another door. The door opened onto a long dark passageway. He ran the beam of his flashlight over the wall to find a switch. Only small inset lights, like those in the floor of an aircraft, illuminated the way. “Sheriff’s department. Is anyone in here?”
Nothing.
Heart pounding, Kane pushed down the creeping unease crawling up his spine and reached down deep for his professional façade. Something about this place made his skin crawl and the unpleasant odor seeping from the damp walls played tricks with his mind. Flashes of past crime scenes danced through his subconscious in a warning. Keeping to the wall, he led the way down the dim corridor to another metal door with a keypad set in the wall next to it. He moved forward to examine it and recognized the type. It was a familiar brand and not very secure. He had the technology to open it without a problem but his gut told him he wouldn’t like what was on the other side.
“Now what?” Rowley moved up beside him, aiming his flashlight on the contraption.
Kane holstered his weap
on and pulled out a decoder, as small as a cellphone, from his pocket. “I never leave home without this; it’s very useful.”
Moving with speed, he attached wires to the box and numbers flashed on the screen. After a few seconds, the numbers stopped on the decoder and the door clicked open. A cloud of sub-zero air escaped, bringing with it the metallic smell of blood. He wanted to slam the door shut and glanced at Rowley’s suddenly ashen face. “That doesn’t smell good.”
“Jesus, that smells like… oh, shit.” Rowley’s eyes widened, looking like black orbs in the dim light. “Not bodies again. Should we just call Wolfe?”
Kane shook his head. “We have to take a look.” He slapped Rowley on the shoulder. “You should be getting used to this by now.”
“I’ll never get used to seeing murder victims.” Rowley’s mouth turned down. “At least I don’t puke as much as I used to.”
Unease slid over Kane as he pocketed the decoder and slid the Glock from its holster. Walking into a dark abyss filled with the smell of death brought back memories he’d rather forget. The sightless eyes of past victims flashed into his mind in fast-forward reruns and he ground his back teeth. Not again. “I’m going in. Make sure the door remains open.”
“Roger that.” Rowley placed his back to the door, held his weapon along his flashlight and gave him a less than confident nod. “Ready when you are.”
Taking a deep breath, Kane eased through the door and, senses on full alert, moved inside one step at a time. The smell of blood surrounded him and before he could drop into his professional safe zone of calm, his flashlight illuminated a headless skinned body hanging on a giant hook. The hair on the back of his neck bristled and his mind continued to play tricks on him. Heart pounding, he lowered his flashlight; sure he had seen the shapely back of a woman then turned to catch Rowley’s pale face and wide eyes in his beam. “What was that?”
