by D. K. Hood
“I have fresh coffee brewing, and as you’ve supplied me with a number of take-out mugs would you like me to bring you a hot drink?”
She smiled at his thoughtfulness. “I would kill for a coffee—thank you.”
Twenty
After asking for directions to the landfill, Kane headed the SUV down the driveway. The countryside still resembled a greeting card under the watery morning sun, but snowdrifts on the roadside had melted and green patches peeked out. “I hope we’ve seen the last of the snow.”
“Not likely.” Alton was clutching her coffee mug with both hands. “But it’s good to see the sun today.” She glanced at him. “I need to tell you something that might be relevant to the man jumping me on Saturday night.”
He met her gaze and nodded. “Okay.”
“I went out on a couple of pseudo dates with James Stone. He’s a lawyer to the more affluent residents of Black Rock Falls.” Alton’s gaze showed her concern. “He only wanted me to be his partner at functions, nothing serious, but he has become a bit of a stalker and fits the size and build of the man who attacked me. I refused a date with him on Friday, but at the time he couldn’t have known what you look like or that you would be living in my cottage. The only person I informed about your position was Mayor Rockford.”
“Does this Stone character speak to Mayor Rockford?”
“I guess so. Stone is their lawyer and a close friend.” She looked at him from below her lashes and her cheeks pinked. “The mayor did see me out with him at the Halloween Ball. We spoke to him.”
Kane rubbed his chin and stared at the road ahead. “It is more than likely they discussed my position and I gather you informed the mayor where I would be staying?”
“Yes, he asked me.”
“If the mayor told Stone, it would be easy for him to look up my details. You had to file my application with the town council for approval.” Kane cleared his throat. “I guess to some guys I might come over as a rival to your affections but as I said before, threatening harm isn’t the way to win a woman’s love.” He shot her a look. “I know giving me your personal information is difficult but if he is a creep and a possible danger to you, I need to know. I’m placing Mr. Stone on the list of suspects.” He sighed. “Anyone capable of holding a knife to a woman’s throat is capable of murder in my book. No other suspects?”
“I did have a spooky animal cruelty case involving Stan Clough. He went to jail for six months.”
He frowned. “Spooky? Now that’s interesting. I’ll pull his file and take a look.”
“He told the court that aliens had cut up his cattle and pigs, but when I went with Rowley he was covered in blood. He made some excuse that he was trying to save them.” Alton frowned and her mouth turned down. “He gutted them alive. Problem is, I can’t forget the way he looked at me. He has soulless eyes like a demon.”
“Animal cruelty is a front runner for psychopathic behavior. He would be a suspect if we were investigating a murder.” He glanced at her pale face and smiled. “You know, the majority of killers I’ve arrested have been intelligent, interesting, and quite good-looking people. I don’t think looks matter when it comes to murder.”
“Have you investigated many murder cases?”
“Some.” He shrugged. “I think you’re jumping the gun a bit about the supposed body at the landfill. In my experience, the moment people smell death, they panic. The drum could easily hold a dog. If it’s been stored in fluid, after a time the fur falls out, and it could resemble a person.” He waved a hand toward the frozen countryside. “It’s been like this for months and the ground is too hard to dig any sort of grave. The fact the contents haven’t frozen is no judgment of time either; plenty of liquids don’t freeze.”
“Let’s hope you’re right.” Alton sipped her drink and sighed in contentment, blowing out a cloud of steam.
* * *
By the time they arrived at the garbage dump, vehicles blocked the approach to the landfill, and with Alton hanging out the window directing traffic, Kane maneuvered around a line of cars. Driving on the wrong side of the road, he headed toward two men barring the gate. Horns sounded and people waiting to unload garbage glared at him. He pulled the SUV to a halt and turned to Jenna. “How do you want to handle this, ma’am?”
“Tell Brinks I want to speak to him and we should get someone out here to control the traffic. I’ll call Daniels.” Alton waved him away in a dismissive gesture.
He strode to the head of the line and spoke to the two men standing out front. “Open up to let the sheriff through then close the gate behind us. If you have any problems with the crowd, move one of the tractors in front of the gate. Which one of you is Brinks?”
“I’m Brinks.” One of the men stepped forward. “Don’t worry, I didn’t let a soul near the body.”
“Are you sure it’s a body, as in human and not an animal?”
Brinks raised one bushy gray eyebrow and rubbed at his untidy beard. “I don’t recall ever seeing an animal wearing a wedding ring.” He grimaced. “The sight scared ten years off my life. I thought I’d experienced every odor known to man working here but that barrel makes noxious gasses smell like roses.”
A shiver of unease lifted the hairs on Kane’s neck. No murders had occurred in Black Rock Falls in two years, and the moment he arrived, a body turned up. “How many of your employees worked here on Saturday?”
“Just me and Joey.” Brinks indicated with a thumb.
A younger man in thick winter clothing with dark eyes and a crimson nose sticking out above a scarf stared at Kane. “There are usually six of us working here on Saturday.”
Kane glanced at the row of cars waiting at the gate. “This place is busy, so what made you decide to try and manage with two men last Saturday?”
“I didn’t expect many people to turn up seeing as the weather has been so bad.” Brinks shrugged. “Too late to call in the other men by the time the cars rolled up.”
“Did either of you see anyone dumping the barrel?” Kane blinked away the snowflakes collecting on his eyelashes. “Any regulars you can remember? Any information you can recall, however trivial, will be useful.”
When both men shook their heads, Kane pulled off one glove and reached inside his pocket for his cards. He offered a few to both men. “Can you do me a favor? When people come by, ask them if they used the landfill last Saturday and if they noticed anything or anyone suspicious. If they have any information, give them my card.”
“Will do, but people in Black Rock Falls don’t like to get involved.” Brinks pocketed the cards.
“Really? Well, they might change their minds when they discover we have a killer in the vicinity.” Kane gave him a long stare and the man cringed under his scrutiny. “Show me where you found the barrel and where it is now.” He turned to Joey. “The medical examiner will be here shortly; send him over and keep everyone else outside until further notice. A deputy is on the way to control the traffic.”
He walked Mr. Brinks to the SUV, opened the door, and ushered him into the back seat. The man’s body odor near burned his nostrils, and he hoped the stink would not impregnate his new car. He slid into the driver’s seat and turned to Jenna. “This is Mr. Brinks. I’ve questioned him and Joey but they didn’t see who dumped the barrel.”
“What time did you start this morning?” Alton’s expression was all business as she turned in her seat to look at the frazzled man.
“Five thirty as usual.”
“You are supposed to supervise the loads placed into the landfill so how could both of you have missed something so large?” Alton’s blue gaze didn’t leave the man’s face as she pulled on her gloves. “Are the gates locked overnight?”
“Yeah, but a lot of people dumped garbage late on Saturday afternoon. It was too busy to keep tabs on everyone. The barrel could have been dropped off when I had my back turned. Joey was working over the other side of the lot. We had a blizzard and the snow covered everything in minu
tes. I didn’t notice the can until this morning when I cleared the snow to make a path.” Brinks’ mouth turned down and he shuddered. “I wouldn’t have moved it if I’d known what was inside.”
Kane drove through the gate. The angry crowd had quietened and a few people had gathered on the sidewalk in subdued conversation. He glanced around. One area of the completed landfill bordered a line of forest and he made out a gate in the distance. “Is there access from over there?”
“There is a trail but no one would risk traveling through the forest at this time of year, and the gate has a padlock.” Brinks rubbed his dirt-smudged chin.
With the recent thick coating of snow, a herd of elephants could have thundered through the fence without detection. Kane turned back to Mr. Brinks. “Have you checked the gate lately?”
“No.”
“Okay.” Kane surveyed the area. Snow lay in drifts over the landfill with only the newly cleared path to the tipping area visible. “Which way?”
“Over there by the tree stump. I found the barrel beside the fence, next to the mound of soil we use to cover the garbage once the area is full. Follow the smell, you’ll find it sure enough.” Mr. Brinks gripped the back of the seat and his expression became fearful. “Can you let me out now? I really don’t want to look at it again. I’ll have nightmares for the rest of my life.”
“Sure. When you get back to the gate, put up the ‘closed’ notice.” Kane pulled the SUV to a halt and allowed Brinks to escape.
* * *
The black fifty-gallon drum lay on one side, stark against the pristine white background. In front, a pink patch of ice sparkled in the sunlight. Kane turned to Jenna. “It is a body. Brinks said he could see a wedding ring.” He met her gaze. “From what he said, decomposition has set in even in this weather. I can take a look if you’d rather stay here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the sheriff and I’ve seen my fair share of human remains in all states.” Alton glared at him and her lips thinned. “You’re doing it again.” She pulled out a pair of latex gloves and tossed them into his lap.
Bemused, he stared at her. “Doing what?” He pulled off his thick leather gloves and replaced them.
“Treating me like a frail woman. I’m stronger than you think.” She pulled a blue scarf out of her pocket and tied it around her cold, reddened face, covering her nose. “Let’s go.” She pushed open the door and headed over to the body.
“You have me all wrong. What happened on Saturday night could have happened to anyone but I don’t believe it didn’t shake you up because as sure as hell if that had happened to me, I’d be looking over my shoulder constantly.” He caught up to her in a few strides. “That incident has no relation to what we have here. If someone stuffed a body in a can it won’t be pretty and I’m more than capable of taking photos and giving you a full report.” Kane pulled a surgical mask out of his pocket and pressed it to his face. He made a point of being prepared. “I was offering you an option, is all. Most people would prefer the chance to opt out of witnessing a messy crime scene.”
Jenna stopped walking so suddenly he bumped into her. He gripped her arm to steady her but she had not moved an inch. Not bad for a woman weighing less than a hundred and twenty pounds. Trying not to laugh at her furious expression, he let go and stepped back. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I’m not most people. How do you think I can possibly investigate a murder if I don’t examine the body and the scene? I need to catch a killer and I don’t think my psychic powers are quite up to the challenge.” Alton balled her hands on her small waist and her expression turned to stone. “Get a grip. I’m not your little sister and I don’t need you protecting me.” She moved in so close he could feel her breath on his cheek. “I’ve taken down more men than I can count on my fingers and the sight of death has no effect on me anymore so back the hell off. That’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He straightened up. He admired strength on and off the field and Alton had the makings of a partner he could trust with his life.
Twenty-One
With every step up the small incline of the landfill, the unmissable stench of death increased. The winter’s chill and fresh snow did little to obliterate the eau de garbage either, and the landfill’s stink had a bouquet Kane would be washing out of his clothes and hair for a month. He pulled his cellphone from the inside pocket of his jacket and some distance from the barrel took photographs of the surrounding area. Following the path made by the tractor, he scanned the area for clues but found nothing. The overnight blizzard had covered everything with a foot of snow.
“Kane, get your butt down here. I want shots of everything. Look there—” she flicked him an intent gaze then pointed at an indent in the ground “—that’s where the lid came off, and look over there—is that something gold sticking out of the snow?”
“Yeah, I see it.” He raised his cellphone and took the necessary shots. Moving closer, he zoomed the camera to get a closer shot. “It looks like half a gold bracelet. It might have been dropped here earlier.”
“It’s a torque bangle.” Alton frowned. She pulled an evidence bag from her pocket, then in one swift movement plucked the item up and placed the jewelry inside. She held it up and squinted at it. “This is old. The design is Celtic probably, Scottish or Irish.”
He stared at the item. “From the size, it belonged to a man.”
“It might have slipped off the corpse.” Alton swiped at the snowflakes covering her long black lashes then pushed the bag inside her pocket. “By the trail of liquid, the barrel rolled a fair way before coming to rest.” She walked away, following the path made by the can in the snow.
Kane noticed the way she kept to the tracks made by the tractor, her head turning from side to side, searching the snow for evidence. He followed her but Alton reached the barrel before him and pushed one hand to her face then turned to face him, eyes wide. He caught up and peered at the corpse. Bile rushed up the back of his throat at the congealed remains hanging out the top. Flesh had peeled from the extended arm, the hand and fingers held together by strands of skin. A gold ring hung loosely around one finger on the clenched skeletal fist. The body was naked and curled in a fetal position. His attention moved to the victim’s head. The face had melted into a mass of pink jelly but dark hair was evident. He moved closer to examine what appeared to be a silver necklace but found wire pulled tight around the victim’s throat. One shoulder appeared to have a faded tattoo in an unusual weave design. Deep open wounds covered the victim’s back, displaying bone. Some crazy had tortured the man to death. From the extent of the injuries on the corpse, it had been a slow and deliberate murder. He wondered if the killer wanted to extract information.
“We need to tell Brinks not to speak to anyone, especially the media. We’ll need to keep the details under wraps.”
“Obviously.” Alton cleared her throat and flashed him an annoyed look. “I’ll handle Brinks. I think he’s a little scared of me.”
Kane held his breath then moved in closer to record the scene. He straightened and turned to her. “He has a garrote around his neck, fencing wire by the look of it, and if we can link the bangle to him, robbery wasn’t a motive. The injuries I can see would make a thrill kill out of the question. Most of them are opportunistic, more like kill and run. The murderers usually leave the body at the death scene or close by. The victim’s injuries look methodical. Either the killer needed to extract information from the victim or they hated him big time.”
“I agree.” When Alton indicated toward the gate with her chin, he followed her gaze. “The ME is coming. We’ll leave them to finish up here. You are assuming the victim is male but we’ll need an affirmative on the sex. This could be one of our missing persons. The torque is significant and the discoloration on the shoulder could be a tattoo or some of the molasses remaining in the barrel.” Her blue eyes met his. “The deterioration of the body is unusual for this time of year. It’s free
zing, and if this is a recent murder then the temperature would have preserved the body.”
They walked away from the horrific sight and Kane shook his head. “No, whoever did this used a chemical to break down the flesh.” He indicated toward her pocket. “The bangle might be covered with it too; look at your gloves, they’re stained. You might want to take the bag out of your pocket.”
“Okay.” Alton pulled out the evidence bag, held it at arm’s length, and frowned. “I’ll give this to the ME. We’re all done here. You can tell him to remove the body.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kane beckoned to the van heading in their direction. When it pulled up beside them, he waited for the two men to alight then indicated to the torque. “We found this near the barrel and believe the body is in some kind of chemical. This bangle needs to be transported in a medical hazard box.”
“Sure.” Mr. Weems got out the van with slow deliberation, hobbled around the back, and then opened the doors. He pulled out a glass jar, opened it, and held it out for Alton with a flash of yellowing teeth. “Pop it in here. I’ll wash it and check for engravings. If there’s anything to identify the victim, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.” Kane waved a hand toward the remains. “We’ve taken photos of the scene so you can go ahead and remove the body.”
“Right you are.” Weems stared at the corpse, raised both dark eyebrows, then waved his son forward. “I’m Max Weems and you must be the new deputy sheriff? Welcome to Black Rock Falls.”
“Thanks.” Kane cleared his throat, wanting to be under a hot shower rather than chatting. “We’ll let you get to work and wait for the results of the autopsy.”
“If you can confirm the sex of the victim, I’ll start a check of missing persons.” Alton lifted her chin and flicked Kane a dismissive glance. “I believe there’s a tattoo on one shoulder; it could be crucial to identifying the victim. Do what you can to preserve it and get me a photograph.”
