Chapter 12

The wind howling down from the mountain buffeted Jake Rowley as he climbed inside his sheriff’s department truck. As they headed for Rosemount Drive, he gave his partner, Deputy Zac Rio, a rundown on the Jennifer Kriss problem and then the mystery of Kane’s disappearance. “I figure we’d be hunting down Kane if it wasn’t for the 911 call.” He flicked him a glance. “Jenna must be losing her mind with worry.”

“We should be out looking for him.” Rio shook his head slowly. “He wouldn’t be sitting on his hands if one of us was in trouble, would he?”

Worry for Kane was knotting Rowley’s stomach. “He’d risk his life for anyone, that’s who he is.” He shot a glance at Rio as they headed along Stanton. “Jenna and Wolfe are trying to get a fix on his phone. Blackhawk is still out in the forest hunting for any clues. They’ve come up empty. If anyone had a direction he went in, we’d all be out looking.”

“What is Jenna doing to locate him?” Rio’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “If he was abducted, who would take him and why? If we discover what’s behind it, we might be able to locate him.”

Rowley turned into Pine and followed the winding tree-lined blacktop before turning into Rosemount Drive. “I’d say Jenna is doing that as we speak.”

“Then let’s hope she has some leads we can follow by the time we get into the office.” Rio ran a hand down his face. “We’ve gone as far as we’re able with the Dakota Slade homicide. I hope Wolfe finds something.” Rio shrugged. “The more I looked into her background, the less I found. She hasn’t done anything in her life to make her a victim.” He waved a hand. “I’ve come to the conclusion, apart from kids, peoples’ lives bring them into contact with a variety of people. When we consider a serial killer’ s victims, the most likely to be murdered are high-risk victims, like vagrants and sex workers. Next are women who live alone.”

Rowley nodded. “Let’s just hope this isn’t another homicide. If it is, we’re going to need help.”

He turned into a driveway and followed it in a half circle to the front door of a ranch house. A man was leaning against his truck, with his arms folded across his chest. “That will be Brian Lock. He’s a local carpenter.” He stopped beside the carpenter’s truck and climbed out. “Have you had any luck contacting Ms. Kriss?”

“Nope. I’ve called her phone and I can hear it ringing inside.” Lock shrugged. “I figured if she’s been in the shower, she’d have been through by now and then there’s a smell. I walked around back and the door is wide open. The smell is coming from inside.”

“Did you go inside or touch anything?” Rio frowned at the man. “You didn’t mention the open back door when you called.”

“I went round back in case she was in the yard.” Lock straightened. “I knocked hard on the back door, so like the front door I used my knuckles but I’m wearing gloves.” He looked from one to the other. “Then I came back here and called 911. This is Black Rock Falls. I’m not walking into a murder scene.”

Rowley frowned. This man appeared to be calm and very controlled for the first on scene of a possible murder. “It doesn’t concern you that this might be a crime scene?”

“Nope.” Lock opened his jacket to reveal a shoulder holster. “I served ten years in the military. I can take care of myself. I figured staying here until you arrived was the correct procedure.”

“Stay here.” Rio glanced at Rowley and exchanged a meaningful stare. “Better still, get into your vehicle and lock the doors. If anyone is lurking about, it will be safer.”

“I’m fine right here with a three-sixty view of everything.” Lock shrugged. “You go and do your thing and I’ll watch your backs.”

Concerned about being shot in the back by a potential suspect. Rowley moved back to his truck. He tossed Rio a liquid Kevlar vest and, keeping the truck between them and Lock, removed their jackets and fitted them. He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Jenna mentioned some killers enjoy getting involved at crime scenes. We need to be aware Lock might be a problem.”

“You read my mind.” Rio pulled out his phone and messaged Jenna. When a reply came back, he looked at Rowley. “Proceed with caution. Check in ASAP.” He shrugged into his jacket and pulled his weapon. “You go first and I’ll cover you. Move fast, find a position, and then cover me.”

Nodding, Rowley took off and, using the trees around the side of the house as cover, dashed into the backyard. He took a position on the corner of the house and waved to Rio. Nothing happened. Lock hadn’t moved from his place beside his truck. As described, the door hung wide open, it creaked as the wind moved it back and forth. The smell of death leaked out and he holstered his weapon and reached into his pocket for a face mask. “That doesn’t smell good.” He pulled his weapon again. “Mask up and we’ll take a look inside.” He paused at the door. “Sheriff’s department. We’re coming inside.”

“After you.” Rio waved him ahead and they cleared the kitchen and moved slowly along the passageway. “The smell is getting worse. I’ll watch the stairs, you go inside.”

Swallowing the bile rising up his throat, Rowley edged inside the family room. The TV was on and a woman was sitting on the sofa staring straight ahead. An untouched cup of coffee and a plate of food sat on a coffee table. He moved closer and peered around the chair. His stomach heaved. Black empty eye sockets stared into nothing and the woman’s mouth hung open in a horrific silent scream. He backed away and went out into the passageway. “One female deceased. Electrocuted, the same as Dakota Slade.”

“We’ll clear the house and then call it in.” Rio headed along the passageway, checked the mudroom. “Clear.”

Rowley nodded. “Okay, head upstairs but I doubt the killer is here waiting for us to arrest him. I’m not so sure about Lock, although why would he call it in?”

“This is the problem. The people who murder don’t think like we do.” Rio ducked into the bedroom and then back out. “This is why they’re so hard to catch. They’re never predictable.” He led the way downstairs. “Call Jenna. I’ll contact Wolfe. If he brings his team out here, we might be able to concentrate on finding Kane while he’s processing the scene.”

After making the call, Rowley headed out the back door. “Jenna’s on her way. She said to get a statement from Lock and then send him on his way. She doesn’t need any more complications, but she does agree with you. Wolfe can process the scene with Colt Webber and we can get back to the office and concentrate on finding Kane for a time.”