Chapter 27

Rain fell in icy sheets as Rowley turned into Main and headed to Chase Holden’s store. As he drove, Rio dictated some of the rave reviews Holden had received for his artwork. He lived above the store and had built a workshop out back. The store was open seven days a week, nine until three, and the front door held a sign: i’m creating magic. ring the bell and i’ll be right along.

Bending against the rain, he looked at Rio. “Now that’s a guy who is super confident at what he does. Let’s go around back. It’s better to speak to him away from prying eyes. We’ll be noticed inside the store, and if he’s innocent, seeing us will ruin his business.”

“I doubt it.” Rio pulled down his hat, allowing the rain to pour off the rim. “From what I see, his customer service is as good as his product.” He frowned. “What a unique way to meet women, and think about it, it’s also a great excuse to get inside their homes if he delivers his artwork.”

Rowley nodded. “True.”

The sound of a chainsaw came from a shed out back, and Rowley followed Rio to the open door. The smell of freshly cut wood came from inside. Holden was busy creating a magnificent eagle in full flight and hadn’t heard them approach. His workbench was covered in tools, and a counter along on one side of the room held a variety of sculptures, all different but incredible. Some depicted animals and birds, others leaves, fruit, and vines. Not just statues but intricately crafted mantel pieces and bed ends, all polished to a high shine. This guy was talented, and Rowley could imagine some of the pieces in his home. I hope this guy isn’t a psychopath.

He waited for Holden to pause and look at his work before he raised his voice. “Mr. Holden. Can we have a word with you?” As the man turned, he noticed he did indeed resemble Carter. He had the same untidy blond hair and his build was identical. They could have been brothers.

“Come in out of the rain.” Holden turned off the chainsaw and removed his safety goggles, earmuffs, and face mask. After brushing wood shavings from his clothes and hair, he sat on a stool beside the bench. “What can I do for you?”

“We’re investigating the deaths of Dakota Slade, Jennifer Kriss, and Johanna Worth.” Rio crunched over the wood curls on the floor and took out a notebook and pen. “We’re working down a list of anyone who came into contact with them so we can get a timeline of their movements prior to their deaths.”

“Okay.” Holden shook his head. “Those women are all dead? That’s terrible news. How did that happen? Were they in a wreck?”

The sound of a dust extractor hummed above his head as Rowley took in the blank expression on Holden’s face and exchanged a knowing look with Rio. “We don’t know the cause of death at this time. Can you give us some details of when you last saw them?”

“Johanna came by on Friday last to collect a small bear.” Holden smiled. “It was actually part of a set, but she loved it so much I made one especially for her. The other women, I recall their names, so I figure they bought things from me. I’ll go check in my files. Each piece I create is numbered and listed with the name of the owner.” He looked from one to the other. “You’ll need to follow me to my office.” He waved a hand toward the door.

Not wanting to turn his back on a possible suspect, Rowley stepped to one side. “Lead the way. Do you live on the premises?”

“Yeah, my apartment is above the store.” Holden glanced at him. “If you’d rung the bell out front, I’d have come around, rather than you getting wet walking back here.”

“How do you hear the bell with the noise from the chainsaw?” Rio hunched against the rain.

“Flashing lights inside the workshop.” Holden smiled. “They’re hard to miss.” He walked to a door in the back of the main building and opened it with a key. “The office is through here.” He led the way.

Rowley remained in the doorway and Rio followed Holden inside, keeping a distance between them. Not knowing if this man had a weapon stashed in a drawer or was a threat, they watched Holden closely, but he sat down at his desk and booted up a computer.

“What were their names again?” Holden looked at Rio over the flat screen.

“Dakota Slade and Jennifer Kriss.” Rio moved closer. “You have pictures of your customers?”

“Yeah, along with their sculptures.” Holden smiled. “It makes it easier for me to recognize them if they call me to ask about new pieces, and I have many customers who come back time and time again.” He frowned at the screen. “Ah, yes, I recognize Dakota. She works at the general store. I’ve often seen her there. With so many people living in town, it’s difficult to recall who is a customer and who is someone I see behind a counter in town.” He thought for a beat. “I went by the general store Thursday last. I believe she was there. I can’t swear on it, but I was there on that day.”

“What about Jennifer Kriss?” Rio leaned on the desk staring at the screen.

“Yeah, she purchased one of my sculptures three months ago.” Holden looked at the image and frowned. “She hasn’t been by since and I don’t recall seeing her in town, so I can’t help you.” He pushed a hand through his hair dislodging small pieces of wood and looked at them. “Is this anything to do with the Casanova Killer who’s all over the media? Some blond-haired guy has been seen chatting with these women and then they’re found dead? You figure that’s me?”

Shaking his head, Rowley stared at him. “We’re running down a list of any blond-haired men who came in contact with the victims over the past two weeks. It’s normal procedure to ask questions to eliminate people. There’s no reason to believe the man or men seen talking to these women are involved, but it’s a place to start. We can’t leave any stone unturned.”

“If these men spoke to the victims, they might have information we can use.” Rio straightened. “They might have mentioned going somewhere or doing something in general conversation. It’s that type of information we require to find and stop whoever is murdering them.”

“Wow!” Holden blew out a long breath. “I don’t want to be caught up in the system again.”

“How so?” Rio’s hand rested on the butt of his pistol.

“I was arrested and did time for the rape of a woman in Colorado.” Holden leaned back in his chair shaking his head. “I’d never met the woman, but she picked me out in a lineup and I was sent to jail.”

“How come you’re walking free?” Rio raised both eyebrows and flicked a glance at Rowley. “Your name didn’t come up with any priors.”

“I didn’t touch the woman.” Holden blew out a long sigh. “I changed my name, but my prints still come up as my old name. It’s a long story, I had a court-appointed lawyer. He didn’t request DNA samples and the woman pointed me out in court. I was inside for two years. My wife divorced me. My parents turned their backs on me. I couldn’t get an appeal without new evidence, so I made a deal with a lawyer. If he could get me an appeal, I’d give him a percentage of the damages. He agreed and they had the woman’s clothes DNA-tested and it wasn’t a match. It was some other guy, who is still out there somewhere. I walked and received damages. I came here and purchased the building, set up my workshop.” He opened his hands and gestured to the works along the benches. “The only good thing that came from being in jail was that I learned how to make sculptures. I’ve made them in clay, but a chainsaw is a different matter. After two years I was pretty good and the pieces were sold, the money going back to the prison.”

Surprised by the confession, Rowley nodded slowly. “Thanks for letting us know. Do you mind if we run your prints for elimination processes?” He pulled a scanner from his pocket.

“Not a problem.” Holden held out his hand. “I’ve nothing to hide.”

“I’ll run them.” Rio took the scanner and headed for the truck.

Keeping his mind on the investigation, Rowley turned his attention back to Holden. “So did you become friendly with any of the women?”

“I’m a friendly guy.” Holden shrugged. “Did I find them attractive and ask them on a date? No, they were clients, is all, who appreciated my art.” He frowned. “I’m sorry they died. No one deserves to be cut down like that in their prime.”

Rowley nodded. “No, they don’t.”

“The prints confirm his story.” Rio glanced at Rowley.

Convinced they’d covered all angles, Rowley nodded. He looked at Rio. “Do you have any other questions for Mr. Holden?”

“No, I figure we have everything we need.” Rio folded his notebook and pushed it inside his jacket. He handed Holden a card. “If you think of anything or see anyone who resembles you around town, give me a call.”

“Thanks.” He pushed the card into a jar filled with a variety of junk and loose change. “I hope you catch the Casanova Killer soon. I hope he’s not targeting my customers.”

“Oh, we’ll catch him.” Rio touched his hat. “Thank you for your time.” He headed for the door.