Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

T hankfully, the paramedics arrived on the scene twenty minutes later—fast for the Fairbanks area. Matthew had left the cabin just long enough to tell them what was going on with Emmett.

Andi had been praying for the man since she’d heard. Now the medics could take over and get Emmett the help he needed.

Five minutes after that, an Alaskan State Trooper SUV pulled onto the scene.

Andi’s old friend Logan Gibson climbed out. The man was tall with a chiseled face and short hair. Tattoos beneath his shirt hinted that he hadn’t always been on the straight and narrow, though he never talked about his past.

He’d proven himself to be an ally throughout their investigations, however.

Andi met him halfway, anxious to talk.

“A dead body?” Gibson started. “And you were close by when it was discovered? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“I tried not to touch anything, despite the fact I was very curious.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Except the note I found.” She handed it to him. “But I was wearing gloves.”

She frowned apologetically.

He read the words there, and his eyes widened. “Interesting.”

“I thought so also.”

He slid the paper in an evidence bag and placed the bag in a plastic box he’d brought with him.

Then he paused and glanced at the body in the snow. “Let’s take a look.”

As Gibson edged closer to the body, Andi stayed with him. Suddenly, the biting cold didn’t matter as much, though she’d be happy when she could warm up.

Before Gibson touched anything, he documented the scene by taking pictures. When he was done, he snapped on some latex gloves and began to gently brush the snow from Pepper’s face. Fresh flakes had fallen since the initial discovery of her body.

Andi’s heart lurched into her throat at the sight of the woman’s face.

Someone this young didn’t deserve to die. Not that older people did. But Pepper’s death was such a shame. And how heartbreaking for Juniper that she had to go through another loss.

“I don’t see any obvious signs of foul play—no blood or bruising.” Gibson studied Pepper’s face with a compassionate frown. “But the medical examiner will need to do a more thorough investigation.”

“Someone her age doesn’t just drop dead for no reason. Not to mention she wouldn’t have dropped dead in this position, holding a note like that.”

“Agreed. Something went on here. I’m going to need to question everyone and see if they saw anything.”

Andi nodded toward Juniper, who still stood with Simmy. “Juniper was Pepper’s best friend. If anyone knows anything, it’s probably her. Her parents owned this place, but they were both killed last year.”

Realization rolled across Gibson’s features as he rose to full height. “The December Dismemberer.”

Her throat tightened. Even the man’s name was creepy and unnerving. “You didn’t work that case by chance, did you?”

“No, but I’ve definitely heard a lot about him.”

“He’s who we’re here to investigate.”

Gibson’s eyes narrowed as he nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “I hope you find some answers. Every time I go somewhere in town, I hear people talking about him. They’re scared.”

“I know. You don’t think . . . ?” Andi glanced at Peppermint again.

She didn’t want to finish the statement. Not in front of Juniper.

“You didn’t find a snowman nearby, did you?” Gibson asked.

“I did not. I can honestly say I didn’t look either.”

“This murder, however, wouldn’t fit the December Dismemberer’s MO.”

“Is it really that out of the question to think a killer might have changed his MO?” It was an honest question. Did killers always follow the same pattern? Or were there circumstances that caused them to mix things up sometimes?

“This would be a lot of changing.” Gibson rubbed his jaw as he stared at Pepper, his gaze clouded with thought. “Wrong date. Wrong method of murder. Striking the same place twice. It just doesn’t fit if you ask me.”

“I agree. But it could still be an idea worth exploring.”

Gibson glanced at Pepper again. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I have you guys here to help.”

Emmett was still alive when the paramedics took him away. Duke was thankful for that.

One of the assistant managers at the camp had accompanied him.

As soon as the ambulance left, Duke found Andi. Something was going on with her lately, something she hadn’t opened up about.

She’d been more distant, more preoccupied. Some evenings, she disappeared, saying she just needed some time alone.

He was all for giving her the space she needed. He only wished Andi wouldn’t lock him out.

She’d been through a lot. They both had. And they needed each other to get through it.

He turned his gaze from her and scanned everyone around them.

Gibson was here and questioning Juniper. Two other police officers were on the scene, helping to manage the situation.

He paused beside her. “Anything I need to know?”

“Gibson doesn’t know how Pepper died yet. But the medical examiner is on his way. Maybe he can at least give us an approximate time of death.”

“Any details would be helpful.”

Duke glanced at the people who’d gathered and spotted the man Juniper had been arguing with when they arrived. The man still looked angry as he stood on the edge of the crowd.

What was up with him? Duke needed to find out, and there was no better time than now.

He excused himself from Andi and strode toward the man. The man was probably in his mid-thirties and lean with dark brown hair, black glasses, and a round face.

As soon as the guy saw him, his scowl deepened, and he shifted.

“I’m Duke,” he started. “You mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“You’re not officially on this case, so I’m under no obligation to answer.”

“No, you’re not. But we’re here to help, not to hurt.” Duke paused. “You mind if I ask who you are?”

“I’m Tim. Tim Burrows.”

Facts clicked in Duke’s mind. “Calvin’s brother?”

“That’s me.”

That could explain the tense discussion Duke had seen between this man and Juniper when the team had first arrived. “How long have you worked here, Tim?”

His jaw stiffened. “Three years.”

“Why don’t you want us here?” Duke crossed his arms as he cut to the chase.

“Who said I didn’t want you here?” Tim’s gaze held a challenge as he stared at Duke.

“It’s pretty obvious.”

He scoffed. “I looked upset earlier because I was upset. But not about you. If you really must know, I was upset because I had to kick a guest out today.”

The man’s explanation could make sense, but Duke wanted more information first. “Why is that?”

“He heard you guys might be coming, and he’s obsessed with Calvin and Mary’s murder. It was all I could do not to punch the guy.” His face reddened, and he shook his head. “Calvin and Mary were family. They deserve better than to simply be a headline, to be someone’s sick fascination.”

Duke nodded slowly. “I get that. We don’t want to glamorize this, if that’s what you’re thinking. We want justice.”

“I’m afraid more and more people are going to come just because they have a morbid curiosity. Any chance Juniper has of healing will disappear faster than daylight in December.”

“And you think the podcast will only make this worse?”

“Absolutely. Look at what happened today.”

Duke glanced back to where Pepper had been found. “You think her death is connected?”

“I think Pepper was nothing but trouble. She was always running around camp like she owned the place. Apparently, she lived here secretly for a couple of months before Calvin and Mary were murdered. They wouldn’t have wanted her here.”

Duke tried not to show his surprise. But he wanted to hear more about Pepper’s secret residency sometime.

“Why wouldn’t your brother want Pepper here?”

“Because they didn’t like her or her parents. But she was Juniper’s best friend. She needed a place to live when her parents moved to the Lower 48 so she wouldn’t have to go with them.”

“And after Calvin and Mary died? What happened then?”

Tim scowled again. “Then Juniper insisted Peppermint should move into the staff housing. She had a whole cabin to herself. I keep telling Juniper she needs to make her leave, but Juniper won’t listen. And Juniper has the final say in these things now that she’s in charge.”

Duke hadn’t been expecting that tidbit. “I guess that won’t be an issue now.”

Tim shrugged, his expression softening but still annoyed. “I guess it won’t.”

A lot was going on here at this camp, much more than Duke had initially assumed.