Chapter 14

After a long afternoon of failing to make progress on her cases or track down the Bearing men or Pastor John, Laurel tightened her seat belt in Kate's vehicle. "Thank you for the ride home."

"Sure thing," Kate said cheerfully, her headlights on bright. "So Huck got called out on this too-dark and cold night?"

"Yes. He said he'd be a couple of hours." Sometimes Laurel almost forgot that they didn't actually work together. "Now that we know the Iceberg River victim is his mother, we have to take him off this case anyway." She'd miss working with him.

Kate nodded. "Why did you want me to call Sheriff York for you earlier? I thought we all agreed that he's a pain in the butt."

Laurel sighed. "We needed his help since we're down two agents. Plus, since he has familiarity with the mayor and the Bearing family, I believe he knows where they are and can bring them in." So Laurel could schedule time to interview all of them. Since Dr. Ortega had positively identified Mrs. Bearing as the second victim, the sheriff had no choice but to cooperate. If he could only locate Pastor John, he'd actually be of use. Fish and Wildlife were searching for the snowmobiling group, but they only had so many available officers right now, and the Cascades were vast.

Kate's Volkswagen Bug slid on the ice. "Oops." She corrected and slowed down.

"I thought you planned to purchase a winter vehicle."

Kate shrugged. "Vic's will is still being contested by that twit, Kirsti, so the funds he left for the girls haven't exactly arrived yet."

Kate's ex-husband had been murdered by a serial killer earlier that year, and unfortunately, his last will and testament was being challenged by the very young woman for whom he'd left Kate and the girls.

"How are your girls doing?" Laurel asked.

Kate pushed hair out of her eyes. "They're great. Vida is still perfecting her soccer skills for the upcoming season. She's all into geometry. Val is working hard on her photography projects while playing basketball, and Viv is getting ready for lacrosse. It's the first time she's played, and she's pretty excited. She's still dating Ryan."

"That's good. I'm glad they're doing well."

Kate's girls were twelve, fourteen, and sixteen—all cute blondes like their mom.

"We'll have to get together for dinner soon," Kate said. "They miss seeing you."

Laurel had found herself exceedingly preoccupied with numerous commitments lately. "I agree. And don't worry, my vehicle is at Huck's cabin, so I can drive myself tomorrow if he's out on another mission." He'd been called in right around dinnertime to help plant warning flags up near peaks ripe for avalanches. It was a good thing he enjoyed working outside with his dog.

"No problem. If you want a ride, I'm happy to pick you up."

Laurel shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm ready to drive. I do have a new car."

Kate pulled up to Huck's cabin. "Do you want me to help you shovel the drive?"

"Huck enjoys unwinding when he returns home by excavating the entire area. I'll just clear the walkway for now," Laurel said. "You say hi to your girls for me."

"I will." Kate waited until Laurel stood safely to the side of the metal building before backing down the driveway.

Laurel removed the biggest shovel from the shop and made quick work of the walkway before hurrying inside the cabin and shedding her coat and boots. Huck had given her a key not too long ago, and she was starting to feel at home. That feeling should have caused her some concern because she'd never been at home with anybody but her mother.

Her stomach grumbled, and she moved to the kitchen, glancing toward the quiet living room. Huck, per usual, had already stacked kindling and logs in the hearth, so she decided to make a fire before eating. She struck a match, and the logs instantly ignited. There was nothing like a wood-burning fire in the winter. She should add one to the barndominium she planned to build on her mother's property.

She looked out at the light snow still falling. Like everyone else around her, she was more than ready for spring.

Something in the snow on the deck outside caught her attention, and she moved closer to the sliding glass door. Her breath caught in her throat. She dodged back to the kitchen and grabbed her weapon out of her purse, then shoved on her boots before hurrying to the door and opening it.

She flicked on the outside porch light. Black dahlias had been scattered all over the deck and down onto the grass beside the winding river, their dark red petals stark against the snow and ice. She shivered and pointed her gun in every direction. Black dahlias had been Jason Abbott's calling card.

She tugged her phone from her pocket to call in the trespass to both Fish and Wildlife and the local sheriff's office. She needed this scene processed now.

"Jason?" she yelled toward the forest after she'd clicked off. "Why don't you show courage and move into the light? Let's talk."

The wind whistled eerily through the trees, shaking branches and scattering piles of snow on the ground. She squinted in every direction but could see only darkness. He would've wanted to watch her find the dahlias. In case he was still watching, she kept her face perfectly calm.

"This is actually fairly boring," she called out. "Really? Flowers?"

Her phone buzzed, and she lifted it to her ear. "Agent Snow."

"Did you like my gift?" Abbott asked.

She kept her guard up, making sure to put her back to the door, just in case. She hadn't searched the entire cabin. While there was no sign of a break-in, she wasn't going to risk another fight with him.

"You mean these stupid flowers?" She forced derision into her tone.

He was silent. "Black dahlias. They symbolize betrayal. Women like you betray."

"Please," she muttered, trying to sound both insolent and bored. "This is the best you've got? Flowers? Show yourself, Jason. Let's finally have this out."

"Laurel, at least be a little appreciative. I can't just find these like I could before. In fact, this is my last batch." He sounded sad about that.

She took a deep breath. "Are you drowning women now instead of strangling them?"

He chuckled. "I'm adaptable, it's true. I'm just getting started. You know I love the long game."

That was a falsehood. He had difficulties with impulse control. She decided to take a page out of Abigail's book. "I've talked to several professional women in the area, and we're all consentient about you."

"What?" he asked.

She could play his game better than he could, and she wasn't even a game player. "Come on. We both know that you are fearful of educated women and not up to sesquipedalian discussion."

He remained silent.

She could utilize even larger words with him, but she figured she'd angered him enough.

"You think I'm stupid?" he snapped.

"I do think you're stupid," she agreed. "I think you're an absolute moron." She eyed the tree line carefully. If he hid out there, he wouldn't be able to keep from rushing her, yet no movement showed.

"You have no idea who I am," he hissed.

She chuckled, and the sound carried on the wind. "I know exactly who you are. You're a little boy who likes to throw tantrums by tossing flowers around. You're silly, Jason. Pathetic."

"Enjoy your evening, Agent Snow," he snarled. "I'm coming for you soon."

* * *

Upon rushing home, Huck had searched the entire area around his cabin until finally joining her in bed, having found no evidence left by Jason Abbott. After a night of fitful dreams that involved drowning, Laurel worked overtime in her quiet office, concerned more bodies would be found soon. She poured through the case files on Jason Abbott, a cup of tea on her desk and a half-eaten breakfast burrito in the garbage. The local police had also searched for Abbott in the area around Huck's cabin to no avail, not that she'd expected a glowing arrow pointing to his location.

Huck was currently being interviewed by FBI Agent Norrs and Fish and Wildlife Deputy Chief Wright, and she wished she could be there with him. For him.

Kate appeared in the doorway and brought her a can of ginger ale. "Here you go. This sometimes helps. I heard you throwing up again."

Laurel looked up, still feeling nauseated. "I'm fine. You didn't have to come in on a Saturday."

"If you're working, so am I." Kate smiled, dressed down in brown jeans and a pretty pink sweater. "How far along are you?"

Laurel blinked and sat back.

Kate shrugged. "I puked with both Viv and Val for months. I recognize the look."

"Oh." Laurel accepted the ginger ale, instantly realizing she couldn't keep this secret from Kate, and lying to her friend held little appeal. Plus, Kate had experienced pregnancy three times and no doubt held much wisdom. "Approximately eleven weeks."

A broad smile spread across Kate's face. "Congratulations, Laurel. I think that's fantastic news."

Laurel opened the soda and took a drink. She'd try anything to get rid of this feeling. "Thank you. I'm worried."

"Of course, you're worried," Kate said. "That's the primary function of a mom. Trust me, I'm always worried. Everything will be fine."

Laurel appreciated the support. "Thank you. I hope so."

"Does that explain why Huck has been hovering lately?"

Laurel took another drink. "Has he been hovering? He's been overprotective, but I've become accustomed to that."

"He has been standing guard around you more than usual," Kate said. "It's a good thing. You have to let him be a part of this."

"I am," Laurel said.

Kate tapped on the door frame. "Good. If you need anything, let me know. I'm sure you'll have questions."

"I'm sure I will. I've been studying and reading up on pregnancy, but I might have real-life questions," she mused.

Kate chuckled. "All right. I'm here for you." She turned and sauntered out of view.

Laurel looked back at the case file, trying to find any sort of pattern that would lead to a clue where Abbott might be right now. Nothing stood out. She'd had the techs try to trace the phone call from the previous night, but Abbott hadn't been on the line long enough. She also had Nester working from Seattle, analyzing possible vacant properties in the area where Abbott might be squatting. So far, he had not found any viable possibilities.

Her desk phone buzzed, and she saw that it was Kate calling. "Hey, Kate. You were just here."

"Laurel Snow. Did you just make a joke?"

Laurel sat back. "Not really."

"It sounded like one," Kate said. "Rachel Raprenzi from The Killing Hour keeps calling, wanting more details about the victims found by the rivers."

The woman certainly was persistent. "Tell her no comment," Laurel said.

"Also, whether you have an update on the Abbott case," Kate continued.

They already had the hotline going, so there was no need to utilize The Killing Hour again. At least for now. "Tell her no comment for now."

"Okay, gotcha. Oh. Um, Sheriff York just buzzed in downstairs. Want me to ignore him?"

Laurel sighed. "No. Let him up."

"I guess." Kate clicked off.

Minutes later, Sheriff York walked into Laurel's office. "I figured I'd update you in person on this fine Saturday since neither one of us is getting a day off anytime soon." He had dark circles under his eyes.

"Hi, Sheriff," she said. "I assume you've found the Bearing men?"

He wiped a hand across his brow. "No. I thought they'd headed out to a friend's cabin near Snowblood peak, but I was wrong. Saul owns a private plane, and I checked, and it's gone."

Laurel blinked. "You allowed the husband of a murder victim to fly out of town?"

His face reddened. "No. I thought they needed a day or two in order to grieve, which is what I'm sure they're doing."

She reached for her phone and texted Nester to track Saul Bearing's plane somehow and then search outlying states for property owned by the Bearings. "When you did speak with the mayor, did you get any information?"

"They all thought Mrs. Bearing had headed out to a spa vacation in Seattle the night she went missing. We're trying to track down any spa where she might've had a reservation, but so far we haven't found anything."

So perhaps she'd lied to her family about her whereabouts, which made sense due to her alleged affair with Pastor John. "What about dumping her phone?"

"We're working on the warrant now."

Laurel took another sip of the bubbly soda, noting her stomach starting to settle. "Did you bring up any alleged affairs to the mayor in those brief moments you spent with him before allowing him to leave the jurisdiction?"

"Are you being sarcastic?"

She stiffened. "No."

His gaze narrowed. "No. We didn't have much time to talk."

She'd prefer to speak with Pastor John before Mayor Bearing, but at this point, she just wanted to find her damn witnesses. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to sound anything but sarcastic. "I appreciate you initially providing the notification of death to the Bearing family. I know how difficult that can be, and you've been helpful since we're down two agents right now." She required his continued assistance right now, so she forced herself to say the words.

"No problem. I'm sorry we haven't found Pastor John Govern yet. They stupidly didn't take radios with them, so they could be anywhere in the mountains."

Heat clashed down Laurel's throat. How frustrating. She wanted to interview him before the mayor. "Keep the BOLOs on everyone active."

"You got to know Pastor John a little bit, didn't you? During your first case here?"

She thought back. "I interviewed him a few times and he invited me on a date that I refused, but I wouldn't say that I know him." He was a charismatic leader, and the person responsible for securing the TV deal for the church.

York glanced down at the stacks of paper in front of Laurel. "You think Jason Abbott's responsible for these newest killings?"

"I don't know," she said. "I can envision him trying to play games with us by switching his MO. Drowning and leaving a victim covered in ice is similar to strangling and leaving a victim in an ice block." But she worked with facts and not conjecture.

York patted his belly. "I was studying the two recent deaths and noticed something interesting. Your first case, when you arrived in town, had crime scenes at Snowblood Peak, where the first victim in this case was found. We also found a victim in our latest case at the church."

Laurel straightened. "You're correct. We should see if Fish and Wildlife cameras can be set close to areas where we've found the victims of recent cases, especially those near a body of water."

York nodded. "I'll talk to Fish and Wildlife, but the new bodies weren't exactly where the earlier crimes took place. Nobody has that many cameras."

He made a good point. "Let's have Fish and Wildlife place the cameras on roads leading to former dump sites," she said thoughtfully. "Then if we get a body, at least we'll have a photo of the vehicle the killer is using."

York straightened. "Do you think we'll get another homicide?"

She looked out at the gray day outside. "We need to proceed with that probability. We have two kills within, what? Three days. That's quick, Sheriff York. That's a very fast turnaround."

"Do you think we're looking at another one tomorrow?"

"I hope not. Both of our current victims were blondes, in fairly decent shape, and found frozen. Your investigators need to search for any commonalities between them, especially if their lives intersected at some point." She had Nester doing the same.

York nodded. "Got it. You know, there's another connection they have."

Laurel looked up. "What's that?"

"Huck Rivers. The first vic was his mom, and the second was filmed hitting and threatening him."

Laurel blinked. The sheriff was correct.