Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(13)
“I’ll bet he’ll be one of the mourners at her funeral.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “He will be in his element, feeding on people’s grief.”
“Then we’ll need to haul ass and catch him before he strikes again.” Alton straightened. “Thoughts?”
“This is a man out of control.” Wolfe shook his head slowly and stared at Kane. “You are one of the best profilers I know. Do you agree he enjoyed killing her and will want a bigger thrill next time?”
A cold chill ran down Kane’s spine as he nodded. “I do. Prepare yourselves for worst-case scenario because it’s going to get nasty.” He sighed. “Right now, we don’t know his cycle. They all have a limit to how long they can go before their next fix. If he is passing through Black Rock Falls, we need to be on alert. He could strike again in days or even hours.”
“Wolfe, I want a positive ID of the victim like yesterday, and tell the M.E. I don’t want this leaking to the press. The last thing we want is the media contacting the parents before we’ve had the chance to notify them.”
“I’ll make it crystal clear, ma’am.”
Alton’s expression hardened as she glanced up at Kane. “The kids identified a couple of cowboys coming out of the forest, and we need to get over to the fairgrounds and interview them straight away.” She brushed a lock of black hair from her eyes. “Ah, there’s the acting M.E. to collect the body. I’ll leave the victim in your capable hands, Wolfe and send Walters back to the office to bring Rowley up to speed. Email me the findings of the autopsy ASAP.” She glanced at Kane. “Let’s go.”
Seven
Trailers and pickups packed the parking lot at the fairgrounds and people moved around setting up tents and food-vending caravans. Brightly colored signage pointed to different arenas. A massive poster hung over the front gate proclaiming cowboys and cowgirls would perform death-defying feats of athleticism on the wildest beasts in the west.
As Jenna made her way from the parking lot, murder was not foremost in her mind. Deputy Wolfe’s words at the crime scene filtered into her brain at a relentless rate. You are one of the best profilers I know. A trickle of worry ran down her spine. Kane had not mentioned knowing the new deputy, and in fact, the body language between them on meeting had been more like two stags during mating season rather than acquaintances. Yet after their visit to Aunt Betty’s Café, they acted like old friends, and then Wolfe had practically ordered her to a meeting. She trusted Kane and could find no reason why he would withhold information about Wolfe from her. What is going on?
She turned to Kane and could not temper the harsh tone of her voice. “Have you met Shane Wolfe before? You seem to get on like old friends.”
“This morning was the first time I laid eyes on him but I like him. He has experience in all the areas we need—especially today.”
His gaze had been direct, his manner convincing; either he was the best liar she had ever met or he had told her the truth. She nodded. “I agree. I wish we had another six like him.”
“I’m not sure if you can twist the mayor’s arm for another six—maybe one and a rookie.” Kane indicated with his chin toward a poster stuck to a board beside the ticket office. “I’ll speak to the guy in the ticket office but I would say, looking at the events, Lucky Briggs is a bull rider and roper; no doubt he is taking part in quite a few events.”
She stared at the pixelated image of a dark-haired man, his face shadowed by a black Stetson. “That photograph isn’t much to go on but he is obviously well known. I had no idea there would be so many events, including a Rodeo Queen competition. I’ve always preferred to remain in town during the celebrations to handle the complaints.”
“There is a dance on Friday night as well. I’ll buy tickets.”
Jenna gaped at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. Apart from it being inappropriate after what has happened, we’ll be on duty not boot-scooting, even if I knew how to boot-scoot.”
“I should be crushed but I wasn’t exactly asking you out on a date. Don’t you agree, blending in is sometimes the best way to find out information? Liquor loosens people’s tongues.” His mouth quirked up at the corner. “I’m sure you can manage a Texas two-step after living here for over three years.”
“Not really but I guess we could use it as an excuse to keep an eye on the locals and see if anyone is acting suspicious.” She shrugged. “I don’t have time to shop for an outfit. We’re running a murder investigation, in case it slipped your mind.”
“An undercover assignment works for me.” He grinned. “These dances are not formal. I’m sure you have a pair of blue jeans, boots, and a shirt with a fringe. You’re wearing a cowboy hat.” His smile flashed white. “Well?”
After informing her he had suffered a painful breakup, they had become close friends and spent a lot of downtime together. She placed both hands on her hips and blew out a long sigh. “I’m sure you are used to having women fall at your feet but we are trying to do a job here.”
“Exactly.”
Jenna threw her hands up in the air and turned away. “Fine, I’ll go to the dance with you but only to back up the deputies on duty—understand? Go and buy the tickets. I’ll check the stables and ask around if anyone has seen our suspects.” She headed toward the row of horse trailers lined up alongside a building. From the smell blowing in her direction from the freshly painted barn, it had to be the stables.