Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(23)
“Not exactly.” Kane narrowed his eyes, making his forehead crinkle. “I spoke to him on the phone after you interviewed him for the position.” He sighed. “We have similar backgrounds, we both served in the marines, but anything else, he’ll have to tell you.”
Happy to have gained ground, she pushed a little more. “Do you have anything else you need to tell me about?”
“Not really, but as sure as hell, I think you are carrying a trunk-load of secrets. For a sheriff who carries two weapons at all times, you are the jumpiest person I know.” He turned in his seat and his eyes bore into her. “Why are you in Black Rock Falls? And don’t tell me it’s because you absolutely love being sheriff or appreciate the incredibly low salary because you could be earning a hell of a lot more working for the government.”
“Maybe I think working for the government is too dangerous.” She shrugged. “In any case, then I wouldn’t have you to watch my back, would I?”
“Trust me, you’ll be a whole lot safer with Wolfe and me watching your back.” Kane pushed to his feet. “We’ll sort this out in the morning if you don’t mind, ma’am. Thanks for dinner and don’t forget to set the house alarm.” He headed for the door without a backward glance.
She gaped after him, stymied for a few moments, then stood to follow him and bolted the front door. After entering the code to activate the alarm, her attention went to the window. The bright automatic floodlighting around her property illuminated Kane’s strong figure striding along the pathway to his cottage. Her mind went into freefall trying to digest his words. She had interviewed a few candidates for the deputy position, but after reading the other applications, Shane Wolfe shone out like a bright light.
At the time, Kane obviously had not recognized his name or face but admitted they had spoken by phone. If he had cause for alarm, or Wolfe had confided information to him earlier in the day, it would mean only one thing: Kane was working off the grid for the government and Wolfe was his new contact. Kane fit the profile and he had to be way above her old pay grade.
Collecting a glass of wine and the bottle, she headed into her office. If word had leaked about her new identity and whereabouts, she doubted the Department of Homeland Security would send him to protect her. After working undercover on one case, she hardly rated the expense. More likely, the DHS would swoop in and relocate her again, but so far, hiding in plain sight had worked. She dropped into the chair in front of her computer and refilled her glass then stared at the wall of flat screens. Why is he here?
Her mind turned to the murder. She needed to organize her deputies and use the assets of her team. She grabbed her notepad and made some notes. After listening to the brief report from Wolfe at the scene and Kane’s conclusions, she had a few of her own. Although Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley made her skin crawl, the crime scene had told her one man was involved. Yeah, after the antics in the tack room, she believed either of them was capable, but would they work alone?
The staging of the victim and the fact her face was not touched led her to believe the killer was unlikely to be her boyfriend. She had seen enough victims of domestic abuse to know men angry with their wives or lovers went for the face. The murder was gruesomely artistic, which meant the killer had murdered before. One thing Wolfe mentioned had been significant. Killers who mutilate their victims start slow. They start with their pets and move up to murder as the need grows. From the carnage she witnessed in Stanton Forest, whoever had brutally murdered Felicity had plenty of practice. If her murder followed his usual modus operandi, his kills would be easy to trace—and people make mistakes. Without the ability to search the local databases for similar crimes, she drafted a letter then sent it out to all the police and sheriffs’ departments in the state.
She leaned back in her seat and made plans for the next day. In the morning, she would ask Rowley to trace Felicity’s cellphone and collect a list of calls or texts she had made from the server. Having her parents’ written permission gave the sheriff’s department instant access to her accounts. Rowley could also check her social media for clues. She needed some idea of Felicity’s movements from the time she left home until approximately nine thirty. A list of her friends would be helpful. She would send Kane to interview the boyfriend, Derick Smith, and see if he had an alibi for the time of death. Whoever Felicity had met during the short time between leaving home and reaching the forest had murdered her. The face of Felicity Parker filled her mind. Why did you go into the forest, Felicity?
Fifteen
Kane did the usual sweep of his house, checking for any intruders or bugs. Confident his home was secure, he emptied his pockets, removed his holster, and stripped off his uniform. He dropped the garments into the washing machine then headed for the bathroom. He had a lot to think about and the shower was his refuge of choice. The arrival of Shane Wolfe had surprised him but he would be an asset to the team. Wolfe had spent his time wisely by continuing his studies to become top in his field in forensic and computer science. Once his wife died, the government ordered Wolfe back to active service. Why put the three of us together? It makes no sense.
He stepped from the shower and dressed. His gaze settled on his notepad and his immediate priorities slammed into place. He had a young woman lying on a slab in the mortuary, and he owed it to her and her family to find her killer.