Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(35)
“I’d like to hear all your theories because I need proof both victims weren’t killed elsewhere then carried to the forest to be put on show.” She turned and leaned her back against the counter. “After interviewing Felicity’s friends, my list of suspects is a mile long for her murder but I have absolutely nothing for Joanne Blunt. She literally arrived in town and someone killed her.”
“Kane thinks it’s a local who moves around, maybe in his job, but there are differences in both murders. We know Joanne Blunt was heading to the rock pool for a swim but Felicity Parker had no reason to be in the forest. I think the Blunt murder was opportunistic. The killer came across her, chased her down. From the bruising, she fought back. He pulled her hair and punched her rather than using a weapon. From what I could determine, he used one knife not a variety.” Wolfe went to the refrigerator and took out the cream. “But both murders are ritualistic and I have no doubt he has killed before and will again, very soon.”
She glanced up to see Kane strolling through the door carrying an Aunt Betty’s takeout box. His blue gaze moved around the room and rested on her, and he headed in her direction. “There he is now. If you handle the coffee, I’ll go with Kane and place the items you found into the evidence locker.”
“I’ve picked up some food. I’m guessing you haven’t had time to eat either.” Kane smiled at her and dropped the takeout box onto the counter. “We have a lot to discuss.”
“Thanks, but I’ve collected enough pies and candy for a month.” Jenna returned his smile.
“Great!” He grinned. “You hungry?”
“Famished. I’ve been waiting for you to get back. Once we’ve taken care of all the evidence you’ve collected, we can eat.” She turned to Wolfe. “I’ll send Rowley to give you a hand. Take the coffee and food into my office, we won’t be long.”
“We found a pair of cowboy boots, pink with sparkles. They fit the description of the pair Felicity was wearing the day she went missing. There is a scrap of blue material with a sequin, which might be a part of her top.”
She strolled beside Kane and they met Rowley outside the cage. The young deputy appeared a little frazzled. “Thanks, we’ll take it from here. Go and help Wolfe—Kane was kind enough to pick up our lunch so we might as well eat and discuss the case.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley handed the box of evidence to Kane. “Thanks, I could eat a horse right now.”
She waited for him to go, and they used their keys to unlock the evidence room. As she entered a description of each article into the book then the computer, she glanced up at Kane. “I had the strangest feeling someone was following me today.”
“Did you see anyone?”
“Not following me but I went to pick up coffee from Aunt Betty’s and Lionel Provine was there with some kids. When I left, I had the same feeling. I turned around and looked straight into his eyes.”
“We have an inbuilt radar. Instinct or whatever.” Kane shrugged. “It may be nothing but we’ll keep an eye on him. I’m glad you told me.”
She sighed. “Okay, back to the job at hand. Any thoughts?”
“You mean apart from knowing this animal is a psychopathic, exhibitionist, murdering son of a bitch?”
“That would be the general consensus but you have a knack for figuring out how a killer’s mind works. How long do you think before he strikes again?” She closed the book and stared up at him.
“Right now I don’t have a clue.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m hoping the emails I sent out last night to the sheriff’s departments of other counties might be able to shed some light on this monster.” He followed her from the cage and pulled the door shut behind them. “There have to be other murders with the same M.O. The murderer is making a distinctive statement and I’m sure will kill again. These crazies usually have a pattern: They start slow, as long as six months between kills, then the hunger gnaws at them and the distance between each murder becomes smaller. Think of killing to them as an addiction: Once they are hooked, they keep needing a bigger fix and crave it more often. So, with two on the same day, we can expect him to act again very soon.”
Jenna headed into her office and took her seat behind the desk piled high with takeout cartons of cakes and sandwiches. She lifted her gaze to Kane. “How much do I owe you? After the trek you did through the forest, this meal is on the department.”
“I’m good.” Kane slid into a chair. “There is nothing to spend my money on around here, is there?” He selected a packet of sandwiches. “I didn’t have to pay for the tickets to the dance on Friday night either. The guy gave me a bunch for nothing and said we were all welcome to attend.” He glanced at Wolfe. “As you requested, I arranged for four deputies from two other counties to help out Friday night and all this weekend, so we can be undercover at the heart of any trouble if you agree?”
Jenna shrugged. “Sure, but I want uniforms as well. Rowley and Walters can pull the night shift during and after the dance. The three of us will be at the dance, and I’m sure Shane would like to take his daughters out for the evening, or a part of it?” She glanced at Wolfe and smiled. “At least your seventeen-year-old will want to join in the fun.”