“Black Rock Falls isn’t the most popular of towns. It’s hardly noticeable on the map but big enough to swallow you. Only two people know where you are now: the president and me.”
“Off the grid, huh? Really? HQ acted like I was finished, retired, and sent out to pasture. Does this mean I will be called back to active duty?”
“Yeah. You’ll be involved with catching the men who killed your wife. I’m sure you and Alton would make a good team when the time comes but for now, nothing has changed and we have zero intel on who was involved. The moment I have more, you’ll be informed.”
“Then I want out now. You know damn well, I’ll be able to find the assholes.”
“Not yet. You are far too valuable to risk, and Black Rock Falls is the closest to secure we could find. Play the role, that’s an order, and allow us to do our job. Do what you do best and work with Alton. Don’t contact me again unless you are compromised—understand? Every call you make puts you both in danger of exposure.”
Kane scratched his stubble and groaned. “Sure, I’ll be a good boy and spend my time filing complaints about cats peeing on cars. Have a nice day.” He shut the phone, removed the SIM, snapped it in half, then dropped the phone and SIM down a drain.
Irritated, he walked back to Aunt Betty’s and slid into his seat. As he removed the plate covering his lunch, Wolfe cleared his throat and Kane lifted his hand to stop any questions. “I checked you out and we’re cool.”
“What can you tell me about Sheriff Alton?” Wolfe narrowed his gaze and eyed him critically. “She sure doesn’t look like she needs any help.” He leaned back in his seat.
“Trust me, Sheriff Alton is as tough as anyone I’ve worked with but she does have a vulnerability, which in my opinion makes her human.” Kane sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “My orders are to stand down, so it looks like I’m here for the duration too. We might as well make the most of it while it lasts.” He shrugged. “Think of it as an early retirement in a sleepy, not-so-little town.”
“I’m bored already.” Wolfe gave an irritated snort and refilled his coffee cup. “On the upside, I guess it is a decent place to raise my kids.”
The door to the café opened, bringing a summer breeze and lifting the paper napkins on the tables, and Deputy Rowley strode purposely toward them, grim-faced. Kane swore under his breath then lifted his attention to him. “What’s up?”
“Someone found a body in Stanton Forest.” Deputy Rowley whispered so low Kane had to lean closer to hear him.
“Did anyone check to see if the victim is actually dead? It could be someone sleeping off a hangover.”
“No, the victim is female, and from the woman who examined the body it might be a bear attack. The victim is cut up real bad.” Deputy Rowley swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbed in his long neck. “Sheriff Alton is heading to the scene with Deputy Walters. Her orders are to wait for her call. She will examine the scene and speak to the kids who found the body.”
“A bear attack?” Kane frowned at him. “Why didn’t you call me rather than leaving the office unmanned?”
“Maggie’s on the desk and I’m following orders. The sheriff sent me to tell you in person and told me to buy lunch to take back to the office. No one is available to relieve me.” Rowley’s cheeks pinked. “I’ll grab some sandwiches and head back.”
Why didn’t Jenna call me? “Okay.” Kane stared after him, confused. “Thanks for letting me know.” He flicked a glance at Wolfe. “Did you have to tempt fate by complaining you were bored?”
Four
At the sight of two women fussing over a couple of ashen-faced young boys gripping fishing rods, Jenna pulled her cruiser to the curb on Stanton Road. Two bicycles sat chained to a nearby fir tree. She turned to Walters. “We’ll need to split the kids up, take down details, then compare our notes later. Make sure you ask the parents for permission to question their kids. I have their names and addresses. I’ll check out the body and when I get back, you take Mrs. Sanders and I’ll speak to Mrs. Ridley.”
“Right you are.” Walters opened the cruiser door and stepped outside.
Jenna slid from the car and took her notepad and pen from the inside pocket of her jacket. Moving toward the group, she smiled at the kids then addressed the adults. “Which one of you called me? Are you the parents of these children?”
“Yes.” A young woman pushed a lock of brown hair from her face and patted one of the kids on the head. “I’m Georgina Sanders and this is my son Ian.”
“I’m Prue Ridley, the one who called, and this is my son James, Jimmy.” The other woman stepped forward and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “We came as soon as Jimmy called me, and Georgina waited with the boys while I checked the body. I’m a nurse at Black Rock Falls General but the girl was beyond help so I called you. As I said, a bear could have mauled the poor girl, although my boys haven’t seen any signs of a bear in the area. We thought it would be best to wait here.”
“Yes, the fewer people disturbing evidence the better.” She cleared her throat. “Do you mind waiting while I take a look?”
“I really need to get Jimmy home. He’s very upset and if it’s not a bear, whoever did this might be hanging around.”
Jenna sucked in a deep breath. “I doubt that very much but I’ll leave Deputy Walters to watch over you. I won’t be long.” She waved a hand toward the forest. “Where did you find the body?”
Before Mrs. Ridley could reply, Jimmy lifted a trembling finger and pointed to a path winding into the forest. “Down there. It leads to the river. We go fishing there all the time during summer vacation unless the big kids are swimming. We get there early because they don’t like us hanging around.”
“Okay, thanks.” Jenna patted the boy on the shoulder and slipped the pen and notepad back in her pocket. “Wait here with Deputy Walters.” She jogged down the pathway and, rounding the first bend, slipped her Glock from the holster. Bear or man, she would be prepared.
The trail ran beneath a canopy of trees, through an idyllic pine forest with points of sunlight highlighting the wildflowers and variegated vegetation. The area had a magical feel and she understood why the kids flocked to this place during the summer. The path wound through rough tree trunks, each wide enough to hide a man with ease, and she slowed her pace, tensing at every sound.
The whine of wind through the trees sounded like a pitiful moan. As she moved forward, the crack of a twig under her boot echoed in the quiet like a gunshot. Aware of her vulnerability to both bear and killer, she fought the panic hovering under the surface and held her weapon before her in both hands. As she moved deeper into the forest, a breeze carrying the unmistakable smell of raw meat hit her full in the face. She slowed to a walk and moved with caution along the winding trail, her gaze shifting from side to side, taking in any signs of a threat.
The thick covering of last fall’s leaves masked sound, and anyone or thing could creep up on her, or be hiding behind the packed pines. The forest closed around her in suffocating density and a shiver sent a warning down her spine. She waved the pistol in a sweep, checking every shadow before proceeding.