Kane glanced at the row of cars waiting at the gate. “This place is busy, so what made you decide to try and manage with two men last Saturday?”
“I didn’t expect many people to turn up seeing as the weather has been so bad.” Brinks shrugged. “Too late to call in the other men by the time the cars rolled up.”
“Did either of you see anyone dumping the barrel?” Kane blinked away the snowflakes collecting on his eyelashes. “Any regulars you can remember? Any information you can recall, however trivial, will be useful.”
When both men shook their heads, Kane pulled off one glove and reached inside his pocket for his cards. He offered a few to both men. “Can you do me a favor? When people come by, ask them if they used the landfill last Saturday and if they noticed anything or anyone suspicious. If they have any information, give them my card.”
“Will do, but people in Black Rock Falls don’t like to get involved.” Brinks pocketed the cards.
“Really? Well, they might change their minds when they discover we have a killer in the vicinity.” Kane gave him a long stare and the man cringed under his scrutiny. “Show me where you found the barrel and where it is now.” He turned to Joey. “The medical examiner will be here shortly; send him over and keep everyone else outside until further notice. A deputy is on the way to control the traffic.”
He walked Mr. Brinks to the SUV, opened the door, and ushered him into the back seat. The man’s body odor near burned his nostrils, and he hoped the stink would not impregnate his new car. He slid into the driver’s seat and turned to Jenna. “This is Mr. Brinks. I’ve questioned him and Joey but they didn’t see who dumped the barrel.”
“What time did you start this morning?” Alton’s expression was all business as she turned in her seat to look at the frazzled man.
“Five thirty as usual.”
“You are supposed to supervise the loads placed into the landfill so how could both of you have missed something so large?” Alton’s blue gaze didn’t leave the man’s face as she pulled on her gloves. “Are the gates locked overnight?”
“Yeah, but a lot of people dumped garbage late on Saturday afternoon. It was too busy to keep tabs on everyone. The barrel could have been dropped off when I had my back turned. Joey was working over the other side of the lot. We had a blizzard and the snow covered everything in minu
tes. I didn’t notice the can until this morning when I cleared the snow to make a path.” Brinks’ mouth turned down and he shuddered. “I wouldn’t have moved it if I’d known what was inside.”
Kane drove through the gate. The angry crowd had quietened and a few people had gathered on the sidewalk in subdued conversation. He glanced around. One area of the completed landfill bordered a line of forest and he made out a gate in the distance. “Is there access from over there?”
“There is a trail but no one would risk traveling through the forest at this time of year, and the gate has a padlock.” Brinks rubbed his dirt-smudged chin.
With the recent thick coating of snow, a herd of elephants could have thundered through the fence without detection. Kane turned back to Mr. Brinks. “Have you checked the gate lately?”
“No.”
“Okay.” Kane surveyed the area. Snow lay in drifts over the landfill with only the newly cleared path to the tipping area visible. “Which way?”
“Over there by the tree stump. I found the barrel beside the fence, next to the mound of soil we use to cover the garbage once the area is full. Follow the smell, you’ll find it sure enough.” Mr. Brinks gripped the back of the seat and his expression became fearful. “Can you let me out now? I really don’t want to look at it again. I’ll have nightmares for the rest of my life.”
“Sure. When you get back to the gate, put up the ‘closed’ notice.” Kane pulled the SUV to a halt and allowed Brinks to escape.
* * *
The black fifty-gallon drum lay on one side, stark against the pristine white background. In front, a pink patch of ice sparkled in the sunlight. Kane turned to Jenna. “It is a body. Brinks said he could see a wedding ring.” He met her gaze. “From what he said, decomposition has set in even in this weather. I can take a look if you’d rather stay here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the sheriff and I’ve seen my fair share of human remains in all states.” Alton glared at him and her lips thinned. “You’re doing it again.” She pulled out a pair of latex gloves and tossed them into his lap.
Bemused, he stared at her. “Doing what?” He pulled off his thick leather gloves and replaced them.
“Treating me like a frail woman. I’m stronger than you think.” She pulled a blue scarf out of her pocket and tied it around her cold, reddened face, covering her nose. “Let’s go.” She pushed open the door and headed over to the body.
“You have me all wrong. What happened on Saturday night could have happened to anyone but I don’t believe it didn’t shake you up because as sure as hell if that had happened to me, I’d be looking over my shoulder constantly.” He caught up to her in a few strides. “That incident has no relation to what we have here. If someone stuffed a body in a can it won’t be pretty and I’m more than capable of taking photos and giving you a full report.” Kane pulled a surgical mask out of his pocket and pressed it to his face. He made a point of being prepared. “I was offering you an option, is all. Most people would prefer the chance to opt out of witnessing a messy crime scene.”
Jenna stopped walking so suddenly he bumped into her. He gripped her arm to steady her but she had not moved an inch. Not bad for a woman weighing less than a hundred and twenty pounds. Trying not to laugh at her furious expression, he let go and stepped back. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I’m not most people. How do you think I can possibly investigate a murder if I don’t examine the body and the scene? I need to catch a killer and I don’t think my psychic powers are quite up to the challenge.” Alton balled her hands on her small waist and her expression turned to stone. “Get a grip. I’m not your little sister and I don’t need you protecting me.” She moved in so close he could feel her breath on his cheek. “I’ve taken down more men than I can count on my fingers and the sight of death has no effect on me anymore so back the hell off. That’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He straightened up. He admired strength on and off the field and Alton had the makings of a partner he could trust with his life.
Twenty-One
With every step up the small incline of the landfill, the unmissable stench of death increased. The winter’s chill and fresh snow did little to obliterate the eau de garbage either, and the landfill’s stink had a bouquet Kane would be washing out of his clothes and hair for a month. He pulled his cellphone from the inside pocket of his jacket and some distance from the barrel took photographs of the surrounding area. Following the path made by the tractor, he scanned the area for clues but found nothing. The overnight blizzard had covered everything with a foot of snow.