Follow Me Home (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Amos.” Zoe’s cheeks pinked and she stared at her hands.

She needed to move away from the subject and smiled to reassure her. “Who cleaned the cellar after the men left?”

“They did before they left.”

“That’s really helpful.” Jenna made a few notes. “Did Amos let you shower at all?”

“Yes, he wouldn’t let me to waste the hot water during the week but at the weekends he let me to shower and wash my hair with nice soap.” She sniffed. “He locked me in the cage all day.”

Jenna tried to keep her voice from showing her anger. “If I show you pictures of three men, can you tell me if you recognize any of them?”

“Okay.” Zoe straightened as if steeling herself.

Opening her phone, Jenna showed her a compilation of three men: Amos Price, Ely Dorsey, and a picture of a stranger taken at random from the files. “Do you recognize the man that kidnapped you?”

“Yes, that is Amos. I’m not sure but that one—” Zoe pointed to Ely “—has a brown mark on his neck the same as one of the others.”

Goosebumps rose on Jenna’s flesh. “Good girl. You have been very helpful.” She noticed the girl brighten. “You don’t have to be scared of Amos or the man with the mark on his neck any longer. They are both dead.”

“I hope Deputy Kane shot them dead with his gun.” Zoe smiled.

Deciding not to explain, Jenna turned off the recorder and stood. “That’s all for now, Zoe. You have been very helpful.” She patted her arm and headed for the door. “I’ll send in your parents.”

Outside in the hallway, she approached the parents. “We know the man responsible for kidnapping Zoe.”

“Give me his name, I’ll tear him apart.” Mr. Channing’s hands balled into fists.

“His name was Amos Price.” Jenna cleared her throat. “We found him deceased. It was when we checked his cabin we discovered Zoe. She gave me a positive ID. He was the man responsible.” She swallowed the bile in her throat. “Although Zoe refuses to discuss her abduction, you should be aware we know four men were involved. We found a second man murdered this morning and she identified a distinctive birthmark on his neck.” She looked at Mr. Channing. “May I ask where you and your wife have been since we found Zoe?”

“Here.” Mr. Channing blanched. “The hospital gave us the room next door. Apart from visiting the café for meals, we haven’t left her side.”

She eyed him critically. “You do realize I have a deputy on duty.”

“Well then he will prove we have not left the building. He checked us out before we were allowed to come near her.” Mr. Channing shook his head. “Haven’t we been through enough without you accusing us of murder?”

Jenna lifted her chin and met his gaze head on. “I am just doing my job, Mr. Channing. I doubt the hospital will keep Zoe for long. Do you have adequate security to protect her?”

“I fully intend to take my family back to Helena the second she is released, which I’m told will be later today.” Mr. Channing bristled. “You don’t think for one second I would leave her or any of my other children anywhere near Black Rock Falls, do you?”

“Well, I have your cellphone number and I will contact you personally and update you when necessary. Thank you for your cooperation.” She turned and headed toward the elevator.

She got out her cellphone and called Kane. “Zoe gave me a positive ID for Price as her abductor. She confirmed Price cleaned her up for his friends on weekends and they scrubbed the place down before they left.”

“Did she ID Ely Dorsey?”

“Not exactly but she did recognize the birthmark on his neck. The chances of two men having the same mark would be remote. That’s good enough for me. I hope we find their associates soon. I’d like to close this case.” She sighed. “I’m heading home. I’ll work from there, you keep interviewing suspects.”

“Roger that.”

She disconnected. I will catch you soon, you bastards.

19

Kane swung the SUV around and headed back to town to speak to the Booval brothers again, wondering how cooperative they would be about asking their sister to speak about her ordeal. With his mind locked on the case, he had not said more than a couple of words to the new deputy. Her references from the Helena Sheriff’s Department had been outstanding but he had yet to see if she would be an asset to the team.

He glanced at Bradford, who had not stopped gawking at him since she got in the car. “You did a great job questioning Miss McCarthy. She isn’t the most pleasant person. I’m keeping her on the list of suspects. Nothing she said convinced me she is innocent. What vibe did you get from her?”

“Not much. She was pretty aggressive and the attack on you was unexpected.”