Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Montana laws are complex.” Agent Martin’s mouth twitched at the corners in a half-smile. “No doubt it was the result of a plea bargain and the law does offer the chance to change a plea in this situation.”

Jenna tapped her pen on the table. “Did you chase down any info on any of the other men working for Green Thumb?”

“The owner gave me a list of the men who worked at the Rosens’ ranch. The company landscaped the entire block of land over a period of about three months before winter. There were a few gardeners working the same week as Kittredge but he’s the only one with priors.” Kane reached for a packet of sandwiches. “It seems Lindy was surrounded by potential suspects.”

Jenna sipped her coffee. “Yeah, but we’ll concentrate on the shortlist for now.” She pointed to her second notation. “Local handyman, Sean Packer, thirty-five. This man had access to the house over a period of four weeks and is still finishing up a few small jobs. His background check revealed he was dishonorably discharged from the army.” She looked at Kane. “What else can you give me on him, Kane?”

“He’s married, has knowledge of explosives from his time in the service and had plenty of time to befriend Lindy and discover the security code.” Kane leaned his wide shoulders back in the chair, making it moan. “He fits the profile; in fact everyone on the list fits the profile to one degree or another.”

“Moving on.” Jenna glanced at Wolfe. “You’ve spoken to Charles Anderson, the technician who ran the check on the security system. He’s on Mr. Rosen’s list as a person who worked at the house. What are your impressions?”

“I don’t really have an impression of him. I observed him testing the system and he’s proficient at his job.” Wolfe’s expression gave nothing away. “I’d be interested to know if you found anything on him because he’s currently holding art classes on Saturdays at the local hall.” He met Jenna’s gaze. “Julie goes there with a few of her school friends but it’s a mixed class with adults as well. I’d have thought he’d have to undergo a background check before being allowed to interact with teenagers.”

“He would and I didn’t find any priors on him.” Kane sipped his beverage. “He came under my scrutiny because of his work in and around the Rosens’ house. He’s one of eight technicians working for the security company, so he’d know the system inside and out. I’d say Rosen mentioned him because he had free access to the house and likely interacted with his girls.” He sighed. “He’s had a varied career. I know about him volunteering to teach at the community art school but he also worked out of Colorado in the mines some years ago, so it’s not too far-fetched to believe he has some knowledge of explosives.” He shrugged. “That’s reason enough for him to be on our list.”

“May I butt in here?” Agent Josh Martin raised one black eyebrow in question. “Don’t assume any suspect requires hands-on knowledge of explosives. These days everything they need is freely available on the internet.”

The men in the room fell into a discussion about the pros and cons of the internet. Agitated, Jenna cleared her throat. “Can we move along? I want these people interviewed today. One of them could be planning another kidnapping.”

She pushed a hand through her hair. “The next two on my list came through our crime hotline and although Kane hasn’t unearthed any dirt on them, I believe they should be considered as potential suspects. Noah McLeod, forty, is one of the janitors at the high school. The woman who called in worked there for a time and found him to be a bit too familiar with the students. We received a similar anonymous complaint about one of the groundskeepers, Mason Lancaster, the youngest of our potential suspects at twenty-eight.” She sat down behind her desk. “Does anyone else have any other pertinent information?”

The room was silent.

“Good.” Jenna sat down and looked at Wolfe. ?

?When can we expect the results of the post on Lindy Rosen?”

“I should be through by five. I’ll email you the report.” Wolfe’s gaze narrowed. “Unless you need Webber? If so, I’ll need a deputy present for the autopsy.”

Jenna glanced at Deputy Webber. She had all but lost him as a deputy since he started working alongside Wolfe. “No, that’s fine. The autopsy is crucial, we’ll handle the interviews.” She glanced down at her notes. “Rowley, you and Walters can take McLeod and Lancaster. Both men work at the high school. I’ll head out to the Rosens’ ranch with Kane to speak to Kittredge and Packer. We’ll track down Anderson via his place of employment and speak with him as well.” She glanced at Agent Martin. “Do you have a preference?”

“I’d be interested in attending the autopsy.” Martin glanced at Wolfe. “The evidence is all in the post. I’ll be heading back to base directly after but I’ll be able to come back if you need me.”

Jenna nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate your help.” She glanced at her deputies. “Okay, you have all the information you need. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Thirteen

Relieved Josh Martin hadn’t recognized him, Kane filled a couple of go cups with coffee, grabbed a paper sack of sandwiches from Jenna’s desk and tucked them under one arm. He took in her bruised and battered appearance. She’d not complained once since the explosion but it was obvious the injuries she’d sustained were causing her more pain than she cared to admit. “Do you want me to drive?”

“Nah, you’d better ride shotgun and relax your sore butt.” Jenna smiled at him and pulled a cap over her singed hair, then thrust her arms into her jacket. “We’ll take my cruiser, as we’re interviewing these men at their place of work.” She gave him a worried stare. “Did the doc give you anything for the pain? Those puncture wounds must be painful.”

Kane smiled at her then ran a finger gently down the scratches on her cheek. “Ditto. You look as if you’ve been fighting down at the Triple Z.” He sighed. “I guess me landing on you didn’t help much either?”

“You protected me from the blast and the splinters.” Jenna leaned into him. “I’ve a few bumps and bruises but you took the mother lode of the falling debris. When I saw that pile of bricks an inch away from your head… it made me sick to my stomach.” She shook her head slowly. “I’m not taking any meds right now. I’ll need all my senses to solve this darn murder case. You ready to leave?”

Kane gave her two go cups in a cardboard holder. “Yeah, I’ll grab a Thermos of coffee. Okay to take those chocolate chip cookies with us?”

“Sure.” Jenna picked up the bag. “Anything to stop your stomach growling.” She smiled at him.

Kane grinned at her, whistled for Duke and headed out the office.

* * *

“As luck would have it, Anderson is working in the same area as the Rosens’ ranch.” Kane dropped his cellphone into his pocket and added the coordinates to the GPS in Jenna’s cruiser. “Silent Alarms is a full-service company.”

Jenna turned her cruiser into Stanton Road and accelerated. “I know they took over the old bank building on the edge of town. Maybe they needed the extra security if they run the business twenty-four seven.”

“Yeah, they offer a top-of-the-range system and around-the-clock surveillance – at a price.” Kane leaned back in his seat and yawned. “It’s not a company I’d recommend.”