Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“I don’t have any good news. Blackhawk’s found no clues yet. Nothing I collected from Miller’s pickup matches either of the victims and he hasn’t cleaned the vehicle recently. I’ve the results of Lindy Rosen’s blood tests. Her abductor subdued her with diethyl ether. He used a considerable quantity, which makes me believe he wore protection of some kind over his face. I’m waiting on DNA results and Emily is here to run the office. I have some spare time – do you want me to go ’n’ pick up Noah McLeod?” Wolfe cleared his throat. “He’s admitted to dealing with a child under the age of sixteen and could be involved in the current cases. Sometimes a perp will admit to a lesser charge so we overlook them in an investigation – or he could be some crazy just trying to get famous.”

“Yeah, go right ahead. McLeod’s on our list of persons of interest but we haven’t gotten to him yet. It’s chaotic here at the moment and we’ve been hunting down suspects who’ve had direct contact with the victims in the last week or so.” Jenna exchanged a worried look with Kane. “You’re right, he could be involved.”

“He’s confessed to committing a crime in the presence of two deputies, and we don’t need an arrest warran

t. I’ll speak to the girl and see if she confirms his story but whatever she says about him, I’ll search his house then bring him in.” Wolfe took a deep breath. “I figure it’s best to leave no stone unturned. Look at the facts, Jenna – he knows both girls and has admitted to being a pedophile. He could be the Shadow Man.”

Thirty-One

Overwhelmed with the immense pressure of the job, Jenna replaced the receiver and stood. She stared at the whiteboard for long moments, and then paced up and down the room. She checked her cellphone again. Why isn’t he contacting me? Time was ticking by and she had a fifteen-year-old girl in mortal danger. The man she had in custody would likely walk and she needed more evidence. She could feel Kane’s gaze following her and returned to her desk. She snatched up the phone. “Anything to report, Rowley?”

“Nothing yet, ma’am.”

“Okay, we might be chasing smoke here, but I want you to go down the list of girls Julie gave me.” Jenna pushed a hand through her hair. “Concentrate on the ones who’ve had nightmares about seeing a man in their room. Get me their details and contact their parents and ask if it’s okay to interview them.” Exhausted, she sighed. “I’ve no idea when this will be, so if it’s okay we’ll call them and make a time.”

“I’m on it, ma’am.”

After disconnecting, Jenna stared at the whiteboard again then continued to pace, allowing the information to filter through her mind. There had to be a clue, something to tie the two cases together. No one was perfect – people made mistakes – but so far this killer hadn’t faltered. Another strange twist was the fact he didn’t seem to follow a pattern. Yeah, he kidnapped girls, but the cases were different enough to make her believe the second could be a copycat. No video file had arrived, no time limit had been set… and she’d kept those pieces of evidence from the media. She stared at Kane. “Do you think this is a copycat?”

“It’s too early to tell yet.” Kane frowned. “There’s a small connection – both girls had dreams about people in their rooms. I figure if it’s the same guy, then the next victim will be another one of them. It’s as if he’s conditioning them somehow.”

The idea of something so crazy happening seemed ridiculous. Jenna raised both eyebrows. “You don’t mean mind control?”

“Hypnotism maybe, then he uses a trigger word to get the girls to leave the house.” Kane shrugged. “I’ve been thinking on it too but like I said, it’s too early to tell.”

“That’s a cop out and you know it.” Jenna leaned on the desk and stared at him. “Not everyone is a serial killer; people do murder one or two people and then stop. You’re the profiler – if it’s the same person, why hasn’t he contacted me yet? What’s his endgame?”

“If Miller is our man, he’s tied up at the moment and if it’s a copycat, he won’t know the play.” Kane stretched out his legs and looked up at her. “If Miller’s not our guy and the Shadow Man’s watching the office or the news, which I’d do if I was planning my next move, he’d know we’ve a man in custody.” He shrugged. “Why would he show his hand when he could be on the run and home free if you charge Miller?”

Jenna snorted. “You’re sure full of metaphors today, Dave, but not many solutions.”

“From where I’m sitting you already have a sound plan of action.” Kane got to his feet. “We speak to Miller. If he walks we hunt down Amanda’s best friend and the stalker, and then shake down the other persons of interest to see what falls out.” He walked around the desk and placed one arm around her shoulder. “You’ve people out searching for Amanda, there’s nothing else we can do.” He gave her a little squeeze. “If it’s not Miller, we continue to investigate and wait for the Shadow Man’s next move. I’m convinced we’re still in his perverted game.”

A buzzer sounded and Jenna looked up at the monitor. Cross had finished speaking to his client and now she had an opportunity to ask the questions burning in her mind. She turned away from Kane. “Okay, I’m taking the lead in this interview. You watch Miller and see if you can get a take on him. My gut tells me he’s hiding something. Lawyers don’t come cheap and for him to clam up like he did, he had a reason.”

“Roger that.”

* * *

Jenna swiped her card through the reader outside the interview room and stepped inside with Kane close behind. She took in the cowboy standing before her. “I’m Sheriff Alton, Mr. Cross. Is your client prepared to answer a few questions pertaining to the abduction of Amanda Braxton and murder of Lindy Rosen?”

“I’ll allow questioning to clear my client of suspicion.” Cross moved to the other side of the desk and took a seat beside Matt Miller.

Jenna sat down and unmuted the sound on the CCTV camera, then pressed the record button. She gave the date and time of the interview and who was present. “Mr. Miller, do you know Amanda Braxton?”

“Yeah, I already told you I know her. Her brother Luke introduced me to her at Aunt Betty’s Café. She’s a friend of his girlfriend, Lucy.” Matt sighed. “Why do we have to go over this again?”

Jenna noted his aggravation. “I want it on the record, Mr. Miller. Do you know or have you ever met Lindy Rosen?”

“Nope.” Miller glanced at his lawyer. “Never met her.”

“Are you sure? She’s a friend of Amanda and Lucy.” Jenna pushed a photograph across the table. “Take a look. Do you remember her now?”

“Answer the question.” Cross glanced at Miller. “Have you seen her around town?”

“Nope.” Miller shook his head. “She’s a kid, why would I even look her way?”

Jenna left the photograph on the table and stared at Miller. “We’ve collected the data from the GPS in your vehicle and cellphone. We’ve been able to track your movements over the last few days. We know you were in the vicinity when Lindy Rosen and Amanda Braxton went missing. Further to that, we know you stopped near the old schoolhouse on Station Road and visited the Triple Z Bar the same day we discovered Lindy Rosen’s body.”