Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

es in front of him. “Take a good look. Do you recognize them?”

“Jesus.” Lancaster stared at the images, and then lifted his gaze slowly to her. “You’re prankin’ me, right?” He stared into the camera. “Okay, you got me.” He turned his attention back to Jenna. “This isn’t funny – those women look all beat up and they’re making me sick to my stomach.”

“They’re dead. Beaten to death.” Kane’s expression turned to disgust as he leaned forward in his seat. “Do we look like we’re joking? Do you figure the sheriff has time to prank you with the murders of two teenage girls to solve?”

“Hey, man.” Lancaster held up both hands as if to ward him off. “I can’t kill a snake, let alone a woman, and those girls were just kids. Just because they follow me around don’t mean I killed them. Heck, they didn’t cause that much trouble and it’s kinda nice being someone’s hero.”

“We just find it strange when a girl goes missing and you choose that morning to have your truck professionally cleaned.” Kane glared at him. “Then you can’t prove your whereabouts on the nights someone abducted them.”

“Listen, I get my truck cleaned same time every week.” Lancaster cleared his throat. “If you check out the envelope that’s with my stuff the deputy took you’ll find my bank statement. It shows I pay for car detailing every week, same time.” He shrugged. “I’m seeing a woman who works there. She’s married and I spent the night Amanda went missing with her. That’s why I said I was alone; she’s in a bad situation.” He looked at Jenna. “Check it out but don’t let her husband know. He’s abusive and she’s planning on leaving him.”

“I’ll keep her statement confidential.” Jenna exchanged a glance with Kane. “Give me her name and number.” She took down the details. “Okay, wait here. Kane, with me.”

Outside in the hallway, she made the call, then disconnected and looked at Kane. “Yeah, she covered for him and is on the way to give us a statement.”

Jenna went inside the room. “Okay, Mr. Lancaster. I’ll take a look at your bank statement and when your mystery friend drops by to make a statement, you’ll be able to leave. Thank you for your time. I’ll arrange a ride back to work for you.”

“Thank you.” Lancaster looked up at Jenna and anger flashed in his eyes. “So you have a human side after all.”

Jenna ignored his sudden change of demeanor and went into the hallway. She pulled shut the door to the interview room and went to Kane’s side. “Give me something. We’ve three possible killers in custody and have to narrow it down.”

“I’ll need to look over the interview tapes.” Kane rested his thumbs in his belt and stood feet apart, taking up almost the width of the passageway. “I’m not discounting the school janitor, McLeod, either; he’s the only one with a solid motive.”

Jenna shook her head. “I don’t think it’s him but we’ll know for sure the moment the Shadow Man makes his next move. Go over what you have on the other three and see if you can narrow it down.”

The tone of Jenna’s cellphone announced a message. She glanced up at Kane, not wanting to interrupt his line of thought. “I’d better take a look, it might be from Wolfe.”

She opened the message file and stared in disbelief at the private number, then lifted her gaze to him. “It’s from the Shadow Man – and there’s an attachment.”

Forty-Nine

Heart thumping, Jenna opened the message and held the screen between them for Kane to read.

You’re not so hot on playing games are you, Sheriff?

Let me make it easy on you.

Here’s the girl I’m going to kill next.

Pretty isn’t she?

You have one hour and then I’m coming for you.

Won’t that be fun?

Tick tock. Tick tock.

Sick to the stomach, Jenna opened the attachment and stared at the girl in the photograph. She looked happy and excited, standing in front of a backdrop of pine trees. She turned to Kane. “I know the men in custody were searched before they entered the interview rooms and none of them have cellphones.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Will you grab Rowley and strip-search them all? I’ll show this picture to Julie, she might know her.”

“She looks familiar. I’m sure she’s one of the girls we spoke to at the drama club.” Kane stared at the image, his face grim. “He could already have her holed up somewhere.”

Stomach cramping with worry, Jenna stared at the picture in dismay. “I made a list of the girls in the club. I’ll contact the parents and send the photo to all of them. Someone will recognize her.” She looked at Kane. “At last he’s made a mistake. We need to find that damn phone.”

“I’m on it.” Kane hustled down the hallway and into the main office. “Rowley, with me.”

Jenna ran to the front counter, dropped her files and notebook on the desk then held up her cellphone. “Hey, Julie. I could really use your help. Do you know this girl?”

Wolfe’s daughter lifted her startled gaze to her and hurried to the counter.