Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Unable to follow, Kane stared at him. “What do you mean, you know how he did it?”

“All this talk of girls having nightmares about a man in their room.” Wolfe shook his head. “I should have thought of it before.” He glanced at Kane. “He hid a projector in the floodlights outside the girls’ windows and projected an image into their bedrooms to make it look like a ghost.” He sighed. “I’ll dismantle the systems myself and check, but I know I’m right. The parents searched the girls’ rooms each time and found nothing. By the fifth or so time they wouldn’t search as diligently, I figure he was already in Lindy’s room.”

“Why alert the parents by scaring the girls in the first place?” Kane frowned. “Seems to me they’d be wide awake.”

“You obviously never had kids.” Wolfe gave him a condescending stare. “Trust me, after being woken five nights in a row, they’d sleep like the dead and would more than likely ignore their daughter.”

Kane let this process through his mind. “How’d he get past the security system?”

“Really?” Wolfe gave a bark of disbelief. “How would you bypass a security system? I’m sure you’ve done it a thousand times.”

“Yeah, but I have a device.” Kane swallowed hard. “He couldn’t have one, they’re only supplied to the military.”

“How do you figure a technician resets a system when a customer forgets their code?” Wolfe snorted in disgust. “I’ve been such an idiot. I figure he wouldn’t have the same device as yours but he’d have a way of remotely rebooting the system. Once inside, he’d use an override code. Any of the security guards would have access to all the homes in Glacial Heights, so why single out Anderson?”

“Anderson was the last person to work on the system but I have to admit, his record is spotless and he has an alibi for both nights. He was in custody when we found out about Sara. Any of the security guards working for the same company would have access to the homes in Glacial Heights protected by Silent Alarms.” Kane cleared his throat. “Who the hell did we miss?”

Wolfe glanced at the beep on his cellphone. “We’re close now. See anything? I’ll drop lower.”

Kane watched the screen on the thermal imaging camera. He could see animals bounding away, frightened by the chopper noise – then he picked up a small glow. “There, on Goldmine Road, two hundred yards straight ahead.” He zoomed in with the camera. “She’s in an old mine shaft.” He turned to look at Wolfe. “Use the spotlight to scan the area. We could be walking into a trap.”

As Wolfe flew the chopper back and forth in a grid pattern, Jenna and Webber stared out the windows, searching for any signs of disturbance. If the Shadow Man had rigged a trap in this desolate spot, it would have to be an IED. Kane pressed his com and spoke to everyone. “Listen up. This man is experienced in killing – watch your step, don’t wander off, and stay together. Don’t step on any disturbed ground. Don’t move anything and look for tripwires.”

When Wolfe landed the chopper, they all slid out, collected their weapons and moved slowly toward the mine entrance, using their flashlights to scan the ground. Kane could hear Wolfe speaking to his daughter, telling her they were close by and needed to be quiet for a few moments so they could search the area. In the twilight, the grasslands appeared gray and stark. Silence surrounded them and even the cold breeze rustling through the long grass seemed magnified to Kane’s heightened senses. With the time ticking by, Kane dropped into his zone. He needed to use every one of his talents to keep them safe. They moved like a line of ants, stepping in each other’s footprints toward the mine entrance. Kane held up his hand to stop and secured the entrance. A few feet inside the mine, he made out a large packing crate, covered with a thin layer of dirt and leaves. He waved Wolfe forward. “She’ll be in there.”

“I’m here, Julie.” Wolfe spoke into the cellphone, and then stared at Kane. “See any traps?”

“It looks okay but we don’t know what’s under the lid.” Kane took the cellphone from Wolfe. “Julie, use the light on the phone to look around. Can you see any wires or canisters inside the box?”

“N-no.” Julie’s voice was almost a whisper. “Just a tube with air coming out.”

“Yeah, I can see the oxygen cylinder. Hold tight, we’re getting you out now.” Kane handed the phone back to Wolfe and used his flashlight to search every inch of the surrounds. “We’re good to go.”

Kane dropped down into the hole with Wolfe close behind. A vibration under his feet was the only warning. He grabbed Wolfe’s arm and dragged him to one side as the world went to hell. A plume of dirt shot into the air as an explosion rocked the silence. As earth and rocks slid down the hillside above them, Kane raised his voice over the rumbling. “Flip the locks. We have to get her out before we’re buried alive.”

They heaved open the lid as soil, rocks and debris poured over them like a gravel waterfall. Kane used one shoulder to wedge open the crate as Wolfe reached inside. “Hurry, man, she’s barely conscious.”

“It’s okay.” Wolfe scooped Julie into his arms “I’ve got you.” He pulled her lolling head tight against his chest.

Kane ducked a shower of boulders, and then dropped the lid. “Go, go, go!” He shoved Wolfe hard in the back, pushing him up the side of the shaft.

He blinked through dust and saw Webber grab Wolfe and pull him to safety. More rumbling, then a ripping sound filled the tunnel. He scrambled up the rock face then strong hands grabbed his arms and wrenched him the rest of the way.

“Run.” Webber’s voice seemed a mile away.

Kane ran blindly, eyes filled with dust.

“Kane, it’s okay, we’re out of danger.” Jenna was beside him. She pulled on his arm. “Stop and I’ll get the dirt out your eyes.” She brushed at his head. “Sit down.”

Cold water splashed down his face and he blinked as Jenna’s face came into focus. “Thanks.” He took the bottle of water from her and took a long drink. “Is Julie okay?”

“She looks shattered but she’s wide awake now.” Jenna’s voice had lowered to just above a whisper then she raised it to speak to Wolfe. “Wolfe, is she okay?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Wolfe looked into Julie’s eyes. “Did he hurt you?” He dropped Julie to her feet, and then cupped her tear-stained face in one large hand.

“Apart from d-drugging me and b-burying me alive?” Julie gave him an incredulous look and coughed. “No, he didn’t r-r

ape me or anything. I’m fine, D-Dad, but I’m so c-cold and thirsty.”