Promises in the Dark (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“If you insist.” Emily tossed her gloves and mask into the trash and in a whoosh of doors had vanished into the hallway.

Sickened by the sight of so much destruction, Jenna turned to Wolfe. “Maybe I should join her because I agree with her findings.”

“There are many aspects of a forensics investigation that differ from yours, Jenna.” Wolfe crossed his arms across his chest and gray eyes settled on her. “Everything I say to you, every decision I make, whether I like it or not, is backed by forensic evidence.” He waved a hand toward the bank of shiny stainless-steel drawers. “Do you figure that I don’t care about that family? In fact, the father in me wants to find the man who did this and strangle the life out of him with my bare hands. The medical examiner part of me wants to find absolute proof which man committed this crime and be able to stand up in court to give evidence for his conviction. Trust me, if I allow the father in me to take over, I’d be no use to you or anyone else.”

“That’s all well and good, Shane, but Emily has made her conclusion on the evidence before her and I happen to agree with her.”

“Emily is making a call before all the evidence is presented.” Wolfe sighed. “She knows the majority of tox screens haven’t come back yet. I want her to make sure she has all the evidence before she makes a conclusion. For instance, do we

know if Sophie had a boyfriend? Did they engage in rough sex? Did she take drugs?” He looked at Jenna. “Don’t look at me like that, Jenna. These are reasonable doubt questions that could see this man walk.”

“Okay, point made.” Jo’s eyebrows rose. “In my professional opinion, this killer is so evil he would have messed up the wife’s face for fun. He likely only slapped Sophie so she didn’t bleed on him.” Jo leaned against the counter. “You’ve seen men like this before, haven’t you, Kane?”

“Yeah, we’ve had cases with men like him before.” Kane nodded. “They’re animals. They can’t inflict enough pain and suffering. Rape is used as a punishment and sex has nothing to do with it.”

“And they are fully aware of leaving trace evidence.” Wolfe turned off the screens. “This is what makes convicting them so difficult, we can leave no stone unturned. He has to make a mistake sooner or later.”

“He already made one.” Carter rubbed the back of his neck clearly agitated. “He took the girl.”

Jenna removed her mask and rubbed both hands down her face. “Carter, trust me. This type of psychopath is very smart. He’d have planned this kill down to the second. He knows everything about leaving trace evidence. He’d have been wearing protective clothing, a balaclava, and gloves for sure. He immobilized the husband and likely after abusing the wife and tying her to the chair, washed up in the downstairs bathroom.” She sighed. “These men are arrogant and don’t believe anyone can catch them. Sophie was found in Stanton Forest, so disposing of condoms would be the least of his worries and our chances of finding them impossible.” She looked at Carter. “One thing we know for sure, this killer wasn’t afraid of moving Sophie to Black Rock Falls and I figure he used the blue Ford, the one Wolfe has out back, to do it.”

“You may be right.” Wolfe looked at her. “The results of my findings will be ready soon. We can wait in my office.”

Thirty-Three

Excited to be involved in the investigation, Rowley followed Blackhawk along a narrow trail on a trailbike, with its saddlebags crammed with necessities. Once he’d called Atohi, his friend had arrived with two trailbikes strapped to the back of his pickup, helmets, and a box of useful items to take with them. As they weaved their way through the barriers and warning signs, he noticed Blackhawk’s friend, Mingan, and his grandfather, Nootau sitting on top of a boulder waiting for them to arrive. As they approached, the men slipped down to the ground.

“You will remember Nootau Blackhawk?” Atohi motioned to a weathered elderly man with greying hair and laughter lines around his eyes, wearing a battered Stetson. “He knows the Whispering Caves. We are in safe hands.” He waved to Mingan. “And my friend, Mingan.”

Rowley held out his hand. “Yes, it’s good to see you again.” He shook hands with both men.

“Atohi, tells me he thinks a fool has entered the caves, perhaps kidnapped a young woman and held her inside?” Nootau shook his head. “Maybe he can’t read.” He waved to the signs, warning of danger. “The girl, you figure, might have fallen from the falls?”

Rowley, hoisted a backpack over one shoulder, nodded and followed him to the entrance. “We imagine she came from here.”

“Spirits walk these caves.” Nootau glanced at him as they paused at the entrance to turn on their flashlights. “You’ll hear them calling. They say they are lonely and call people to their deaths.” He grinned and his teeth flashed white in the dim light. “And then there are the bears.”

“You’ll have him running back to town with those stories, grandfather.” Atohi chuckled and grinned at Rowley. “Not too many bears come in here, it’s too wet. They prefer dry places.”

Straightening and forcing a smile, while he thought up something profound to say, Rowley nodded. “Well as I don’t believe in ghosts, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You will by the time we leave here.” Nootau’s expression was serious as he turned and led the way into the darkness.

Unconvinced, Rowley followed and joined the others inside a large cave with a selection of dark, foreboding tunnels heading in different directions. “Which way?”

“Give me time to look.” Nootau moved his flashlight over the damp cave walls, disturbing a colony of sleeping bats.

Rowley ducked instinctively at the sound of flapping wings. Blinded by the light the creatures flew around in all directions. He noticed Atohi’s grin and straightened. “I don’t like bats.”

“So I see.” Atohi shook his head. “Keep the helmet on or they’ll get stuck in your hair but they won’t suck your blood. That’s a myth.”

Chagrined, Rowley straightened. “I know that.” A strange moaning sound came on a rush of wind. He turned his light toward the sound and a cool breezed brushed his cheeks. “Hear that?”

“Yeah and we’ll hear many more spirts on our journey.” Atohi waved him toward him. “Stick close together and don’t be seduced by their voices and you’ll be safe.”

“Maybe this way.” Nootau shone his light on a metal anchor hammered onto the rock wall. Hanging from the spike was a broken piece of twine. “This is recent, someone used a cord to find their way back to the entrance. We can do the same.” He pulled a ball of twine from his pocket, attached it to the anchor and then moved a few steps town the tunnel and sniffed. “It stinks like man, not bear.” He indicated to Rowley’s Glock holstered at his waist. “I hope you can use that weapon. If the man you’re hunting is down there, he’ll hear us coming for sure.”

Rowley nodded. “Yeah, I can use it and will if I have to.”