“Copy that.” Kane pulled surgical gloves from his pocket and gloved up.
Anger rising, Jenna wrote down Miss Strickland’s address. “It’s her, I know it.” She looked up at him. “Are you aware she lives in an apartment opposite the bank? She can keep you under surveillance from her darn window.”
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Jenna. I’ll deal with her.” Kane slid the rat back into the envelope and picked it up between thumb and finger. “I’ll go see her.”
Snorting, Jenna stood. “You’re not going anywhere near her. On your way to the evidence room ask Rowley to write a generic media release for the current case and after that I want you to update the files.” She met his gaze. “We have a full caseload and this can be put on the back burner for now.”
“Okay.” Kane examined her face. “If it is her, we’ll need her set for comparison. We could send Rowley?”
“Leave that to me.” Jenna waved him away.
Blood boiling, she returned to her desk and printed a photograph of the tattoos they’d been showing around town. Careful not to touch more than the very corner, she slid it inside a manilla folder, pulled on her gloves, and headed out the door. As if she didn’t have enough to deal with, she had a stupid obsessive woman on her case. Solving the dead rat mystery and getting Kim Strickland out of her hair would be a quick fix and then she could concentrate on solving the murders. That was life in Black Rock Falls. There was never just one crime to solve but a myriad of different problems, which as sheriff, she was expected to deal with daily.
She tucked the folder under one arm and trudged along Main. Keeping in mind the woman was probably watching her as well, she stopped by a few stores along the way asking if the folks were happy with the condition of the sidewalk—using any excuse to be in the store. She crossed the slippery blacktop to the gap in the snow left from the snowplow and continued along the other side of the road. When she came to the small building housing four apartments, she made her way round back to the parking lot under the building. To her surprise, Kim Strickland was heading for her vehicle carrying a medical kit balanced on top of a box of supplies. Jenna strolled toward her. “Afternoon, I’m speaking to the townsfolks about these tattoos. Could you look and see if you recognize them at all?” She pulled the photograph from the folder.
“As soon as I have a free hand. If you could open the door for me, I’d appreciate it.” Kim raised one eyebrow and her red lips curled into a satisfied smile. “I’m planning a romantic weekend away with Dave and I’m all packed and ready to go. I’m sure he told you all about our plans?” She rested the carton on the hood of her large SUV. “I just have to make sure my kit is up to date and pay a visit to the pharmacy. He’ll be by after he’s given you a ride home.” She gave Jenna a stricken look. “Oh, he didn’t tell you about us yet, did he?”
Did Kim really believe Kane would go to her cabin with her? The woman was delusional but she’d play along to get the prints. Trying to keep her expression neutral, Jenna opened the passenger door as directed. “Deputy Kane doesn’t discuss his private life with me. I’m surprised he’d plan to go anywhere this weekend. It’s not safe to travel in this weather and we have a huge caseload.” She stepped back as Kim lowered the carton into the back seat.
“Oh, the road between here and Blackwater is open and my place is on the edge of town, so we’ll be fine.” Kim removed her gloves to fumble inside the medical kit and then straightened. “What did you want me to see?” She pushed something into her pocket and stepped to one side.
Jenna thrust the photograph into her hand. She couldn’t believe her luck. Kim held the image up to the light leaving latent prints.
“I can’t see, it’s too dark in here.” Kim stared at the image and shook her head. “Could you reach in the passenger door and turn on the headlights for me?”
“Sure.” Jenna had what she wanted and would play along.
As she bent inside the door, something sharp jabbed her in the thigh. She fumbled for the headlights but Kim pushed her hard in the back and she fell across the seat banging her head on the steering wheel. “Ouch! What are you doing?”
“We are going for a little ride, Sheriff.” Kim leaned her weight on Jenna’s back, holding her down with remarkable strength. “You’re in my way.”
Another sharp sting in her thigh and her limbs became like Jell-O. Confused, Jenna wriggled to get free in the constricted area but her strength had deserted her. Mouth suddenly dry, Jenna turned her head and stared into Kim’s wild eyes. The effects of a powerful drug had her in its grip and she fought hard to keep her eyes open but the empty floating feeling was dragging her down. She pawed at her weapon only to have it dragged from its holster. Her fingers refused to move and not one sound came from her cry for help.
“You think you’re all that, ordering Dave around, but you fell into my trap. I knew you’d come alone. The rat was too much for you to resist, wasn’t it? You just had to confront me. I knew you were jealous but you can’t have him. He’s mine.” Kim dragged her into a sitting position and gripped her face looking into her eyes. “I’ll make sure you’ll never see him again.”
Panic gripped Jenna but the drug was taking control, dragging her into unconsciousness. I’m in the hands of a lunatic. Her head fell forward and her eyelids grew heavy as darkness surrounded her.
Twenty-Seven
Preacher waited almost an hour before he headed back to his truck, pulling his sled behind him. He took in the scenery, enjoying the way the cold bit into his cheeks. The ice falling from the tall pines stung his face but he enjoyed it. He’d been suitably impressed by his genius and smiled all the way down the mountain roads. He’d planned to drop by the Triple Z Bar to celebrate when fate took a hand once more. As he headed down the highway a woman came into view and he did a double take thinking for a moment he’d imagined her but there she was, as plain as day. She stood on the side of the road, thumb out and waiting for him to give her a ride. He pulled up beside Delores and she opened the door and looked at him. Snowflakes dusted her raven hair and made her more desirable. His heart missed a beat as he scanned her eager face and his attention came to rest on the tattoo of a black tear at the corner of one eye. He heaved in a deep breath, almost overcome with emotion. She was so perfect, he had to school his features to appear less eager. “You look, cold, tired, and hungry. Where are you heading?”
“I hear Black Rock Falls has places for the homeless, so I’m heading there.” She looked at him with a hopeful expression in her eyes.
Preacher smiled. “This is your lucky day.” He pulled his special Thermos from the console and waved it at her. “The shelters are full but my wife and I have two women around your age staying with us. We offer a r
oom and three meals a day for help with the animals. I only have room for one more, if you’re interested?”
“Sure, beats freezing my ass to death out here. Count me in.” She climbed into the truck and took the Thermos with a smile. “Thanks. My name is Isabella.” She poured hot chocolate into the cup and sipped greedily.
He smiled at her, marveling how fate had delivered Delores to him once again. “They call me Preacher.”
Twenty-Eight
Kane had scanned the prints on the parcel and sent the rat’s remains over to Wolfe. He’d updated the files and strolled into Jenna’s office. Surprised to see the chair empty, he headed back to his desk. He’d given Rowley the task of sending the crime scene images of the girl in the chimney to all agencies. Although frozen, her features were distinctive. The snake tattoo curling around her neck and down around her breast, a distinguishing mark. He set about sending the description to the list of tattoo artists across the country. Someone must recognize the young woman.
It was after five when Duke whined and rested his head on Kane’s knee. “Oh, is that the time? Okay, come on, I’ll get you something to eat.”
He stood and walked to the kitchenette, filled Duke’s bowl, and went about making a fresh pot of coffee. He leaned against the counter and stared at the practically empty office. Rowley was chatting on his phone to his girlfriend, Sandy, explaining why he would be late. Kane smiled to himself. Rowley would propose to her at Christmas. It was good to see Jake so happy. With all the murders happening in Black Rock Falls, this small piece of normality was comforting.