The Crying Season (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“No, that’s fine.” Jenna indicated with her chin toward Kane. “We’ll go on Kane’s theory and go back to the male victim and work back in this direction—but first we’ll eat.” She turned and headed toward the horses. “Rowley, Bradford, with me, and keep alert… We have a killer in the mountains.”

Kane watched her go and turned to Wolfe and Blackhawk. “I think he’s long gone. Although, Duke didn’t make a sound before we spotted you.”

“That’s because he knows Shane and Cole.” Blackhawk smiled. “He is smart enough to know who is a friend by their scent.”

“Maybe but he doesn’t know you, does he?”

“Duke and I are old friends.” Blackhawk rubbed the dog’s ears. “He was born on the res, and his owner was a cousin of mine who lived in Black Rock Falls. We trained him together.” He sighed. “I went to the animal shelter to collect him when my cousin died but someone else had taken him. I’m glad he ended up in a good home.”

Kane decided not to explain where the dog had been between owners and nodded. “Great, maybe you can let me know the range of his skills sometime?”

“Yeah, I’d like that and we’ll have plenty of time to chat. I’ll be around for a couple of days, maybe more. Shane has hired me as a tracker.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll have a lot to discuss. I’d like to know more about the history of Stanton Forest.”

9

After eating lunch, Jenna surveyed the area Wolfe had secured and glanced over his images then ordered her team to head to the next crime scene. The time they had in the mountains in late fall was limited. Snow already coated the peaks of the mountain range and a cold wind rustled through the trees. All vegetation apart from the majestic pines had shed their leaves for the onset of winter, and underfoot multicolored leaves littered the way. Finding evidence at this time of the year would be near impossible. It was as if the forest was hiding its secrets beneath a cloak.

With Kane leading the way, deep in conversation with Blackhawk, she moved her horse closer to Webber’s. Cole Webber had turned out to be a solid albeit quiet member of the team. His attention to detail impressed her but it was as if he hid inside a protective shell, not allowing anyone to get too close. She had to admit, the job had gotten in her way of getting to know the deputy better. On the ride to the next crime scene, she would remedy that error. “How do you like partnering with Wolfe?”

“I like it fine.” Webber’s mouth twitched up in the corners. “I’m not sure how he keeps so much knowledge inside his head at one time.” He clicked his tongue at his horse and moved closer. “At first, I wasn’t too sure about examining human remains and I admit to spewing a couple of times in the past at autopsies, but the way he explains everything makes it a whole lot easier.”

A cool breeze brushed Jenna’s cheeks. She pulled up the zipper on her jacket and glanced up through the canopy of green to catch a glimpse of the sky. To her relief, a blue cloudless expanse greeted her. No snow today. She nodded in agreement to Webber’s reply. “Yeah, he knows his stuff. When he first arrived, I knew he had some level of experience in forensics and computers but not the extent of his expertise. Having our own ME after using Mr. Weems, the mortician, for years makes life easier.” She glanced at him. “Are you thinking of studying to become his assistant?”

“Yeah, not as in getting a degree at this stage.” He looked pensive. “Not that I wouldn’t want to go back to school for the qualifications I need, it’s more about time and money.”

Jenna nodded. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Webber touched his hat.

She turned in her saddle to greet Wolfe as he maneuvered his horse toward her. “I guess you have questions about the second victim?”

“Yeah, a few. How far off the main trail did you find the man’s body?” Wolfe eased his horse closer to her. “Are you sure it’s not a hunting accident? The couple could have stumbled into a designated hunting area. It should be easy to check, I’m sure the FWP keep records.”

“Kane said he figured the killer used the victim as target practice and I agree. I could plainly see a hole in the sternum through the tattered shirt. We left everything in situ and only disturbed the area around the backpacks. From the image of the woman’s skull, I would say without a doubt this is a double homicide.”

“The skull leaves little doubt. I’ve called in a forensic anthropologist, Jill Bates from Helena.” Wolfe gave her a small and very unusual almost satisfied smile. “I sent her some images of the skull and she wants in on the investigation. We’re lucky, she wasn’t busy.”

Jenna nodded. He appeared in a good mood but then anything to do with dead things brightened his day. “Will you need her to examine the bones before you remove them?”

“I could call in a team from Helena, but as the skeleton is intact, as long as I follow protocol and film the removal, I doubt anything will be overlooked.” Wolfe shrugged. “I am experienced in the preservation of a crime scene in this situation and Jill insisted I go ahead. We can examine the remains more thoroughly in the lab.”

Jenna’s mind drifted back to the gravesite they had discovered earlier in the year and the time it had taken for a team of forensic anthropologists to collect all the evidence. Wolfe had been there working alongside them from day one. “I’m sure the investigation is in safe hands.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He smiled.

After snaking through the forest, the track opened out onto the clearing beside the main trail. The hair on the back of her neck stood to attention knowing a man met a gruesome death not yards away. She turned to Wolfe. “The body is on the left off the main track, about twenty feet heading toward the mountain.”

“Roger that.”

“This is your area of expertise.” Jenna dismounted. “How do you want to proceed?”

“I’ll take a look at the backpacks first. If they have supplies, then we can assume the crime scene is the beginning of their journey, which would mean we could search for the campsite on the way back down the mountain. Obviously if they have no supplies, they could be heading toward the camp.”

“Okay.” Jenna pulled a bottle of water out of her backpack and sipped. “I guess you’ll need Webber to assist you with the remains and everyone else can fan out and look for clues.”

“If you search from the crime scene and back to where the couple discovered the skull, you might find the way the woman ran from the shooter. I’ll view the remains and get them ready for removal.” Wolfe slid from his horse and went to her side. “I’ll need photographs and live footage of the scene as I move the remains. Who has a steady hand?”