As if he needs to ask. “Kane.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’ll search the immedi
ate area with Bradford. Rowley can team up with Blackhawk.”
“That sounds like a plan.” Kane had moved to her side without making a sound. “Do you want me to show Wolfe the backpacks, ma’am?”
“Yeah, I’ll organize the search. Make sure you are wearing your earbuds so I can contact you. Webber is assisting Wolfe with the removal of the remains.”
As Kane and Wolfe disappeared into the forest with Duke on their heels, Jenna’s deputies gathered around her. “Okay, listen up. I want you all wearing earbuds so we can keep in touch. Webber, you will be assisting Wolfe, so unpack the equipment for a body retrieval. The rest of us will work a grid back from the crime scene to the position of the next body. There are dark areas so use your flashlights if necessary. Look for anything, scraps of material, hair, bullet casings. Wear gloves, take a picture with your cellphones of anything you find before you remove it and bag it. Make sure you label every evidence bag with location, time, and date.” She took a deep breath. “If you discover any bones, animal or human, leave them in situ and notify me immediately. Do not, I repeat, do not interfere with any bones.” She glanced around. “Questions?”
When they all stared at her in silence, she gave them a curt nod. “Okay, grab your gear and get ready to move out.”
The deputies moved to the horses, and although they were not more than a few feet away, a feeling of unease spread over her. She had seen the results of a number of vicious crimes in Stanton Forest and had not forgotten any of them, but all had been closer to town. Here, miles from civilization, with no cellphone to call for help, it did not take an overactive imagination to envisage what it must have been like running through the thick undergrowth with a killer close behind. On a slow walk, she had tripped a number of times negotiating the rough terrain, gnarled tree roots, and fallen branches. The idea of running blindly through them would be terrifying. She chewed on her bottom lip, determined to discover who had killed the young couple. Why do these lunatics keep choosing Black Rock Falls?
10
As Kane led the way to the backpacks, he surveyed the ground, hoping to find some small shred of evidence to link to the killer. Behind him, Wolfe walked slowly, often pausing to peer intently at something. Kane stopped and turned to Wolfe. “I considered offering Duke some of the clothing in the backpack to see if he can track the woman. Do you think a scent will still be around after so long?”
“Doubtful. I would say it’s been at least a year since the woman died, and not many scents would survive the snowfall; even here with the protection of the trees, when the melt comes the entire area is pretty well washed clean.” Wolfe pushed back his hat. “I’m hoping I find some evidence under the body. Killers often make the mistake of leaving evidence under a body. I hope we find something useful.”
“How long will it take to move the remains?”
“Not long—it’s one body, and not an archaeological dig. From what Jenna said before, it appears to be intact. It wasn’t buried, so this will make it easier.” Wolfe waved toward the backpacks. I’m glad you took some photos of the area before you went in. Get some shots of the bags from all angles. I’m interested to see what has grown on and around them; it gives me a better idea of how long they have been here.” He sighed. “I’m hoping I can get something from the cellphone records; a date and time would be very useful but from what I can see the damn thing looks like a burner.”
“A burner?” Kane scratched his cheek. “Who would take a burner on a trip like this?” He pulled out his cellphone and took the required photographs, snapping every item Wolfe removed from the backpacks.
Wolfe was bending and placing items from the backpacks into evidence bags. “Food, energy bars, and water. They were moving away from their camp.” He straightened, handing off the bags to Kane. “We know they’re not from the local area, so how did they get here? I’m sure a vehicle left abandoned on the road would have sent up a red flag for the rangers. They would have made a search of the area and there would be a record. Make a note to call them in case they found one. It could have been towed to the impound lot.”
Kane shook his head. “Nope, we have the keys to the lot and it’s empty as far as I’m aware.”
“Did you search the remains for keys?”
“Nope. I thought it better not to touch anything. I did find the wallets inside the backpacks, which I thought strange. I keep mine in my back pocket, nice and safe. The woman maybe, but I can’t imagine why they kept both sets of ID in the backpacks.” He frowned. “Unless they planned to swim somewhere, but there isn’t anything close on this side of the mountain.”
“The Canavars found the skull off the main trail in the bushes.” Wolfe turned and looked back the way they had come. “Are the remains of the man on or off a trail?”
Kane pointed in the direction they had traveled. “On an old trail. Back the way we came and to the left. I found the track on an old map listed as an auxiliary trail or animal track that runs along the foot of the mountain. There is a plateau to climb to if they planned on taking in the view but it’s some ways away.”
“Why would a young couple risk getting lost up here or eaten by wildlife?” Wolfe bent again to collect soil samples and pieces of vegetation from the area.
The same worry had drifted through Kane’s mind when asking Jenna on a similar trip. “I figure they needed to get away from civilization, just the two of them.” He shrugged. “I know how to survive out here, and for me it wouldn’t be a problem. I’d come with a satellite phone and plenty of supplies dropped off along the way, plus I’d make sure I arranged to contact someone at least once a day.” He took another evidence bag from Wolfe. “Perhaps this man had similar training?”
“Or he was an idiot,” Wolfe held up a couple of the evidence bags and frowned, “looking at what he had with him.” He sighed. “Okay show me the remains.” He hoisted a huge backpack over his shoulders. “We’ll grab Webber on the way, I’ll need his help.”
“How is he working out?”
Wolfe let out a snort and gave Kane a pensive look. “He is a fine young man, keen, works hard but has eyes for Emily.” His expression changed to borderline angry. “I know she is studying hard and will be going to the University of Great Falls soon but I can’t stop him visiting her there. I want her to finish her degree and work with me before she gets pinned down with a family.”
“Whoa, he is way too old for her.” Kane stopped walking and gaped at him in astonishment. “That worries me and I’m not her father.”
“Yeah, and she is a headstrong woman as you well know.” Wolfe gave a strangled half laugh. “She takes after me, I’m afraid.”
“I wouldn’t say a word to her… She has your stubborn streak.” Kane straightened. “I’d tell him you’re not happy with the situation at the moment because of her age. Give him a reason to pull back a bit, maybe ask him to consider waiting until she finishes her studies. That will take years. He wants to work with you, so I figure he’d comply.” He smiled. “With luck, she might meet someone closer to her own age at college.”
“I’ll live in hope.”
At the clearing, Webber was at work collecting the crime scene kits from the packhorse. Kane moved to his side. “I’m glad you think ahead.”
“Time is our enemy right now; removing the remains then getting back to the road before dark will be difficult.” Wolfe glanced around. “I’ve been hearing gunshots in the distance. Just how far are we from the nearest hunting area?”