The Crying Season (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Woods?” Leroy’s black eyes searched her face. “Nope and I wouldn’t take money from him either. His lawyer would have found a way to have us sent to jail for life. No, I just wanted to see the rich boy squirm.”

She needed to see the footage on Woods. The Finches’ cabin was no more than a half-hour walk from the Canavar murder scene. “Okay. Is your footage date-stamped?”

“Sure is.”

“I’ll need to see it, and I want you to write down everything you told me and sign it.” She pushed a pad and pen toward him.

“It’s on my cellphone and you can make a copy.” Leroy smiled. “I’ll write that down too.”

“Thank you, it will help with your case.” She made a few more notes then stood. If his story checked out, she would not be pressing charges. “You’ll have to wait until I speak to the others involved. Would you like a drink?”

“I would, thank you, ma’am. Coffee, black.”

She walked into the hallway and went to bring Kane up to date. He was leaning against the wall waiting for Stone to finish speaking with his client. “I have written permission to access the footage from the Finches’ night-vision cams. If Woods was in the area at the time of the murders, he goes to the top of our list of suspects.” She glanced up at him. “We’ll have to sweet talk them into giving us access to their barn as well. Woods stayed there overnight.”

“If Woods is our killer, it would be a perfect place to wash up and change, maybe dispose of his bloody clothes.” Kane’s mouth turned down in disgust. “From the crime scene, the killer would have been soaked in blood; problem is, night-vision cameras aren’t likely to pick it up. We’ll have to hope he left trace evidence behind.”

Jenna thought for a moment, adding pieces to the puzzle. “We need to establish a timeline. I’ll grab a coffee for Leroy Finch then speak to his brother. I want in on the Woods interview—call me when Stone has finished.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I want you to take the lead and see what information you can extract from Woods.”

“Yes, ma’am, but I don’t want a conflict of interest over the assaulting an officer charge. It might be better to drop that charge if you want me involved.” Kane smiled at her. “I hope Woods is our guy. It would be good to wrap this one up.”

“Sure.” Jenna chuckled. “I love an optimist but don’t forget this is Black Rock Falls.”

“Yeah, I know.” Kane’s brow crinkled. “Beautiful one day, crazy as hell the next.”

“Now you’re sounding like a Montanan.”

* * *

Jenna’s interview with Abel Finch was a duplicate of his brother’s account, and as they had separated them since the incident, she needed to hear Woods’ version. The footage on the cellphone proved without doubt Woods was on the Finches’ property on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. She entered the interview room with a certain amount of unease at the thought of dealing with James Stone again. She could see Kane had given both men a beverage and was reading through the file when she arrived. After sitting beside Kane, she turned to Stone. “This interview will be recorded.” She lifted the remote control from a desk drawer and switched on the camera.

After all parties had introduced themselves, she turned to Kane. “Deputy Kane will be conducting the interview.”

“That is a conflict of interest.” Stone glared at her. “He is the officer my client is accused of striking.”

Jenna leaned forward in her chair. “I am fully aware of the charges, Mr. Stone. Deputy Kane has withdrawn the assault charge and will be questioning your client about trespassing.”

“Mr. Woods, can you tell me why you found the need to sleep in the Finches’ barn on Tuesday and Wednesday nights?” Kane wore a bored expression as he twirled a pen in his fingers.

“I was in the forest, heading for a hunting area, when I got turned around.” Woods shrugged nonchalantly. “It was dark. I saw the barn and took shelter.”

“I see.” Kane scribbled on the file. “So twenty-four hours later, you were still lost?”

“Yes, I walked a complete circle and ended up back at the barn.” Woods glanced at Stone, who was glaring at Kane. “I slept there again and left the next morning. I heard voices and found a hunting party and went back to the road with them.”

“I gather you don’t own a cellphone?” Kane’s attention fixed on Woods’ face. “If you get lost, there are rangers all over to help you, or you can use the GPS app on the phone.”

“My battery needed recharging.”

“Why didn’t you ask the Finch brothers for assistance or directions back to the trail?” Kane lifted his gaze and one eyebrow rose in question. “After two nights’ sleeping rough, it would have been the sensible thing to do.”

“They had signs all over, no trespassing.” Woods glanced at Jenna. “You understand what these mountain men are like, Sheriff. They shoot first and ask questions later.”

“So you admit to entering a signposted property and sleeping in their barn?” Kane’s lips quirked up into a half smile.

“What can they do? Sue me?” Woods snorted. “They wouldn’t have the money to pay for a lawyer.”

“How far did you walk on Wednesday, and in what direction?” Kane leaned forward in his chair and Woods’ hands trembled slightly. “Do you remember any landmarks, for instance?”