“I was told there is an old trail that cuts along the bottom of Bear Peak; it is a shortcut to one of the hunting grounds. I took the trail from the road I was told ran into it but it wound around everywhere, split into so many different paths I lost my way.” Woods shrugged. “Real men don’t ask for directions and I found my way out in the end.”
“My client is happy to pay the Finches for accommodation.” Stone’s smile was like granite. “If they’ll drop the trespassing charges.”
“We’ll speak to them.” Kane’s stare remained on Woods. “Since you arrived in Black Rock Falls, you have been involved in two fights, and I see you have an Order of Protection against you. You have a history of violence against women as well.” His expression was menacing. “You admit to being in the vicinity of Bear Peak on Wednesday, which happens to coincide with a double murder.” He laid the graphic images of Bailey Canavar and John Doe on the table before Woods. “Did you murder this couple?”
“You don’t have to answer that question, Ethan.” Stone looked straight at Jenna. “My client has nothing further to say, Sheriff.”
Thrilled at how ruffled Kane had made both Woods and Stone, Jenna shrugged. “Very well, as we have video evidence of the trespassing, plus your client has admitted to being in the vicinity of two vicious murders and has a history of violence, we will be charging him and remanding him in custody.”
“James, get me out of here.” Woods’ eyes flitted to the images and back to Stone. “I’m not rotting in their stinking cells until I’m cleared in court.”
Jenna collected the photographs and slipped them back into the file. “All deals are off the table and we’ll be opposing bail.”
“You have a few minor infringements and circumstantial evidence at best.” Stone barked out a laugh then stood and patted Woods on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll play their game for now, but I’ll have you out of here before dinner.” He picked up his briefcase and glared at Jenna. “Let me out of here. I’ll wait in your office for the documents.”
Oh, will you now? Jenna stood and used her card to unlock the door. “There are seats out front. My office isn’t a waiting room.”
She noticed Rowley in the hallway supervising the Finch brothers. “Take Woods down to the cells. Did you get statements from the brothers?”
“Yes, ma’am, and they are the same.” Rowley followed her back into the room and collected Woods.
Jenna leaned against the door and smiled at Kane. “I like your style. Do you think he is our killer?”
“On body language when he looked at the images, no, but then killers are adept at hiding their true nature. The way Stone jumped in
to stop the questioning then didn’t bother to confer with his client would make me believe he is covering for him.” Kane rubbed his chin, making a rasping sound. “I believe we can deal with the Finch brothers. If they give us permission to send a forensics team to their barn, we could let them go with a warning. From what we know about Woods, it sure looks like an unprovoked attack on the Finches to me. Woods is a loose cannon and an idiot used to getting his own way.” He sighed. “You know as well as I do, Stone is correct—we have circumstantial evidence for Woods’ involvement in the murder. We need proof.”
Jenna considered his argument then nodded. “Okay, go and cut a deal with the Finches.” She pulled open the door. “I figure Woods ticks all the boxes for our murder suspect, and if he gets out of this on a technicality, we’ll be releasing a possible killer back into society.”
* * *
If Jenna’s stress level had gotten any higher, her head would explode. She sucked in a few deep breaths, which did nothing at all to calm her fury, and gaped at the document in her hand, rereading it for a third time. Not one hour after she had delivered Woods’ charge sheet to James Stone, his client was out on bail. She watched Woods’ smug expression as he followed his lawyer out of the building, then after listening to Rowley’s rendition of the meeting with the judge, she thrust the paperwork into Kane’s hands. “The judge said we can’t hold Woods without bail on misdemeanors, and any evidence we have against him may be brought up in a court hearing one week from Monday. Stone vouched for him, insisted he wasn’t a flight risk and would be staying at the Cattleman’s Hotel until his hearing.” She clenched her jaw and went into her office with the overpowering need to slam the door behind her, maybe three or four times.
Wolfe followed her inside and gave her a concerned look. “There’s another problem.”
Jenna wanted to tear out her hair and scream like a banshee. “What now?”
“We don’t have a sample of Woods’ DNA to make a comparison.”
30
Sunday
Tall pines creaked and the forest came to life with the first rays of dawn. Wildlife moved around him, oblivious to his position in the blind. A wild turkey pecked and scratched at the ground within arm’s reach, and between the rough tree trunks, the antlers of an eight-point buck moved as the animal grazed not ten feet away. The air was crisp from the overnight shower and the forest still held the scent of rain. He checked his weapons with pride; each carried the comforting smell of gun oil. His arsenal was impressive and he had hidden caches of guns and ammunition along the trail.
He had arrived late at night, spent a few hours dozing, then risen in the early hours of Sunday morning. The preparation had become a ritual. He honed the blades on his knives to be as sharp as a cutthroat razor then cleaned and loaded his guns. After pushing extra clips into the pockets of his camouflage pants, he pulled on black gloves. Made from soft kid leather, they molded to his hands and did not interfere with his trigger finger. The gloves offered him added protection against discovery when he covered them with a latex pair for the kill. He sat in the blind and reviewed the footage from his trail cams. From time to time, he glanced at the countdown.
Not long now, before his prey would arrive. His mind filled with fantasies. How would he kill them this time? So many choices and so many thrills to enjoy over and over again via the trail cam footage. He wondered if others enjoyed the same sport as him? The idea of sharing his videos enthralled him. He checked the time again. The ultimate game of cat and mouse would begin soon.
Covered from head to foot, not one inch of him was visible, but to give his prey the ultimate in fear, he decided to wear a skull mask. As usual, his mic was fitted with a voice distorter. Anyone who viewed his footage would not recognize him but later, alone in his room, he could relive the kills through his body cam and be able to hear each scream and plea for mercy.
He wondered if the shy Lilly Coppersmith would turn into a wildcat once threatened. She gave the impression of being an introvert, but he had a talent that enabled him to push people to their limits. It was all part of the game, and even a mouse if threatened would bite. Oh yeah, he would bring out her primal instincts, he just had to frighten her enough to put on a good show. He chuckled.
His targets had camped in a secluded area not ten minutes’ walk from his current position. After a night of passion, the couple had fallen into a deep sleep and he had snuck into their camp. They had not stirred when he rifled through their backpacks and removed the SIMs from their phones. He could have killed them in their sleep, but why spoil the fun?
Deep in the oldest and densest area of the forest, the trail they had chosen wound in and out with so many hairpin bends and switchbacks it was like a maze. Once threatened, the pair would be running around in circles. With the boyfriend disabled, he figured Lilly would go through the same panic-driven stages as the others before her instinct to survive kicked in—and then the fun would begin.
The disbelief on the women’s faces when they realized he was hunting them empowered him. The way they tried to reason with him then ran about wildly in all directions like rabbits excited him. Images of what he planned to do to Lilly filtered into his mind, lifting his heart rate. She would try desperately to escape but would be at his mercy. He would catch her with ease. He craved the smell of her fear and the crimson sight of warm, pumping blood.