Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Jenna smiled. “If you wouldn’t mind, while everything is fresh in their minds, could I get written statements from Aimee and Kate? Then I won’t need you to come down to the office. If you could witness them as well, otherwise this information is hearsay.”

“Yes of course, I have a couple of notepads they can use.” Mrs. Fox stood and left the room, returning with pens and paper. “What do you want them to say?”

“In your own words, what time you saw Mr. Rogers, what he was wearing. Everything you can remember about what you said and how he looked, then sign and print your name on the bottom.”

Jenna waited for the girls to write their statements, collected them, and stood. “Thank you for your cooperation.” She headed for the door and Mrs. Fox followed her outside.

“Has something bad happened to Felicity?” Mrs. Fox searched her face. “From the questions, I gather the situation is serious.”

“I’m afraid I can’t go into details but keep a very close eye on your daughter. Don’t let her go out alone and inform Kate’s mother as well.” Jenna raised both brows. “If you see any strangers hanging around or anything that seems out of place, please call me.” She took a card from her pocket and handed it to her. “I’ll be able to release details to the media in a day or so.”

“I will keep her at home today. Thank you.” Mrs. Fox turned toward the house.

Jenna followed Walters back to her cruiser, slid behind the wheel, and turned to him. “The moment we get back to the office, start the check into the victim’s phone logs. We have her parents’ written permission.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She took out her notepad and read each page of the interview, adding a few comments to make sure she had everything. The talk with the girls had pointed the finger at two new suspects: Rogers and Provine. The cowboys and boyfriend remained on her list. Their eagerness to give up their information might stem from knowing the killer had left no damning evidence. She tapped her pen on her bottom lip, running through the interview again. Her timeline for Felicity’s movements from the time she left home was non-existent.

Somebody must have seen her walking along Stanton Road. She had left home at the time people living in the area would be heading to work. After making a note to find and call a number of local residents, she glanced at her watch and wondered if Kane had discovered anything of interest at the crime scene. Not wanting to disturb him, she huffed out a sigh and headed back to the office. I’ll need to set up my whiteboard again to unravel this mess.

Nineteen

After picking up Wolfe and Rowley from outside the sheriff’s department, Kane drove to the outer edge of Stanton Forest. Rowley’s local knowledge was invaluable. He described the trails throughout the forest and the most likely one a killer would use to access or leave the crime scene undetected. The day had started out cool with a cloudless blue sky but as the group trudged deeper into the forest, humidity surrounded them. Sweat spilled into Kane’s eyes in an annoying, salty stream and insects attacked without mercy. He dodged another patch of poison ivy and kept alert for wildlife. The walk had not depleted his energy and Wolfe met him stride for stride. After so many years in the service of his country, he could survive most of what nature and man threw at him, but Rowley was showing signs of fatigue.

His cellphone rang. It was Alton. “Kane.”

“I’ve just been notified a girl is missing. She fits the killer’s type: sixteen, long hair, pretty. Her name is Joanne Blunt.”

“When was she last seen?”

“The neighbor saw her walking toward Stanton Forest carrying a towel after lunch yesterday. She got to town yesterday morning and is staying with relatives for the rodeo week. She could have been heading for one of the swimming holes but there are tons in that area. I’ll organize a couple of deputies from Blackwater to search the west side. You are on the Stanton Road side, so as far as I know, there are three main ones on your side.”

Kane frowned. “Okay, we’re in the area, we’ll check them out.” He ended the call.

After relaying the information to the other deputies, he followed Rowley along a narrow, winding path deeper into Stanton Forest, with Wolfe close behind. As the sound of running water reached his ears, he tugged on Rowley’s shirt to get his attention. “Hey, where is the river? I thought it was in an easterly direction from here?”

“This trail leads to one of the waterfalls. It’s not the one Lucky Briggs took to get to the rock pool. I reckon animals made this track but it’s on the hiking map. We can get to the first water hole from here then it’s an easy walk to the rock pool.”

“Lead the way.” Kane rubbed his chin. “How come this is the first time I’ve heard of a hiking map?”

“They are for sale everywhere. Aunt Betty’s Café has them on the counter on a display marked, ‘Things to do in Black Rock Falls County.’” Rowley wiped sweat from his brow and reached for a water bottle inside his backpack. “Most visitors here during the hunting season use the trails. Little Falls is one of the recommended areas. Hikers like it because it is picturesque but it’s a bit small as a swimming hole and one hell of a long walk for the locals. Big Falls is the better option, and only a short walk from the road.”

“Hold up.” Wolfe dropped his backpack on the ground. “We’ve been walking for half an hour and I need a break. I’ve noticed at least three trails leading off this one. Where do they come out?”

“They end up against the mountain range, bear caves mostly.” Rowley removed the cap from the water bottle and drank, spilling drops onto his chin, then lowered the bottle with a satisfied sigh. “I doubt anyone would use them at this time of the year. Black bears are hungry and on the move.” He waved in the direction of the trail. “It’s not much further, maybe five or ten minutes. I can hear the waterfall.”

“Okay. Keep moving.” Kane glanced at Wolfe. “Someone has used this path and recently.” He followed Rowley but indicated with his chin toward the cobwebs dangling between the trees. “I’ve not seen anything blocking our way, not a cobweb or a branch, but the covering of leaves and pine needles is so darn thick even my boots aren’t making an impression.”

“I’ve noticed a few damaged plants, and as you are both sticking to the middle of the path, it’s not you. Back there—” Wolfe gestured behind him with his thumb “—I examined a crushed fern. Problem is, with bears and deer in the area, we can’t be certain a person used the trail.”

“I don’t think so.” Rowley glanced back at them. “I haven’t seen any deer droppings or bear scat and they shit all the time.” He shrugged. “No recent claw marks on any of the trees either.”

The small trail opened out into a rock formation with a drip-fed pool. The place was deserted and the water so clean they could see the bottom. They split up and searched the surrounding forest but found nothing.

Kane stared at a wide path leading in the direction of the roar of water. “This way, I gather?”

“Yeah.” Rowley smiled. “Five minutes max.”