Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton)

ading?”

“Toward the forest.”

“Did you notice anyone else, any cars parked along the road or people out for a walk?”

“Not that I recall.”

“I’ll send a deputy out to take a statement, if that’s okay?” Kane leaned against the counter and stared at Mr. Rogers hunched at his desk writing a statement. “Thank you for your help.” He shut his cellphone.

He strolled into Jenna’s office and closed the door behind him. “What did you get from Lionel Provine?”

When Jenna explained, he nodded. “He does makes money out of the high-school kids visiting his shop, but would they go there without his bonus cards?”

“We can’t discount him as a suspect, although motive is a problem. We’ll need a background check on him and all the suspects in case anyone has priors.” Jenna sighed. “How did it go with the Rogers interview?”

“I have Mr. Rogers in my cubicle with his lawyer.” Kane pointed over his shoulder with one thumb. “I think he is guilty as hell and I have a problem cutting him loose but I don’t have enough evidence to charge him.”

“What have you got?”

“Apart from the fact he was seen walking out of the forest at approximately nine this morning and the witnesses mentioned he looked agitated, his lawyer made a point of saying the information was hearsay. And Rogers has refused a DNA test.” He shrugged. “Although at this stage it won’t make a difference. From what Wolfe examined at the autopsy, he doubts they collected any viable DNA traces from the crime scene or the body. He checked all the samples personally under a microscope and found zip.”

“Then we have to let him go.” She lifted her blue gaze to his face. “We’ll keep an eye on him, maybe park a cruiser near his house, so he’ll believe we’re watching him. He fits the age profile, arrived in town some months ago, but he is married. He was in the right place at the right time, and is on our suspect list.”

“Sure, and I have a sighting of a girl matching Felicity’s description heading toward the forest at approximately eight as well. I called Rogers’ wife, and she said the girl dashed across the road and she almost hit her with her car.” He raised both eyebrows. “So, we now know for sure she went to the forest alone. What we need to know is why.”

“Yeah, what would make a girl of her age change her mind and dash across the road and head into the forest?” Jenna stood and added the name “Mrs. Rogers” under the “Last people to see Felicity” list then returned to her seat. “You have a positive ID.”

“I’ll follow up and send Rowley to get her statement but she described her and what she was wearing and even mentioned Felicity was wearing earbuds. No one has seen Joanne Blunt. It is obvious she went to the rock pool for a swim but how long was she there before the killer spotted her?”

“After the media release, I would have thought someone would come forward with information.” Jenna chewed on the end of the pen. “Maybe just asking if anyone had seen the two girls in the vicinity of Stanton Forest was too vague.”

“I don’t think so.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “I wonder if Felicity had a call to meet someone in the forest, her boyfriend perhaps?”

“Or she was playing that stupid game?” Jenna let out a long sigh. “I wish we had her cellphone.”

“Hmm.” Kane stared at the whiteboard, trying to let the clues percolate through his mind. “Or the boyfriend is lying. We know he called her, and was only at Mrs. Bolton’s for five or so minutes. Although, the time Mrs. Rogers’ saw Felicity is sketchy at best. We can’t discount Rogers either. He was in the area and could have easily followed her.”

“That’s a possibility.” Jenna tapped the board. “Right now, we have four suspects we can place in the area at the right time for both murders.” She picked up the marker. “Derick Smith, the boyfriend, was delivering a car in the area and picking up the loaner; the teacher, Rogers; Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley. Number five is the computer store guy, Lionel Provine, who can’t account for his whereabouts at the time of the murders.” She chewed on her lips as if trying to think. “The problem is we don’t have enough solid evidence to charge any of them.”

Kane’s phone signaled a message. “This might be info from one of the other sheriff’s departments.” He stared at the screen and an icy chill ran down his back. “This came from Helena: ‘Sending you information via email on eight similar cases recorded in the state of Montana. Same M.O. Victims are female, fifteen to seventeen, long hair. Murders escalated from months to one week apart. Local newspapers named him the Waterside Ripper. Nothing reported for six months, no suspects detained. Have checked state data bank. Please keep us informed of any suspects or arrests.’” A wave of doom washed over him. He lifted his gaze to Jenna and met her horrified stare. “It’s confirmed, we have a serial killer in town.”

Twenty-Seven

Kate Bright dabbed perfume behind her ears and grinned at her reflection in the mirror. She would leave the music channel on TV for the flashing lights, turn down the sound, and lock her bedroom door. From the hallway, the effect would be the same as if she had on her headphones and was playing games. No one would disturb her, not after helping all day and being the perfect daughter. Her parents were being way overprotective and would not tell her what had happened to Felicity. She had seen the news, the sheriff was asking for people who had seen Felicity and some other girl named Joanne Blunt near Stanton Forest. What could have happened to them? When she asked her mom, she had told her to stay home but she would say anything to prevent her from meeting Chad at night. Adults think teenagers can only have sex at night. How stupid is that?

She went downstairs into the kitchen and raided the refrigerator. Chad had a huge appetite and she would take him some energy bars and drinks. She stared at the stacked shelves for a few moments then grabbed a bottle of water. After the long hike to the campus, she would be thirsty. She heard her mother heading in her direction and darted toward the stairs. Once out of sight, she called out, “Mom? Do you mind if I play my game for an hour or so? I’ll wear my headphones so I don’t disturb you.”

“You spend far too much time on the computer. It’s not healthy. Watch TV with us and be sociable for a change. There’s a good movie on tonight.”

“I’ll spend tomorrow night with you, I promise. Please, Mom?”

“I guess so but I’ll hold you to that promise, young lady.”

“Thanks.” Kate bolted up the steps and back into her room.

She locked the door and stuffed a towel, drinks, and snacks into her backpack. Five minutes later, she slipped out the bedroom window and climbed down the terrace. The sun had dropped in the sky, casting long shadows, but she would get to the pool and back long before sunset. She doubted her parents would check on her before ten, and she should be home and tucked up in bed by then.

Not wanting anyone to recognize her, she pulled up the hood on her jacket, glad she had decided to cover her jeans and skimpy top. Although in Black Rock Falls the sun shone for over twelve hours a day, the temperature dropped in the evenings and her hair would be wet after skinny-dipping. She giggled at the thought of slipping into the heated pool naked. Sneaking out to meet Chad had become a naughty but exciting habit of late.