Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Yes, ma’am.” Wolfe deposited two folders on her desk then eased his large frame into a chair. “He made a mistake and one that usually brings down serial killers. In one word: trophies. We found sixteen different locks of hair taken from his victims and all are under DNA analysis. We hope to link him to similar killings throughout the state. He worked as a preacher all over and arrived here some months ago. According to the GPS on his car, he often traveled to other counties during his time here. I have matches for all of our victims; it’s enough evidence on its own but I have proof he used the Golden Wizard game, the one where the kids collect the virtual reality characters, to lure his victims.”

Kane leaned forward in his chair. “So, Lionel Provine is in the clear? Surely, we can get him on something. He was luring young women to join his private group.”

“I agree.” Jenna looked expectantly at Wolfe. “What he is doing is creepy to say the least. Yet he comes up clean on priors. How did your interview go with him?”

“I think he was a pawn in Reverend Jones’s game but we’ll need to keep an eye on him.” Wolfe stretched out his long legs. “Jones is a Black Hat hacker and used his ability to rewrite the codes on games. Jones told Provine he worked as a programmer in a major games company before God called him into service. He actually convinced him for a twenty percent share of his profit, for the church of course, he would make him rich. The idea was to invite teenage girls to join an exclusive group of gamers. Jones agreed to supply the toggles to gain remote access to the kids’ computers and bonus codes to give out as enticements.”

“How did Provine make money giving out bonus cards?” Jenna frowned. “It seems a bit lame.”

“The money part of the deal came from the same agreement I heard Provine use with Emily. He told the ‘exclusive members’ of his club he would supply them with bonus cards if they convinced their parents to buy merchandise from his store.” Wolfe shrugged. “Kids who play games would do just about anything to get the bonuses, and Provine didn’t believe the idea was exploitation. When I questioned him, he did wonder why Jones insisted he only enlist teenage girls into the club but he did give the boys who came into his shop the cards as well.”

“So, Reverend Jones kept a low profile and put Provine in the line of fire?” Kane frowned. “You thought he was manipulating the game but how did he hack the girls’ cellphones?”

“Yes, I’d like to know that too.” Jenna’s mouth turned down. “I had no idea carrying a cellphone made a person vulnerable.”

“He didn’t hack the cellphones, he used the game interface. The toggles gave Reverend Jones remote access to their computers. He spied on them using their webcams to track their movements. When he wanted to lure a victim to his pre-chosen spot, he programmed the next sequence of the game. The girls played on their cellphones and, using the camera interface, collected the virtual characters in real time. The characters popped up close to them.”

Kane nodded. “Yeah, I saw Aimee playing that game in Aunt Betty’s Café—it was like the character was in the store. Freaky

.”

“Ah yes, I’ve seen them heads down staring at their cellphones and running around like crazy.” Jenna shook her head. “They collect the characters as part of the game, is that right?”

“Exactly, and Jones tweaked the game so he could literally use the characters like a trail of breadcrumbs leading straight to him.”

Kane frowned. “How did he send the message to Chad to change the time of his date with Kate?”

“I have evidence he hacked the online games room to send messages using the kids’ usernames. I found the messages he sent changing the time of Kate’s date and the one sent to Aimee from Julia. They originated from Jones’s computer.” Wolf’s pale gaze narrowed. “He made an error and didn’t delete the files. I think he believed he was invincible.”

“I’m impressed.” Jenna flashed him a white smile. “The DA will be fascinated with the details and I’d bet due to your conclusions The Department of Homeland Security will be extending the case throughout the state.”

“Yes, as you requested I have kept them up to date with my findings.” Wolfe scratched the blond stubble on his chin. “I take it Jones will stand trial here? Will he be remaining in the county jail?”

“Yes, I would say from these results, our initial charge of attempted murder of Emily will be upgraded to murder in the first for Felicity, Joanne, Kate, and Aimee.” Jenna’s look was troubled. “We still don’t have a motive. What pushed Jones to kill?”

Kane tapped a folder on the desk. “The DHS sent over a file. He has been on a watch list for some time so I’m not sure why they didn’t arrest him on suspicion earlier. His cruelty to animals goes back years. When he attended high school, the local police implicated him in the drowning of a girl but he wasn’t charged. He graduated top of his class and won a scholarship to study computer science.” He met her gaze. “His mother, as we assumed, was a prostitute and took her johns home. They lived in a tiny apartment, and from Jones’s garbled statement, his mother made him watch, and at times, the men used him as well. His mother performed abortions for the local hookers and ordered him to assist her. The DHS included photographs of his mother and she wore bright red lipstick.”

“Do they mention why he left the flowers?”

Kane winced. “Yeah, when his mom got mad with him he picked her wildflowers and she forgave him. He actually said, ‘They all wanted me to bring them flowers.’”

“So why did he kill young women?”

Kane sighed. “He isn’t saying, but who can figure out the mind of a psychopath?”

“I would have never picked him as a killer in a million years. He seemed like such a nice, caring man. I can’t believe I called him in to help with grief counseling.” Jenna pushed both hands into her dark hair and stared at him. “Was he a reverend?”

“Yeah, and I would imagine he became a preacher to get close to girls. When you think about it, it is a good cover. Who would suspect a reverend?” He winced. “He slipped through our net.”

“I saw pure evil in him when he was attacking Emily.” Jenna moved her gaze to Wolfe. “How is she doing?”

“She is still very upset for not telling me about Aimee but after preventing Julia’s murder she is a bit better.” Wolfe’s smile was genuine. “She feels instrumental in finding the killer of her friends.”

“That is good to hear, I’m looking forward to her continuing her internship.” Jenna flashed a white smile at them. “I’m very proud of my team. We were the only sheriff’s department in the state to stop Jones’s killing spree and we’ve taken two murderers out of circulation. You have both excelled, as did Rowley and Walters.” She cleared her throat and eyed them from under her lashes. “But don’t get too comfortable, I’m still going to be cracking the whip.”

Kane leaned back in his chair and glanced at her. He had to admit Jenna led them to perfection. He had respect and deep affection for her. “So, case closed, ma’am?”

“Yeah.” Jenna’s warm smile made her eyes sparkle. “Case closed.”