Behind the counter a man swirled around on a leather padded chair in front of a computer to face them. His eyes opened wide and he stood.
“What can I do for you, Sheriff and— ah, Deputy Kane, isn’t it?”
Kane looked at the name bar on the man’s chest. “Morning, Eric. We’re wondering if you keep a record of the highest-scoring crossbow shooters on the range?”
“Do you have competitions at all?” Jenna turned to examine a bow. “I’m sure there’s a hierarchy in this sport?”
“Umm.” Eric looked from one to the other as if trying to decide what question to answer first. He looked at Jenna. Seniority was obviously of importance to him, and he smiled. “Indeed, we do. It’s a very competitive sport but not everyone gets involved. The hunters, well, some of them can bring down a buck with one bolt at fifty yards and that’s no mean feat.”
Kane removed his Stetson and smoothed his hair. The recent haircut had left his neck prickly and he didn’t like the distraction. He slid the hat back on and stared at the man. The shooting range was classed as private property. He had joined the shooters’ club and used the rifle range and the inside gun range as well. But Eric wasn’t the owner—Bill Straus worked at the rifle range. Kane wondered if Eric would be forthcoming with names of members. “Do you keep a list or can you give us the names of anyone who used the range recently and is a crack shot? We’re looking for assistance in a case we’re investigating.”
“Well, let me see.” Eric stroked his thick beard and stared into space. “There’s been a few new members over the last few weeks. I recall they came in with their targets shredded—they had all shots to the head. It takes some skill to put five bolts into the same target. I recall them because they reminded me of a dart player I’d seen on TV in one of those British competitions. He placed three darts in the same place. Incredible.”
“Did they come in together?” Jenna moved to the counter and gave Kane a meaningful stare.
“Nope, all three came in alone.” Eric shook his head. “I told them about our competition but none were interested. They all gave the same reply that they used their skills for hunting.”
“And they never crossed paths?” Jenna leaned forward onto the counter. “Are you sure?”
“They’ve been here at the same time but they didn’t socialize.” Eric shrugged. “I’m not here all the time. Buzz works here as well, so I guess they could have become friends. Two of them came by last week, on Wednesday, and I don’t recall them speaking to each other. In fact, I’m pretty darn sure they didn’t cross paths. I was watching them on the CCTV. They gave quite a show but they did their practice run and left.” He turned to a book on his desk and flicked through it. “I keep a record of their scores beside their names. Members like progress scores and it gives me an idea of which range to send them to. You know, I like to keep the novices well away from everyone else.”
Three men who practiced headshots seemed too good to be true. Kane cleared his throat. “Those members sound like the experts we’ve been looking for. Can we have their names?” He indicated with his chin toward Jenna. “We’re both members of the Black Rock Falls Shooters Association but we use the rifle range.”
“Sure, sure.” Eric pored over the book. “Ah, here we are. The most recent best of the best would be Riley Adams out of Snowberry Falls, Tyson Long out of Summit Heights, and John Foster, he lives out on Pine. Adams and Long were here on the same day last week, as I mentioned, and I do still have the CCTV footage of all the ranges from last week.”
“Well, if you could make us a copy I’d appreciate it.” Jenna pulled a flash drive from her pocket. “We could drop by tomorrow and collect it?”
“Not a problem, Sheriff.” Eric smiled at Jenna, showing a flash of a gold front tooth.
Kane offered Eric his notebook. “Could you write down the details of those men for me?”
“Sure thing.” Eric dutifully copied the details from his computer a
nd handed the notebook back to Kane.
Kane glanced at Jenna and she gave him an almost imperceptible nod. He slapped the counter and smiled at Eric. “Thanks, we’ll see you tomorrow.” He followed Jenna back to the Beast. “I figure that’s the first time we’ve found a decent lead into a case from the get-go. Three possible suspects in one day. Maybe we should buy a lottery ticket.”
Twenty-Two
Allowing the information to percolate into her mind, Jenna entered the names into the computer in the Beast. The MDT, or mobile digital terminal, gave her fast access to drivers’ licenses and any outstanding warrants. She could access criminal records as well, but what she needed was photographs to show Wendy at Aunt Betty’s Café. She allowed the machine to do its thing and then sent the results to her iPad. She looked at Kane. “No outstanding warrants, but all three have been in the system at one time or another but I can’t find anything on them for the last six months.”
“It might just mean they haven’t been caught yet or they’ve all decided to go straight.” Kane turned onto Main and drove slowly toward Aunt Betty’s Café.
Jenna admired the Halloween displays popping up all over town. Some of the storefronts had gone all out this year. She chuckled at a table with skeletons dressed as old Wild West cowboys smoking cigars and playing cards. “Some of the decorations this year are amazing.” She pointed to a circle of ghostly figures that resembled long-gone famous film stars, long hair flowing as they waved at passersby with ethereal fingers. “The girls are going to love trick-or-treating this year. Are you going with them as the Grim Reaper again?”
“Maybe.” Kane flashed her a white smile. “I was thinking Frankenstein, but I’m not into masks. With the Grim Reaper costume, I just have to scowl at people. What about you?”
Jenna thought for a minute. “Not a devil this time, maybe a witch. Emily has a ton of costumes in their attic. I’ll find something when we next go and see Shane.” She sighed. “If we get to go with the kids this year. I hope so. It means a lot to the girls and Shane when we join in.”
“I enjoy all the family stuff with Wolfe and his kids, too. I’m hoping Rio and his brother and sister will come too.” Kane pulled up outside Aunt Betty’s and his stomach growled so loud Duke barked. He turned to look at him. “Okay, I know, you’re starving too. I’ll see what leftovers Susie has put by for you.”
Jenna climbed from the truck. Susie Hartwig, the manager of Aunt Betty’s Café, had a soft spot for Duke and usually kept him some of the leftover meat from the previous day. She led the way into the diner and went to the counter. “Hi, Susie, is Wendy around?”
“Yes, she’s in the back. I’ll go get her for you.” Susie gave her a bright smile and looked over the counter at Duke. “Hello, Duke. I’ve been waiting for you to come by.” She glanced up at Kane. “We have a pot of chili on the stove and cherry pie is the special today.”
“You read my mind, but we’ll need to speak to Wendy before we eat.” Kane had removed his hat and was moving his fingers around the rim.
Jenna shook her head. “No, Dave. You go and eat before the folks in here think there’s another storm coming.” She looked pointedly at his growling stomach.