Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Yeah, and he didn’t bother her again.”

“Was there any other boy eit

her girl was seeing or interested in?” Jenna made a few notes. “Anyone else at all?”

“They like Mason, the football player who takes care of the grounds at school.” Lucy blushed. “But he’s a grown man.”

“Just one more thing.” Jenna offered her a smile. “Who’s the teacher in charge of the drama club and what days do you go there?”

“Two, Miss Dryden and Mr. Ambrose. Tuesdays and Thursdays last class, then after school for an hour. We’re meeting at the school this afternoon as well. If you want to talk to the other girls, they’ll be there.”

“Okay.” Jenna folded her notebook and stood. “Thank you, Lucy.” She handed Mrs. Mackintosh one of her cards. “If Lucy remembers anything else important, please call me.”

“I’ll do that, Sheriff.” Mrs. Mackintosh took the card.

“Thanks.” Jenna headed for the door.

Outside, Kane was leaning against his truck, cellphone pressed to one ear, Duke at his feet. The Green Thumb Landscaping Service pickup was missing. She waited for him to disconnect. “Dammit, the gardening service has left.”

“They were leaving as I came out.” Kane pushed his phone into his top pocket.

Jenna stared down the empty driveway. “Did you get on to Rowley?”

“Yeah, he hunted down the location but there’s nowhere for a chopper to land in the area. Blackhawk and one of his friends are on horseback and they’re riding to the cabin now.” Kane opened the door to his truck and helped Duke into the back seat. “What did I miss?”

Jenna gave him a run-down of the interview. “Although both girls were infatuated with two of our persons of interest I’d like a chat with Peter English. Not that I figure he has the charm to lure teenage girls from their rooms at night.” She sighed. “If the girls are being hypnotized, how come Lucy isn’t affected and Amanda had a different dream?”

“Hmm, that’s because hypnotism doesn’t work on everyone.” Kane met her gaze. “Plus mass hypnotism is difficult – but not impossible.”

“We’ll need to speak to those girls. They’ve a meeting at the school this afternoon. I’ll call Maggie later and see if she’s gotten their parents’ permission. I want to find out if they’re having the same dream. If so, then someone could be hypnotizing them.” Jenna frowned. “How do you tell if someone’s affected?”

“You can’t.”

* * *

As Jenna had missed the opportunity to speak to Paul Kittredge again, she made a quick call to Green Thumb’s head office in town. The manager directed them to a house close to where Peter English lived. Kittredge would be working there for the rest of the week. They arrived at the Englishs’ home a short time later. The interview with Peter was interesting but Jenna didn’t consider him a suspect. He’d been home both nights of the abductions and posed no threat. The teenager admitted to pestering Amanda at school and following her home one time, but after his talk with Kane, Jenna was convinced Peter’s days of stalking girls were over.

With Peter struck off her list, they drove to a nearby home where Jenna spoke to the owner before they made their way to the back of the property. She spotted Paul Kittredge leaning against a tree smoking and led the way across a manicured lawn. “Mr. Kittredge, we’d like a word with you.”

“Sheriff, why you goin’ to all the trouble of comin’ to see me again?” Kittredge gave her a slow smile. “You don’t need no excuse. Just sashay down to the Triple Z any night of the week and I’ll buy you a drink.” He chuckled. “Wear something sexy.” He dropped his smoke and crushed it into the lawn with his boot.

Jenna could almost sense Kane moving closer and caught a flash of doubt in Kittredge’s eyes. She could deal with him and leaned closer. As the smell of stale sweat and cigarette smoke curled up her nostrils, she lowered her voice to just above a whisper. “Mr. Kittredge, you’re a person of interest in the murder of Lindy Rosen. Your alibi for the night she disappeared doesn’t hold water.” When he leaned down way too close to listen to her, she gave him her best official sheriff’s glare. “I suggest you answer my questions. I don’t need an excuse to haul you downtown and hold you for questioning for twenty-four hours. During that time, Deputy Kane is well within his rights to question you for eight hours straight.”

“I’m sure we’ll find plenty to talk about.” Kane’s eyes flashed with menace.

Jenna stepped back but kept her attention locked on Kittredge. “Do you know Amanda Braxton out of Glacial Heights?”

“Uh-huh.” Kittredge narrowed his gaze. “She went missing this morning. I heard it on the radio.”

“That’s her.” Jenna pulled out her notebook and scanned her notes. “You work at the Braxton ranch. Have you spoken to Amanda?”

“Yeah, a few times.” Kittredge pulled out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out with his teeth then held it unlit between his fingers. “She was real cut up when her grandma died.”

“How often did you speak to her?”

“She’d hunt us down.” Kittredge gave her a lazy smile. “Some days she’d sit on the grass and watch me work. Nice kid.”

Nice enough to kidnap? This man hadn’t convinced Jenna of his innocence, but with no evidence against him, she’d have to let it slide. “Do you have anyone who can vouch for your whereabouts last night?”