Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Yeah, his lack of empathy places him on the list.” Kane put down his coffee and opened a jar containing Jenna’s chocolate chip cookies. “We pulled in Packer because he’s the quiet one, the likeable guy. Everyone he’s worked for trusts him inside their houses. Pedophiles like to get close to children, and he makes a point of getting to know the kids in the houses where he works. The only problem I have is Lindy’s killer didn’t sexually assault her, which possibly leaves him without a motive – although we don’t know exactly what happened to Lindy. Packer could be the type that prefers to take pictures to show his friends. They come in many types. Any one of them or none of them could be Shadow Man.”

“Why do you figure they kill?” Rowley helped himself to a cookie.

“A few years ago, I interviewed a man who’d dismembered his victims while they were alive.” Kane’s head filled with the man’s confident attitude, his need to be one of the boys. “I asked him why he tortured the women.”

“What did he say?” Rowley raised one eyebrow.

Kane frowned. “He said he’d never killed a woman who hadn’t deserved it.” He met Rowley’s gaze. “This is the kind of personality we’re dealing with. No remorse, no real motive for killing, but I’m guessing he’s using Jenna as an excuse for killing the girls.”

“How so?”

“I figure he’s reliving something in his past.” Kane dunked his cookie in his coffee, and then popped it into his mouth. “A woman did something so bad to him as a kid, it warped his mind. I figure he’s not getting any satisfaction from killing the girls. He wants to kill Jenna because she’s a person in authority and he’s using the girls as bait.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mention it before but out at the Old Mitcham Ranch, someone didn’t just shoot at Jenna, they put two rounds in her back. Her vest caught it but she’s pretty banged up.”

“Oh, Jesus help us.” The color had drained from Rowley’s face. “We can’t protect her twenty-four hours a day. Holy cow, you know how stubborn she is. She’ll want to take him down no matter how much danger she’s in.”

Kane straightened. He’d expected Rowley’s reaction and kept the information from him until they’d secured the suspects. “Wolfe took a look at her and figures she’s bruised, and Walters and the deputy from Blackwater know what happened. I needed help getting her into the office, so we closed in around her.” He sipped his coffee and watched Rowley’s expression go from shocked to mad. “There’s another thing you need to know. The killer is messaging Jenna – he told her he didn’t intend to kill her yet. I figure he wants her to play a game with him first.”

“Oh, this just gets better by the second.” Rowley pushed a hand through his hair, making it stick up in all directions. “You can’t keep the suspects here indefinitely unless we charge them with something. How do you intend to keep her safe?”

Kane had already given this some thought. “After we’ve interviewed them, I’m hoping we’ll have enough to charge one of them. If not I’ll take her home then you can release them. The ranch is safe; no one can get in there.”

“That’s fine for today but what about tomorrow?” Rowley gulped down his coffee. “He could be anywhere at any time.”

“I’ll have another vest for her by then – it’s a new design – and I’ve a helmet coming for her as well.” Kane rinsed his cup in the sink and placed it on the rack. “I won’t leave her side for a second until we catch this animal.”

“Good.” Rowley placed his cup in the sink. “When are you going to start the interviews?”

Kane grimaced. “As soon as I’ve spoken to the media, then with any luck they’ll leave us alone.” He indicated with his chin toward Jenna’s office. “First we check in with the boss.”

He hustled to Jenna’s office and tapped on the door. “Anderson and Kittredge are in the interview rooms.”

“Good.” Jenna lifted her pale face. He could see dark circles under her eyes. “Shut the door, will you, Rowley?”

Kane dropped into a seat. “What’s up?”

“Wolfe sent me the images of the chain and the shawl.” Jenna swallowed. “I contacted the parents of the victims and asked if they belonged to their daughters. The answer was in the negative.” She met his gaze. “Wolfe’s examined both items and found human blood on both of them. He’s running tests now.”

Kane groaned. “They’re trophies from previous kills.”

“Yeah, that’s the same conclusion I had.” Jenna leaned back in her seat, grabbed her ribs and moaned in pain. “Dammit!” She took a couple of breaths, and then lifted her chin as if defying him to say anything. “I’ve asked Agent Martin to search the databases for crimes with similar items missing and he is using the computer in the control room. He already sent the images to his head office for assistance.”

Kane leaned forward. “Jenna, you’ll work better if you have something for the pain. There’s codeine in the first aid kit.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll take something. I guess I’ll need to appear normal for the interviews.” Jenna gave him a determined look. “If it’s one of the men we’ve hauled in for questioning, I don’t want him figuring he’s winning.” She pushed a piece of paper across the desk to him. “Don’t go searching for pain meds for me. Rowley can find me something. I want you to deal with the press before they start invading my office. I’ve written a statement. If they want any more info, it’s ‘no comment’. If they insist on knowing about the men we brought in for questioning, you’ll have to tell them we don’t have any suspects yet. As none of them were brought in in handcuffs, they’ll believe you.”

Kane nodded. “I’m sure they will.”

“What do you have for me, ma’am?” Rowley leaned forward.

“Run the office while we’re interviewing the suspects.” Jenna glanced down at her notes. “Give Wolfe a call and

ask him when Amanda’s parents can view the body.” She cleared her throat. “He’ll probably prefer to speak to her parents personally, so ask him to notify us when he’s obtained a positive ID. I need to know the possible cause of death ASAP, before I interview the suspects – even if it’s not conclusive, an approximation will do.”

“Yes, ma’am.” A worried look crossed Rowley’s face. “I figure I’ll go chase up those pain meds first.” He got up and headed for the door.

Kane scanned the press statement. It was concise and easy to memorize. He placed the document back on her desk. “Have you had time to dig up anything new on the potential suspects?”

“Not yet.” Jenna reached for her coffee. “I’ll take the meds then spend some time going over their files. I’m in no hurry to interview them. They can cool their heels for a time until I’m ready.” She took a sip, grimaced and placed the cup on the desk. “I’m so used to go-cups keeping the coffee hot. Lately, by the time I get around to drinking coffee it’s cold.”