Agent Martin had supplied graphic crime-scene images of the two murdered women who’d owned the shawl and necklace. She pulled them from the folder and laid them on the table. “Do you know these women? Christine Pullman and Joy Coran?”
The expression on Kittredge’s face changed in a split second. His eyes had changed to dark and dangerous the moment he lifted them from the gruesome pictures.
“There’s no way I’m taking the rap for the murder of those girls or these women.” Kittredge flew to his feet in a rage. “I want a lawyer.” He pointed a finger at Jenna. “You women cops are all the same. Ugly bitch. I’d rather sleep with a rattlesnake.”
Fighting back the fear, Jenna stood her ground. “Sit down, Mr. Kittredge, or you’ll be spending time in the cells until we contact your lawyer.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” Kittredge picked up his chair and hurled it at the wall a few feet from her.
The chair clattered to the ground and the next moment the door opened and Kane walked in with a bored expression. “Do you want me to book him for threatening an officer of the law, ma’am?” He moved toward Kittredge. “It’s all on tape and I’ve been right outside the door.”
Jenna swallowed the lump in her throat. Normally she’d have gotten to her feet and faced him but her injury prevented her from defending herself. She didn’t look at either of them. “Yeah, and lock him up.” She raised her attention slowly to Kittredge. “I’ll allow you to cool down, and then we’ll see about that lawyer.”
When Kane grabbed his arm and removed him from the room, Jenna sucked in a deep painful breath. She hadn’t expected such a violent reaction and it had made her realize how close she’d come to becoming a victim. In her condition, even with Kane outside the door, Kittredge could have snapped her neck in a second.
When Kane returned she looked up at him. “Thanks.”
“Thanks, huh?” Kane’s eyes blazed. “It takes me more than a few seconds to swipe my card, have the system recognize me then open the damn door. He could have killed you.”
Jenna pushed slowly to her feet. “I wasn’t expecting him to go crazy. He changed personality in a split second.” She swallowed the bile rushing up the back of her throat. “The Shadow Man wouldn’t act like that, would he?”
“It depends if that show of anger was real or an act.” Kane leaned against the door. “If the killer believes he can outsmart you and has some knowledge of psychopathic behavior, acting like this would be out of character. For them it’s charm and deny. He could be playing the game, so we don’t rule him out just yet.”
“I hadn’t planned to.” Jenna used her card to open the door and stepped into the hallway just as Rowley turned the corner. “Looking for me?”
“Yeah.” Rowley glanced down at his notebook. “A call came in from Mr. Wilts, the old guy who called before, lives out near Glacial Heights? He was out walking his dog again around twelve-thirty last night and had another sighting of a light-colored pickup leaving Glacial Heights. It was a full moon and he insists the decal on the door was for Miller’s Garage.”
“We know Matthew Miller was in the area when Lindy Rosen disappeared and he drives a Miller’s Garage truck.” Jenna sighed. “With Sam Cross as his lawyer, he’ll accuse us of harassment, so we tread easy with him this time. Give him a courtesy call and let him know we plan to question Miller again.” She tapped her pen against her bottom lip and thought for a few seconds. “Call his father and tell him we want Matt to come in for questioning. Tell him we’ve a witness who places him in the vicinity of Glacial Heights last night.” She cleared her throat. “Make it clear – he comes in or we arrest him on suspicion of double homicide.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley nodded. “Agent Martin called and they have the suspects in custody.”
“Okay, thanks.” She turned to Kane. “I guess next up is Anderson?” She flicked through her files. “Let me see… ah yeah. He worked out of Colorado in the mines some years ago and could’ve had experience with explosives. He’s had contact with both girls and installed the se
curity systems at both residences.”
“He doesn’t have any priors.” Kane shrugged. “But maybe he hasn’t been caught yet. He knows his way around electronics and disabling the CCTV cameras in town wouldn’t have been a problem. If you recall, he asked about suspects in the Lindy Rosen case. I figured that was strange at the time.” He frowned down at her. “Are you going to object to me coming in this time?”
“Nope.” Jenna took the few painful steps to the next interview room and swiped her card. When Kane pushed open the heavy door for her, she straightened her aching spine and went into the room. “Mr. Anderson, thank you for coming in.” She explained the situation and switched on the recorder. After giving the details of who was in the room, she flicked through her files. “I hear your art class is very popular. Did Amanda Braxton attend the classes?”
“Amanda?” Anderson frowned. “No, I don’t think she’s very interested in art. She often sat in the window reading. Quiet girl, didn’t have much to say.”
“When did you last see her?” Jenna looked down at her notes to give him the impression she had a list of questions.
“I don’t remember, maybe in town.” He shrugged. “There are kids everywhere during spring break. I noticed Julie Wolfe helping behind the counter. She’s young to be handling criminal types.” He smiled. “Now there’s a talented young artist. I hope she’s not going to end up as a deputy. She should be studying art.”
Jenna wrinkled her nose. It seemed every man she interviewed oozed unpleasant odors. Anderson smelled like dirty socks. She looked up from her notes. “We’re not here to discuss Julie, Mr. Anderson. I’m already aware she attends your art class.” She sighed. “When you worked out of Colorado in the mines, did you handle explosives?”
“Yeah, I’ve laid a few charges in my time.” Anderson had a bored expression. “Where’s this leading, Sheriff?”
“These are just routine questions.” Jenna offered him a small smile. “You’ll have noticed the CCTV system around town. What would you consider in your expert opinion would be the best way to disable it?”
“That would depend it if is wireless or hard-wired. I haven’t had occasion to get up close and personal with it.” Anderson leaned back in his chair. “For both the best way is to remove the power source. So cut the wires or remove the battery. If the camera is too high to inspect, and you don’t want to destroy it, then a laser pointer would disable the optics for a time.”
“How long?” Jenna scribbled on the notepad as if very interested in every word he uttered.
“That would depend on the set-up. Some cameras have filters, so not so long, and those with infrared would be undetermined.”
“Can you account for your movements last night and early this morning?” Jenna looked up at him. “Between the hours of eleven and six.”