Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

d on having his attorney present.” Rowley frowned. “I’ve been calling Cross for a while now but the line’s busy.”

“Don’t worry.” Jenna rubbed her temples. “He’s coming here to represent Kittredge, so he’s going to be a busy man this afternoon.”

“Wolfe called with a message. The unofficial cause of death in the Amanda Braxton case was a broken neck.” Rowley rolled his eyes. “He insisted I emphasize the word ‘unofficial’ and said his opinion is from a visual examination only and wouldn’t hold up in court, but he did say the killer inflicted the injury in a typical military combat move.”

“That’s interesting.” Jenna moved her attention to the whiteboard. “Packer was dishonorably discharged from the army and has already lied about his knowledge of explosives.” She pulled up his file on the computer and went through it again. “Ah, and he was raised in a variety of foster homes. He ran away a number of times then ended up joining the army. The reason for his discharge isn’t listed.” She glanced up at Rowley. “He’s moved around the state but has lived here for the last four years.”

“So he fits Kane’s profile.” Rowley rubbed the back of his neck and frowned. “He’s worked for me – refitted my kitchen last fall. He seemed like a nice guy.”

Jenna looked up at him. “Since I’ve been living in Black Rock Falls, I haven’t met a psychopathic killer I haven’t liked.” She shrugged. “Think about all the murdering SOBs we’ve caught, Rowley. I wouldn’t have picked them out in a line-up of men likely to commit robbery, let alone labeled them as sadistic killers. So right now, even the nice guys are in my sights.”

“So I see.” Rowley nodded. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I’ll head back to the front counter now, ma’am.”

“Sure. Thanks for your help.” A knock on the door drew her attention away from Rowley. Kane waited outside the door and Smithers and Martin chatted in the hallway behind him. Jenna waved him inside. “What’s up?”

“Smithers is awaiting orders and Martin’s heading back to his office.” Kane tipped his head toward the men in the hallway. “The Millers have arrived and they’re not happy.”

In an attempt to keep her mind running in chronological order, Jenna pushed both hands through her hair and took a few deep breaths. “Okay, will you thank Martin for his assistance and ask Smithers to escort the Millers to an interview room, and then wait at the counter until Sam Cross arrives? Tell him to take Cross to see Kittredge first, then show him where we’re holding the Millers when he’s done.”

Kane gave her a nod and turned back to the hallway. Jenna glanced at the clock on her office wall. The afternoon was slipping away fast and she so wanted this day to be over but it was getting longer by the minute. She heaved a sigh – with at least two, maybe three interviews to conduct she’d be lucky to get home tonight.

“I’ve spoken to the barman at the Triple Z.” Kane walked back into the room and dropped into a chair. “Same as before, he recalls seeing Kittredge there with a woman but he’s always with some woman or another so days run into each other. He’s going to ask around for a woman fitting the description Kittredge gave us and if he finds her he’ll give us a call.” He rubbed the darkening stubble on his chin. “I called Silent Alarms and Anderson’s alibi checks out. According to his boss, he did work both Sunday and Wednesday nights. Unless someone triggers an alarm, all he has to do all night is watch TV.”

Jenna sighed. “Then I guess if we search his property and come up empty we’ll have to cut him loose?”

“Yeah, we don’t have an option. We’ve no evidence to implicate him at all.” Kane drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Ready to interview Packer?”

“Yeah, but before we go, I’ve some interesting information.” Jenna explained Wolfe’s preliminary conclusion of Amanda’s cause of death.

“Okay.” Kane got to his feet. “That places Packer firmly in the ballpark.”

“So it would seem.” Jenna pushed to her feet smothering a groan and trying to ignore the pain in her back. “Let’s see what Mr. Packer has to say for himself.”

* * *

To Jenna’s surprise, when they entered the interview room, Sean Packer stood and greeted them with a smile. She explained the need to record the interview and his rights. As soon as Packer had agreed to answer the questions, she looked him in the eye. “I understand you had a rough childhood? Being moved around in foster care must have been hell.”

“It was better than being locked in a home for orphans.” Packer’s smile had faded at her first question. “It was like being in jail. They treated us less than animals.” He shook his head. “I figured it would be good to be in foster care but I ended up with a bunch of kids and a couple who spent all their money on booze. I was glad to join the army.”

“That’s awful. I’m glad they don’t have that system in Black Rock Falls. The foster families here are very well supervised.” Jenna frowned to give the impression she sympathized with him. “I gather the army didn’t go so well either?”

“It did for a time.” Packer shrugged. “They taught me a wide variety of skills I wouldn’t have achieved alone. I can earn a living because of the army.”

“I see.” Jenna made a few notes. “So why did they dishonorably discharge you?”

“I went into the army to survive, not to be killed in some godforsaken country.” Packer leaned back in his chair and eyed her with curiosity. “I took non-combat jobs but when the time came, I refused to be deployed.”

A grunt came from Kane beside her and she could almost feel his wave of disgust. She exchanged a look with him and his mouth turned down. She turned back to Packer. “I see.”

“I’m not a coward.” Packer’s eyes blazed with anger. “I figured it was a good excuse to leave.” He cleared his throat. “People shouting orders all the time and telling me what to do. I’d had enough.”

Jenna leaned back in her chair. “Can you account for your whereabouts on Wednesday night?”

“I was at home with my wife, Aileen.” Packer sighed. “Same as the last time you asked me. My wife told me how a deputy had arrived on the doorstep and made her sign a statement. When he goes by again, she’ll say the same thing. You’re wasting your time.”

“Okay, Mr. Packer.” Jenna tried to gauge what he was thinking. “We’re aware the army trained you in the use of explosives. Why did you deny this the last time we spoke to you?”

“Basic training, maybe.” Packer sighed. “I don’t recall.”