“Yeah, I spotted that too. It was wide open when I came down. I took some photos and then pushed it shut to get past. It’s been cleaned out.” Wolfe walked to his side. “So, we could assume Court brought someone down here to show him something in the safe. The person waited for him to shoot up, took the contents, and left. If he was a dealer, and decided to rob him, maybe he killed him to hide his identity.”
“Killed him?” Jenna moved closer to the body and shrugged. “What makes you think this is a homicide?”
“This.” Wolfe carefully turned the victim’s head to show her his cheek. “That could be the mark from a gun muzzle.” He laid Court’s head down respectfully and looked at her. “It’s possible someone held a weapon to his head and made him shoot up.”
“Or it’s a mark from his helmet after a hard tackle.” Kane scratched his cheek. “I wonder what was in the safe.” He dropped his kit on the carpet. “I guess I’d better dust for prints.”
“Don’t bother.” Wolfe pointed to a slight mark on Court’s thumb. “See that? Looks like a pressure mark; it’s got a slight ridge to it, like the stitching on a leather glove.”
“I figure we can place the time of death between around ten and twelve last night.” Webber peered at the body. “That’s when I saw him head this way with the guy I mentioned before; problem is I didn’t see him leave. I was too interested in what Lyons was saying and showing me.” His expression darkened. “He is one sick puppy.”
“I thought he was the organizer all along.” Jenna shook her head. “We’ll need that phone.” She frowned. “Did he leave you at any time during the evening?”
“Yeah, when he went to the bathroom.” Webber cleared his throat. “I went to the bathroom as well during my time here, so I wasn’t watching him the entire time.”
“How long was he gone?” Jenna lifted her chin. “Long enough to kill Court?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Webber shrugged. “I couldn’t swear in court how long. I figured he had his boys surround me to keep me in line. I had concerns they might cause trouble.”
“Okay, I want details of what was said between you.” Jenna narrowed her gaze. “Don’t leave anything out.”
Disgust and anger dropped over Kane as Webber gave them a rundown of the conversation he’d had with Lyons the previous night. “If you couldn’t make out anyone else with her in the pictures, he’s smart enough to crop the images he shares. For sure, he won’t be carrying the burner on him.”
“I don’t figure he cropped the images I saw of Chrissie Lowe.” Webber rubbed his chin. “They were erotic poses, possibly after the rape, but I could see her eyes. She had dilated pupils even though the room was bright. I figure she was heavily sedated.”
“Can you think of anything else he said?” Jenna looked at him with interest. “Anything else about the images?”
“Yeah, I can.” Webber flicked a glance to the open safe. “He mentioned they had a ton of uncut images and video files locked away.”
Kane exchanged a knowing look with Wolfe. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Yeah.” Wolfe frowned. “This takes the supposed accidents to a whole different level.”
“How so?” Jenna looked from one to the other.
The pieces of the puzzle seemed to drop into place. Kane met her gaze. “Blackmail. Just
as we figured.” He waved a hand toward the safe. “Lyons uses the files to prevent the girls he rapes from informing the cops. He has images and videos, and I’d bet that computer over there”—he indicated to a desk set against the wall—“has editing software. He threatens his victims to make sure they’ll keep quiet. As sure as hell, he makes them look as if they’re willing.”
“I’ll take a look.” Wolfe went to the computer and in seconds had bypassed the password. He scanned the screen and his mouth turned down. “Yeah, he has all the necessary software but no image files. He must delete them after copying them.” He turned off the computer and stood.
“So, do you believe it could be one of the rape victims, seeking revenge?” Webber nodded. “Possible, I guess, but I didn’t see any women at the party.”
“No. We know it was a guy who came down here with Court, and Lyons went missing for long enough.” Jenna frowned.
“He seems too obvious a suspect. Say Lyons invites other men to his lurid parties to blackmail them. He’s already invited Webber, and I find that suspicious as they’ve only just met.” Wolfe straightened from examining Court’s body. “If we assume all the accidents are murders, then the killer had to know the safe contained some of the uncut video versions. He might’ve cut a deal with Court to get his file. While he was here, he grabbed the evidence and then killed him.” He glanced at Jenna. “If this is vengeance, it makes sense for him to take out everyone involved in blackmailing him.”
“Yeah.” Jenna nodded in agreement. “Revenge would be a solid motive and would account for the almost clean way of killing. Hate kills—where a person has been physically abused, for instance, or humiliated—are usually overkill.”
“That idea has credence.” Webber rubbed his chin. “The killer likely worked his way down the list until he found someone who would deal with him. Those who didn’t, he killed.”
Kane allowed the ideas to filter through his mind. “Hmm, makes sense. It’s doubtful Lyons would fold and give him the files; he likes to be in control. He’s blackmailing for a reason. The men he chooses must have something he can use, or he’s using blackmail to keep them under control.”
“This theory opens up a can of worms.” Wolfe’s eyebrows knitted. “It doesn’t fit any of our suspects, especially Steve Lowe. The other two are athletes and have prominent families.”
Kane shook his head. “I’m not so sure. What we didn’t have is a clear motive. How do we know Jones wasn’t supplying the drugs to Lyons and came by for a taste of the action?”
“Go on.” Jenna stared at him.