Kane had his story straight by the time he paused at the entrance to the Crazy Iron Forge and scanned the building. His attention settled on the blacksmith repairing what looked like a piece of a tractor. Jenna hadn’t been exaggerating about the size of Roger Suffolk, although her estimate of three hundred pounds was light. He walked inside and caught the man’s attention. “Afternoon, I’m looking for a corral gate and a wrought-iron door and frame for my house. I live out of Black Rock Falls and hear tell you’re the best around.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.” Suffolk plunged the ironwork he’d been working on, into the water and waved a hand toward a bench against the wall. “There are different types of gates and even more designs for doors.” He led the way to the bench and pushed a binder toward Kane. “What gauge do you want the door for the cottage? Is it to look pretty or for security?”
Kane peered at the designs. “Both. The cottage is old, over a hundred years, I’d guess, so something suitable.”
“Then something like this?” Suffolk flicked through the designs. “This is old style.”
Kane nodded. “Yeah I like that one.”
They went on to discuss gates and timeframes, with Kane drawing out the conversation for as long as possible. He noticed the way Suffolk kept flicking his attention to Carter, but Carter played his part well, leaning against the doorframe looking suitably bored. After some purposeful dithering, he could see Suffolk getting agitated and pointed to one design that would suit his cottage. “That one will look real good. I’ll go with the basic corral gate. This one here will do. I’ll make a note of the design numbers and call you with the measurements.” He pulled out his notebook and wrote the information down.
“I’ll make a note as well, so I know what you’re talking about when you call.” Suffolk added notes to a large dirty fingerprint marked book and lifted his gaze. “Name?”
“Dave Kane.” He handed him his card and noticed Suffolk’s eyebrows raise when he read it.
“So, you’re the deputy sheriff out of Black Rock Falls?” Suffolk stared at the card. He straightened and his eyes flashed with something close to anger.
Kane ignored the hostility and smiled. “Guilty as charged.” He pushed the notebook into his pocket. “But I still need to order the gates or do you have a problem selling to members of the sheriff’s department?”
“Nope.” Suffolk closed his book. “A sale is a sale and I deliver to Black Rock Falls. In fact, I’ll be heading that way as soon as you leave.” He pulled the machinery part he’d been working on from the water and dumped it on the bench. “I had a rush job.” He removed his apron. “So, are we done here?”
“Ah… Boss.” Carter removed his hat and pulled out the toothpick from the corner of his mouth. “The dogs are getting restless.”
Kane nodded. In his faded jeans, cowboy boots, and untidy blond hair hanging over his collar, Carter slipped into the role of ranch hand without a problem. “Be right there.” He held out his hand to Suffolk, fully aware he may be shaking the hand of the man who killed Annie. The guy was big, sure, but looking into his eyes, a rage like no other threatened to overtake him. He could take him down in seconds and revenge would be sweet but allowing that side of him to take control would make him no better than the psychopaths he hunted. Deep inside, he could hear Annie’s voice pushing him to find justice for her. It had become painful, relentless, and it took an effort to keep his professional mask firmly in place. He ground his teeth and had the urgent need to wash the man’s touch from his hands. “Thanks for your time, I’ll be in touch.”
“Sure.” Suffolk followed Kane to the door and stared at his truck.
Kane gave him a wave, climbed behind the wheel, and headed down the driveway. In the distance, he could hear a woman’s voice calling out. He glanced in his mirror at Suffolk’s annoyed expression as he turned to stomp toward the house. “Time to go.” He accelerated along the trail sending up a great cloud of dust. “They’ve noticed the girl missing already. Are Jenna and Jo clear?”
“Oh yeah, Jenna hightailed it out of here like her cruiser was on fire.” Carter grinned at him. “They work well together. Jenna is a natural leader. Why the hell is she wasting her time in Black Rock Falls?”
Kane flicked him a glance. “Catching a ton of serial killers isn’t what I’d call ‘wasting her time.’”
“So, did you use your profiling magic and read anything about Suffolk?” Carter tossed another toothpick into his mouth. “He doesn’t suffer fools too well and you having a hard time making up your mind was riling him.” He sighed. “If he’s like that at home, it’s not too difficult to understand why the girl needed help. Do you figure he’s mistreating her?”
“He’s training her to be his wife… training her.” Kane shook his head. “What is happening in the world? If he’s the bomber, and I discover he’s been abusing that girl, I’ll have more than one reason to take him down. I can’t abide men who raise a hand to a woman and pedophiles, well, they’re the scum of the earth.”
“Amen to that.” Carter smiled as they turned onto the straight highway and headed for home. “That would be Jenna up ahead breaking the land speed record, lights flashing and pedal to the metal.”
Kane looked at the clear highway ahead and accelerated. As the lowlands flashed by in a sea of green, dotted with ranches set back from the road, he allowed the impressions of Roger Suffolk to settle in his mind. He glanced at Carter. “I don’t have too much to go on with Suffolk yet to create a profile. After we get an update from Jo and Jenna it will be easier. A couple of things come to mind. He’s big enough to overpower most men and Wood was only a small guy. The other thing is, he likes fifteen-year-old girls.”
“Hmm and a blacksmith knows about fire.” Carter reached for the radio at the sound of Jo’s voice and Kane’s call number. “Carter here. Is the package secure?”
“Yeah, we’ll be taking her straight to Black Rock Falls General for the usual tests.”
“Keep her out of sight, Suffolk is heading your way.” Carter flicked a glance at Kane.
“Copy that.” Jo sounded calm but there was an unmistakable edge to her voice. “Jenna tells me they have a secure ward there and we’ll get a statement. The girl isn’t Sophie Wood, her name is Dawn Richardson and she doesn’t want to be returned to her family. She said they’ll just send her back. Her father entered into some type of agreement with Suffolk.” She huffed out an exasperated sigh. “It’s what they do. I’ve placed her in protective custody and Jenna will have her settled in Her Broken Wings shelter until we can find her a place to live.”
“I hear they have suitable foster families in Black Rock Falls.” Carter shot a glance at Kane.
Kane nodded. “Yeah, there’s not many but what we have are solid.”
“No, it’s too close to home. I’ll find her a place in Snakeskin Gully. I know a couple of families there who would give her a good home. They’re in the foster home system and ended up adopting their kids. Nice folks.” She cleared her throat. “Ah this may take a whi
le, Jenna said you should head straight to Aunt Betty’s, we’ll catch up with you later.”
“Okay, sure. Carter out.” Carter looked at Kane. “Good, it will give us time to upload our notes. Jo will have her case files updated by now, she works in the truck between interviews.”