After relaying the terrible news to the relatives of Joanne Blunt, Jenna returned to the office feeling emotionally drained. She needed a break; every crime scene brought flashbacks, and the thought of losing control with a serial killer on the loose was distressing her to the max. Without time to visit a shrink, she needed to confide in someone and talk through her worries. Kane came to mind. Dependable, he would have seen post-traumatic stress disorder cases in the marines. She would take his advice without hesitation.
After watching Walters sneak into his cubicle carrying a paper sack filled with homemade goodies from one of the stalls lining the main street, Jenna decided to get away for a few precious moments. She walked past the front counter and gave Maggie a wave. “I need some sugar. I’m going to the store.”
Stepping out into the sunshine, she sidestepped a bunch of kids on skateboards and weaved her way through the throngs of people toward the tables lined up outside the community hall. The townsfolk had draped bunting over the front of the building and it continued along the front of each stall. Bright, handwritten signs decorated the wall, giving the prices of what was on offer.
She moved slowly, taking in all the treats and purchasing everything from cookies to fudge. As she strolled across the road at the end of the block, she had the strange feeling someone was watching her. Goosebumps rose on her arms and her scalp prickled. She glanced around, expecting to catch someone following her. The crime scenes had put her on alert and awoken memories of her kidnapping six months earlier, but why would she be suffering flashbacks on the main street?
Dropping into secret-agent mode had saved her many times. She walked head erect and used the shop fronts to keep a close eye on who was behind her. All she could see was the milling crowd and no one in particular stood out. She stopped at an impressive display of pies and, pushing down the rush of nerves, selected four then waited for the woman to place them into a box for her. On the other side of the street, she noticed Aunt Betty’s Café had joined in the celebrations, with posters advertising the rodeo and flags.
She waited to cross the road and every hair on her body stood at attention. What is wrong with me? It’s broad daylight and the place is crowded, I’m safe, Carlos is dead.
Hurrying across the road, she pushed open the door to Aunt Betty’s and went straight to the counter. After ordering coffee, she stood with her back to the wall and checked out the customers. The tourists she did not know, but she spotted the computer guy Lionel Provine eating lunch with Aimee, Kate, and a group of kids. He could have been watching her. Hmm, I wonder if their mothers know they are so friendly with him. At least they are out in a group.
She started when Reverend Jones touched her arm, and she gazed at the man’s concerned expression. “Did you want to speak to me, Reverend?”
“No.” Jones gave her a warm smile. “Miss Hartwig has been trying to get your attention. I think your coffee is ready.”
She looked into his compassionate gaze and smiled. “Oh, yes, thank you. My mind was on something else.”
“Are you okay? You seem a bit jumpy.” He squeezed her arm with his large hand. “Would you like me to walk you back to the sheriff’s office? I’m going in that direction the moment my order is ready. It would be no trouble, no trouble at all.”
She gave him her best bright smile. “I’m fine but thank you so much for your consideration.” She picked up her coffee and headed for the door.
As the sensation of someone watching her slid over her again, she hoisted her box of purchases under one arm then turned to look back at Aunt Betty’s and straight into the dark eyes of Lionel Provine.
Twenty-Two
After returning to her office, Jenna dropped into her chair, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling trying to absorb all the information gathered on Felicity’s murder over the last twenty-four hours and compare it with what she knew about Joanne Blunt. They had nothing in common apart from age. Joanne did not live in town and she had no friends in the area apart from her cousins. All of them had alibis, and as far as they knew, she had not met or conversed with anyone since her arrival. Jenna had absolutely no suspects or leads whatsoever. A knock at the door drew her attention, and she noticed Deputy Wolfe standing in the doorway. “Did you find anything?”
“Yeah, a pair of boots and a scrap of blue cloth likely from the victim’s T-shirt.” Wolfe moved into the room and pushed the door closed behind him. “I think I have a pretty good idea of the sequence of events at the scene.”
Jenna pushed to her feet. “Photos?”
“Yeah, we all took tons. I’ll upload them ASAP. Rowley is waiting outside the evidence room. Who has the keys?”
“Kane and myself. Tell Rowley to drop them down the evidence chute and we’ll log them later.” Jenna headed for the door. “Where is Kane?”
“Ah, he had to go home and pick up some underwear.” Wolfe stood to one side. He gave her a lopsided grin. “Rowley noticed a boot in the river and Kane volunteered to go in after it. Searching underwater he found the second boot, then we had the long walk through the forest back to the car. The insects are a bitch.”
“Why didn’t you leave a cruiser at both ends of the trail, it would have saved you a long walk?” She stared at him in amazement then laughed to herself. This is going to be a very long day. She headed for the coffee machine.
“Well, it was like this, ma’am.” Wolfe followed her out the office. “Kane had the theory the killer would be wet, as in soaking wet. We both believe the murder took place in the water, as there is no substantial blood evidence on scene. The killer carried her to the flat rock to cut her up after he cut her throat and let her bleed out. It would make sense he would be wet after washing in the river. But after dressing in dry clothes by the time he walked back along the trail, his hair would be dry enough not to draw attention.”
Jenna refilled the coffee maker. “And was Kane’s hair dry when he reached the road?”
“Nearly, but he was wet all over. He went into the river fully dressed.” Wolfe took four mugs down from the shelf. “That’s why he headed home.” He sighed. “I’ll get started on the Joanne Blunt preliminary examination now.”
“I’d like to hear all your theories because I need proof both victims weren’t killed elsewhere then carried to the forest to be put on show.” She turned and leaned her back against the counter. “After interviewing Felicity’s friends, my list of suspects is a mile long for her murder but I have absolutely nothing for Joanne Blunt. She literally arrived in town and someone killed her.”
“Kane thinks it’s a local who moves around, maybe in his job, but there are differences in both murders. We know Joanne Blunt was heading to the rock pool for a swim but Felicity Parker had no reason to be in the forest. I think the Blunt murder was opportunistic. The killer came across her, chased her down. From the bruising, she fought back. He pulled her hair and punched her rather than using a weapon. From what I could determine, he used one knife not a variety.” Wolfe went to the refrigerator and took out the cream. “But both murders are ritualistic and I have no doubt he has killed before and will again, very soon.”
She glanced up to see Kane strolling through the door carrying an Aunt Betty’s takeout box. His blue gaze moved around the room and rested on her, and he headed in her direction. “There he is now. If you handle the coffee, I’ll go with Kane and place the items you found into the evidence locker.”
“I’ve picked up some food. I’m guessing you haven’t had time to eat either.” Kane smiled at her and dropped the takeout box onto the counter. “We have a lot to discuss.”
“Thanks, but I’ve collected enough pies and candy for a month.” Jenna returned his smile.