Just as well, he had time to think. He needed to plan his next move. How could he pry Aimee Fox away from her parents? Then he remembered Thursday night in the Fox household was parents’ date night, which usually meant a visit to the Cattleman’s Hotel Restaurant and a movie. Aimee would expect her boyfriend—oh what was the boy with the greasy hair’s name? Ah, yes, Lucas Summerville—to visit her, but by sending him a bonus round in his new game, Lucas would forget all about Aimee and be in the online game room.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he ambled into his bedroom and dressed quickly. If his plan worked, he would need to leave soon, and he went into the office to finish the final steps to gaining his prize. Seated at the desk, he opened his laptop. There she was, Aimee Fox, ripe and ready for the picking. She was chatting with Emily, Deputy Wolfe’s daughter. He grinned at the thought of plucking her right out from under her father’s nose. He placed the girls on a split screen then relaxed to listen to their conversation.
He wanted Emily. He craved to fist his hand in her long blonde hair and see the life slip away in her eyes. He shook his head to dispel the images. I must follow the plan. He entered the online games room and sent a message using Julia’s username. As a new member of the Aimee Fox clique, she would be trying to gain points from her esteemed leader. He heard the pinging as the message arrived on Aimee’s computer.
“Just a minute, I have a message from Julia.” Aimee held up a finger to stop the conversation. “I’ve got to go out.”
“Where? Didn’t your parents tell you to stay home tonight?” Emily tossed a strand of long blonde hair over one shoulder. “It’s not safe to go out alone, not after three girls have been killed. Who knows who will be next?”
“I won’t be alone, silly. Julia has located three rare characters on the edge of Stanton Forest. She’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I only need two more characters, then if I find the Golden Wizard, I’ll get to the bonus level.”
“It’s a stupid game and only an idiot would risk their life going out alone. The game is not worth it.” Emily’s pretty face crinkled into a frown. “Wait until Lucas arrives then you can go together—or why don’t you drive?”
“I’ve already said I’ll meet her. I can’t just leave her hanging and I’m not driving. It’s a few minutes’ walk and there are houses all the way. It will be okay.” Aimee chuckled. “Remind me not to invite you the next time we go to a haunted house on Halloween.”
“There’s no such things as ghosts.” Emily frowned at her. “That’s different, there’s a killer running around Stanton Forest. A real person.”
“So why isn’t there cruisers driving up and down the street every five minutes?” Aimee chuckled. “If you’re that worried, I’ll find Julia and bring her back here then drive her home later. Okay?”
“I guess so.” Emily chewed her fingernails. “Maybe you should call me and stay on the line until you find her?”
“Great idea, then I won’t be able to hear the killer creep up behind me.”
“I’ll tell my dad you’ve gone out alone.” Emily glared at her. “You’re being irresponsible. He’ll call your mom and you’ll be grounded for life.”
“Jesus, how old are you?” Aimee grinned at her. “Stop acting like a baby. I’ll be fine and if you tell your dad, don’t bother calling me again. I don’t like people I can’t trust with secrets. I’ve got to go get dressed now or I’ll be late.” She disconnected.
Tingling with excitement, he pulled on his gloves and bent to pick up his bag. “Yes, Aimee, come and find me. I have a very special treat for you.”
Forty-Five
A ringtone Jenna recognized as Kane’s woke her from a deep sleep. She glanced around. Oh Lord, she had fallen asleep at Kane’s again but at least this time she was in his spare room. Where is he? She frowned at the persistent beeping then heard his voice speaking softly.
“Okay, I’ll let Jenna know. We’ll be there at six thirty.”
When he strolled into the bedroom, showered, shaved, and dressed for work, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee, she pushed the hair from her eyes and sighed. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep. Are we late for work?”
“Nope.” He handed her a mug and sat on the edge of the bed. “Wolfe was calling to remind me the cadaver dog team will be waiting at the spot we found Rogers’ car at six thirty. As it’s five, we’ll have plenty of time.” He gave her a long, considering stare. “Are you okay? Are we still good?” He cleared his throat. “You fell asleep again and I didn’t want to wake you.”
Glad to see a touch of color highlight his cheeks, she smiled. “Yes, I’m fine, but right now I need to shower and get ready for work.” She sniffed the delicious brew. “Maybe after I’ve had my coffee.” Her stomach growled. “I doubt we’ll have time to eat before we leave.”
“Sure we will. I’ll make breakfast then you can go and get ready.” He stood and smiled down at her. “Scrambled eggs okay?”
It felt good to have someone to care and be there when she needed a friend. How long had it been? Maybe three or four years since she could trust anyone. She returned his smile. “Scrambled would be bliss, thank you.”
* * *
At six thirty on the dot, they arrived at Stanton Forest in Kane’s SUV to find Wolfe and Rowley chatting with a team of dog handlers with barking dogs. Jenna and Deputy Rowley had left their SUVs outside the sheriff’s office, to minimize the police presence, and had instructed Deputy Walters to hold the fort until they arrived back at the office. With the extra deputies from Blackwater running double shifts in town and at the fairgrounds for the next few days, she had time to concentrate on the murders. She glanced up at Kane. “You know, I could get used to having six extra deputies.”
“Mayor Petersham seems to be far more approachable than Rockford used to be—maybe he’ll stretch the budget to three, if you ask him.” Kane smoothed back his black hair then pushed on his buff-colored Stetson.
Jenna strolled beside him toward the men. “I can only try.” She turned her attention to the men and waited for Wolfe to join them before giving introductions. “Okay, so you have your gear with you in case we discover a body?”
“Yeah, Kane has his backpack as well and we have three shovels, just in case.” Wolfe’s blond eyebrows rose as he handed one to Kane. “The dogs have been going crazy since they arrived, so I guess we follow the dogs?”
“Okay, move out.” She dropped into stride beside Kane, glad to have his solid strength beside her.
Not twenty paces along the well-trodden pathway, the unmistakable reek of death came on the wind and rustled the pines. The whining groans as the large branches swayed back and forth raised goosebumps on her arms. She peered ahead in a strange wave of the morbid fascination, expecting to see a grave disturbed by animals. The dogs’ barks reached a crescendo and the men stopped in front of her, blocking her view.
“Dear Lord in heaven.” Wolfe turned his cold stare in her direction. “Suit up.” He slipped the backpack from his broad shoulders. “Get those dogs back to the vehicles. We’ll need to secure the scene.”
Jenna pushed forward, ignoring the dogs’ wet noses pressing against her hands. “What have you fou—oh, shit.”
Bile rushed up the back of her throat and her heart raced so fast, she leaned against a tree to stop the dizzy spell. Hanging between two pines to one side of the trail, arms and legs spread, was Aimee Fox. Head bent with her chin resting on her chest, her tawny hair fell in a silk curtain on each side of her face to frame eyes wide open and fixed. Red lipstick smeared on her lips and cheeks made her look like a horrific clown. Ants covered her mutilated young body, hardly recognizable as human. She dangled above a shallow grave scattered with wildflowers. Jenna covered her mouth and swallowed, not fully comprehending the horror before her. A face peered out from the soil, blue and swollen with her eyes wide open as if watching Aimee.