Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
As they drove along Stanton, Raven listened intently to Jo as she discussed the case.
Happy for the opportunity to be beside one of the most talented behavioral analysts in the United States, he listened intently to every word she said.
“I understand this suspect fits the profile almost too perfectly. What is your plan for the interview?”
“You should take the lead asking him his whereabouts at the time of the murders, and the note on the whiteboard.” Jo flicked him a glance.
“The main reason that I want you to take the lead in the interview is because if this is the type of serial killer I’m expecting, he won’t like being questioned by a woman.
” She smiled at him. “I’ll add my two cents’ worth if necessary. ”
As they headed along Pine, Raven listened to the GPS to find the location of Fern.
The snow had gotten heavier and built up on the wiper blades as he negotiated the tall piles of snow along each side of the road.
“Every house looks exactly the same, more like igloos than cabins. There it is—the one on the left with the vehicle parked out front.”
“It doesn’t appear as if he’s left the house today.” Jo peered out of the window as they got closer to the house. “He has six inches of snow on his hood.”
Raven pulled into the driveway and the snowplow attachment at the front of his vehicle cut a path in the snow. He glanced over the back seat to his dog. “Stay here, Ben.”
The dog wagged his tail and it thumped on the seat, his mouth hung open in a doggy smile.
Ben never worried about going out in the cold.
His thick coat protected him, and often during winter he became the lead dog in Raven’s sled.
Making sure his deputy’s badge sat on full display on his jacket, Raven pushed open the door and stepped out into the freezing cold.
Snowflakes brushed his cheeks, and he pulled down his Stetson to prevent them from sticking to the front of his sunglasses.
He looked over at Jo. She had dragged her FBI windbreaker over the top of her jacket.
For anyone looking from inside the house there could be no doubt that they were both law enforcement officers.
Even so, he approached the front door with caution.
Along the pathway, Jo slipped and windmilled her arms. He stepped closer and grabbed her, setting her gently on her feet.
He stepped back, waiting for a reaction, aware that some women were very specific about their boundaries and helping might have overstepped.
He indicated to the snow-packed pathway.
“Walk in the snow, the bare patches are usually iced-over footprints.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your assistance.” Jo scanned his face and smiled.
“My dad had old-school values but I married an idiot and moved to DC. My husband would say how he valued my independence. He’d allow me to fall flat on my face and make it a lesson to be more self-reliant.
” She shrugged. “Self-reliant, in his mind, was leaving me to manage with a new baby while he cheated on me.”
Frowning, Raven shook his head in disbelief. Jo had proved herself to the world in her expertise and countless bestselling books. “What an ass.”
“Oh, it gets better.” Jo smiled. “Divorcing me and moving me to Snakeskin Gully was his girlfriend’s idea of punishing me for whatever reason, but it backfired on her.
Working beside Ty Carter showed me what a real man is like.
Yeah, he can run his mouth occasionally, but he holds the same values as you do, same with Kane, Styles, and Wolfe.
It’s nice to feel safe. A woman needs to feel safe. ”
Taken aback by her honesty, he glanced at the house and then back at her. “I wasn’t aware you and Carter were an item.”
“Me and Carter?” Jo grinned widely. “Oh, heavens no. I’ve had one woman chaser in my life, and I learn real fast. He’s a great guy but I’d really like to find someone outside of law enforcement.”
Raven nodded and stared back at the house.
The long pathway ended in a small log cabin.
Like all the others, it resembled a frosted gingerbread house, but this one didn’t have any Christmas decorations or lights evident.
He scanned the windows searching for a twitch of the curtain or any signs of life.
No dog barked. “It looks deserted. Just be careful.”
“That’s my middle name.” Jo unzipped her jacket to access her weapon and nodded to him as they stepped onto the porch.
They both slid to either side before Raven knocked hard. “Sheriff’s department.”
Boom.
The front door exploded, sending chunks of wood splinters and glass into the air.
The debris scattered over the pristine white snow.
Raven threw himself off the porch and onto the ground.
He glanced over at Jo crawling carefully around the outside of the house.
Rolling onto his stomach, he pulled his weapon and aimed it at the front door.
He looked over at Jo. Glass fragments covered her woolen cap and she had a small cut under one eye that bled down over her cheek like a red teardrop.
Her gun pointed at the front door and her hands were steady.
He gave her a nod and tapped his com. “This is Raven. Shots fired at number seven Fern.”
“This is Rio. We’re on our way.”
“This is Beth Katz. Give us details. Is anyone injured?”
Raven kept his attention fixed on the front door. “Shotgun blast through the front door. Jo has glass in her face but looks okay. No sign of the shooter.”
Listening intently for footsteps, Raven belly-crawled closer to the front door. “Sheriff’s department and the FBI. We just want to ask you a few questions. There is no need to draw down on us. We are no threat to you.”
“You need to obey the sign, boy.” A man’s gruff voice echoed along the hallway. “We have laws in this state about people invading our property without permission. I have every right to protect my property. It don’t matter if you’re cops or FBI. I know the law.”
“Sometimes a little bit of knowledge is a bad thing.” Jo’s voice came out clear and strong.
“At no time could you have perceived that we were a threat to you. It’s clear that we’re law enforcement officers, and we announced ourselves.
We didn’t have weapons drawn or pose any threat to you.
Using excessive force in this case would put you in the wrong.
Adding the fact that you have injured a federal officer could mean that you could face criminal charges.
No judge would believe that blasting a hole in your front door after we knocked wasn’t excessive force.
I would suggest that you put your weapon down and come to speak to us in a reasonable manner.
” She sighed. “We know you were at the school over the time that Ellie McBride was murdered. We want to know if you saw anyone hanging around or noticed any footprints in the snow while you were working. We’re looking for witnesses, is all. ”
Sirens and flashing lights announced the arrival of Rio and Beth Katz. Raven moved slowly to the side of the house as Rio and Beth jumped from the vehicle and spread out coming in from both sides through the trees. “Mr. Jones, put down your weapon and come to the front door and speak to us.”
Footsteps echoed along the hallway, and a burly man wearing a cowboy hat kicked open the door and surveyed the damage.
He tipped back his hat and scratched his head, slightly bemused at what he’d done.
Raven peered at him from around the edge of the house as Rio came up behind him.
“Put your hands where I can see them and step out onto the porch.”
“I don’t have my shotgun.” Jones turned to look at him as Beth bounded round the side of the house, grabbed him by the hands, and cuffed him. “What are you doing that for? I did what you asked me to do.”
“I’m just making sure you haven’t got a weapon tucked into your pants.” Beth patted him down and peered around him to look at Raven. He’s clean. You’re a doctor, aren’t you? Maybe you should take care of your partner?”
“It’s a scratch, I’m fine. Raven can pull out the splinter of glass when we get back to the office.” Jo raised a brow and glared at Beth. “I’d rather get the interview over and get out of the cold.”
“Well, I figure this guy needs a few days in the sheriff’s jail to think over why he tried to kill law enforcement officers.” Beth stood her ground. “Castle law isn’t an excuse in this case.”
“I was protecting my property, is all.” Jones gave Raven a pleading stare. “Get her off me. I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
Raven noticed the flash of amusement in Beth’s eyes as she peered at him over Jones’ shoulder.
He holstered his weapon and noticed that Jo had done the same.
“Okay.” He indicated toward Jo. “It will be up to Agent Wells if she intends to press charges against you.” He read him his rights.
“I will also add here that it is an offense to lie to a federal officer.”
“I understand.” Jones looked from one to the other. “I’ll cooperate. Can you remove the cuffs and step inside? It’s freezing out here.”
Rio, being Raven’s superior, turned to look at him. He figured he had the situation under control but Rio was a stickler for the rules. “I want to make sure you have no further surprises for us first and then we’ll interview you inside.”
“We’ll clear the house.” Rio looked at Jones. “It will be in your best interest to tell me if anyone is waiting inside.”
“Nope.” Jones stared at his feet. “I’m all on my lonesome since my wife left me. She took my dog too.”
As Rio and Beth disappeared down the hallway, Raven took in Jones’ unkempt appearance. “Do you have anything you can use to replace the door?”