Chapter 12
Twelve
Kane carried the hot chocolate into the family room and placed it on the coffee table.
He went about stoking the fire just as Jenna came into the room.
He sat on the sofa and she snuggled against him.
He pulled her close, concerned to see the dark shadows under her eyes and feel the weight she’d lost in a couple of weeks.
Having her in his arms outweighed being bone weary and totally exhausted. “So, tell me all about it.”
Before Jenna had the chance to say a word to him, the doggy door banged shut and Duke came charging into the room, his claws skidding on the polished wooden floor.
He had bits of grass and burrs stuck in his coat.
He did his happy dance, licked Kane’s face, and then rested his head on Jenna’s lap.
Kane rubbed his ears. “There you are. Where have you been?”
“In the woods, I’d say.” Jenna smiled and stroked Duke’s head. “He’s been depressed since you left. Now he can see your home, he went out to celebrate. Chasing critters, no doubt.” She turned to look at him. “I told everyone you went fishing. Now with the robot’s arrival, what’s the cover story?”
This had been something he’d discussed with Wolfe at length on the flight home.
They’d worked out a cover story. The robot came as a surprise to Wolfe but necessary to provide security for Kane’s rescue.
As Wolfe understood technology, he would run it through a series of tests and send the data back to the manufacturer.
They had spent an hour at a briefing prior to returning home getting the details about working alongside it, but as it was AI, all Wolfe needed to do was to ask it questions.
Data would be uploaded to a server and any problems Wolfe encountered would be reported.
He reached for his drink. “The story is we went fishing and then Wolfe got the offer of a robot from an AI company and we spent the entire time learning how to work alongside it. Wolfe told them I was his assistant. That’s the story you can tell.
We’ve discussed the details, and if anyone asks, refer them to me.
” He took a sip of the chocolate and sighed.
“Now the cases. Decapitations? It’s Halloween.
Don’t tell me it’s the Axman myth coming to life? ”
“Exactly and another one.” Jenna shuddered. “It’s like someone is re-creating the worst ghost stories possible. I honestly thought I saw a ghost tonight—don’t look at me like that, Dave; two women saw it as well—but now I believe it was a trick to lure me into the forest.”
Kane frowned as she told her story and he could feel her fear.
Shaking his head, he tried to make his exhausted mind work faster.
“That’s more of a possibility than a ghost, Jenna.
There are many ways someone could project a series of images on a thick wall of mist. It wouldn’t be difficult and many people have battery-powered portable projectors and a fog machine.
The same goes for the sounds you heard. It’s all possible and a perfect trap for a Good Samaritan or two going to the aid of a girl in trouble. ”
“Yeah, but doesn’t everyone know that myth?” Jenna’s blue eyes peered at him over the rim of her cup. “Who would be stupid enough to venture into Stanton Forest at night in a heavy mist?”
Kane shrugged. “Well, two men obviously did. By the time you arrived the second time, the killer had removed the evidence of the ruse.” He finished his drink and looked at her. “He’s very smart, which makes him deadly. I wonder what he has next up his sleeve?”
“We’ll go back in the morning with forensics and see what we can find.” Jenna shivered. “It was horrific. I can’t get either scene from my head. The worst thing is that we don’t have any suspects.”
Kane considered the problem. “It’s too early to profile this person and I’m too tired to think straight. Let’s sleep on it. I’ll call Jo in the morning and run it by her. She might have some suggestions.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.
“No need.” Jenna smiled and collected the cups. “Ty and Jo are coming for Halloween. If their director gave them the green light, they should be here tomorrow. She’s bringing Jaime.”
Kane followed her to the kitchen, turning out lights along the way. He plucked the cups from her hands, placed them in the dishwasher, and turned to her. “The boys will be pleased to see her.”
“I figure they’ll be more pleased to see you.” Jenna smiled at him. “They ask about you every day.”
Putting family aside was getting harder each time he left on a mission.
His boys needed their father and his wife needed him.
He led her along the hallway, opening the door to the boys’ room and peering inside.
As usual, Duke nosed his way through the door and crawled under Jackson’s bed. He smiled. “It’s sure good to be home.”