Chapter 30
Thirty
Wolfe examined the second head and turned to his team. “These cuts are clean. Very clean. There are no hesitation marks. He used a single, decisive stroke. It looks like the same sharp blade that he used on the others. It will be interesting to see if we find any trace fragments of metal.”
“They look even cleaner than the last ones.” Emily held the head between her gloved hands and examined it closely.
“There is hardly any blood at all. It’s as if he drained them before bringing them here.
” She dropped the head into a bag that Wolfe had opened for her.
“We need to get photographs of the footprints outside on the porch.” She looked at Webber.
“Just give us a few minutes to sort these out and we’ll all go outside at the same time. ”
A soft thud hit the outside wall and everyone froze. Wolfe stepped back from the table. “I suggest we finish up here. We only need to get the photos and test the footprints for blood.”
“You want us to go outside?” Rio moved to the front door, his weapon raised. “Maybe that’s just what he wants us to do.”
Thud, thud.
Gathering his things, Wolfe closed the forensics kit with a click. He handed three test kits to Emily and turned to Rowley and Rio. “I don’t suggest we leave now. If that’s the Axman, he is re-creating the hunter’s experience and wants to see how we react.”
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. “Kane, have you found the bodies?”
“Affirmative. We’re just heading to the clearing now. The visibility is down to practically zero and we keep seeing and hearing someone close by.”
Wolfe nodded. “I’m glad y’all are close by. This guy likes to play games. He’s been throwing things at the cabin. We need to take samples of the footprints and then we’re good to go.”
“Stay where you are.” Kane’s voice was just above a whisper. “He’s close by. We’ll be there in five and then you can retrieve the bodies. They’re not far from the cabin. We’ll carry them back.”
Wolfe shook his head. “You won’t be carrying anything but your gun, Dave.” He glanced at the others. “Okay, call out Jenna’s name when you get here.”
“Copy.” Kane disconnected.
Five minutes later, he heard Kane’s voice and nodded to Rio to open the door.
A blast of freezing air filled the room as Jenna appeared in the doorway, snow clinging to her shoulders.
The others followed, stamping snow from their boots.
They looked cold and exhausted. “Take five and drink some coffee before you head out again. We need to finish up here and load everything in the van. What’s the trail like? Can we pull a gurney along it?”
“Not a chance. We’ll take the stretchers.” Kane went to the pack holding the Thermos flasks and protein bars. He poured coffee and handed them around. “What happened when we left?”
“He’d tried to scare us just before. He’s got to be close by.” Emily frowned. “I don’t believe it’s safe here. Now we’re all inside he might set fire to the cabin.”
“That’s not his style.” Carter sipped his coffee and smiled at her. “By now you’d figure he’d know his scare tactics don’t work.”
“Speak for yourself.” Emily moved closer to Raven. “It’s darn right spooky out here in the forest when it’s dark and misty. Processing the crime scene is going to be a nightmare.”
“I’ll keep you safe.” Raven put an arm around her shoulder. “Promise.”
Raven never hugged Emily at work. What the heck was happening?
Wolfe gave them a hard stare. “Okay, when y’all have finished canoodling, we need to finish up and get onto the next crime scene.
” He raised both eyebrows at Raven and waved his hand toward Emily.
“Is there something going on here I don’t know about? ”
Beside him, Emily looked at Raven, shook her head, and gave him an apologetic shrug. Wolfe frowned. “Raven?”
“Ah… well, yeah there is but we haven’t had the opportunity to speak to you yet.” Raven straightened, dropping his arm. “Maybe when we get back to the office?”
Wolfe noticed the shift in the others, none of them apart from Kane would meet his gaze. “They all know, don’t they? Spill it before I start breaking heads.”
“Oh, Dad, don’t be so dramatic.” Emily smiled at him. “It’s wonderful news. We’re getting married. Raven just wanted to ask your permission, is all.”
Suddenly in his mind, Emily was two years old and he was swinging her into the air, her blonde hair flying.
She was so like her mother. Strong, honest, and a great support for him when he’d lost his wife.
Having her leave his home would create a massive hole, but it had to come one day and he would never deny her happiness.
He held out his hand to Raven and smiled. “Welcome to the family, son.”
“Thanks.” Raven met his gaze. “I’ll take good care of her.”
Wolfe flicked a glance at Kane, who grinned at him, and then he looked back at Raven. “See that you do. She might not have brothers, but everyone in this room is her uncle.”
A thud then a slow screech of metal-on-metal cut through the room like a knife. All around him, weapons slid from holsters. Wolfe instinctively stepped in front of Emily, shoulder to shoulder with Raven.
“Stay back.” Kane moved toward the door. “Carter, with me.” They slipped out of the door and everyone inside the room held their breath.