Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
Darkness had fallen on Black Rock Falls by the time Jenna and Kane drove along Main.
The snowflake-filled wind made the jack-o’-lanterns strung between the street lights dance and bob.
It whipped into tumbleweeds pieces of straw from the bales stacked alongside some of the stores and waiting to be decorated for Halloween.
It rolled them along the sidewalk and onto the blacktop, where they piled up, damp and bedraggled in the gutter.
The building of the majority of Halloween displays had been abandoned due to the bad weather.
As the Beast headed through town, odd pieces of the unfinished displays blew across the road.
Some attached themselves to the fence around the local park and hung in colorful bunches like the discarded fragments of a pinata.
Jenna stared out of the windows. The town center had an odd feeling about it.
Usually, it hustled and bustled until at least nine at night, but tonight the townsfolk had headed home early to escape the bitter cold and threatening snowstorm.
Deserted, the brightly lit store windows reflected in the sidewalk glossy with rain.
On the park side of the road, the night mist had already started to rise and crawl its way across the thick green grass, spilling onto the edge of the blacktop and morphing into eerie shapes each time the wind changed direction.
She glanced at Kane. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it so deserted here at this time of night.
The weather’s not that bad here in town. It’s not even snowing.”
“I figure it’s the media warnings that you’ve been putting out, Jenna.” Kane flicked her a glance. “They know there’s a homicidal maniac who comes out at night and no one in their right mind is risking meeting him.”
The GPS issued another string of directions to Marty Flynn’s house and Kane took a left turn.
Behind them, the sweep of lights from Carter’s vehicle filled the cab.
There had been so many things going on Jenna had forgotten to ask Kane about Rhett’s fitness training.
He’d told her that he could make the young man into a machine.
She smiled to herself. That was so like Kane.
He considered all their friends as assets and went out of his way to help them in any way he could.
Rhett needed to protect himself and Kane had stepped up.
“How is Rhett looking? Is he a machine yet?”
“Ha.” Kane flashed her a smile. “Fitness first and muscle bulk, and then I’ll teach him how to defend himself and so will Rowley.
I’ve taken him through the basics, so he can disarm and attack military-style.
Rowley is taking him to his dojo and he joined the classes there as well.
It really helps to have martial arts strength and abilities as well as military.
I don’t have the time to teach him both. Some things need a little time.”
Recalling how Rhett had looked the last time she’d joined the men for a workout session, she figured whatever Kane was doing with him was working.
She’d watched Rhett work out with Carter, who doesn’t pull any punches, and he held his own well.
“He seemed happy enough the last time I saw him and with more defined muscle.”
“He’s a natural.” Kane indicated ahead. “That looks like the place.”
Jenna scanned the area on the outskirts of town.
Set back on a block of land sat a small weathered house with a battered pickup in the driveway.
The house blinked at them each time the porch light flickered.
Jenna climbed out and waited for Jo to join her.
Kane and Carter would hang back so as not to frighten the boy.
She headed toward the house, noticing the line of boots alongside the front door.
She stepped up onto the porch and behind her Kane’s gloved hand reached up to adjust the light bulb.
The irritating flashing ceased and Jenna knocked on the door.
Footsteps could be heard from inside and a woman opened the door, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
“Sheriff Alton.” The woman’s troubled gaze moved across the four of them and then back to her. “What’s happened?”
Jenna offered her a small smile. “Everything’s fine, ma’am. We were hoping to speak to Marty for a few minutes. He’s not in any trouble. We’d just like his help with something.”
“Oh, I—” Mrs. Flynn hesitated and glanced over one shoulder. A young man appeared behind her, lanky and dusty from work.
“Did something happen at the Old Mitcham Ranch?” Marty’s eyes widened as his gaze flicked over the FBI jackets.
Jenna met his gaze. “Not that we’re aware of, but we believe that you might have seen something unusual. Do you mind stepping out onto the porch and chatting with us?” She looked at Mrs. Flynn. “Would that be okay with you, ma’am?”
“I guess so.” Mrs. Flynn looked nervously at Kane. “I would like to know if he’s in any trouble.”
“No trouble at all.” Kane leaned against the railing, relaxed and nonthreatening. “But he may be able to help us with our inquiries in a current case that we’re investigating.”
Seeing Marty’s eyes flitting back and forth between everyone on the porch, she introduced them to him and then waited for Jo to take over the questioning.
“Are you enjoying your work at the Old Mitcham Ranch?”
“I’m very interested in how the special effects work.
” Marty’s eyes sparkled. “It’s like creating magic, but most times it’s very long days and hauling stuff from place to place.
I’d rather be working at the Haunted House because I could work there year-round.
I know the crew at the Old Mitcham Ranch moves around from carnival to carnival, but that’s not the kind of life I want, so volunteering there is only temporary.
Once I have more experience, I’ll apply at the Haunted House to see if I can get a job there. ”
Encouraged by this young man’s enthusiasm, Jenna looked at him. “Have you considered an animation and visual effects major at our local college?”
“I have six brothers and sisters, and my folks couldn’t put aside for a college fund for us.” Marty met her gaze. “I’m a straight-A student, but I don’t play football or any other sports to apply for a scholarship.”
Jenna flicked a look at Kane and he nodded.
“Well, when you get time, make an appointment to speak to one of the career advisors at Her Broken Wings Foundation. Black Rock Falls U is actively offering scholarships for gifted students just like you. The advisor there will walk you through every step of the application process.”
“Really?” Marty’s dumbfounded expression spoke volumes. “I didn’t know.” He straightened, no longer afraid of them. “How can I help you?”
“I believe you stay overnight sometimes. Why is that?” Jo’s voice was calm and conversational.
“Yeah, I did, but not anymore. Sometimes they wanted to make sure everything is working at night.” Marty shrugged. “It goes pretty late, so I just crashed there. They have workers coming and going all the time, so there’s always space.”
“What happened to make you want to come home?” Jo inclined her head. “Are you having problems with someone?”
“No, I just sleep better at home and now I can use the old truck.” Marty’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down and he wouldn’t meet their gaze.
“There must have been a reason to make you stop staying over?” Jo lowered her voice. “You can trust me. What you tell me goes no further than this porch.”
“I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.” Marty’s gaze flitted to the door and then back to her. “I’ll lose my job.”
Stomach twisting, Jenna kept her voice low. “You won’t and you might be helping us keep people safe.” She indicated to Kane and Carter. “One call to us and Deputy Kane and Agent Carter will be there in minutes. The Old Mitcham Ranch is close to our home.”
“Okay. It was the same night as those teenagers were killed.” Marty lifted his gaze to her.
“It was late and Mr. Woodman told me to bunk down in one of the empty trailers. It was the one close to the barn. I didn’t like it in there alone.
It was real creepy.” He glanced up at Kane. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“So, what happened to spook you?” Jo leaned a little closer, the wind tousling her hair. “Did you see something or someone?”
“I saw Jonah Pike leaving real quiet.” Marty pushed his hands into his pockets and moved from foot to foot.
“He was carrying a backpack and one of the axes from a display. They’re real, not props.
” He blew out a stream of steam like cigarette smoke.
“Then he drove out in his white pickup without the lights. I heard him come back about an hour or so later. He came in the same way. Parked way back by the gate and walked back to his trailer.”
“Carrying the ax?” Carter moved closer.
“Yeah, but he cleaned it.” Marty screwed up his nose.
“I watched him over by the tap. He scrubbed it and poured bleach all over. I could smell it.” He ran a hand down his face.
“I was watching through the window and he looked straight at me. It was dark inside and I was kinda peeking around the edge of the window.”
“Did he threaten you?” Kane straightened and stared at the boy.
“Nope, he hasn’t said a word to me.” Marty lifted his gaze to Kane.
“It was the way he looked at me like he knew I’d seen him.
I came right out and asked him if he had a problem with me.
He said, ‘If I do, you’ll know it.’ I’ve been keeping away from him since then and I come home each night.
I told Mr. Woodman that my folks didn’t want me staying there overnight any longer.
I need the job, but I don’t trust Jonah, not after the deputies came by and told us about the murders. ”
“You did the right thing.” Jo exchanged a look with Jenna. “Do you have a phone?”
“Yeah.” Marty pulled it from his pocket.
Jenna handed him her card. “If you’re in trouble, or see anything else strange, call me day or night. Don’t forget to make time to see the advisor at Her Broken Wings. They can make appointments on nights and weekends.”
“You’ve been a great help.” Jo patted him on the shoulder. “Keep this information about Pike to yourself, but tell your parents about the scholarship opportunity. Maybe your mom or dad can go with you to the interview.”
“I will.” Marty brightened and pushed the card inside his jacket. “Thanks.”
Mind spinning in all directions, Jenna turned to go.
She needed to get Marty away from the Old Mitcham Ranch without delay.
She turned back and looked at Marty. “There’s work all over town, this week at least and maybe next week, with Halloween coming.
Do you want me to find you another job? You’ll only have a short time at the Mitcham Ranch left. ”
“Yeah, I’d like that, but I can work anywhere.” Marty sighed. “I just wanted to learn more about special effects and stuff like that. It’s interesting.”
“We’ll get back to you real soon.” Kane smiled at him. “Thanks for your help.”