Chapter 6
Rays of sunlight filtered through the towering trees as Evie and Cam made their way through the woods. As much as she hated the thought of a serial killer operating in Grand Haven, Cam had a good point. The more victims that were found, the more likely he’d be cleared as a suspect.
Glancing down at Bruno, she noticed how the canine sniffed along the ground, his ears pricked forward. If there was another body to be found, she believed Bruno would lead them to it by following the scent of the killer.
Detective Rueger’s scathing comment replayed in her mind.
There’s no way the killer’s scent remained at the scene of Skye Gray’s remains for fourteen years.
She grimaced, forced to admit the detective was right.
If there were other bodies buried in the nature preserve from years earlier, she wasn’t sure Bruno would find them.
Unless, of course, this guy was sick enough to return to the gravesites.
Her stomach churned at the thought of him reliving his kills.
The image of the slender blue arm with the tattoo bracelet flashed in her mind.
She placed a hand over her stomach, willing her breakfast sandwich to stay put.
Being an OR nurse and watching as surgeons cut into people’s bodies to repair wounds and other ailments did not prepare her for this.
Nothing could prepare anyone for this.
Evie stumbled over a branch. Cam’s arm shot out to grab her. She managed a reassuring smile. “Thanks.”
He nodded, his expression grim following their interaction with Rueger and Jackson. She felt bad for him; it must be awful to be treated as a suspect in two brutal murders.
Bruno abruptly altered course, heading deeper into the brush. She glanced fearfully at Cam, before quickly following her dog. “What is it, Bruno?”
Cam stayed close beside her as Bruno trotted toward a fallen log. It was huge and, to Evie’s untrained eye, seemed to have been there for at least a year or two, maybe longer. The inside was beginning to hollow out.
Bruno sniffed intently along the base of the log, then he sat and let out a sharp bark.
“Good boy.” She had no idea what she was praising Bruno for as she bent to run her fingers through his fur. “You’re a very good boy.”
“I suspect the killer was here recently.” Cam stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the area with a critical eye. “Maybe after he buried the young woman’s body, he stopped here to rest.”
“You really think so?” Despite how smart her dog was, it seemed a stretch to imagine Bruno had found the killer’s scent lingering here for what, two days?
“I do.” Cam’s voice held conviction. “I’ve seen bomb-sniffing dogs in action. The motto of every dog handler is to always trust your dog. The dog knows more than people understand. Their senses are finely tuned.” He nodded at Bruno who sat looking pleased with himself. “This is his alert.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “What do you think? Do we keep searching for more signs of the killer?”
Cam pressed his lips together as he considered that. Then he glanced at his watch. “Not now, but maybe later. I don’t know that sticking around while the cops are camped around the crime scene is the best use of our time.”
She bent and stroked Bruno’s fur again. “You’re a good boy, Bruno. Yes, you’re a very good boy.”
The shepherd jumped to his feet, tail wagging in excitement. Despite the grim situation, she couldn’t help but smile. The dog had a way of lightening her mood.
Even on a day like today.
“Let’s keep going toward the river.” Cam gestured to the right. “Maybe Bruno will alert again.”
She nodded and turned away from the fallen log. It was far too easy to imagine the killer sitting there after doing something heinous.
“I’m glad Bruno seems to know this guy’s scent.” Cam grimaced. “At least the dog knows I’m not a killer.”
“We’re going to figure this out.” She spoke with a confidence she didn’t feel. In the years she’d gone toe-to-toe with surgeons, she’d gotten used to putting on a brave face. And standing her ground, especially when she knew she was right.
Nobody respected a weakling.
Now the corner of Cam’s mouth kicked up in a smile. “I’m grateful for your support, Evie.”
“I feel bad. I’m the one who dragged you into this.” She winced remembering their awkward phone call. “I should have left you alone rather than let you know what Bruno and I found.”
“I would have come no matter what. I have no doubt Rueger would have contacted me and requested I drive up for an interview even if I hadn’t already been in town.
” He sighed and shook his head. “Besides, I want justice for Skye. You and I both knew she didn’t just leave town on her own. We were right about that.”
“Yes, we were.” It still bothered her that Rueger had blown them off fourteen years ago, only to turn around now, accusing Cam of killing his girlfriend. “I think that’s why Rueger is being such a jerk. He knows he was wrong to have ignored us.”
“Yeah, but it would be nice if he’d keep his mind open to other possible suspects.”
She nodded, appreciating his point. She eyed Bruno as he walked beside them. He seemed okay, but she belatedly realized she should have brought water for him. And for herself. Her mouth was suddenly painfully dry. “We need to get to the river.”
“There’s a break in the trees up ahead.” Cam gestured toward the area. She couldn’t see much but had faith in his sense of direction. “We’ll be able to gauge how far the water is from there.”
“You know, I don’t see any tire tracks or footprints for that matter.
” The ground beneath their feet was hard and dry thanks to the two-week dry spell they’d experienced.
“There were no footprints at the fallen log either. What do you think happened? Did the killer carry his victims all this way? Even for a strong man, that wouldn’t be easy. ”
“That’s a good question. It seems the most logical assumption.” Cam’s brow furrowed. “Unless he forced his victims to walk into the preserve at gunpoint, then killed them.”
She shivered again, despite the warmth. “I can’t even imagine how Skye and that other young woman must have suffered. Honestly, if it were me, I’d have chosen the gunshot rather than enduring whatever he did to them.”
“Try not to dwell on that. You’re safe with me.” He touched her arm again. “No matter what Detective Rueger thinks, I am not responsible for these murders. I didn’t drive back and forth from the south side of Chicago to kill young women.”
“I know you didn’t.” Evie realized that without Cam’s reassuring presence, she wouldn’t be nearly so calm.
She’d come to Grand Haven to decide what she should do about her mother’s house.
There were openings in the Grand Haven hospital, and the idea of living close to the lake had held some appeal.
She’d enjoyed growing up in the small tourist town.
Now that she’d found two dead bodies, she didn’t like the idea of staying there.
She’d never look at these woods the same way.
She’d always know Skye’s body had been lying beneath the dirt all this time.
“I served my country with honor,” Cam said in a low voice. “It hurts to know Rueger thinks the worst of me.”
“He’s grasping at straws.” She strove to sound confident again. “The truth will prevail.”
He nodded without saying anything more. They walked in silence as they approached the opening between the trees.
Evie wasn’t sure whether she should be relieved or disappointed when Bruno didn’t alert on any more mounds of dirt.
As she followed Cam up the hill, she stopped and caught her breath when she saw the glistening water of the Grand River shimmering beneath the sun below.
Oddly, the river looked smaller than she remembered, despite knowing the mouth where the river emptied into Lake Michigan was eight hundred feet wide. The entire area looked nicer than she remembered too. It was clearly more of a tourist attraction now than it had been fourteen years ago.
“There’s a bubbler down on the pathway along the river,” Cam said, using the midwestern slang term for water fountain. “Will that work for Bruno?”
“We’ll find a way.” She wanted to kick herself for not being better prepared. Then again, finding another dead body wasn’t part of their plan when they’d headed out on what should have been a short morning hike. “Let’s go.”
This time, she took the lead as the terrain sloped downward. Bruno trotted alongside, clearly enjoying his time in the woods. Upon reaching the path, she hurried toward the bubbler. She scanned the area for something to use as a bowl.
“Here, let me.” Cam cupped his hands together. She pressed the button to activate the water fountain, filling his hands with water. He quickly lowered them for Bruno who eagerly lapped at the water even as some water slipped through Cam’s fingers.
“Good boy, Bruno.” She filled Cam’s palms again, and Bruno took another few laps at the water, before lifting his head and sniffing the air. She bent to take a drink, then stepped back so Cam could do the same.
“Next time we hike with backpacks and supplies,” he said.
“Next time?” She stared at him. “I’m not going on another hike like this.”
He grimaced and looked away. She realized he’d been dead serious about attempting to find more victims. She sighed as they walked along the riverfront, heading away from Lake Michigan to the small parking lot near the preserve.
She gestured to the gently flowing water.
“Do you think it’s deep enough for a car? ”
“Yeah, it’s deep enough, especially for Skye’s yellow VW bug.” He stopped walking for a moment to stare down at the murky depths. “The better question is, will I find the car if I search using snorkeling gear?”
“You’re really going to look for it?” She didn’t try to hide her doubt. “What are the odds that you’ll actually find it?”