Chapter Eight #2
Soon, the trees thinned. Gray skies rained down snow. The early afternoon light appeared filtered. Ava knew night came early in the mountains.
Down a sloping incline was a valley covered in snow. Maybe ten houses were spread out on what appeared to be one to two acres each.
They reached the first house. Shadow suddenly stopped near the drive. The dog sniffed around but the scent was gone.
“He must have had a car parked here.” Ava glanced back at the house. “I don’t see any cameras around the house. Let’s see if anyone’s home.”
Shadow fell into step with Ava who started up the sidewalk to the door. She rang the doorbell.
“A lot of the people who live out here work in town. It’s possible they’re not home.”
A second ring of the doorbell seemed to confirm his assumptions. “I wonder if anyone else is home. We can check around at the other houses to see if anyone saw something.”
Three houses later, Ava was beginning to wonder if this was a waste of time.
“There’s a car out front of that house.” Caleb pointed to the last house.
“Let’s check it out.” Ava rang the doorbell. Slow footsteps headed their way. The door opened and an elderly woman stared back at them.
“Can I help you?” She glanced between Ava and Caleb and then down to Shadow. “What a cute dog.”
Ava fished out her credentials. “Ma’am, I’m Ava Blake with the FBI, and this is Caleb Ward.”
“Pauline Owens.”
“Nice to meet you, Pauline. Do you care if we ask you a few questions?”
The woman’s eyes widened when Ava mentioned the FBI. “Oh dear. Has something happened?”
Ava didn’t want to share the details of what had taken place not far from her location. “Ma’am, have you seen any unusual vehicles in your neighborhood lately? Maybe parked near that house down there?” She pointed to the place where she believed Wax had left his vehicle.
“Why, no. I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. The Sinclairs work in town. He’s at the bank and she’s a teacher. They leave early.” She hesitated. “Should I be worried?”
Ava quickly assured her no. She handed the woman her card. “But if you do see anything unusual, would you give me a call?”
“Of course. Where did you two come from?” She looked around, realizing they didn’t have a car.
“We walked in from Hidden Lake. Thank you, Pauline.” Ava prepared to leave when the woman’s next words stopped her.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I noticed some lights coming from Hidden Lake last night. I thought it was strange since it was snowing.”
Ava’s gaze met Caleb’s before she turned around. “Do you remember around what time?”
The woman’s frown deepened. “Maybe around six. That’s when my game show comes on.” She gave the name of the show.
“Did you notice how long the lights were out there?” If Wax had started at six, then it would have taken him a while to burrow through the ice.
“I’m not sure. I fell asleep during my program.”
So, they had no idea how long Wax had been on the lake. Not that it mattered. He’d murdered his second victim. The time frame was all off.
She thanked Pauline and they headed back to the woods before she shared her concerns with Caleb. “He’s escalating. It took him weeks to kill his second victim.” Ava was aware of Shadow using his normal gate instead of his tracking pace. Wax’s trail had gone cold.
As they moved back through the woods, Caleb continuously checked their surroundings.
He’d gone through this before. Caleb had been part of her life when she’d been assigned the Wax Saint case.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this again. I know how hard it was for you before.”
Caleb looked at her. “I could have handled anything except for what happened to you,” he said softly.
She stopped and couldn’t look away. “I’m sorry for what happened after the kidnapping. I should have told you.” What? That she was leaving him? She’d loved him so much and yet Wax had taken everything from her.
Caleb stepped closer. “I wish you could have talked to me, Ava. I loved you. I would have done anything you needed.” His voice held regret.
She fought back tears. “I know, but you see, he took everything. There was nothing left inside me to give to you. You deserved better.”
He closed the space between them and touched her face. Ava became aware of Shadow watching them curiously. The K-9 had come to trust Caleb because Ava trusted him.
She closed her eyes. More than anything she wanted to go into his arms and find the comfort her heart needed. But how could she? With Wax still out there taunting her and her team. Bringing him in needed to be her only concern.
And when this was over...Ava couldn’t bring herself to think that far ahead.
Still for a moment, she wanted to stay here with him and wonder what their lives would have turned out like if there’d been no Wax.
Her cell phone buzzed, breaking the spell. She started and reached for the phone. Caleb stepped back.
Rachel’s number appeared on the screen.
“What’s up?” she asked in an unsteady voice.
“ERT’s here. They’re removing the body now. Did you find anything?”
“No. We tracked Wax’s scent to a small community.” Ava looked Caleb’s way. “We believe he had a car parked nearby. That’s how he got away.”
“Unbelievable. He seems to be one step ahead of us.” Rachel’s frustration was clear.
“We’ll get him. Once the rest of my team arrives, we’ll have more manpower. We can increase our search radius. We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Ava ended the call.
She and Caleb began walking again. The silence between them was filled with lingering emotions. No matter what the future brought, she’d always care for Caleb. But was she too broken to offer the type of relationship he deserved?
They reached the clearing. In the fading light of day, a team of forensics specialists worked to bring their latest victim out while Ava tried to dismiss her worst fears.
Wax had initially taken three victims before disappearing into the darkness where he lurked.
Would it be the same this time? Or had the killer only just begun?