Chapter 7
Seven
Trying to keep her mind on finding suspects for the gruesome murders, Jenna went back through all the Halloween murders in Black Rock Falls.
All the perpetrators were either locked up, never to be released, or dead.
People fixated on Halloween and who had committed crimes counted in the thousands across the USA.
She researched the story of the Axman and it stretched across the globe in all its horrific depictions.
She found many myths linked to Black Rock Falls, but none had any substance and could be ruled out as the overactive imagination of kids and the thick mist that consumed the town with ghostly vigor at this time of year.
The mist came with any cold weather, but at Halloween it seemed to become an entity rather than a normal phenomenon.
She glanced up as Emily knocked on the door.
From the expression on her face, she could see it wasn’t good news.
“The mitochondrial DNA samples we took are a match for both victims.” Emily hung up her coat and then dropped into a chair in front of Jenna’s desk.
“I haven’t conducted more than a preliminary examination of the bodies, but I did notice something very unusual and so did Raven.
We noticed wax on the victims’ lips. On close inspection I discovered the stub of a black candle inside their mouths.
What I can determine without doing a full autopsy is that I believe the candles were lit before they were put inside their mouths.
I can confirm this later this afternoon when we start working on the bodies. ”
Shocked, Jenna stared at her open-mouthed, her mind trying to grasp the implications of Emily’s statement.
It spread the suspect profile further than she’d considered.
“While I’ve been waiting for the results to arrive, I’ve been reading through as many myths and legends of the local area as possible.
Black candles seem to be attached to the occult—and that in itself opens up a whole can of worms.”
“We were very careful when removing the candle stubs and bagging them.” Emily rested her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together, staring at Jenna.
“The candles could hold a wealth of information. We’ll need to be very meticulous about checking each one of them to determine any trace evidence and where they came from.
That small piece of candle could hold the key to the killer. ”
Nodding, her mind running at warp speed, Jenna made a few notes. “I hope so. I have nothing and I need to speak to the victims’ parents.”
Jenna’s hand went to the chain around her neck, and she pressed her fingers against Kane’s wedding ring under her shirt.
She needed to go to the victims’ parents, sitting just along the hall in the conference room, and a terrible thought gripped her, turning her stomach.
Who would come and tell her if Kane had died during the mission?
So long without word—and nothing from Wolfe.
Where Kane should be, all she could find was an empty void of uncertainty.
How could she possibly go on without him?
Tears burned the backs of her eyes and she took a firm grip on herself and pushed both hands through her hair.
She had no reason to believed he’d been killed and she’d just hold on to that fact for another day.
Right now, she had a duty to go and deliver terrible news.
“I’ll come with you.” Emily stood slowly and met her gaze. “They’ll have questions and it’s better the answers come from me, Jenna.”
Standing, Jenna followed Emily along the hallway to the conference room.
Four ashen-faced people turned to look at her with slight expressions of expectation.
Jenna took a deep breath and sat down opposite them.
“I’m very sorry to tell you that we have positive identification on the bodies found in Stanton Forest.”
Mrs. Lampton gave an anguished scream and fell against her husband. Mr. Parker jumped to his feet.
“How did this happen? Hank was a responsible boy, and he wouldn’t do anything to risk Avril’s life.” His fists clenched and unclenched as he glared at Jenna. “I need details—where are they? I can’t stand knowing they’re alone.”
“Please, sit down, Mr. Parker.” Emily stood and laid a hand on his arm.
“I’m Dr. Emily Wolfe and your son is in good hands, as is Avril.
I will be doing whatever is humanly possible and using every scientific method available to discover what happened to your children.
At this point in time, I’m afraid we are looking at homicide.
” She led the distraught man back to the sofa.
“The cause of death is yet to be determined, and I would ask you to bear with me for at least a few days until I can give you some answers.”
“I want to see my daughter.” Mrs. Lampton turned a tear-streaked face to Jenna. “Will you take me to her please, Sheriff?”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible at this time.
” Emily sat down beside the woman and took her hand.
“At the moment, we’re doing everything to preserve as much evidence as possible.
Getting her ready for a viewing could contaminate evidence crucial to discovering who committed this crime.
I can assure you that as soon as it’s possible, I will make a time with you to visit Avril and Hank. ”
Watching people dissolve into hopelessness tore at Jenna’s heart. She needed to press on and get these people home. “Hank’s truck is being held at the morgue. We’ll release it after the investigation is complete. For the time being, it’s being held in evidence.”
“Did someone cause an accident?” Mr. Lampton lifted his sad eyes to Jenna.
She shook her head. “I can assure you neither Hank nor Avril are to blame for what happened.”
“Did they suffer?” Mrs. Parker dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I need to know.”
“From my preliminary examination, I would say that death was instantaneous.” Emily poured two glasses of water from the pitcher on the table and handed them to the mothers.
“They are at peace now and I’ll do whatever I can to find evidence to bring their killer to justice.
You must know that Sheriff Alton has been working since early this morning on the case and so has her entire team. ”
Jenna stood on trembling legs. “I can assure you I will keep you informed on our investigation. If possible, I would like a list of their close friends and anyone else they might have interacted with in the last couple of weeks.” She handed both fathers her card.
“You can email me direct with a list. It could prove really helpful.”
“Yes, we can do that.” Mr. Parker stood and pushed the card into his pocket.
“We called all their friends this morning when they didn’t come home.” Mr. Lampton blew out a long sigh. “We didn’t know Avril was missing until breakfast. She often gets home after we’re asleep when she’s on a date with Hank. He’s a good boy, and we trusted him with our girl.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jenna opened the conference room door and watched the parents walk down the stairs.
The images of the victims flashed across her mind—how could she ever forget them?
She turned to Emily. “I feel so useless. I try and stay detached and professional, but I want to cry along with them. Dave is so good at making victims’ families trust us to get justice.
I never feel as if I’m doing enough. Thanks for being here. You knew just what to say.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the worst part of my job.” Emily rubbed her arms and shivered. “I’m cold and hungry. I left my coat in your office. Are you ready to go to Aunt Betty’s? Raven is waiting downstairs.”
Jenna nodded. “I’ll grab my coat. One thing: How can you possibly make those poor kids look decent for a viewing? I figured that would be impossible.”
“I did too at first, but once we’ve completed the autopsies I can repair the damage and cover it with a bandage.
Once they’re dressed and their hair is fixed, I’ll make them look okay.
If you recall, when I first decided to become a medical examiner I did a mortician course and worked on all the bodies that came through the morgue, mostly to see if I could handle working with the dead, but it helps the families if their loved ones look at peace and I try and do that for them. ”
Walking into her empty office, Jenna stared at Kane’s desk, and loneliness engulfed her in a rush. She pushed down her emotions and grabbed their coats. She needed to trust in him and his ability to return to her. Closing the door firmly behind her, she followed Emily downstairs.