Chapter 13
Thirteen
Tuesday
Jenna fell out of bed when the alarm sounded at five.
She’d managed well doing the chores without Kane, although Raya had helped each night.
The smell of coffee wafted up her nostrils as Kane walked into the room, placed two cups on the bedside table, and sat on the bed.
Her heart melted at seeing him. “I’ve really missed our early morning cups of coffee. ”
“Me too.” Kane pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her. “It’s the perfect start to the day.” He reached for his cup. “I added extra cream so we could drink it down and get the chores done before the boys wake. I figure we’ll need a little extra time with them this morning.”
After taking a sip of coffee and running to the bathroom, Jenna dragged on her clothes.
“The horses are wearing their blankets. I’ve been leaving them in the corral during the day, so I don’t need to muck out their stalls twice a day.
I’ve been bringing them in at night, grooming them, and then putting their coats back on. It’s getting cold overnight now.”
“That works for me.” Kane emptied his cup. “We’ll be working long hours, and if Raya can bring in the horses if we’re held up, that’s all she needs to do. We can groom them in the mornings now we’re both at home.”
After drinking her coffee and returning the cups to the kitchen, Jenna went to the mudroom, pulled on her old work boots, and then followed Kane to the barn.
Duke followed them and watched everything they did with his usual doggy grin.
It didn’t take too long to finish the chores and they went back to the house to wash up for breakfast. By the time Jenna had dressed for work, the smell of sizzling bacon drifted from the kitchen.
Having a husband who loved to cook was a gift.
She went to the boys’ room. “Come on, sleepyheads. I have a big surprise for you. Daddy’s home. ”
“Daddee, Daddee, Daddee.” Jackson slid off the bed and, without putting on his robe, ran out the door and along the hallway.
“Is he really back?” Tauri rubbed his eyes. “I’ve missed him.” He jumped out of bed.
Jenna nodded and smiled at him. “Me too but he’s home now. Put on your robe. He’s in the kitchen.”
“Did he bring home some fish or an elk for winter?” Tauri pulled on his robe. “Atohi said he has all their meat for winter.”
Jenna shook her head. “No fish, I’m afraid.
Daddy prefers to eat beef and buys his meat from the store.
When he goes fishing, he catches and releases.
It’s different for us. We don’t live off the land like Atohi.
Daddy doesn’t usually have time to go hunting to provide for us when he’s working all the time. ”
“I’ll hunt for us when I’m older.” Tauri nodded to himself as if making a decision and then scooted off to the kitchen.
Jenna followed him. “I have another surprise for you.” She smiled at Kane with Jackson wrapped around him asking questions. “Jaime is coming to stay for Halloween.”
“I like her.” Tauri went to Kane and hugged him. “I missed you, Dad. Do you really need to go away for so long?”
“I’m sorry but we got caught up in something.” Kane smiled. “Uncle Shane has a robot. It took us some time to go and get it, so we didn’t do much fishing. I’ll take you to see it on the weekend if possible.”
“Me too, me too.” Jackson bounced on Kane’s hip.
“Okay, you too.” Kane deposited him in his highchair and dished out breakfast.
Time flew by, and soon, Jenna kissed the boys goodbye and left them in Raya’s capable hands.
As the Beast roared along Main, Jenna pointed out all the new attractions in town.
People were working on the outside of the Haunted House, getting ready for the weekend’s festivities.
For as long as Jenna had been in town, Aunt Betty’s had a huge black spider over its door with baby spiders crawling in a web around it, but this year everything had changed.
“Slow down. I want to look at Aunt Betty’s. ”
She stared in amazement. The entire front of the restaurant was covered in green vines and a huge pumpkin sat out front.
The pumpkin had two windows and a front door.
To enter the restaurant, people needed to walk through the pumpkin.
It was quite ingenious, as if the entire storefront had been transformed into a magical pumpkin patch.
Two men were outside attaching lights through the vines.
Jenna turned and grinned at Kane. “Isn’t that wonderful? ”
“I do like it better than the spider.” Kane headed for the office.
“I figure they’re all trying to outdo each other this year, and looking at the changes, everyone has decided to try something new.
The kids are gonna love it.” He sighed. “It’s a shame a crazy guy with an ax wants to spoil it for everyone.
I hope we find some evidence on the scene.
We need to get this case wrapped up real quick. ”
When they arrived at the office, Wolfe’s van was parked outside. Jenna looked at Kane. “He’s here early.”
Everyone was standing in the foyer waiting for them. Jenna went to Wolfe’s side. “I’m guessing you wanted an early start?”
“Yeah, it’s best we get there as soon as possible, before the evidence is contaminated.” Wolfe smiled at her. “Did you hear about my robot?”
Jenna nodded. “I have indeed. Is it with you?”
“Nah, I left it analyzing the samples Raven collected last night.” He frowned and lowered his voice. “This guy is dangerous. We’ll need to watch our backs. He’s not looking for a type of person to kill; he just kills anyone. I’ve never seen such a variety of victims.”
After seeing the carnage, Jenna understood exactly what this killer was capable of doing. “I’ll leave Rowley here with Maggie to run the office and we’ll take Rio and Raven with us just in case we need backup.”
“That sounds like a plan.” He looked around. “Where’s Dave?”
“Oh, he went with Raven to get supplies.” Rowley nodded to Jenna. “They’re taking flasks of coffee and energy bars.” He grinned. “Those two never stop eating.”
Leaning against the counter, Jenna met Wolfe’s gaze.
“Jo and Carter will be arriving sometime today. I’m sure they’ll be a great help in bringing this guy to justice.
As the murders have happened in quick succession, we don’t have any suspects.
Maybe once Jo gives us a profile, we’ll be able to start asking questions.
I’m reluctant to put out anything on a media release, mainly because this close to Halloween people are spooked to start with, and if they believe there is an Axman running around and apparitions are appearing all over the place, it’s going to cause a panic. ”
“I agree.” Wolfe glanced over his shoulder as Emily came down the stairs carrying a box of energy bars. “There are fifty bars in that box. How long do they figure this will take?”
“I just carry the boxes.” Emily rolled her eyes. “I never argue with them. Are we ready to go yet?”
“Have you got your Kevlar vests with you?” Kane came bounding down the stairs carrying Thermos flasks with Raven close on his heels.
“Indeed.” Wolfe nodded. “Let’s go. Raven, do you want to ride with us?”
“Sure, thanks.” He whistled to Ben, who bounded down the stairs behind him.
“Rio, you’re with us.” Kane handed him the flasks and headed out the door.
Everything looked completely different in daylight.
Mist still rose from the rivers but not as thick as the night before.
The forest looked completely normal. The larches stood out bright golden yellow against the tall green pines and the colors of fall blended together like an artist’s palette of greens and golds.
As they crossed the second bridge, Jenna pointed out where she’d seen the girl in a bloodstained nightgown.
“It was exactly where the women told me they’d seen her, so your theory of a projector makes sense. ”
“We’ll take a look and see if we can find any evidence to prove that the killer tied something to a tree or similar.
” Kane swung the Beast around and headed back along the other side of the highway.
“This is showing all the signs of an organized psychopath. Something like this would take a ton of planning. My only concern is the couple parking in the forest. How did he know they were there? I figure we need to speak to their friends and find out if they discussed going to that particular place. Maybe he overheard and lay in wait for them.”
Her stomach rolled as she remembered the crime scene.
“We’ve spoken to their friends. They were all at the pizzeria last Thursday evening and they discussed the best spots around town.
So it’s possible he overheard them. Then again, maybe not.
The place they were discovered is popular among the kids.
Maybe he just waited there in the hope someone would show? ”
“Possible but psychopaths aren’t usually known for their patience.” Kane pulled to the curb. “Once they’re triggered and the blood is high in their veins, they’re difficult to stop and I don’t honestly believe they have any control once they reach that state.”
“The scene looks like a massacre took place.” Rio leaned forward from the back seat.
“I figure he must have an ax with a long handle. There are blood spatter trails all over. I uploaded everything from my phone to the server once I got home last night, just in case it rained or animals disturbed anything overnight.”
Jenna looked at him. “That’s good to know. I’m sure Wolfe and Emily will appreciate it.” She glanced at Kane. “Let’s go.”