Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“No. I’ve already verified her alibi for all three, or I wouldn’t be here still looking,” Dutch said.
Fair enough. “So you think we have a serial killer?” Christian asked.
“We’ve got something,” Dutch said. “Unfortunately, this is all we’ve got. We searched the areas around both bodies. Found nothing. And the worst part is, they haven’t been identified to this day.”
Ophelia frowned. “These days you can identify just about anybody.”
Dutch tapped the board. “Not these two. There aren’t any matches in any system.”
Christian stepped back, arms crossed. “Where were they found?”
Dutch moved to the opposite wall, where a map of the territory was mounted. He reached for the bottom of the board, grabbed purple pushpins, and pressed them into the board one at a time. “The bodies were found all within a hundred miles of Knife’s Edge, which is the closest town to all of the scenes. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.”
Christian studied the spread. “Are we sure this is one killer? Rumors in a place like this…they get carried on fumes. Somebody might know to kill and then take out the eyes to make it all look related.”
“That’s possible, except for two things.” Dutch turned back toward him. “The coroner in Anchorage still hasn’t identified the tool that took out the eyes, and we can’t ID three of the victims, counting the one we can’t find.”
Christian couldn’t put the pieces into a reasonable puzzle. “That’s weird.”
Dutch’s jaw tightened. “If it were scavengers, we’d usually know the signs. If it were a specific tool, same thing.”
“I agree.” Christian cleared his throat. “I’m more of a shoot-him or beat-him-up kind of guy. I stalk, track, or hunt and then take care of threats. I don’t know what to do in an investigation like this.”
Dutch pulled out one of the folding chairs and dropped his weight into it. The metal legs creaked but didn’t collapse. “I know, but think of it like hunting in a different way. I’ve got the reports and case files from these two, plus Tamara’s, coming in on the supply plane tomorrow.”
Made sense. There was at least one daily plane arriving now that spring had arrived, usually carrying supplies and now tourists. So much for Christian heading up into the mountains until tourist season ended.
“We’ll start here in Knife’s Edge.” Dutch tapped the table once. “We’ll ask around and see if anyone recognizes any of the victims. The town is the closest to all of the crime scenes, so hopefully somebody will know something to send us in the right direction.”
“I’m not great with talking to people,” Christian said.
Dutch snorted. “I’ve noticed.” He leaned back in the chair, arms crossed. “Now that you’re on the payroll, we’ve got more than just dead bodies to worry about. Be on the lookout for contraband flights. With the skies open again, someone’s bound to get creative. We also need to keep an eye on poachers.”
“I’m on board with that,” Christian said. Tracking a person wasn’t all that different from tracking game. But interviews and evidence? None of that landed right. “The investigation stuff,” he added. “I’m better at ground work.”
“Don’t worry,” Ophelia said. “I’m sure there’ll be plenty of that as well. Plus, come on. You like solving problems. Think of this as a mystery that needs to be solved.” She smiled at him. “We’re a task force of three. I like this.”
Christian liked being able to keep an eye on her. She was trained and tough, but she held his brother’s heart in her hands. Or whatever the expression was. If anything happened to her, Brock would be destroyed. Christian’s thoughts drifted back to the bar and another mystery that wouldn’t leave him alone. The way Amka had shoved Jarod had shocked him. Not because Jarod wasn’t a jerk, but more like, Amka didn’t have a violent bone in her body. But, it wasn’t his business. Still, the moment stuck in his head.
Something was off. He just didn’t know what yet. Apparently he needed to solve more than one mystery in town.
Chapter 10
Amka’s headache continued throughout the day, but she kept a smile in place and gratitude in her heart. At least she tried. The smile was easier than the gratitude. But there was so much. She had friends and a somewhat successful business. Times weren’t exactly easy in Knife’s Edge, but the tourist season helped.
“You good?” Daisy asked, bussing a couple of pitchers from some social media folks in the corner.
“Yeah.” Amka looked up at the man and two women. “This is a new development.”
Daisy rinsed the beer glasses before plucking them into the dishwasher. “Might bring some business in, but I’m not sure anybody local wants that.”
Yeah. There was a fine line between wanting new folks in town and enjoying the solitude of the middle of wintery nowhere.
Wyland and Sheldon Friday sat at the bar, finishing burgers. Sheldon had a new sports watch. He smiled when he caught her glance. “I bought it the other day, and it came in on the plane.”