Forgetting Jane (27 page)

“Jane, talk to me,” Eli pleaded.

The sound of Eli’s desperation was muffled from the screams of all the victims swirling around her. Trapped in a black hole, the world above her spun faster. Nausea pulled at her stomach.

“He sees you,” the little girl whispered, looking down at her.

Jane’s fear strangled the air out of her lungs. “Who is he?”

“Look deeper, Jane.”

“Where?” Jane shouted. The girl laughed and then vanished.

Eli stood in her place. His green eyes were wide with worry. Jane tried to grab his outreached hand but the hole got deeper by the second. She called out his name but her voice didn’t carry.

As Eli tried to help her, another person walked up next to him. The man’s face wasn’t clear, but he seemed familiar to Jane.

The man smiled. In that instant, she knew who he was.

He was the one who put her in the hole.

“
W
hat the hell was she doing out here?” Tom yelled.

“She took off on me.” Eli shouted back. Tom shuffled back a couple of steps.

“Magda,” Eli yelled out while he tried shaking Jane awake. He scooped her up and cradled her in his arms. He carried her inside the house.

“Why are you here?” Eli asked over his shoulder as he laid Jane down on the couch. Tom filed closely behind him.

Magda scrambled to Jane’s side. “What happened?”

“Tom hit her with the car and then she passed out.”

“I only grazed her leg. Besides she shot out in front of me,” Tom defended.

“Now why are you here, Deputy?” Eli wanted to strangle the man.

“The State police came early. Literally right after you hung up on me. They took over the entire station. And, they want to see to you,” Tom said as he studied Jane.

Eli turned and faced Tom. “I guess this is a good enough time as any. Magda, how is she? Should we take her to the hospital?”

Magda checked Jane’s heart rate and breathing. After a few minutes of silence, “Everything sounds good. I’ll keep watch on her,” Magda said in a shaken voice.

“Okay.” Eli touched Jane’s cold cheeks. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Eli hugged Magda quick. “Are you going to be all right?”

Magda nodded without a word and waved him off.

Eli walked out of the house with Tom on his heels.

“Should I stay and keep an eye on them?” Tom asked.

“No. I need you with me.” Eli wanted to rip Tom’s heart out for almost running over Jane. Staying calm for Jane was his only resolve.

“Eli, what
is
going on?” Tom grabbed Eli’s arm to stop him from getting in the truck.             

He yanked his arm away. Now more than ever, Eli couldn’t trust anyone, especially his deputy. If his assumption was true, anyone in the five county area was a suspect.

Eli opened his driver’s door and leaned against it. “Everyone is a suspect, Tom. I went to Henley’s house and found a hidden attic behind his closet.” Eli swiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looked Tom straight in eyes and continued. “I also found a decaying body of a woman in a cage. I think he was behind some of the old unsolved murder cases.”

Tom took a couple steps back and gave him an incredulous look. “No way. As long as I’ve known that man, he couldn’t harm a fly. I can’t believe that.”

“Well, you better believe it. I saw the body myself. The smell was horrific. Chains were bolted in the ceiling and floors. There was a bed with blood stains on it.” Eli cleared his throat and spit out the lingered scent from his lungs.

“Wait a minute, you said ‘some’ murders. What do you mean by that?” Tom took another step back.

“I think there is a second killer, a partner of some sort.”

“This is too incredible to believe. Are you sure?”

“Henley killed
himself before Jane was taken and buried. So yes, I believe there is a second killer still out there,” Eli said. Since it was only an assumption about how the old chief had died, he kept that bit of information to himself.

“What about your father?”

“He was in Illinois when the incident with Jane happened. So he’s ruled out.”

“How do you know that?”

“When the marshals picked him up, they told me he was spotted on one of the traffic cameras robbing a convenience store in Chicago. In a grey F-150.”

“So, he didn’t do it.”

“As much as that bastard deserves to be punished, no, he has no part in this case.”

“We’d better get to the station quick. I’m sure they want to hear about Henley,” Tom said smoothly.

“Let’s get this over with.” Eli slid into his truck and glanced back at his rear view mirror. He saw Tom getting into the squad and waited.

Eli wanted Tom to lead, but he wouldn’t budge from his spot. So, he took off first out of the gravel drive.

He had Tom’s squad in and out of his rear view mirror until he hit the edge of town.

Eli pulled up to the station and noticed plain clothes policemen standing outside the doors. They stepped forward and met up with him on the sidewalk.

“You must be Chief McAvoy. I’m Detective Homes and this is Detective Jansig. State called us in,” the tall blond man addressed him as he flashed his badge.

“FBI? Why are you guys involved?

“State called us in because your case matches with several out of state unsolved murders.”

“I’m sorry, but did you say out of state?” Eli asked while looking around for Tom. “I’m sorry, I thought my deputy was right behind me. One second.” Eli radioed Tom. “Deputy Faber, what is your 10-20?”

Tom didn’t respond.

“What’s your ETA, Deputy?”

A chirp came back. “Here at the light on Wells and Band. I got a flat. I’ll be right there.”

“10-4. Detectives, let’s take this inside.” Eli took a quick look down the end of the street, then led the men inside the station. He quickly told them about Henley’s house and the body and his suspicions about the two killers.

Both detectives were tall, but Holmes was much more bulky in build than Jansig. With the three in the small office, there was barely room for one more person.

“Chief McAvoy, let’s get down to brass tacks,” Holmes said while he adjusted his black-rimmed glasses. “We believe you about the second killer.”

“Good.” Eli took his seat but kept his coat on.

Jansig took out a small notepad from his pocket and flipped through it. “We compiled a large amount of unsolved murders that had some similarities to your Jane Doe case, but there was no significant connection to conclude that there are two killers. But…” he said, holding his finger up, “If there is proof, as you say in Henley’s house, then we are able to connect the dots.”

“I told you, there is clothing, other items and wallets with out of state licenses.”

Jansig kept his eyes down on his pad of paper and penned everything Eli said.

“I want to go with you to Henley’s.”

“We will send a team to Henley’s home,” Holmes interrupted. “Once we get the court order to enter, then we’ll see.”

“Okay,” Eli said. Then he got up and grabbed the pictures and diagram out of his locked drawer. He handed the folder over to Holmes. “Take a look at this.”

“Is this the map?” Jansig asked, looking over the images.

“Yes.” Eli pointed out to where Jane and the latest victim were found. “At first, I thought it was a case Henley was working on. But after I talked to a couple of the officers that led the past investigations, they confirmed that Henley wasn’t a part of nor helped in the cases.

“Now, Henley’s been dead for over six months. He didn’t come out of his grave and grab Jane and the last victim. But after finding the woman in the cage, I’m certain Henley was one of the two killers. Whoever is after Jane is still out there.”

“Jane. Meaning Jane Doe.”

“Yes.”

“Where is she now?”

“My place—and before you say anything else, I thought it was the safest place to hide her,” he defended.

“I get it,” Holmes said.

“Where did you find these?” Jansig asked while he studied the pictures.

“They were mixed in with magazines Henley had stacked up.”

Jansig looked up from the photos. “How well did you know Henley?”

“I worked with the man for almost three years before his death. So, not so much. He wasn’t a friendly sort. He kept to his office when he was in.”

“What are the numbers on the back of the pictures? Are these dates?” Holmes shuffled from picture to picture.

“I thought the same thing until I talked to the officers who ran the cases. The dates the victims were found were later. My assumption is that Henley had these photos as mementos of the victims.” Eli kept watch for the door.              

“Some of those victims had their nipples removed,” Holmes admitted.

“I’m almost positive that the missing nipples were Henley’s handiwork,” Eli cleared his throat.

Both officers gave him a raised brow.

“Next to the bed in the attic was a bowl with dried looking pellets. I assume they are the nipples,” Eli said. “I bet they match the victim in the cage.”

Jansig, who seemed to be only paying attention to the map, finally looked up. “I think you might be right, Chief. Did you realize that on this map, with all the marked places, only Beaver Ridge was untouched?” Jansig said while counting the dots. “Except for Jane Doe. I have a feeling that there are more bodies out there than this map shows.”

“How do you know?” Eli asked.

“It’s my job to know,” Jansig replied, then handed over the map to Holmes.

Eli didn’t appreciate the detective’s aphoristic attitude, but kept his opinion to himself.

“We need to talk to the surviving victim,” Holmes stated as he tucked the map and the pictures back into the folder. “She is vital to this case.”

“I will take you to Jane.”

“No. We will send one of ours. What’s the address?”

“13549 Union road. I’ll have to call Magda to let her know you are coming.”

“Who’s Magda?” Jansig asked.

“A nurse that’s taking care of Jane.”

“Fine.” Holmes took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket.

“Wait, I have another witness. It’s not much but he saw the killer pick up a woman who resembled the latest victim.”

“Is he with the Jane Doe?”

“No. He is at another location,” Eli said. “44891 Rte50, off the US 41.”

Holmes pushed back his glasses. “Okay, I’ll have someone get him too.”

“Is your deputy always this insubordinate?” Jansig asked, turning the topic to Tom.

“This is the first time.” He clicked his radio on. “Deputy Faber, please respond.”

“What?” Tom responded quickly.

“What’s your location?”

“I just finished putting my tire back in the trunk and will be heading in.”

“No. Head back over to the station. The agents want to talk to you.”

There was a bit of silence before Tom answered. “I’ll be right there.”

“10-4,” Eli countered.

Eli stared at the two detectives.

Holmes’ brow furrowed tight. “Is it wise to send the deputy?”

“They will be fine.”

“Then I suggest we go get Jane Doe,” Jansig said.

“I’m giving them a call, so they can get ready.” Eli dialed the house number.

The phone kept ringing. The old answering machine didn’t pick up. Eli hung up and immediately dialed Magda’s cell. It went right into voice mail. Fear spiked him hard. It stabbed at his chest as he tried the house line again. “Pick up, dammit.”

Eli yelled out at the detectives that the women weren’t answering. “I’m coming with you. Cindy, radio Ryan and tell him to get to the Kantor’s house and help Tom.”

All three men rushed out of the station to their cars. As Eli got into his truck, Holmes slipped into the passenger side.

“Jansig will follow,” he said as he strapped on the seat belt.

Eli put the truck into reverse, skidded back and slammed the gear into drive. He raced to the house as fast as he could.

J
ane paced the living room, trying to sort out some of the memories that had bombarded her. She wished Eli were there to help her. He calmed her, inside and out.

A click and a slight squeak caught her attention. She turned to see what it was. Tom stood at the front door. Her heart slammed against her chest as he took a step in.

“Shhhh.” He put his finger to his lips.

Her pulse ramped up as the pounding hammered in her ears. She wasn’t sure what to do.

“Hello, Christina,” Tom whispered.

What the…

He took another step.

Jane tried to move but her legs were useless. She tried to scream, but Tom rushed forward and clamped his hand over her mouth. Jane bit his knuckle and broke free from his iron grip but he punched her head. The world spun out of focus and turned black.                                                                                   

***

J
ane wasn’t sure how long she laid in the living room. Her vision was blurry. She tried sitting up but felt her hands were bound behind her back. Tom had duct taped her mouth, so yelling was out.

“Shhhh. She can’t hear you anymore,” Tom bent over and proceeded to drag her out of the house by her tied legs.

The cement steps bit into her skin, knocking the wind out of her. The gravel driveway grated along her spine through her T-shirt. Jane tightened her muscles to bear the pain, but it didn’t help. She tried to fight back but he was too strong.

She used both legs and tried kicking at him, but Tom kicked her in the gut. The air escaped her lungs and pain was replaced in its place. Jane couldn’t move.

Tom picked her up like a rag doll and threw her over his shoulders. He carried her over to a brown car, opened the trunk and tossed her inside it.

Jane quickly looked up at Tom’s smiling face and then he slammed the lid down. The smell of oil and rust sparked an image. She pictured herself leaning into the trunk of a car. This car.

Jane couldn’t catch her breath. Tears kept coming. Her nose filled and it became very hard to breathe. She tried little by little to open her mouth, but the tape was too sticky and her tongue was too dry to moisten the edges.

She had to move—do something other than waiting to die. Jane moved her connected wrists; they hurt from how he wrapped the duct tape around them, but this was nothing compared to what that bastard would do to her. With the stretch of her arms, she shimmied her tied hands under her butt and finally around her legs.

Jane gently pulled the tape off her mouth and breathed in a deep breath.

There was no time to relax. She reached out and felt around for something to use as a weapon. Her fingertips scraped something hard with ridges. Felt like a tire. Extending her hands further around, the twisted tape bit into her already tender skin. She tried to unravel it, but it was knotted tight.

The engine raced, but the car didn’t move. Jane lay frozen and waited.
What was he doing?
The car bounced and lurched forward, which jostled her a little. She raised her head to listen. And without warning, the trunk swung open and Tom stood there with a shovel in his hand.