Oracle Rising (32 page)

Maura got to work. She traced, tracked, and searched using their personal information. What she found was that both phones were still active.

If they burned, they wouldn’t be.

Cross checking the home locations with the pinging on the phones’ GPS, she found a location.

It was NOWHERE near the fires.

This had to be something.

If they were lucky, the killer threw the phones in his trunk and forgot about them. Maybe he liked souvenirs.

Maybe he was a total idiot.

Either way, it was about to work in their favor.

They were about to recover something that might get them a clue.

Maura was excited.

She picked up the phone and made the call. She knew two Feds who would be just as excited too.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

    Saint Paul

of the Lost Sheep

When they arrived, the priest was in the vestibule refilling the offering envelopes. As soon as he saw the sheriff, heading his way, he smiled.

“Rhett! I didn't think I’d see you back here at church. It’s been a long time, son.”

“Yes, sir. I’m not here to talk about my soul. I’m here because we have to have a little discussion.” He introduced the two agents with him.

“Gentlemen.”

“Sir, we need to talk about your relationship with a parishioner.”

“Who?”

“Miss Mandy Ryan.”

There was a telltale flinch.

Nate saw it.

Luke saw it.

Even Rhett caught it. Then he sighed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“How long were you having sex with her?” Nate asked, going there. Someone had to, so why not risk God’s wrath by insulting a priest in a holy place?

He liked to live on the edge.

“I didn’t.”

“We have a witness that says you did,” Nate stated. It was total BS, and only hearsay, but he needed answers.

“She came on to me. I made a mistake, so I asked God’s forgiveness, and I moved on.”

“What’s the penance for sleeping with a parishioner?” Luke asked.

“I don’t like your tone.”

“We don’t like that the girl is dead. That’s a much bigger issue, and if it gets out…”

He looked worried.

“Father, come clean with them,” Rhett said. “They aren’t here to catch you up in this mess. They need to figure out who killed her.”

He stared at them. “It wasn’t me. I don’t murder women. That’s a sin.”

Neither man spoke. They were going to let the sheriff handle this mess. It was his town, and he had to run it.

“You need to be honest. Lying is also a sin.”

“I didn't do it,” he stated. “I’m sure I have an alibi.”

“Where were you?” Luke asked, rattling off the TOD for Mandy and Caitlyn—just in case.”

He struggled with Mandy’s alibi, but he had one for the second victim.

He wasn’t in the clear quite yet.

“We’re going to have to check it out,” Rhett stated. “I hope you understand.”

Father William Clay wasn’t happy.

They could tell.

“Just do it quietly. I can lose my post here.”

Nate laughed. “Yeah, because we’re here to keep you in a job. That’s not happening. If it gets out, it gets out.”

The man looked like he was going to start swinging. They’d save him the embarrassment of being hauled out of there in cuffs.

It was time for them to head out.

“Have a good night, Father,” Luke said.

Outside, Rhett didn't say a word.

“Did that upset you?” Nate asked.

“Not in the way you’d think. He was being sleazy. That pisses me off. I’m not angry that you were hard on him. I’m a cop. I like to believe that comes first.”

Yeah, unless Juliett was in trouble.

Rhett already knew he’d do anything to save her.

As Nate was about to make a comment, his phone began ringing.

“What is it, Maura?”

He listened.

“Really?”

“Yeah, we’ll meet you there.”

When he hung up, both men were staring at him.

“Is she okay?” asked Luke.

“Yeah, she found something.”

Rhett was curious. “What?”

“We assumed that the girls’ possessions were in their homes when the fire happened. Maura double checked, and their cell phones weren’t.”

“How do you know?” Rhett asked.

“She tracked them. They’re still on. Our killer must have taken them, and he didn't shut them off. We have to hurry though. The batteries might die at any minute.”

Luke grinned. “That’s my girl. She’s thorough.”

Yeah, she certainly was, and she may have just found them something they could use to find a killer.

Nate had to hope that the phones were in someone’s car. Then, they could call this case over.

“Let’s head there. Sheriff, follow us. She’s texting me the coordinates.”

“Works for me,” he said, heading to his truck. What he really wanted was to get this day over. He wanted to see Juliett in the worst way.

He needed some peace.

It appeared that she was the only one who could give it to him.

       
                     
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Woods

Location from GPS

When they arrived at the location, Maura was just pulling up. She was smiling and looked like the cat who swallowed the canary.

“You tracked it here?” Rhett asked, getting that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew these woods like the back of his hand.

“Yeah, it’s not far into the trees. I can find the phones for you.” Maura glanced down at her military watch and began pacing out the coordinates. This was her thing.

It was going to be a cake walk.

Rhett tried to explain something, but no one was listening. They were heading into the trees, like there was a pot of gold at the end of the scavenger hunt.

Rhett followed, not sure what to think. A part of him wanted to freak out, but he kept his fingers crossed.

As they headed deeper into the trees, there was a feeling of dread coming over him.

Maybe that wasn’t quite accurate.

He wanted to be sick.

His gut was knotting up.

Nate kept close to his team as they headed deeper into the lush greenery.

His gun was pulled, and so was Luke’s. They were ready for just about anything—including if the killer were to jump out at them.

“I first hoped that the killer had the phones in his car, but we might actually find a house. There are cabins all around here,” she offered.

Rhett was well aware.

As they moved into the clearing, it looked like some sort of campsite.

“Someone’s been here,” Luke said, scanning the area for any sign that they might still be there.

“I got it!” Maura said, grinning. She was digging in a campfire. “Our killer isn't too smart,” she offered.

When she pulled the charred bags from the old fire, she was grinning. “He tried to burn them, but he wasn’t aware that real leather, that’s been treated—like in a hand bag—is a bitch to burn. The more expensive the bag, the more flame retardant it is. The joke’s on him.”

Nate pulled on a pair of gloves to retrieve the evidence. Granted they didn't have DNA, but they might have fingerprints.

Anything would help.

“It’s ironic that he wanted to burn this but failed. He’s pretty good with fire.”

When he reached into each bag, he retrieved two cell phones. They were on, and neither was damaged.

“We got the phones!”

Luke was still looking around. “Where the hell is this place? I can’t get my bearings.”

Rhett spoke up, “The lake is about one hundred feet through there. Lots of people fish there.”

Luke was all about fishing, but this whole area looked like dense thicket. How the hell could they find their way through it?

“How do you even know that?” he asked. “I feel like I’m in the middle of the Amazon.”

It was time to come clean.

“If you go that way about five hundred feet, you’ll find a cabin. If you go three miles that way, you’ll find the one you are all staying in. This thicket is in the center of everything.”

Yeah, that wasn’t the only thing that appeared to be in the middle of a shit mess.

“Really?” Nate asked, getting excited. They might have the killer targeted. This could mean locking him down and getting out of there. He had a ring to buy, and a girl to marry.

“Yeah. And I know the owner personally.”

They were all getting jazzed. This was a good thing.

“Who is it?” Maura asked, getting a plan together in her head. It looked like they were going to be making a visit to an unsuspecting person.

“Me. This is my land.”

Hell…

Chapter FIFTEEN

No one spoke.

What could you say to that?

Sheriff Rhett Longfellow had one hell of a problem on his hands.

Someone was trying to make him look bad. No, they were trying to make him look like a killer.

The only thing he had going for him was that he’d had the men test his DNA. Obviously, the killer didn't think he’d get the chance.

“Who would want to implicate you?” Nate asked.

“I don’t know.”

Maura interjected. “How do we know it’s not him?” she asked. “This is his land, he’s got personal relationships with the victims, and now he’s cozied up to the one woman who’s seen the killer in action. How do we know for certain that he’s not getting ready to kill her?”

Rhett didn't get angry.

He was a cop.

If the shoe was on the other foot, he’d be asking them the same questions. He had to admit, he looked bad.

Real bad.

“It’s not him,” stated Luke.

When Maura looked like she was about to object, he cut her off.

“He’s a cop. He’s not going to ditch damning evidence in his own back yard. He’s going to make sure the phones are off, destroyed, or burned. It’s second nature when you work in law enforcement.”

She didn't like it.

This was getting dangerous.

If this man was the target…Avalon could be hurt. She knew she was there to help them save people like herself, but let’s face it…

The woman was their top priority. If anything happened to Avalon, they didn't have a team.

There was no mission.

There was no job.

She was the center of it all.

“Thanks for not believing I could do this,” Rhett stated. “I really don’t have it in me, but obviously, someone thinks I do.”

Nate patted him on the back.

“It’s too pretty of a package for us. Luke and I have seen thousands of crime scenes, and chased so many killers. They don’t hide evidence in their back yards. Not once have we found someone who was guilty doing that. Yes, they might lead us to the evidence, claiming they found it, but they never leave it tied to them. This was a shitty setup.”

“Babe, he’s right. Thousands of cases and it’s never happened. This screams setup. The sheriff isn’t a dumb man, but he’s not a criminal mastermind either.”

“I won’t take that as an insult,” Rhett stated.

Maura had to trust them. “Okay, but we need to be objective. Should he be left around Juliett? If this killer is focused on him, and she’s near him…that’s just plain careless on our behalf. He’s obviously tied to this somehow,” she began, noticing his face, “not as the killer, but a piece to the puzzle. Letting Juliett be near him is painting a bull’s-eye on her head.”

Nate had to agree.

There were times when you had to hurt people to save people, and this was one of them. As boss, he had to do the deed.

He turned to face the sheriff. “You can’t see her tonight. You have to get as far from her as possible. If she’s around you, she’s in danger.”

“But…”

He cut him off. “You said you cared about her. Then save her by keeping the focus off her. This maniac hasn’t seen her in his head. Had he, she’d be dead. For now, you have to back off. If he wants to hurt you, who do you think he’ll go for?”

“Juliett.”

“Exactly.”

“I’d stand in front of her,” he stated. “I’d do anything to keep her safe. I really care about her.” Rhett could feel her slipping through his fingers. He could still taste her against his lips, feel her in her arms, and he knew he was losing that.

God!

He was losing her.

Whoever wanted to hurt him had. They’d just stolen his chance at happiness.

They’d taken Juliett from him.

“It doesn’t matter,” Maura stated. “We’re here to keep her safe. You’re the exact opposite of safe. Call off seeing her further. Do it to save her life.”

“I have to tell her why.”

Nate patted him on the arm. “I’ll explain when I get back from the next interview. She’ll understand. She’s a smart woman, and Avalon will reassure her. When this is over, you can start something up.”

He knew that wasn’t true.

She’d be leaving.

Rhett had been in that boat before. It didn't end well. The woman always ran. They always ran from him.

“Listen…”

“Stop,” Maura stated. “You have to back away. You won’t be able to protect her. This is a crazy person, and you’ll lead him right to her.”

He wasn’t going to argue.

He just wanted them to give her a message for him. The last thing he wanted was for Juliett to think he was walking away from her.

It was the opposite.

He was sacrificing something so big to save her.

“I’m going to opt out of the next interview. If I have some nut focused on me, you’re all in danger. I’ll go sit in my office until it’s time to head home.”

“Rhett, I’m sorry,” Nate said.

“Sure thanks.”

He didn't look back.

He couldn’t.

Rhett knew that his whole world was caving in on him again. What was it with him and women?

Why the hell was he so damn cursed?

They heard his truck roar to life.

Luke was the first to speak. “That sucks,” he stated. “I feel for him. I know what it feels like to be at that low point when the woman you love walks away.”

Nate got it too.

Maura refused to look at it any other way than a job. Someone in their group had to be the tough one. Feelings got in the way, and the men were soft when it came to the opposite sex.

She was an equal opportunity offended.

They weren’t there to play matchmaker, or to make someone’s life easier. They were there to do a job, save someone, and get out.

It was as simple as that.

“When I get back to the cabin, I’ll send Jagger out to watch the man. He’ll keep an eye on him—just in case.”

They all headed back to the road.

“What now?” Luke asked.

“We’re going to the bar. I need to talk to the owner. He employs the DJ. Maybe he has something to say about Dennis Tucker.”

They got into their vehicles and headed out.

All the while, Nate was thinking about one thing.

Avalon.

She had warned him that the woman needed Rhett to survive. Now he had to hope that they didn't just change fate in the killer’s favor.

If they did, they might as well not have shown up.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Artie’s Bar

Friday Afternoon

When they got there, the bar was just opening up for the day. The employees and wait staff were gearing up for a Friday night. Apparently, from the quantity of workers, the place was going to get busy.

As they entered, they headed right to the bartender. He was busy getting the bottles ready.

“Hey! What can I get you gentlemen?”

“Information,” Nate said, dropping his badge on the counter.

“Sure thing. What do you want to know?”

“Is the owner here?”

He nodded. “It’s the bald guy over there. He looks like a bouncer, but he’s actually the boss. Is he in trouble? I swear he’s a good guy.”

“Who are you?” Luke asked.

“I’m Owen Justice.”

They stared at him.

“I swear it’s my real name. I should have been a cop. Then it would have been even cooler.”

“Do you know Dennis Tucker?”

He laughed. “Who doesn’t?”

“Where is he?”

The man glanced down at his watch. “He won’t be working until happy hour is over. We don’t use a live DJ until then.”

“Have you seen him in here with these two women?” Luke asked, pulling up their photos.

“Yeah, those are the dead girls. I saw it on the news this morning when I woke up. Unfortunately, I can’t recall if he was or not. It gets crazy in here. I can’t tell one woman from another after about two hours. It’s all about them throwing money at you to get booze.”

“Thanks, Owen.”

“No problem.”

They headed across the room.

“Arthur Gardner?” Nate called.

When the man turned, he indeed looked like a bouncer. They certainly could have used Rhett there to add some intimidation to their questioning. Not that they were small by any means, but they must be adding something to the water in Crosspointe to grow the giants.

“Yeah, who wants to know?”

Again, they offered their names.

“What’s going on? This isn't some crazy sting, is it?” he asked. “We had that happen once, and ATF didn't find anything illegal.”

“Actually, no, it’s not a sting. We’re here to ask you some questions about Dennis Tucker.”

“Oh, okay. Shoot. Well, not literally.”

Nate smiled. “Thanks.”

“What do you know about him?” Luke asked.

“He’s a great DJ, an asshole employee, and one hell of a lady’s man.”

“Care to elaborate?” Nate asked.

“He can spin music like no one’s business. He brings the women in from town, but he’s a lush. I can’t stop him from drinking all night. Last night, he had to cut out early because he said he was feeling sick. Yeah, booze does that to you when you’re dropping shot after shot.”

“Last night, huh?”

“Yes. I told him that if it happened once more, he’s fired. Good or not, I can’t have him slacking off. Before you know it, the rest of the employees think it’s okay to drink on duty.”

“Yeah, we get that.”

“Is he around?”

“You can check upstairs. He rents an apartment in the back. Go out the front door, walk around the building, and up the stairs. It’s apartment B.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey! Find the guy killing those women. I knew Mandy. She was a sweet girl, and a damn good customer.”

They said their goodbyes.

Outside the building, they found the apartment. When they knocked, no one answered. Nate pulled out his business card and scribbled ‘call me’ on the back.

“You think that will work?” Luke asked.

“I have no clue, but it’s worth a try. He likes the ladies. Maybe he’ll think I’m a babe and give me a call.”

Luke laughed. “Yeah, Nathaniel is such a feminine name. I’d wait with baited breath.”

He punched him in the arm.

“Where to next?”

“Let’s wander around. We might find something else we can work with.”

“You mean search for gossip.”

He grinned. “Hey, anything is better than nothing. This batch of gossip gave us a decent lead. We might get lucky again.”

Luke couldn’t disagree with that. “Let’s head to the coffee shop. Cops like gossip and donuts.”

That they did.

Nate couldn’t help be excited. He was curious at what they’d dig up.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Sheriff’s Office

He was pacing the floor.

Leaving her hanging didn't sit right with him. Yes, the Feds said they’d handle it, but he wasn’t like that. Juliett was looking forward to dinner, and so was he. While the FBI agents told him to stay away, he couldn’t break her heart. He had to do the right thing, and that meant telling her the truth.

She didn't deserve to be left in the dark.

Juliett had a heart and soul, and he didn't want to be the weapon that damaged her.

He couldn’t live with that.

So, there had to be a way to get her to see that.

Maybe, if he sent a note, she wouldn’t hate him when this was all over. Rhett really liked her, and he wanted to spend time with her.

No, that was a lie.

He wanted her and in the worst way. He’d never felt like this before. There was a part of him that craved everything about her.