Preacher waved a hand to the center of town. “To the library.”
“Okay.” The deputy examined his face. “Thanks for your concern.”
Glad he had his face well-covered, Preacher headed across the blacktop but didn’t go back to his truck, he walked slowly up the sidewalk in the direction of the library. He’d missed an opportunity but there would be others. He’d made a connection with Emily Wolfe and the next time they met he’d use the familiarity to gain her trust. He walked on in the snow, changing his stride and leaning a little to the left. Making himself recognizable to a trained law enforcement officer and going straight back to his truck would be a mistake. Deputy Dave would take down his license plate and he was way smarter than that. He glanced over his shoulder to see him still staring after him and gave him a wave. He’d double back and go pick up his truck the moment the deputy turned away. “I’m one step ahead of you, Deputy, and I always will be.”
Forty-Six
Perplexed, Jenna turned in her seat but couldn’t see why Kane had pulled in and dashed off without explanation. She moved to follow him and then noticed Emily heading toward her, looking upset. When she climbed into the back seat, dropped bags of takeout, and hugged Duke, Jenna looked at her. “What’s going on?”
“I got a flat.” Emily shook the snow off her hat and looked forlorn. “A guy offered me a ride and I was just going to refuse when Dave stepped in. I guess he’s going to call Miller’s Garage and get someone out to change it.” She blew out a long sigh. “Poor man, Dave frightened him to death and he said he was a minister.”
Jenna frowned. “Minister or not, with a possible serial killer in town you wouldn’t be stupid enough to get a ride with a stranger, would you?”
“Oh, doh!” Emily rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I do autopsies on murder victims; do you honestly believe I’d be that dumb?”
“I guess not.” Jenna changed the subject. “Is the autopsy on the latest victim on schedule for this afternoon?”
“If I ever get back with the food, it will be.” Emily sighed. “I guess I can reheat it in the microwave.”
“Yes, that would work.” Jenna leaned back in her seat. “Anything interesting happening in the world of forensic science lately?”
They chatted for a while about the new sample-testing equipment Wolfe had purchased for the lab and the different techniques she had learned over the past month.
“It’s very intensive most of the time.” Emily suddenly smiled. “Did you know, Dad has a real neat coffee machine in his office now? It makes a real nice cappuccino. When you drop by later, I’ll make you one.”
Jenna laughed. “I’ll look forward to it.” She glanced up as Kane tapped on Emily’s window and then opened the door.
“I changed the tire.” He reached in and collected the takeout bags. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your Jeep.”
“Catch you later.” Emily smiled at her and followed Kane into the swirling snow and out of view.
Duke whined and Jenna laughed at him and rubbed his ears. “Did smelling that takeout make you hungry? You’re as bad as Kane.”
It was some time before Kane got back to the truck and dropped something heavy in the back. Inquisitive, Jenna looked at him. “You could’ve called Miller’s to send someone out.”
“To change a tire?” Kane shook his head. “It took no time at all but I’m taking the tire to Wolfe. It looks like it’s been slashed.”
Concerned, she turned in her seat. “Who would do that?”
“I’m not sure but some guy was hanging around.” Kane shrugged. “Maybe he was just being neighborly but these days it’s hard to trust a stranger approaching a young woman alone and offering her a ride.” He gave her a long look. “It’s not because I don’t believe Em is capable of taking care of herself, I do, but when I saw that guy hanging all over her, I did get a little overprotective.” He sighed. “I just care about Wolfe’s kids, you know.”
Jenna smiled at him. “She is your best friend’s daughter and part of our family. Of course, you’re protective. She’s still a little girl in your eyes but you must remember, she’s a grown woman now and she’s seen her fair share of murder. Trust me, she’d never climb into a stranger’s vehicle.”
“That’s the problem, they don’t necessarily have to agree to take a ride with our current killer.” Kane frowned. “From the evidence of drugs in the victim’s blood, he could have them subdued and inside his vehicle before anyone noticed.”
“Well, if he was up to no good, he’s using a trick to put people at ease.” Jenna raised one eyebrow as she looked at him. “He told Em he is a minister.”
“She didn’t mention that to me.” The nerve in Kane’s cheek twitched. “You mean that could’ve been Reed?”
“Maybe. I’ll pull up his driver’s license.” She went to work on her phone and then held up the screen. “Well?”
“I couldn’t say, he had his face covered.” Kane examined the image. “He’s the right height at least but he was bundled up against the cold and wearing sunglasses. He said he was heading for the library but he’d go right past the soup kitchen.”
Jenna took back her phone. “Let’s go see if Reed is there. As far as we know he’s the last person to have seen Zoe alive. He could easily be our man but Em isn’t the killer’s usual type so maybe we’re worrying about nothing.” She peered out the window at the swirling snow. “The soup kitchen isn’t far and we could walk from here.”
“Nah.” Kane looked over one shoulder and then moved the truck onto Main. “I can’t leave Duke in the truck without the heat on. We’ll get closer and take him with us.” He smiled at her. “The great thing about being with the sheriff is that I can park anywhere and never get a ticket.”
They drove about a hundred yards down Main and Kane pulled into a service alleyway beside the building. Jenna pulled up her hood and ducked outside into the cold, pulling on her gloves. The sidewalk was dusted with snow and although a good coating of salt had been scattered around, the blizzard-like conditions were making the slippery pavers treacherous underfoot. Narrowly avoiding a collision with two women carrying overflowing shopping bags, she reached the soup kitchen and pushed open the door. Duke sped inside past her. The dog shook himself vigorously, ears spinning like a windmill and sending snow flying in all directions.
It seemed that no matter what time of day she walked into the place, there was a line of people waiting to be fed. The food smelled delicious and made her stomach growl. Soup kitchen was a misnomer for this charity. Hot meals were available from six in the morning until eleven at night. They included soup, a hearty chili or casserole made from donated meat, usually from elk or deer hunters, a selection of vegetables, pies, and cookies from the Women’s Association. She stamped her feet on the hessian sacks at the front door and turned to Kane. “I’ll speak to Axel Reed. You go and talk to everyone. See if anyone recognized Zoe. She had to be staying around here somewhere.”