Page 37 of Dark Hearts

He headed for his truck and got onto the highway heading for Roaring Creek. He had a few deliveries and then he’d be done, but he couldn’t go home, not yet. He had just one more thing to do and called his Aunt Helenja. “Aunt Helenja, could you do something for me? I’m on the road and won’t be back until four. I just remembered Mom asked me to drop by on my lunch break and take her some cookies. You know how upset she gets when I forget things. Could you drop by and take her some?”

His aunt lived two houses over and knew how she treated him. He could rely on her finding the body and not being too upset. She didn’t like his mom and would likely ask him to move in with her for protection.

“Okay, but not for her sake.” Aunt Helenja cleared her throat. “I don’t know how you live with that awful woman.”

He sighed. “She’s my mom.”

“Okay.” Aunt Helenja let out a long sigh. “Drive safe. I’ll see you on Sunday for lunch.”

Smiling, he accelerated along the highway, his next convenience store shooting at the front of his mind. His mom was history and he could play the grieving son just fine. He grinned. Free at last to do whatever he liked and he couldn’t wait.

FORTY-ONE

Glad to see the blue skies had remained, Styles turned the chopper toward Rattlesnake Creek. “You sure we’re not wasting our time? Cody might be in another town this afternoon.”

“Not according to his schedule.” Beth scrolled through her phone. “He was in town up until lunchtime and is due for a pickup out at River’s Edge at two and will be back in town by four. This gives us plenty of time to get into position to apprehend him. He has a delivery for our general store. I figure we get him inside and take him down nice and neat.”

Styles ran the layout of the general store through his mind. “There’s an alleyway that leads to a roll-up door. That’s where they take deliveries. We could hole up inside and wait for him to bring in the cartons and then jump him. It’s unlikely he’ll be carrying.” Styles nodded. It made sense. “I’ll run it by Cash when we get back to the office.”

“I still feel the need to call him Sheriff Ryder.” Beth stared at the scenery.

Laughing, Styles glanced at her blank expression. She’d been like an ice statue since speaking with Wolfe. “He likes you just fine, so don’t overthink him.” He sucked in a breath. “So whathappened with Wolfe? Don’t say nothing because you’ve been withdrawn since I left you alone with him.”

“Wolfe? No, nothing happened, well not really.” Beth chewed on her bottom lip. “He believes my memories of what happened the night my mom was murdered will come back. The idea is frightening, is all. I know he’s there and you are too if I need a shoulder, but talking about it just brings back other memories I’d rather forget. You know, sometimes it’s better to forget and move on rather than keep rehashing the same pain all the time.”

Surprised Wolfe would bring up the subject, Styles nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m all for moving forward. We can’t change the past, can we?” He glanced at her to see her watching him intently. “I’ll be here if you need me, Beth. As a friend not as a superior, and if it’s personal stuff, I could be waterboarded before I’d tell a soul.”

“That’s good to know.” Beth smiled at him. “That goes both ways.”

Glad to see Ryder’s cruiser waiting in the parking lot of the FBI offices, he landed the chopper. “Good, there’s Cash.”

“As Cody is on the road somewhere—it’s only twelve-thirty—we’ll have time to grab a bite to eat at TJ’s.” Beth checked her watch. “I’m intrigued about Cody’s mother. Is she the reason he’s a psychopath? I figure we have probable cause for a search warrant and time to get one before Cody gets back to town. We need to go through his house before he knows we suspect him.”

Styles powered down the chopper and climbed out. He let Bear out and grabbed his gear. “Okay, I’ll open the door for Cash. I’ll bring him up to speed while I take a shower. Meet you back at the office in ten.”

“Sure.” Beth headed for her apartment.

After waiting for Ryder to arrive in the elevator, Styles went to his apartment, giving Ryder the details of the case and what happened. “We’ll have him by five at the latest. The dyingwoman’s note and any evidence we find at his house will make the case.”

“Okay, you get ready and I’ll call the judge and explain what’s happening.” Ryder took out his phone. “I’ll send him the pics of the murdered woman and the message. It should be enough for a search warrant and an arrest warrant.”

By the time Styles was dressed and ready, Ryder had organized the warrants. “That’s great. We’ll go and collect them.”

“I’ll go.” Ryder pushed on his hat. “I’ll meet you at TJ’s. I just hope Cody runs to schedule and we don’t allow him to slip through the net. I have the sheriffs of three counties relying on me to bring this killer in. I’ve already called County and asked them to be on standby to collect a dangerous prisoner at five.”

Styles pushed on his Stetson and shrugged into his coat. “I love your optimism. Let’s go.”

They met Beth in the hallway just as she was leaving her apartment. Styles walked to the elevator. “We have a search warrant for Cody’s house. Just check again to make sure we know where he is right now.”

“I already did that, Styles.” Beth rolled her eyes. “I called his last two stops to see if he’d left yet and he’s following his schedule.”

Styles looked at her. She was always the professional unless she fell down a mineshaft. He’d discovered her Achilles’ heel and it had surprised him. “It never fails to amaze me how serial killers are able to commit the most horrendous crimes and then just carry on as if nothing had happened.”

“It’s because they don’t care.” Beth raised one eyebrow. “It was fun at the time, but like a ride at a county fair, once it’s over they look forward to the next one.”

Grimacing, Styles shook his head. “That’s brutal. Everyone cares a little at some point in their lives. You saying they never regret taking a life?”

“Never.” Beth met his gaze and her expression turned serious. “This is why they’re hard to catch, Styles. Outwardly, unless they’re covered in blood, you could be standing beside a psychopath who has just walked away from committing a heinous crime and he’d be acting like nothing happened.” She gave him a long look and shrugged. “You could be one for all I know.”

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