Page 28 of Shephard

“You’re certain.”

“I’m positive.”

“Any idea what breed?” Not that it mattered.

“Not without doing further tests,” she said.

“What else can you tell me about the victims? Anything concrete?”

As she motioned to me, I hesitated to follow her, but it was my job. Fortunately, she only had to lift the sheet covering the lower portion of his torso including a small portion of his right arm that hadn’t been nearly bitten off. “Both had the same tattoo.”

It was something she hadn’t shown me from the first victim, but it wouldn’t have necessarily come into play at that point. I slid my jacket and shirt up to my elbow, showing her the same tattoo. “Both were Marines.”

Maggie lifted her eyebrows. “Maybe that doesn’t mean anything.”

“It’s a connection. Send me a copy of this report and your revised one when you can.”

“I will. What do you think is going on here? I’ve lived here for almost four years and nothing like this has ever happened before.”

“I wish I knew.”

What I did know was that after two murders with similar evidence, Danger Falls had an issue on their hands. I wouldn’t call the person responsible a serial killer yet, but I was nervous about the future.

Now it was time to break the news to Greg. He would need to face the facts. We had a horrific situation on our hands and could need additional support.

But that was only after confronting Cane.

“Thanks for taking the extra time, Maggie. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I have no life anyway. Just like you. We should go out for drinks sometime.”

“Yeah, we will.” Although at this rate, I wondered when that could be.

My office was a little larger than a postage stamp, but it was perfect for me. There was enough room for me to get around, a single visitor to spend about two minutes, and a dog’s bed forPepper. I filled up the water bowl that stayed in the office and took a deep breath. Pepper knew to take a nap, learning my moods years before. I was still pissed. Plus, I wasn’t eager to talk to Greg.

With him on the phone, I had to wait. He had a habit of keeping a television on at all times, the constant news programs getting on my nerves, but at least he knew what was going on within a seven-county radius. We also had satellite radio, and communications systems connected with all the local tourists’ outlets. If anyone went missing, we could hear within seconds.

“I understand, Marty. But tourists are allowed on the property next to you because it’s owned by the resort. Now, I suggest you not do what you did last year and shoot off your weapon. I’ll be forced to arrest you this go-around if you do.” Greg rubbed his eyes.

We had our share of crazies who wanted nothing to do with tourism. At times, I couldn’t blame them. There were months the streets and bars were crowded beyond capacity.

“No, Marty. You’re wrong. We’ve been through this before.”

I wasn’t patient, tapping my fingers on the door often enough he became annoyed.

“I need to go, Marty. Someone is pounding on my office door.”

My impatience worked, the man slamming down his old-fashioned office phone.

“What the hell?” he barked.

I walked in, closing the door behind me. I’d noticed out of the corner of my eye Cane studying me from his office as I walked in. The boy better be shaking in his boots.

“What are you so damn fired up about? Last night?” Greg asked. The man was so low key, at times I was shocked he had a heartbeat.

“Yes, last night. We have a tremendous and dangerous situation here. The victim was brutally murdered and dumped just outside our city.”

“I read your initial report, Denise. But we can’t jump to conclusions.”

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