Page 15 of Their Haunted Hearts
“We’re just about done here.” Emily snapped off her gloves and balled them up before tossing them into the medical examiner’s trash bag. She pulled on another pair. “I’d like to take a better look around, if you don’t mind?” She looked from Jenna to Kane and raised an eyebrow. “Can you spare Raven?”
“Yeah, he’s back. I can hear him talking to Rowley.” Kane stuck his head outside the door. “Raven, I need you to do a walk-through with Emily.”
“Sure.” Raven peered inside. “I’ll grab some booties.”
“No need.” Emily met his gaze. “We’ve processed the scene, the mark on the floor isn’t blood. I want to take a better look around. I figure there’s false doors or built-in spaces where a killer might hide.”
As they walked away, Jenna went to the man waiting outside. She pulled out her notebook. “First, I’ll need your details.”
“I’m Pastor John Dimock.” The tall man opened his arms wide. His face held a pleasant expression as his wide set eyes moved over her face. “I’m working with Father Derry at the shelter.”
Jenna made a few notes as Kane moved to her side. “So, what took you to the Triple Z Roadhouse?”
“I do rounds, usually late in the evening. I go to the Triple Z Bar, the roadhouse, and the bus stations.” He gave a sympathetic smile. “I look for those needing assistance. You’d be surprised how many people arrive here and have nowhere to go. They believe this town can offer them a new life. I usually direct them to the shelter or buy them a meal. Father Derry makes sure they get back on their feet.”
Biting back the need to laugh hysterically at the idea of anyone willingly deciding to move to Serial Killer Central, she exchanged a meaningful look with Kane and then lifted her chin. “That’s very noble of you, Pastor. Now can you tell me what you witnessed on Sunday evening?”
“I’d been to the Triple Z Bar. Many young women end up there trying to make a few bucks. They’re desperate. I went from there to the roadhouse. I noticed the young woman being hassled by some men, and I was going to help her when a man stepped in and took her to a booth. She didn’t complain. I figured she knew him. I spoke to the men. They’d been drinking. I offered to give them a ride home but they refused.”
“What do you mean by hassled?” Kane stared at him. “What did they actually say?”
“They wanted her to join them.” The pastor frowned. “They offered her money to go to the motel with them.” His neck flushed and filled his cheeks. “They wanted to party with her. Their words, not mine.” He cleared his throat. “I sat with them for a time and made sure they consumed a few cups of coffee. I don’t believe they were bad men. They believed the woman was a sex worker.” He scratched his cheek.
Noticing his rough hands, Jenna wondered if coming to Black Rock Falls was a pilgrimage or similar to prove his faith. He resembled the many penniless pastors she’d encountered in this part of the state. “Did you see where the woman went when she left?”
“No, but the men left soon after.” The pastor nodded slowly. “I didn’t see where they went and when I left, they’d gone.”
“What can you tell me about them?” Kane moved closer. “Did you hear any names?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” The pastor smiled. “I do recall the man with the woman. I’m sure I’ve met him at the Triple Z Bar. He’s my size and coloring. I didn’t catch his name.”
“Did you hear any of the men using names at all?” Kane rested his hand on the butt of his weapon. He stared into space.
“Let me see, one of them called the other Joker.” He looked at Jenna. “You don’t believe they were involved in her murder, do you?”
Straightening, Jenna stared at him. “I didn’t say she was murdered.”
“Really? I’m sorry.” The pastor shook his head. “The entire town is talking about vampires. The women who found her have told everyone who will listen what they found.” He moved dark eyes to Jenna’s face. “Fang marks in the neck and a stake through the heart. I figure that means someone murdered her.”
Wondering why Rio hadn’t cautioned the witnesses to keep the murder to themselves until they’d identified the victim, Jenna cleared her throat. “That’s for the medical examiner to decide. I’m not qualified to make that decision.” She handed him a card. “Please head down to my office and ask Chief Deputy Rio to take your statement. You’ve been a great help. Thanks for coming forward. If you do recall anything else about that evening or see the man who was with the victim, call me.”
“No trouble at all.” The pastor smiled at Jenna. “I’m glad to be of assistance.” He took the card and headed toward a pickup.
Jenna turned to Kane. “I’m glad he came forward. His information ties in with what we know so far.”
“It looks like we’ll need to look for suspects who frequent anywhere high-risk people hang out.” Kane stared at the crowd gathered around the entrance. “This guy must blend in with the locals or someone would have spotted him. The townsfolk are more aware than most after all the murders we’ve had here. If they spot a stranger or someone who doesn’t fit, they usually come forward.”
Jenna nodded. “I agree. Let’s wrap it up here and then grab Raven and Rowley and head to Aunt Betty’s for a bite to eat. We can organize the team to hunt down suspects.”
“Ah, that looks like the owner with the carpenter.” Kane indicated to a truck parking alongside the Beast. “I guess we clear the crowd and then wait until he’s finished. Wolfe will need to give him the all-clear before they can continue working on the exhibit.” He glanced behind him. “They’re bringing the body out now.” He looked at Jenna. “I’ll go and speak to the owner.”
Jenna sat down on the bench as Rowley pushed his way through the onlookers. She smiled at him. “There you are. We’re almost done here. We’ll need to wait for Wolfe, and Raven is doing a walk-through with Emily. I just need to make some notes and then we’ll head to Aunt Betty’s and I’ll bring you all up to date. This case is moving faster than I imagined and we have work to do.”
Fifteen
Emily handed Raven a pair of examination gloves. “I’ve read about this haunted house attraction. It is high-tech with moving walls and floors. I figure when it’s finished it will be a terrifying experience.” She smiled at him. “Although, I’m not too sure about walking through it in daylight either. From what Dad said about the terrible experience the women who work here went through, there’s something wrong with the electronics.”
“I won’t allow anything to happen to you, Em.” Raven gave her a lopsided smile, his white teeth flashing in the gloom. “It’s safe. Your dad assured Kane everything was quiet when he and Webber walked through taking samples.” He gave her a long look. “What is it you hope to achieve going through the house again?”
