Page 4 of A Song for the Dead

She now had three cases to worry about. The cold case was in Norrell’s hands for now. She turned her attention to Rio and Rowley. “Okay, when you’re done here, head back to the office and go through the files on Jacob Seemly’s phone. Make a copy of the files and then see what he has been recording and how long he’s been doing it. Find out if he’s been sending files to anyone else and then write it up.” She glanced at Kane. “Dave witnessed him in the act and that’s on tape. So, you’ll be handling Jacob Seemly.”

“I’ll write up a statement as soon as I get back to the office.” Kane stood and pulled on his coat and gloves. “Seemly will need a meal, if you can grab something before you leave? Maybe give the DA a call, tell him what you’ve got, and see if he wants to issue an arrest warrant. I guess it depends on what you find in the video files. If so, you know the drill: read him his rights and ask him if he wants a lawyer before you question him.”

Standing, Jenna pulled on her jacket and gloves. “I hope this won’t take long. I’ll call the hospital on the way to Elm and make sure the missing girl isn’t there. I’ll keep you in the loop.” She followed Kane and Duke out of the diner with a wave to Susie.

“What is it with Elm Street and Halloween?” Kane deposited Duke on the back seat and clipped in his harness before swinging behind the wheel. “Last year, or was it the year before, something happened on Elm?” He glanced at the map on the GPS and shrugged. “An apartment building. That’s a risk for a killer. I guess we’ll see more problems with them soon enough. They seem to be going up all over of late.” He headed down Main.

As they moved through the traffic, Jenna made the call to the hospital and received no information. Chills slid down her spine at the possibility of finding a homicide victim at the apartment building or, worse still, an empty bloody crime scene. Not knowing where someone had taken the victim was always a problem. Most times, she’d receive a call with details of a body someone else had found and had the chance to prepare herself for a horrific sight, but going in alone, without any idea of what might be waiting for her was nerve-racking and not at all like the cop shows on TV. Her legs always trembled, even with her deputies close behind her, and as sheriff, she must always appear strong and confident, even if she’d rather cut and run.

With effort, she pushed the thoughts of mayhem and murder from her mind for a few minutes. Reality would be hitting her in the face soon enough and Jenna moved her attention to the activity happening around town. The banners had been hung across the road with grinning jack-o’-lanterns andhalloween festivalin bright orange and yellow letters. The townsfolk had already started to decorate the street, and outside Aunt Betty’s Café the giant black hairy spider covering the front door had grown a gossamer web complete with a multitude of red-eyed babies blowing in the breeze. Every year, people tried to outdo each other with the macabre and she loved it.

She wanted to go to the ball dressed as a vampire and had already arranged with Nanny Raya, Tauri’s nanny, to care for him for the few hours they’d be away. Those were special times. Although she spent all day with Kane, the work environment wasn’t romantic, but at a ball, Kane seemed to change into her very own handsome hero. She glanced at him. “I know you like to keep your Halloween costume a surprise, but can you give me a hint?”

“I haven’t given it much thought.” Kane turned onto Elm. “Something that’s not annoying. Costumes seem too bulky, or I freeze wearing them. What about a secret agent? Then I get to wear my shoulder holster and sunglasses.” He grinned at her. “You’ve never seen me like that have you?” He chuckled.

Turning in her seat to look at him, she grinned. “No, I bet you looked amazing in the secret service. Okay, but then I’ll go as a vampire with a baseball bat. I’ll need it to keep the women away from you.”

“Oh, I’ll never stray, Jenna, and I also have my ring of protection.” He waved his left hand. “A wedding band works wonders and, anyway, I won’t be leaving your side. I’ve seen that slinky dress you intend to wear. I’m the one who needs to be worried about your admirers.” He glanced out of the window. “This looks like the place.”

Dropping back into professional mode, Jenna stepped from the truck and shivered as a bitterly cold wind wrapped around her, bringing with it a spiral of dancing fall leaves. “It must have been converted into apartments. I don’t recall seeing it last year. Most of these old places are for sale.”

“They would make a good investment.” Kane scanned the street. “Apartment buildings on this side of town would be perfect for college students.” He opened the back door of the Beast. “Stay, Duke. We won’t be long.” He grabbed a forensic kit and headed to the front door.

Jenna checked her phone and pressed the number of Clara Finch’s apartment, when a scratchy voice came over the intercom, she leaned closer. “It’s Sheriff Alton.”

“I’ll come down.”

The door clicked open and Jenna waited for Kane to examine the lock. “Anything?”

“No forced entry.” Kane bent closer. “No scratches to indicate someone picked the lock.” He followed her inside.

The elevator chimed and a young woman walked out wearing a sweatshirt and pants with bright blue sneakers Jenna nodded to her. “Clara Finch?”

“Yeah, I’m worried about my friend.” Clara pushed her hands inside her pants pockets and appeared to be anxious. “I didn’t search the apartment. I went inside with the complex manager and could see the blood in the bathroom. We came out without touching anything and called 911.”

“Was the manager wearing gloves?” Kane was taking notes.

“No, but he only touched the door handle, and I only went along the hallway. I called out but she didn’t answer.” Clara moved from one foot to the other. “The bathroom door was open and when I saw the blood I ran out.”

“When did you last see her?” Kane lifted his gaze to look at her with his pen poised over his notepad.

“Friday afternoon.” Clara chewed on her bottom lip and her eyes brushed the floor. “We cross paths every day at the same time. I mentioned catching a movie on Saturday night, but she said she’d be too tired after work. She works all over, taking cleaning jobs until she can find a sales position. I went by on Sunday and knocked but she wasn’t there. I was worried this morning when she still wasn’t answering the door. I took a personal day and wanted to go to Aunt Betty’s Café with her. When the building manager opened the door and I saw blood, I called you guys.” She frowned. “Before you ask, I didn’t see anyone hanging around the building when I came home on Friday after work. Since then, I’ve been in my apartment.”

Jenna glanced at Kane. “Go find the manager. We need to get inside.”

“Oh, he left it unlocked.” Clara wrapped her arms around her middle. “I can’t go back in there.”

“Unlocked?” Kane frowned at her.

“The units have deadbolts, so inside you need to turn the key twice to lock it.” Clara looked at him with large unblinking brown eyes. “If I don’t lock it, it stays unlocked, so anyone can walk inside. It’s not very safe. It’s easy to forget to turn the key every time. Most doors shut and lock at the same time.”

Perturbed by the possibility a killer knew this fact about the apartment building, Jenna nodded. “Okay, wait here. We’ll go and take a look.” She led the way to the apartment.

“They didn’t see anyone inside and if she’d been missing since Friday, we’d be smelling her by now.” Kane walked beside Jenna, removing his gloves and pushing them into his pocket before replacing them with examination gloves. “I do smell something bad.” He wrinkled his nose and slowly turned the handle to Freya’s apartment, swinging the door wide. “Sheriff’s department. Anyone home?”

Nothing.

The door opened with a creak and the smell of blood and excrement oozed from the apartment. It was open plan, with a kitchen at one end and a small living room with a single light blazing. Jenna pulled a mask from her pocket. She stared at Kane. “We’ll wear booties. Someone died here.”

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