Page 33 of A Song for the Dead

Snorting, Carter pulled up opposite the park. “I figure he already has. You don’t believe he’s our man.”

“I didn’t say that.” Jo turned in her seat to look at him. “I said, he is one of many who fit the profile, but we have no solid evidence against him. The thing is, if he tries to get closer, we’ll know for sure.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

Covering her face from the stench of death, Jenna almost bumped into Kane. The moment he drew his weapon, she did the same and took cover beside the refrigerator. Ahead of her Kane flattened against the wall, holding his M18 pistol out at arm’s length.

“What’s the holdup?” Maxwell walked toward the doorway and froze. “Don’t shoot. I’m unarmed. What’s this all about?” He held up his hands.

“What stinks?” Kane held his weapon steady.

“Oh, sorry about the smell. I should have said something.” Maxwell smiled benevolently. “I do taxidermy, roadkill mostly. I’m used to the smell.”

Gagging, Jenna holstered her weapon and pulled out a face mask. Kane wouldn’t allow Maxwell to move a muscle. She pressed it to her face. “Is there anyone else in the house?” She slid her pistol from the holster. “Hands on your head and step away from the door. Walk backward. Kane, take a look around.”

“Hey, what do you think I’ve done, murdered someone and brought them home?” Maxwell’s eyes popped wide open in shock. “Stop waving that weapon at me. Is this what I get for calling in on the hotline? I’m never doing that again. That’s for darn sure.”

She moved closer to the doorway as Kane slid inside the room, his gun aimed at Maxwell. Her heart pounded as Kane cleared each room.

“I’m heading into the root cellar.” Kane’s voice came from deep inside the cabin.

“There’s nothing down there.” Maxwell’s shoulders lifted. “The place gives me the creeps. At night, I often hear voices coming from down there as if it’s haunted.” He shuddered. “Maybe it’s the wind but I keep the bolt across the door. Over Halloween it gets worse, as if evil spirits are trying to escape.”

Swallowing hard but keeping her weapon pointed at him, Jenna glared at him. “If you’re so scared about living in the forest, why live here all alone?”

“I prefer the solitude.” Maxwell’s gaze slid over her. “And I haven’t been able to convince anyone to come and live here with me.”

Wrinkling her nose, Jenna sighed with relief when Kane’s footsteps came along the passageway. She hadn’t taken her eyes from Maxwell’s face. “Maybe the smell is the problem. I don’t know many people who could live here in this putrid stench.”

“Clear.” Kane walked into the room wearing a face mask. “We’ll talk outside. Take it nice and slow.” Kane waved his pistol at the man. “Sheriff, we’ll follow you.”

Desperate to get away from the smell, Jenna hurried outside and walked some distance from the house, inhaling clean air. When Maxwell came out, Kane followed and holstered his weapon. She waited for them to come to her and turned to Maxwell. “Do you have a license for taxidermy?”

“Yeah, it just so happens I do.” Maxwell nodded. “I’m guessing you won’t want me going inside to fetch it, seeing as you somehow figure I’m a threat.”

“Usually when we smell death it means someone has a dead body inside their cabin.” Kane stared him down. “Trust me, we’ve seen more than our fair share.”

Still smelling death in her nose, Jenna looked at Maxwell. “The white vehicle you saw driving along Main, what else can you tell us about it? Make? Model? Did you see the driver?”

“It was a white van, like a delivery van.” Maxwell stared into space and then back at Jenna. “I just caught a glimpse of it. It was moving fast, way over sixty miles an hour, and I only saw the taillights. I was just saying goodbye to my friends in the parking lot when it flew past.”

“You own a vehicle?” Kane scanned the area. “Where is it?”

“I own a truck and a horse trailer. I leave it parked on the fire road, the one that runs from Stanton before it joins the one that goes to Bear Peak. You know that part that’s covered in gravel? Everyone who goes hunting leaves their vehicles there. It’s safe and my truck is old. No one would want to steal it.” He waved a hand toward the trail. “I ride my horse here. This way I’m off the grid, and if I need to go to town, I take my horse with me. It’s comfortable in the trailer.”

Jenna nodded. “So, you went straight home after dinner at Antlers?”

“Yeah, I have a big old flashlight to find my way home in the dark.” Maxwell grinned. “I carry a rifle and bear spray as well.”

“What about Wednesday evening between six and midnight?” Kane straightened.

“Wednesday I went to the general store, picked up a few things around three, and came home.” Maxwell shrugged. “I’ve been here since.”

Jenna sighed. It was a waste of time. There would be CCTV cameras at both of the places he’d visited, and she’d check them out, but proving he was at home when he said he was would be impossible. Without solid evidence, they had zip. “Okay, thanks for your time, Mr. Maxwell.”

Back at the horses, she went to her backpack and unzipped it. Inside she carried a can of hand cleaner. She sprayed her hands and tossed it to Kane. “Spray me all over. I’m not taking that stink home with me.”

“Sure, so do me as well.” He aimed the can at her and shook his head. “You should have seen inside. The place was filled with animal remains, skins, drying skulls, it was like a Halloween nightmare. The cellar was empty and the only place in there that didn’t stink.” He sprayed his hands and then handed her the can.

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