An interview followed with the two men who had found Colter Barry disorientated and raving like a lunatic. One of the men figured a stray bullet could have shot Barry as he was moving close to a regulated hunting area. He stopped pacing and stared at the screen, waiting for the newscaster’s comment.
“Well, folks, if you’re going hiking, take care; after all, it is hunting season.”
He took a bottle of bourbon from the bar and made himself a drink then slipped a video card into his player. As the image of Lilly running away from him in terror flashed onto the screen, his heart raced in anticipation. “Run, run as fast as you can because I know how this movie ends and I can’t wait.”
39
Jenna took three deep breaths and pulled on a face mask, then scanned her ID card and stepped inside the morgue. Her self-confidence in dealing with the deaths of victims had increased tenfold since Wolfe’s arrival in Black Rock Falls. The old message that used to play through her head, The dead can’t hurt you, often came to mind at a horrific crime scene, but Wolfe’s calming and reassuring words steeled her resolve during the more grueling autopsies.
His insistence to treat each corpse with dignity, as in life, with a name and a story to tell, was what separated him from the other coroners she had dealt with in her time in law enforcement. Before Wolfe came into her life, she would force her humanity into the background in an effort to deal with horrific crimes. Now she viewed things very differently. Each victim had a story to tell and she needed to be at the autopsy to listen to what Lilly Coppersmith had to say about the man who had taken her life, and prevent him killing again.
She took in the scene before her. Wolfe in mask and gloves with Cole Webber discussing samples taken from the crime scene. “Morning.”
“Great, you’re early.” Wolfe pulled down his mask and smiled at her. “I’m working at warp speed today. Anna is in a school play and I need to be there after she finishes school to help out.”
Jenna nodded. “Yes, Kane mentioned her play. We thought we might come along tonight and watch her, if that’s okay?”
“It would make her day.” Wolfe indicated to Webber to remove Lilly Coppersmith’s body from a drawer in the morgue refrigerator. His attention moved back to Jenna. “As with our other victims, I have used Cole as the law enforcement witness to conduct the autopsy. It means you have the results faster and gives me ample time to explain the different procedures to him. I know some of this is a little grueling for most people. I hope this practice is still okay with you?”
A wave of relief spread over her. She understood the need to be present, but this way, he was able to give her his findings and explain by showing her the evidence. “Yes, having Webber working with you is a bonus for both of us.” She glanced at Webber. “How do you like the work so far?”
“It’s very interesting and I’m enjoying the theory side as well.” Webber pushed the gurney under a huge theatre light. “I had no idea being a coroner’s assistant was so involved but I like doing this job.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.” Jenna glanced at Wolfe. “We’ve had a development in the case. Apart from our two suspects, Canavar and Woods, Rowley mentioned a Vietnam vet who is a bit crazy out of Bear Peak. A soon as I’ve finished here, we’re heading up to interview him.”
“Wear your Kevlar vests, just in case.” Wolfe pu
lled back the sheet on Lilly Coppersmith’s deathly white body. “Okay, we have a female, Caucasian, identified as Lilly Coppersmith out of Blackwater, Montana. Twenty years old, five feet four inches tall. She was in good physical health at the time of death.” He lifted Lilly’s hands one by one. “We found no trace evidence under her nails or any indication at all she fought her killer.”
Jenna replayed Colter Barry’s interview in her mind. “She didn’t fight back in order to save her boyfriend from being burned alive.”
“There are ligature marks on both wrists, the first consistent with the killer tying her arms behind her back for a period of time.” Wolfe’s pale gray gaze moved to her face and he frowned. “From the bruising on her upper thighs and genital area, she was alive when he raped her. The hypostasis in the lower arms or discoloration of the skin would indicate the killer placed her in the position we found her, sitting with her arms extended above her head, before he inflicted the wounds to her arms and legs.”
Jenna moved closer and peered at Lilly’s face. “What do you make of the bruises on her face?”
“The lacerations on her legs and arms would have caused pain and blood loss.” Wolfe glanced at Webber. “Cole has a theory about the marks.”
“Yeah, they aren’t as brutal as the first murder. I figure he was slapping her around to keep her conscious.” Webber pointed to a distinct outline of fingermarks on one cheek. “That’s a slap not a punch.”
“So, what’s the cause of death?” Jenna turned her attention back to Wolfe. “Blood loss?”
“Nope.” Wolfe indicated to a small wound just below the ribs on the left side. “This is why I believe the killer has military training of some kind. That is the same sharp force injury used on Bailey Canavar. It is a lethal and effective blow often used in mortal combat. I would say, due to blood loss, she was lapsing into unconsciousness, and inflicting pain was no longer giving her killer pleasure.”
“Anything else I should know?” Jenna sucked in a deep breath then regretted it, tasting the awful smell of the morgue on her tongue. “So far everything matches Mr. Barry’s story about the murder.”
“We’ll have the results from the samples in a day or so but I doubt they will give us any more information about the killer. It’s pointless revisiting the crime scene; heavy rain will have destroyed any further blood evidence or footprints.” Wolfe sighed. “As we found no trace evidence from a third person on Lilly’s body, it endorses Mr. Barry’s recollection that the killer was covered from head to foot. In my opinion from the evidence I’ve found, he is telling the truth.” He shook his head and covered the body with reverence then lifted his gaze to Jenna. “Be careful in the forest. This killer is dangerous; he could be influenced by drugs and is frightened of nothing.”
40
Kane rode beside Jenna, allowing Rowley to take the lead. During the time Jenna had attended the autopsy, he had dug into Brayden and Joseph Blythe’s lives. After discovering both had priors for assault, he discussed the pair with old Deputy Walters. It was common knowledge around these parts that the Blythes took shots at anyone venturing unannounced on their land. He did not intend to walk into a potentially dangerous situation and had added their phone number to his contacts.
They had left the firebreak and headed down the mountain along an overgrown trail winding its way through the forest. As the pathway narrowed, he fell back, allowing Jenna to ride in the middle. He kept his mind alert, scanning the forest for any movement or glimpses of color.
His attention went to every tree they rode past, checking for any sign of a trail cam. Right now, he trusted no one. As far as he was concerned, they had entered the lion’s den. Jenna was a close example of the type the killer enjoyed torturing and could be watching them.
Anyone could conceal themselves within the shadowy depths of the forest. With the wind creaking the branches overhead, and the wealth of wildlife on the move disguising any possible footfalls, a man in camouflage would be invisible. Hell, he had hidden himself in a forest many times during his deployment and had taken down the enemy without breaking a sweat.
The killer had chosen a perfect background for his crimes, and the size of the forest alone gave him a huge advantage; he could be anywhere in an area of over a million acres. Wearing Kevlar jackets would give them a slight advantage, but with three of them, the killer might go for a headshot.