“Saw your report from this morning. It’s an infrastructure security issue.” Kip made a cup of coffee using Wes’s Keurig.
Wes nodded. “Thanks. The guy who’s heading the sheriff’s department investigation is on his way. There was something in his voice that has me worried.”
“I was going to ask you to show me the area, but I’ll wait to hear what he has to say. If that’s okay.” Kip’s lips turned up.
Wes wadded up a piece of paper and tossed it at his head. “If that’s okay?” he mimicked.
Yvonne appeared at the door again. “Lieutenant Hartung is here.”
“Send him in,” Wes said.
Keith entered carrying a large cup of coffee. “I see you never went back to bed either,” he said to Wes.
“Come sit. Keith Hartung, this is another of my colleagues, Kip Brennan. He’s one of the directors of infrastructure security for the Chase Group. I’m delegating our side of the investigation to my colleagues, Troy Bremen and Kip.”
“I appreciate this. The medical examiner was able to decipher the victim was a woman. Based upon her teeth, femurs and skull, she was in her twenties. The autopsy is still in progress.” Hartung closed his eyes and reopened them. “She was dead when she was burned. The body showed blunt force trauma to the skull, facial bones, ribs, femurs. ME said likely from stones. Get this, all traumatic injuries were postmortem.”
Kip puffed out a harsh breath. “Stoned and burned? Were you able to speak with Dixon Knolls?”
“I spoke with him and his wife. They had nothing to offer. Gut tells me they know more. I’m getting a search warrant for his property and yours. In your case, if we find the perp, there are no loopholes.”
“Is the ME running DNA?” Kip asked.
“Yes. Your people stopped the burning process before she was turned completely to ash.”
“We know from the overt appearance of evidence, the shortest connection is to witchcraft or heresy. But why here?” Kip asked. “Of course, it could also be a smoke screen to hide evidence.”
“Do you know the history of the property and that cabin?” Hartung asked.
“No. But we will find out. Does this mean anything to you?” Wes handed Hartung the charm. “One of my personnel found it where the fence was pushed down.” I’ve got photographs, and it’s tagged as evidence.”
“Civilian tags don’t hold legal status.” The lieutenant frowned.
“Lieutenant, it’s not civilian. Every Chase Security International senior executive holds the credential as Department of Homeland Security Special Investigator.” Wes produced his badge and identification.
“I’m glad we’re on the same side,” Keith chuckled.
“We will do the property research as well as the origin of the charm. But until we ID her, we are stalled,” Kip said.
After a knock on the door, it opened, and in crutched Troy. “Sorry, Boss,” TJ said, closing the door as he left.
“Don’t worry. Troy, come sit.” Wes raised a brow.
“I’ll keep my thumb on the ME, and I’ll run the MO through VICAP.” Hartung stood. “I’ll call if I hear anything.”
When the lieutenant cleared the room, Chris and the three senior executives stared at each other. “I don’t have to say it, but we need to solve this.” Wes frowned. “Kip, run it with technical analysis.
“We surprised Hartung. Cabe Baldwin brought me a file after one of his daughter’s friends was found in similar circumstances. Hartung knows a lot more than he let on. Kip, I think your instincts are right; this was an attempt to destroy evidence. And, I’ll add, giving law enforcement a false trail.”
“We can use Cabe’s file as a starting point. Autopsy reports. DNA. Search the scene again,” Troy said. “I called Ice; he’ll let us know what he finds about Hartung. We need to get a look at the other cabins.”
“Chris, go to Town Hall and see if we can demolish the cabins without permits, and if not, apply for the permits. I’d love to tear them down, but we can’t annoy the town,” Wes said.
