At the mouth of the cave, the chief halted the progress. “Agent August, you, Kale, and Ms. Newton come with me.” He surveyed the rest of the group as they ambled closer. “Karen, you call the state police and tell them to get their lab techs down here. And call Billy Jackson and let him know we’re out here.”
This cave wasn’t technically in Youngstown town limits, so the local police needed to be contacted.
The chief glanced at Kale. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”
Sarah led the way.
The powerful flashlight beams bounced around the dark interior. Kale spotted the bag she carried everywhere. He started to reach for it.
“Don’t touch nothing,” the chief reminded.
“Over here, Chief!” August shouted.
Kale stayed close to Sarah. The agent’s flashlight was focused on an object on the ground.
Silver glinted. A big-ass knife. Bloody.
The chief studied it a moment, then surveyed the area around it.
A piece of white cloth lay on the ground nearby. Small, empty tubes that had once held glue. A partial roll of duct tape. Empty food containers. A woman’s shoe. And eyeglasses.
All kinds of evidence.
Anticipation burned inside Kale.
’Bout damned time.
They were going to get this bastard.
43
2312 Beauchamp Road, 11:00 a.m.
Jerald watched the security monitor in his study as the police cruisers braked to sudden stops in front of his home. Five, no seven, deputies spilled out of the vehicles and formed a perimeter around his home. Chief Willard and Special Agent Lex August approached his front door.
He’d expected them hours ago.
Some things took time, he supposed.
When he’d gotten his passport years ago, he’d had to provide his thumbprint. It should have been an easy process with the federal agent’s assistance to match the prints on the evidence to him.
Apparently they had taken the route of caution, not wanting to jump the gun and risk double-jeopardy complications.
Understandable.
The doorbell sang its greeting, echoing through the house. He had ensured his wife and daughter were away this morning. That made things simpler. Less traumatic for all involved. His primary goal was to ensure they were both protected. No matter the cost.
Enjoying a final look at the home he had so lovingly designed himself, he took his time arriving at the front door. At least now he had no reason to worry about the carpal tunnel surgery. His hands would no longer be of any use to him.
When he opened the door, Chief Willard stepped forward. Jerald was surprised his service revolver remained holstered.
“Good morning, Chief.” He glanced at the agent. “Agent August. How can I help you this morning?”
“Jerald, I have a warrant here to search your property.” Willard held the official document in his hand. “We’ll need your full cooperation.”
Jerald stepped back, opened the door wide. “Be my guest.”
He got a glimpse of Sarah Newton waiting near one of the police cruisers. He smiled, gave her a nod.
