Concerned voices rumbled. Derrick’s face tightened, anger blazing in his eyes.
“We should pull you from the case,” Captain Hale said.
“I agree,” Derrick said, his dark gaze meeting Ellie’s.
“Don’t even think about it,” Ellie said between gritted teeth. “This unsub made it personal, and I refuse to let him run me from my own home or town.”
She used a pointer to outline the layout of the feathers around Minnie. “If you look, there’s a pattern.”
“A bird’s wing. Broken,” Shondra said.
“The crows definitely have some significance to him,” Ellie said, certain they were onto something. “Now we just have to figure out what it is. Tilly, while you’re talking to locals, ask about Midnight Ridge. Also if anyone has noticed a pattern of crow feathers on the ridge before. Maybe our unsubis a birdwatcher or a scientist who studies birds, like an ornithologist. I’ll ask Cord to look into that angle.”
The team disbanded to handle the assignments, and Ellie studied the whiteboard, especially the feathers.
Had feathers been found near the other suicides?
THIRTY-EIGHT
Mystic
Cord verified Ellie’s updated security system was installed and her bed removed from the house, then left the cleaning crew to do their jobs.
He’d phoned Ellie to tell her, and she’d asked him to check out the ornithologist theory. With birdwatching popular in the area, he discovered a bird specialist was located in Mystic who kept a small office to supply information for birdwatching groups, tourists and others interested in the habits of birds, preservation of endangered species and the ecosystem.
Cord parked across the street, the morning air slightly crisper than the day before, which meant the predicted storm was headed their way. A shingle hung by the doorway of a small rustic building with the nameHoratio Brant, PhD,in bold letters along with an etching of birds of prey perched on several tree limbs.
A nature lover, Cord was instantly drawn to the display of various species, stunning colors of the sunrise, sunset, moonlight and the paths along the AT. A thin man wearing camouflage pants and a dark green T-shirt emblazoned with acrow on the front looked up at him. His wiry hair was pulled into a ponytail and hung down his back, and gold wire-rimmed glasses sat askew at the end of his nose.
His eyes were a grayish color and almost bulged from his eye sockets, reminding Cord of a mad scientist from a thriller movie and his jerky movements exuded an eccentric vibe.
“Dr. Brant,” Cord said then extended his hand. “I’m Ranger Cord McClain. I’d like to ask you some questions.”
The man gave a nod and shook Cord’s hand. For a thin man, he had a strong handshake, indicating he wasn’t as frail as he looked. His hands and arms were also scarred, confirming he spent a lot of time in the woods.
“I’m assuming about fowl.”
Cord nodded and glanced around the room. A section in the corner held glass encasements of various bird feathers with their names and information about each species. Cord had once been interested in taxidermy and the room had designated a separate section to that. Another room held a table, chairs, whiteboard and teaching charts.
“Interesting photographs. How did you get into the study of birds?”
Brant shrugged. “I grew up near Midnight Ridge. At night, I saw crows outside my window. As a kid, I was actually afraid of them, but my dad took me into the woods and started teaching me about them, and I lost my fear and became intrigued with the study.”
Cord noticed a collage of crow feathers in the shape of a bird’s wing. A wing very similar to the pattern of the feathers where Minnie Benton’s dead body had been lying.
THIRTY-NINE
Crooked Creek
Ellie grabbed coffee then headed to her office and phoned the local law in Mystic. Deputy Rouse was the intermittent sheriff as the former sheriff hadn’t officially been replaced. After their first meeting at the ridge, she dreaded having to speak to him, but if he had information that could help, she had to ignore her dislike of him.
“The town looks quiet today,” Ellie commented as she surveyed his office.
“Nobody seems to want to work in this town,” Deputy Rouse said. “We’ve gotten a bad rep from all the suicides this year.”
Ellie understood, although there were other reasons people weren’t flocking to the area. The town looked like something set back in time, a defunct little area many had abandoned due to lack of progression, especially technology. Outdated storefronts and restaurants along with a lack of jobs and activities sent young people running to more modern, appealing cities.
“I need information about the two previous suicides at the ridge,” Ellie said. “Can you tell me about them?”
