Page 10 of Whisper Through the Pines

“The Phantom unit is already common knowledge and so is the fact that the world’s superpowers are in a race to produce the best AI combat model.” Kane stared into space. “It’s a dangerous world out there, Jenna, but machines are expendable, lives are not. The one that Wolfe has is a Mortuary Analysis and Retrieval Assistant model. Wolfe calls it MARA.” He shook his head. “I was so exhausted, I wouldn’t have made it into the chopper without help. It will be good at search and rescue. Wolfe has it for a time to run performance tests during autopsies and the like. Then I guess they move its development to live people, but it did check the asset and diagnosed the problem.” He held up a hand. “Don’t ask me any questions about the asset or the mission. It’s classified. That’s all I can tell you and I’m stepping over the line as it is.” He sighed. “I’ll go and make cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows. I want to know what’s been happening while we were gone.”

Gobsmacked, Jenna blinked. Being dragged into a world run and protected by machines scared her. How long before humans became obsolete? She dried herself and walked into the bedroom to pull on her PJs. Sure, lives would be saved but at the speed AI was moving, how long before the robots made their own decisions and bypassed the manufacturers’ safeguards? She pulled on a fleecy gown. When that time came along, axmen and ghostly apparitions would be the least of her problems.

Twelve

Kane carried the hot chocolate into the family room and placed it on the coffee table. He went about stoking the fire just as Jenna came into the room. He sat on the sofa and she snuggled against him. He pulled her close, concerned to see the dark shadows under her eyes and feel the weight she’d lost in a couple of weeks. Having her in his arms outweighed being bone weary and totally exhausted. “So, tell me all about it.”

Before Jenna had the chance to say a word to him, the doggy door banged shut and Duke came charging into the room, his claws skidding on the polished wooden floor. He had bits of grass and burrs stuck in his coat. He did his happy dance, licked Kane’s face, and then rested his head on Jenna’s lap. Kane rubbed his ears. “There you are. Where have you been?”

“In the woods, I’d say.” Jenna smiled and stroked Duke’s head. “He’s been depressed since you left. Now he can see your home, he went out to celebrate. Chasing critters, no doubt.” She turned to look at him. “I told everyone you went fishing. Now with the robot’s arrival, what’s the cover story?”

This had been something he’d discussed with Wolfe at length on the flight home. They’d worked out a cover story. The robot came as a surprise to Wolfe but necessary to provide security for Kane’s rescue. As Wolfe understood technology, he would run it through a series of tests and send the data back to the manufacturer. They had spent an hour at a briefing prior to returning home getting the details about working alongside it, but as it was AI, all Wolfe needed to do was to ask it questions. Data would be uploaded to a server and any problems Wolfe encountered would be reported. He reached for his drink. “The story is we went fishing and then Wolfe got the offer of a robot from an AI company and we spent the entire time learning how to work alongside it. Wolfe told them I was his assistant. That’s the story you can tell. We’ve discussed the details, and if anyone asks, refer them to me.” He took a sip of the chocolate and sighed. “Now the cases. Decapitations? It’s Halloween. Don’t tell me it’s the Axman myth coming to life?”

“Exactly and another one.” Jenna shuddered. “It’s like someone is re-creating the worst ghost stories possible. I honestly thought I saw a ghost tonight—don’t look at me like that, Dave; two women saw it as well—but now I believe it was a trick to lure me into the forest.”

Kane frowned as she told her story and he could feel her fear. Shaking his head, he tried to make his exhausted mind work faster. “That’s more of a possibility than a ghost, Jenna. There are many ways someone could project a series of images on a thick wall of mist. It wouldn’t be difficult and many people have battery-powered portable projectors and a fog machine. The same goes for the sounds you heard. It’s all possible and a perfect trap for a Good Samaritan or two going to the aid of a girl in trouble.”

“Yeah, but doesn’t everyone know that myth?” Jenna’s blue eyes peered at him over the rim of her cup. “Who would be stupid enough to venture into Stanton Forest at night in a heavy mist?”

Kane shrugged. “Well, two men obviously did. By the time you arrived the second time, the killer had removed the evidence of the ruse.” He finished his drink and looked at her. “He’s very smart, which makes him deadly. I wonder what he has next up his sleeve?”

“We’ll go back in the morning with forensics and see what we can find.” Jenna shivered. “It was horrific. I can’t get either scene from my head. The worst thing is that we don’t have any suspects.”

Kane considered the problem. “It’s too early to profile this person and I’m too tired to think straight. Let’s sleep on it. I’ll call Jo in the morning and run it by her. She might have some suggestions.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.

“No need.” Jenna smiled and collected the cups. “Ty and Jo are coming for Halloween. If their director gave them the green light, they should be here tomorrow. She’s bringing Jaime.”

Kane followed her to the kitchen, turning out lights along the way. He plucked the cups from her hands, placed them in the dishwasher, and turned to her. “The boys will be pleased to see her.”

“I figure they’ll be more pleased to see you.” Jenna smiled at him. “They ask about you every day.”

Putting family aside was getting harder each time he left on a mission. His boys needed their father and his wife needed him. He led her along the hallway, opening the door to the boys’ room and peering inside. As usual, Duke nosed his way through the door and crawled under Jackson’s bed. He smiled. “It’s sure good to be home.”

Thirteen

Tuesday

Jenna fell out of bed when the alarm sounded at five. She’d managed well doing the chores without Kane, although Raya had helped each night. The smell of coffee wafted up her nostrils as Kane walked into the room, placed two cups on the bedside table, and sat on the bed. Her heart melted at seeing him. “I’ve really missed our early morning cups of coffee.”

“Me too.” Kane pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her. “It’s the perfect start to the day.” He reached for his cup. “I added extra cream so we could drink it down and get the chores done before the boys wake. I figure we’ll need a little extra time with them this morning.”

After taking a sip of coffee and running to the bathroom, Jenna dragged on her clothes. “The horses are wearing their blankets. I’ve been leaving them in the corral during the day, so I don’t need to muck out their stalls twice a day. I’ve been bringing them in at night, grooming them, and then putting their coats back on. It’s getting cold overnight now.”

“That works for me.” Kane emptied his cup. “We’ll be working long hours, and if Raya can bring in the horses if we’re held up, that’s all she needs to do. We can groom them in the mornings now we’re both at home.”

After drinking her coffee and returning the cups to the kitchen, Jenna went to the mudroom, pulled on her old work boots, and then followed Kane to the barn. Duke followed them and watched everything they did with his usual doggy grin. It didn’t take too long to finish the chores and they went back to the house to wash up for breakfast. By the time Jenna had dressed for work, the smell of sizzling bacon drifted from the kitchen. Having a husband who loved to cook was a gift. She went to the boys’ room. “Come on, sleepyheads. I have a big surprise for you. Daddy’s home.”

“Daddee, Daddee, Daddee.” Jackson slid off the bed and, without putting on his robe, ran out the door and along the hallway.

“Is he really back?” Tauri rubbed his eyes. “I’ve missed him.” He jumped out of bed.

Jenna nodded and smiled at him. “Me too but he’s home now. Put on your robe. He’s in the kitchen.”

“Did he bring home some fish or an elk for winter?” Tauri pulled on his robe. “Atohi said he has all their meat for winter.”

Jenna shook her head. “No fish, I’m afraid. Daddy prefers to eat beef and buys his meat from the store. When he goes fishing, he catches and releases. It’s different for us. We don’t live off the land like Atohi. Daddy doesn’t usually have time to go hunting to provide for us when he’s working all the time.”

“I’ll hunt for us when I’m older.” Tauri nodded to himself as if making a decision and then scooted off to the kitchen.