Page 30 of Whisper Through the Pines

He indicated to Wolfe and Emily to take cover. There was no need for him to explain anything to Jenna and he slipped inside the cabin, moving his flashlight back and forth. Mist oozed through the cabin, making everything shimmer and distort in the shadows. As he moved around, the old floorboards groaned under his boots. He found no bodies, but evidence of the men’s sudden departure indicated that their murders happened elsewhere. Wolfe and Emily would handle the details. He waved Jenna inside and Wolfe, Emily, and Webber followed close behind. He turned to face them when three soft taps came from behind him. He spun around and stared outside. “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah.” Raven loomed from out of the fog. “I thought it came from inside the cabin.”

“More like underneath it.” Carter jumped from the porch, crouched down, and shone his flashlight under the cabin.

Tap, tap, tap.

Kane stared out the door, trying to make out the forest. His flashlight seemed to bounce off the thick fog, hiding all but the closest trees from his view. Anyone could be out there, an Axman or someone carrying an automatic weapon, and they could cut them down in seconds. With every instinct screaming at him to stay vigilant, he looked at the team. “Rio and Rowley, watch the perimeter of the clearing. Carter, Raven, see if you can find any wires under the cabin. This guy likes to frighten people and he’s set up something to make noises.”

“What have we got here?” Jenna moved closer to Wolfe, pulling on examination gloves.

“There’s not enough blood.” Emily approached the table, moving her flashlight across the floor.

“I agree. These men weren’t killed here.” Wolfe moved his flashlight across the walls and over the ceiling. “There’s no blood pooling or spatter. The heads were placed here postmortem.”

“They’re exactly the same as the others.” Emily bent to peer inside the open mouths. “Black candles just like before. Do you figure he’s treating them like morbid jack-o’-lanterns?”

Kane nodded slowly. “Yeah, he staged them like a display. He’s opened their eyes and made them appear as creepy as possible. He wants people to see his work, as if he’s proud of what he’s doing, and I figure he’s out there waiting for our reaction.”

A loud knock came from the back of the cabin and then a small, frightened voice.

“Mister, I’m cold. Please let me come in.”

“It’s coming from under the cabin.” Carter’s voice came from close by. “I’ve got it.”

“Oh, so that’s how he lured them out last night.” Jenna’s face had drained of color. “I’ve researched the local myths and legends. I know this one. Decades ago, a young boy went missing during a blizzard near an old hunter’s cabin. The legend says he comes back at Halloween and knocks on the doors, begging to be allowed inside. They say if anyone opens the door, they’re found slaughtered or eaten by animals.”

“The problem is, which myth is he going to use next?” Emily raised both eyebrows.

Kane kept his attention outside. “That device is likely used by remote, which means he’s still here.” He glanced at Jenna. “We need to hunt him down.”

“It’s quite ingenious.” Carter walked into the cabin and handed Kane a device inside a plastic evidence bag. “He used a burner phone and left it on speaker. The line is still open. He’s watching and listening to everything we do.”

“Not now he isn’t.” Jenna took the evidence bag from Kane and disconnected the call. “I agree with Kane. We need to hunt him down.”

“We might be walking into a trap.” Raven stood inside the door, scanning the clearing. “Have Rio and Rowley checked in yet?”

“Not yet.” Jenna tapped her com. “Come in, Rio.”

Nothing.

Refusing to play the Axman’s game, Kane grimaced and touched his com. “Can anyone hear me?”

“No, I can’t. He’s somehow jamming the signal again.” Jenna rolled her eyes. “How long before we get the new ones, Shane?”

“Tomorrow.” Wolfe eyed her critically. “It’s now y’all need to worry about.”

Movement came from outside. The mist swirled and Rowley and Rio came striding toward them. Relived to see them, Kane swallowed hard. The Axman had tried to play on their fears, but the team didn’t scare easy. Behind Rowley and Rio, he caught a flicker of movement like someone slipping between the trees. The Axman was testing to see how close he could get without being seen. Step out and give me a clear shot. Kane raised his weapon and both men hesitated. “Come inside double-time.”

As Rio and Rowley dashed toward the cabin, the shadow vanished and swirling fog wrapped around the trunks like long white ghostly fingers. Taking his gaze from the forest, Kane stepped aside to allow the men to enter. He turned to the others. “Did you see that?”

“Yeah. He’s close and watching us, isn’t he?” Jenna stepped to his side. “I can feel him.”

Every muscle coiled. Kane stared into the forest with a certainty that chilled him to the bone. “And the creep is enjoying every second.”

Twenty-Nine

Heart pounding in her chest, Jenna moved her gaze over her team. “Rio and Rowley, the coms aren’t working but our phones are okay. Put yours on vibrate. We don’t want him to know we’re communicating by phone. I want you to stay inside the cabin, lock the door, and protect Wolfe’s team. We’re going to hunt this guy down.”