Page 38 of Whisper Through the Pines

“Well then, you’ll face all your challenges going forward together.” Jo indicated to Jackson. “He’s asleep and I figure it’s time for me to get Jaime to bed.” She sniffed. “The smell coming from the kitchen tells me dinner is only a short time away.”

Over dinner, Jenna turned to Kalo. “Did you find anything else useful on the suspects?”

“Not more than I told you.” Kalo chewed his steak slowly as if savoring each bite. “I’ve checked employment backgrounds and all of them have been working in the same industries since leaving school, with the exception of Caleb Durnell. He worked for the forestry in Bozeman about four years ago. I figure that’s where he learned to cut wood. He entered woodcutting competitions at various fairs and he won many of them. He has all the permits necessary for collecting dead trees.” He narrowed his gaze as if thinking. “He’s a big guy, from the images I’ve seen of him, with massive upper-body strength.”

“What about the indecent dealing with a minor charge?” Kane added more salad to his plate. “Is that why he left the forestry?”

“Seems so.” Kalo added sour cream to his baked potato. “From then on, he only worked for himself. I can’t find any details on the case. I figure it’s been sealed to protect the minor.” He twirled his fork around as he spoke. “Another thing, he should be on the sexual predators list for this county and he’s not listed.”

Shaking her head, Jenna blew out a long breath. “I’m supposed to be notified if a predator is in my area. Now we have the same guy hanging around the grade school. We’ll go and speak to him first thing in the morning.”

“Why don’t you allow me and Jo to handle one of the other suspects? Say, Jonah Pike?” Carter cut a juicy slice of steak and sighed in contentment. “We could get all the interviews over in one day.”

Thinking it through, Jenna nodded. “Sure. Record the interview and I’ll look at the tape when I get back, and depending on what we learn from Durnell, I can go and speak to Pike if necessary. So, hold him until we return.”

“Not a problem.” Carter attacked the baked potato with his fork. “I figure it must be one of those three. It might just slow this maniac down if he knows we’re watching him.”

“Unlikely.” Jo leaned back in her chair. “This killer is a planner. He likes to choreograph every move. The next kill is already set in his mind. We might ruffle his feathers, but he believes he can outsmart us because he has already.”

Thirty-Six

Thursday

Overnight the wind had blown the clouds away and a few rays of sunshine peeked through, although the temperature was still low, and Jenna wrapped her coat around her as she climbed into the Beast. Kalo had discovered the coordinates to where he believed Caleb Durnell was living in Stanton Forest. From what Jenna could tell, his cabin was in easy distance of every crime scene. Surprisingly, Kalo had discovered Durnell also had a webpage where he advertised firewood for sale. It seemed he had established a business in town complete with a page where clients could order a delivery and add it to his online calendar. Thursdays and Tuesdays, he left open for him to go into the forest to collect dead trees, which he purchased from the forestry for a set amount of money per load. Using the GPS on the vehicle, they soon found his cabin. As Kane drove alongside the cabin, she could see Durnell, splitting wood out back. His white pickup was parked at an angle to the small garage nearby, with the truck bed filled high with split timber.

“He is certainly capable of decapitating a man in one blow.” Kane raised both eyebrows and shot a glance at Jenna. “Keep well back. If he makes a move toward you, I’ll take him down. Don’t trust him for a second.”

Meeting his gaze, Jenna nodded and climbed out of the truck. The scent of fresh-cut pine wafted toward her. She inhaled, enjoying the smell, and caught a whiff of male sweat. She took in Caleb Durnell. He stood at least six-two, with broad shoulders and bulging muscles. He wore only a T-shirt damp with sweat and a pair of jeans. He turned to look at them and visibly stiffened before embedding his ax in a stump. Heart pounding, Jenna held her hands out to the sides, showing that she wasn’t a threat to him. “Caleb Durnell? I’m Sheriff Alton and this is my deputy, Dave Kane. Do you mind if we talk to you for a minute?”

“What for? I didn’t do anything.” Durnell wiped his hands on his jeans, and straightened slowly, his eyes darting back and forth between them.

Noticing the slight tremor in his voice, Jenna remained perfectly still. It was always difficult to know if a psychopath was going to try to charm her or escalate into violence. “We’re not here to accuse you of anything. We’d like to clear up a possible misunderstanding.”

“Your truck was identified hanging around the school at pickup time on more than one occasion.” Kane rested his hand on the butt of his pistol. “When we get a complaint, we need to follow through. Why were you hanging around the school at pickup time?”

“I was waiting for my niece. My sister is out of town for a few days, is all.” Durnell pulled a red bandana from his back pocket and wiped his face and the back of his neck. “Both times she took the bus and went to her pa’s place, instead of her aunt’s place. They’re divorced and no one told me she’d made other arrangements, but I watched until she caught the bus. My sister’s back now. You can ask her.”

Pulling out her notebook and pen, Jenna nodded. “Okay, if you can give me your sister’s details, I’ll call her. I’m sure if what you are telling me is the truth, we won’t have a problem.” She took down the details. “There is one other small thing that I need to speak to you about. It came to our attention that you have been charged with interfering with a minor and yet you haven’t come into my office since you moved to Black Rock Falls and notified us.”

“Those charges were dropped and I didn’t believe I needed to notify anyone.” Durnell folded his arms across his chest, making his muscles bulge. He had a defiant look in his eyes.

“I’m sure we’ll find out that in your records.” Kane straightened and took the woman’s details from Jenna. “I’ll call her now so we can get this sorted.” He stepped away but kept his attention on Durnell.

As Kane made the call, Jenna could see the agitation flowing over Durnell. His gaze kept flicking between them and she could see that he was grinding his teeth. “There is another reason that we need to speak to you. We’ve had reports of white pickups near several crime scenes. They fit the description of yours.”

“Plenty of folks drive white pickups.” Durnell snorted and shook his head. “You sure have got it in for me, ma’am.”

Jenna flicked a glance at Kane as he came to stand beside her. He gave her a short nod telling her that the sister had come through for her brother. “I haven’t got it in for you, Mr. Durnell. It’s just three of our suspects drive the same beat-up old white pickups as you do.”

“Suspects?” The color drained from Durnell’s face. “You mean in the murders that happened recently? You figure I killed them? No, ma’am. I wouldn’t hurt anybody.” He stepped forward and gripped the ax handle.

“Put the ax down.” Kane had drawn his weapon in a split second. “Nice and easy now.”

“I’m sorry.” Durnell stared at the muzzle of Kane’s weapon, dropped the ax immediately, and raised his hands. “I wasn’t going to—oh shit—I didn’t mean anything.”

“Where did you go after delivering wood to the Haunted House?” Kane moved closer, his hand closed around his weapon. “The night we were there.”

“Why?” Durnell’s shoulders hunched, defensive.