Page 40 of Whisper Through the Pines

“Special Agent Jo Wells has joined the interview.”

As Rio and Raven leaned casually against the wall, Carter dropped into a seat and placed a legal pad on the table. He took a pen from his pocket and clicked the top. He waited for Jo to sit beside him and then turned his attention to Pike. “Thanks for coming in, Mr. Pike. We just need to clear up a few things.”

“The FBI must be slipping if you need two deputies to protect you from little ol’ me.” An amused curl lifted Pike’s lips. “Do I frighten you, Jo?” His gaze moved up and down Jo as if undressing her and then he glanced at Carter as if to challenge him to say something.

Trying to suppress a smile, Carter made a few ambiguous notes on his legal pad. His gaze moved to Jo. She hadn’t blinked or moved as if studying him like she was cataloging a new behavioral tic.

“Mr. Pike.” Jo’s face remained expressionless. “What are you hoping to achieve by using my first name?”

Carter loved the way that Jo could take down someone with just a few words. He leaned back in his chair, with his pen poised over his legal pad, observing Pike’s reaction.

“You tell me. You’re the FBI agent.” Pike leaned on the table, moving his face closer to Jo, and a slow smile stretched his lips.

“It tells me you’re testing my boundaries.” Jo tilted her head slightly, as if observing a lab specimen. “You’re seeing what you can get away with, but unfortunately people who find themselves in a powerless situation usually try things like that.” She crossed her legs slowly in a faint hiss of nylon.

Intrigued how Jo could dominate an interview with a slight gesture, Carter waited for Pike’s reaction, but he’d quickly buried his flicker of annoyance. “Let’s talk about the night the young couple were murdered. You were seen leaving the camper after dark and you didn’t come back until after midnight. Where did you go, Mr. Pike?”

“So someone’s keeping tabs on me?” Pike exhaled a soft laugh and shook his head. “Who was it, Marty? A kid should never be working in the horror industry. He sees shadows and turns them into monsters.”

Surprised that Pike had zeroed in on the person who had seen him right away, Carter cleared his throat. “I’m not at liberty to say who witnessed you leaving the ranch, but they identified you and your truck.”

“I take walks.” Pike shrugged and lifted his gaze to him as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “It helps me to sleep. Is walking a crime now?”

Nodding, Carter made a few notes and then lifted his gaze. “So that ranch isn’t large enough for you to ‘take a walk’ and you needed to drive to Stanton Forest?”

“I never mentioned anything about walking in Stanton Forest.” Pike snorted. “You’re twisting things, just like every cop does. I don’t have any obligation to tell you where I walked.”

“You’re very relaxed for someone being questioned about a double homicide.” Jo leaned forward just a fraction as if waiting with interest for his next words. “Most innocent people are anxious about timelines and making sure they have witnesses to prove where they were when the murders took place.”

“Maybe I’m not like most people?” Pike’s eyes appeared to grow darker as he stared at her.

“Hmm.” Jo flicked through a folder on the table and then looked up at him. “I figure that’s becoming clear.”

“Did you two rehearse this?” Pike barked a laugh but shifted in his chair. His dark and calculating gaze moved to Carter. “Good cop, ice-queen cop?”

Carter ignored him, leaving Jo to continue. He liked the subtle way she got under Pike’s skin.

“You’re ignoring the question.” Jo closed the folder and looked at him. “Have I touched on a nerve?”

“You believe you’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?” Pike smiled and shook his head slowly.

“Not yet.” Jo opened the folder again. “But you’re helping.” With slow deliberation, Jo spread the photographs of the two decapitated teenagers across the table. She said nothing but just glanced at Carter.

Using the tip of one finger, Carter pushed the images closer to Pike, waiting for a reaction. “These young people were murdered between nine-thirty and eleven-fifteen the night you went for your walk. You left the ranch around nine in your truck. Our witness tells us that you drove out without turning on your headlights and it was the same when you returned. You snuck in and out of the ranch and didn’t tell anyone where you were going. Actions like that draw our attention. Maybe you can tell us a little more to convince us that you didn’t murder these people?”

“I don’t have any more to tell you.” Pike’s gaze moved across the gruesome images without any reaction whatsoever. “I drove into town, went for a walk, and then I came back. I didn’t put on my headlights to avoid disturbing the boss’s sleep. End of story. I don’t recall seeing anyone I know. I wouldn’t have taken any notice because I often go for a walk in town late at night. It’s no big deal.”

Carter frowned. It was unusual for psychopathic killers not to enjoy reviewing their kills. Many relived the thrill just by looking at the crime scene photographs, but Pike’s reaction was zero. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me the names of the victims.” He raised his eyebrows. “Most people would be interested especially as you all live in the same town.”

“It didn’t seem important.” Pike leaned forward with his elbows on the table, one hand cupped under his chin.

“I guess it wouldn’t if you already knew their names.” Jo uncrossed her legs in a swish of silk. “You knew them, didn’t you?”

“No, I never met them.” Pike’s gaze slid over Jo again. “You’re good, Jo, I’ll give you that, but you’re looking in the wrong direction. I didn’t kill anyone.” He sighed. “You’re wasting your time.”

The interview wasn’t getting anywhere. Carter leaned forward and tapped his pen on his legal pad. “Let’s get back to the night of the murders. You were seen leaving the camper with a bag. What was in it?”

“I don’t recall.” Pike’s gaze sharpened. “Maybe I planned to bring back takeout, who knows? I don’t remember.”