Page 41 of Whisper Through the Pines

Carter noted his sudden irritation. “You were gone for over two hours, maybe three. That’s a long walk.”

“I like the dark.” A nerve in Pike’s cheek fluttered. “It’s quiet and peaceful. Here during the day, it’s noisy and it makes it difficult to think.”

“Not many people are comfortable in the dark.” Jo made more notes without looking at him.

“I design spooky things in the forests to frighten people.” Pike laughed. “Why would I be afraid of the dark?”

Carter slowly collected the photographs and slid them back inside the file. “So, you know your way around the forest?”

“Everyone knows where to take a girl parking.” Pike grinned suddenly. “That’s one of many.”

Carter exchanged a meaningful look with Jo, but she’d caught it. They hadn’t released the area where the bodies were found. “How did you know that? We didn’t give the media the details of where they were found.”

“I must have heard it somewhere.” Pike gave them a slow smile. “Everyone is talking about the Axman, didn’t you know? I’m glad they are. It’s good for business.”

“Who told you? If you don’t come up with a name, we can only assume you were there.” Jo twirled a pen in her fingers. “Give us the name and you can walk out of here now.”

“I recognized the place, in the photos.” Pike shrugged. “Anyone who would go into the forest alone at night in this town must be crazy. People go missing in there all the time.” He dug one finger into the table, his gaze flicking from one to the other. “Look at you. You’re chasing shadows and all the while a killer is out there. It could be anyone and he could be watching you right now.”

“Is that a threat?” Jo hadn’t so much as blinked.

“If I wanted to threaten you, Jo, you’d know.” Pike stood slowly. “This interview is over. If you’re planning on accusing me of murder, I want an attorney present next time you question me.” He shot a dark look at Carter. “Open the darn door. I’m leaving.”

They couldn’t hold him. They had no evidence. Carter nodded to Rio and he opened the door and escorted him outside. When Pike had left, he stopped the recording and turned to Jo. “He’s about to explode.” He looked at Raven. “We need to get a warrant to place a tracker in his truck.”

“No need.” Raven smiled. “I told him he could drive his truck here for the interview, but I was to ride shotgun. When he climbed out, I accidentally left one of our burner phones under the passenger seat. We needed a legal way to track them without getting a warrant. Leaving a phone behind is innocent enough. Kalo upgraded three of them into tracking devices. If we can get to the other suspects and do the same, we’ll know where they are before one of them strikes again.”

Carter grinned. “You need to pick up Kitteridge next. Do the same with him. We’ll find out where Durnell is delivering wood today and make sure he has one accidentally left in his truck as well.”

“Not a problem.” Raven opened the door and waved them through.

Thirty-Eight

With the chilling effects still clinging from the interview with Durnell, Jenna checked with Maggie at the counter to see if Kitteridge had been brought in for questioning. Discovering Rio had deposited him in interview room two and that Pike had already left the office, she led the way downstairs with Kane close behind. Outside the interview room, Jenna and Kane observed Kitteridge for a moment before going in. The suspect sat hunched at the metal table, his large hands clasped loosely in front of him. Rio sat opposite, with one hand on the recording device. Jenna passed her identity card over the scanner beside the door and pushed inside with Kane.

“I’ve read him his rights and he waived the right to an attorney.” Rio glanced from one to the other. “I’ll start the recording again now.” He pressed the button and then gave the time.

Jenna and Kane both gave their names and settled down at the table. Rio leaned against the door, with his arms folded across his chest. Before she could open her mouth to ask a question, Kitteridge stared at her and his jaw tightened.

“Can we get this over with?” Kitteridge’s shoulders dropped. “I have a ton of work to get through at the Haunted House. We’re running out of time.”

Taking her time, Jenna took out her pen and dropped a legal pad on the table. After making a few notes, she looked up at him slowly. “That depends on you, Mr. Kitteridge.”

“Well, then ask away.” Kitteridge moved his head from side to side as if relieving neck pain.

Nodding, she ran through the questions in her mind. “If you recall, when we visited the Haunted House this week you mentioned leaving early. Can you elaborate on that please?”

“I told you I had stomach cramps.” Kitteridge blew out an exasperated breath.

“Did you tell anyone you were leaving?” Kane leaned forward, his fingers running along the edge of a folder.

“Yeah, I mentioned it to Richards.” Kitteridge shrugged. “I’d finished my work anyhow. It’s not as if we had a show on. All the actors are still rehearsing for the big night.”

Making a note of Richards’ name, Jenna lifted her gaze. “Did you go home?”

“No, I went to buy something for my stomach.” Kitteridge frowned. “At the Triple Z Roadhouse.”

“Did you keep the receipt?” Kane opened the folder and glanced down at the photographs as if disinterested in his answer.