Dead Women Tell No Lies (26 page)

“Did she lock her car doors?”

“She didn’t at home.” The scene of Cassie driving away, waving and happy while her killer crouched in the rear played in her head.
You monster, you’ll pay.
Rose bent forward and rested her forehead on the steering wheel, willing herself better.
Don’t let him get to you.

“Backup should arrive any second.” He laid a hand on her arm. “I need your help.”

She sat back against the seat. “What can I do?”

“Give me the number and name of Cassie’s nearest family members. I’ll call them once we move her.”

Rose mumbled her answer. Then she covered her eyes with a shaking hand. “I can’t believe she’s gone.” Tears seeped between her fingers.

“I’ll be on the embankment. Stay here.”

She nodded, and he headed toward Cassie. In a few seconds he circled around her body, scanning the surroundings and finally crouched to study the ground. Rose brushed away the tears and wished he’d left the key so she could start the engine and turn on the heat.

Lennox trudged back. “Did you see anyone on your way to the hill?”

“I didn’t notice a soul.” She shook her head. “It’s possible I walked by someone. I was paying attention to the riverbank.”

“Explain again about Dahlia speaking to you.”

She twisted her hands in front of her. “I was napping, but I heard her calling to me. So I came.”

The sound of sirens screamed in the air.

“Is there a possibility Cassie stopped at the river on her way home? Did you mention where your sister was found?”

She shook her head. “I don’t remember if I told her about the bank. She might have read it in the paper. After lunch, she was going home to Brattleboro. She never talked about visiting another person or place. I watched her pull out of the parking lot.”

“Was anyone near her vehicle or following her when she drove off?”

“No one, Lennox, she waved to me. How could this happen to her?” She wiped at the tears on her cheeks.

“Rose, did Cassie mention threats or problems at home?”

“No, she was laughing at lunch. She came to cheer me up and talk about her art class. Look what happened to her.” Rose closed her eyes and sagged against the seat. “Maybe I’m cursed like Typhoid Mary.”

“I don’t think a curse was her problem.” He hunkered down in front of her and squeezed her hand.

“Lennox, do you think A.J. killed Cassie?”

“I wish I knew for sure. I’ll speak to you in a few minutes. Don’t move. I’m going to meet my men.”

“I’ll try not to run away,” she mumbled.

The ambulance and two squad cars pulled up on the hill. A state cruiser followed behind an ambulance.

The trooper slammed his door and hiked over to meet Lennox. “The state’s Major Crime van is on its way. I understand you have a possible homicide.”

Lennox nodded and filled him in. A small army of men in uniforms and suits descended on the area. Rose watched the buzz of activity.
Buck up, Blue. You can’t sit around forever.

She walked over to Lennox and the group of uniforms. “What can I do to help?”

“Nothing, the men will do their jobs.” He cut a glance at the new arrival driving to them.

“What is it?” She snapped her attention toward the vehicle.

“Frank’s here.”

The burly, ex cop slammed the door of his dented vehicle and spoke to one of the officers before he ambled forward.

“He heard already?” Did everyone know?

“I called him. Before you protest, listen to me.” He took hold of her arms and peered into her face. “He’ll take you home and stay with you until I finish up. I need to clear the crime scene to work it.”

“I don’t need a babysitter, Lennox.”

“Humor me.”

Before she could argue, Frank approached them.

“Rosie girl, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks, Frank.” She bit her lower lip to stop the quiver. “Lennox, do you want me to speak to Cassie’s mom?”

“I’ll contact her. Go ahead with Frank.”

“Come along, Rose.” Frank hooked his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll let the young men work.”

She sent one last glance toward the friend who’d come to cheer her up and instead lost her life. Yellow tape was going up to declare the area off limits. She should have told Cassie how much she meant to her. She should have asked more about Cassie’s dreams and talked less about her problems.

“Ready, Rose?” Lennox asked.

She said a quick prayer and faced him. “Yes, take care of my friend.”

Chapter 20

At her apartment, Rose poured steaming water from the kettle into her mug. “I need something hot,” she said to Frank sitting across the kitchen table from her. “I’m freezing and can’t stop shaking. Want a cup?”

“I believe I will.” He reached into the pocket of his coat draped over the back of the chair. He came up with an airplane sized bottle. “My favorite warm up. I always carry one. Care for a touch?”

“No thanks.” She set a mug in front of him. “I can microwave a bowl of soup if you’re hungry.”

“Don’t bother. Your hot water is superb.” He poured amber fluid from his bottle into his drink.

“I never dreamed my day would end this way.” She held the cup between her hands, letting the heat soak into her skin. “I hope they find a clue on the bank that will finally put away that monster.”

“I’m sure Lennox feels the same. Homicides can eat you up. The ones you can’t solve are like cancerous cells destroying your faith.”

Rose wrinkled her face. “Not everyone can hack being a detective. I wouldn’t be able.” She held out an unsteady hand. “I’m on the verge of crying again, but Lennox can handle it. He’ll find who murdered my sister and Cassie.”

Frank sat quiet, observing her.

“What is it?”

“I’m happy Luke has someone who believes in him. I’m afraid not everyone is so lucky, and tears don’t mean you’re weak, Rose. You’re human with emotions. Crying can be how you survive to move on.”

She rested her cup on the table. Now was her chance to find answers. “Frank, I need to ask you a question that’s a little personal and has nothing to do with Cassie.”

“Ask away. My life’s yours for tonight only.”

“I apologize in advance if it’s none of my business, but I read online that Lennox’s father committed suicide. Do you believe he killed himself?” She studied the older man’s face, watching his reaction.

“Rose, my girl, you’ve touched on a sensitive issue.” He stared into space for a second as though searching the past. “John was my partner and the best man I ever knew. I never believed he killed himself. I don’t care how many Medical Examiners cut up and study his body. The man was murdered.”

She forced out a word. “Awful.”

“He was hot on solving the case where the young woman was strangled and dumped in a pond.”

“Are you talking about the victim in North Conway?”

“No, this case was eight years ago, in a town near Conway and similar in makeup. Both towns offer lots of condos for weekenders or vacationers who enjoy shopping or sports, which gave us lots of transients to consider. John and the others working the case thought it was the same MO in both cases. Each investigation started with a missing person and ended in a homicide with a young girl’s body disposed in water.

“How old was the girl in the older case?”

“She was about seventeen, a trusting soul and a little shy. She was not allowed to date. Everyone was horrified that such a sweet girl was tortured and murdered. John was friends with one of the detectives from the State Major Crime unit who worked the scene. The two of them used to kick around theories once the case went cold.”

“Maybe the detective from Major Crime could help us with Dahlia’s death.”

“He died two years ago. Let’s forget death for the moment.” Frank chugged his drink. “You make great tea, Miss Blue.”

“Heating water is a gift.”

“I agree.” He rested his mug on the table. “People don’t realize when you spend all your time living with heinous crimes, your life changes.”

“And the life might kill you,” Rose added, gripping her tea cup.

“Might is a big word and leaves a lot of room for doubt in my old partner’s case.”

She nodded and mentally said a quick prayer for Lennox. The desire to see him safe and sound seized her. She needed him out of harm’s way at the river.

* * *

Not a trace of evidence remained on the girl. The river had taken care of that. Search all day and night. You’ll learn nothing. I’m smarter than the whole Ledgeview Police Force.

You’ll never catch me, even when I’m in front of you.

Sirens and flashing lights were drawing a crowd. The camera helped to blend in. People snapped and videoed the action on the hill. Murder was a big draw in Ledgeview.

I was here, but now I’m gone. Just like Dahlia, Cassandra and next, Rose.

* * *

Luke ordered the uniforms to establish the perimeter around the area. “Get the names of each EMT when they arrive. I want to eliminate or account for any DNA we might pick up. Then I want the name and address of each employee from the stores in the plaza. We’ll interview each one.”

The officers nodded and took off. The forensic techies were already garbed in their plastic booties, gloves and coats. In the distance a black sedan headed toward him. Conroy.

He halted his vehicle next to Luke’s, flung open the door and headed toward the activity.

“What’d you find?”

“Victim is on the bank,” Luke said. “She was a friend of the Blue women and drove over to visit Rose yesterday for lunch. Last seen headed home from Ledgeview to Vermont. I’d say she spent time in the river same as our last victim.”

Conroy emitted a sound that was a cross between a grunt and a curse.

At the sound of an engine, Luke glanced up the hill. “The ME’s arrived. She’ll give us her opinion on how long the victim was in the river. Meanwhile, canvass the hill and the neighborhood.”

Near midnight, Luke climbed the bank to his car. He’d contacted the chief and filled him in before the death hit the newscasts. Luke’s gut churned with dread when he thought about the news conference ahead. The best thing he could do was to take a short nap before the morning. The past warned him that the few hours of sleep he was about to enjoy might feel like days by the time he made an arrest.

But first, he was stopping at Rose’s. All night he’d wanted to touch base with her, hold and reassure her. Nothing would prevent him now.

The platinum-blonde blindsided him by stepping out of the dark behind a bright light, shining in his face. A thirty-something-year-old woman in a beige jacket held a mic in front of his face.

“Detective Lennox, we understand another murdered woman has been found in Ledgeview. What can you tell our viewers?”

Press
, his wall of caution shot up. “At this time, I’ve limited information except a young woman’s body was found near the river a few hours ago. I’ll release a statement concerning the victim once relatives are notified.” He started around the newscaster, but she jumped in front of him.

“Do you think this death is connected to the one at The Ledges?”

“I don’t have enough information to answer. If you or any of the public have seen or heard anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the tip line.” He recited the digits. “I can confirm a reward has been posted for the person who comes forward with information that leads to an arrest and conviction in The Ledges Homicide.”

“Do you believe there’s a possibility the person who killed Dahlia Blue was involved in the death of the woman today?”

“I can’t comment without more evidence. If you’ll excuse me, I’m finished here.” He started toward Old Charger.

“One more question, Detective. What do you say to the women of our city who are living in fear for their lives?”

“Take precautions, don’t go out alone and call the police if you’ve suspicions. Report everything. We’re following several leads in the Blue case, and we will arrest the perpetrator or perpetrators of these crimes.” He’d had enough of her questions and stalked past to his car.

Her closing words to the camera floated behind him. “The women of Ledgeview continue to live in terror and like second class citizens who can’t leave their homes. Who will be next? How long will it take our police department to capture a homicidal maniac who petrifies and holds our city hostage?”

Great, all he needed was a media inspired panic. He drove straight toward Rose’s apartment. A nagging in his mind insisted he was missing something. He slowed his car and glanced in his rearview mirror. No one followed.

The feeling refused to be silenced until he climbed the stairs to her place. Walking past Frank into her kitchen, he concentrated on fighting the urge to take her in his arms.

She laid down her hand of playing cards on the tabletop.

“Don’t ever let the woman play poker,” Frank said, sliding the chain lock back in place. “She couldn’t bluff to save her bank account.” He grabbed his jacket off the back of the kitchen chair.