Killing Season Read online

  “How many times have you explored this area?”

  “Twice.” She stumbled and he caught her. “You okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “I’ll go slower.”

  “Appreciate it.” Ro walked with care down the hillside. With each step, her boots sank into piles of leaves. The ground was soggy and irregular and some of it was muddy. She appeared nervous. She said, “Then you think that Katie Doogan is buried in a deep grave.”

  “Yes. That’s what happened with my sister and I think the cases are related.”

  “You think he planned it—premeditation.”

  “Yes.”

  “And he’s someone from the area?”

  “Someone who was familiar with the locale. A lot of local people were questioned. Nothing came of it.”

  She tripped again and caught her balance. “Maybe I should concentrate on walking instead of bombarding you with questions.”

  “It’s not you. I trip all the time.” Ben took her arm and led her down to the riverbank. “This way.”

  The waterway was less than a full-fledged river but more than a creek. Whitecaps swirled as cold, crystalline water rushed over the boulders and tree roots. Empty skeletal trees reached up to the skies. Pines dripped dew as the sun began to warm the air. Sometime later Ben picked up the conversation. “There were lots of interesting possibilities for suspects. But like I said, nothing panned out.”

  “Anything remotely promising?”

  “Shanks put most of his energy behind this boy—Tim Sanchez. He was a year older than Ellen—seventeen. He had a car. He had a wild crush on her that wasn’t reciprocated. Everyone at school told Shanks the same story. He followed her around . . . not exactly stalking her, but staring from afar.”

  “Did your sister ever say anything to your parents?”

  “Nah. That wasn’t Ellen. People at school said she was nice to him. Maybe that was her mistake, they all said. Plus, he didn’t have a good alibi for when she was abducted. For a while he looked real promising.”

  “What happened?”

  “They searched the house and his closet and his shoes and the Dumpsters around his house for torn clothing or blood or whatever. They also took his DNA. No evidence against him. They let him go.”

  “How were you with that?”

  “In the beginning, I didn’t like it. When the DNA didn’t match, I knew it wasn’t him. Now that patterns are emerging, I really know it wasn’t him. It was hard on Timmy and his family. They felt the heat of everyone staring at them. They moved to Montana.”

  “What happened to him? Or did you lose track?”

  Ben stopped walking. “You never lose track of a suspect, even one who was exonerated. You always think about the possibility that maybe there was more than one murderer. Timmy’s in Missoula. He’s a sophomore. When Katie Doogan was abducted, he was taking an exam in American history. I’ve actually talked to him a few times, asked him what he thought about what happened.”

  “What’d he say?”

  “He didn’t know anyone who’d want to hurt Ellen. He was devastated when she was kidnapped. Even more devastated when people were looking at him like he had something to do with it. He fully cooperated with the police. It’s not him.”

  The water began to roil as the distance across it narrowed. They climbed upward. The air was thin, cold, and dry.

  “The thing is . . .” Ben looked around. “If it is someone local, that means he’s still around. That’s what’s really scary. He kills here, then he goes west, then he goes east. It’s crazy.”

  Ro stopped and took out a bottle of water. “Sorry to slow you down. I’ve gotta catch my breath.”

  Ben felt guilty. “You feeling okay? A little light-headed?”

  “I’ve been here long enough that I should be used to the altitude.” She tightened the scarf around her neck and covered her mouth and nose. “It’s cold.”

  “You want to turn back?”

  “We’ve only been walking for a couple of hours.” She took a breath in and out. “My lungs are feeling it. I’ll be okay in a few minutes.”

  “I can come back another time, hon. It’s fine. This is my personal issue, not yours.”

  Ro took another gulp of water. “Yeah, it is. But now I’m here and involved, and we might as well look for the body. It must be hell on the family—the Doogans. Until they find their daughter and have a proper burial, they’re carrying a heavy weight.”

  “That’s why I didn’t want you to come. Not that I don’t appreciate the company.” Ben noticed she was still pale. “Maybe you should have a Balance Bar or something.”

  “That might be a good idea.”

  “For both of us.” He took out the snacks and they ate without talking. When she told him she was good to go, they continued onward. The time went by quickly, an hour of walking and looking until he heard something. He grabbed her arm. “Stop. Don’t move.”

  She froze. She whispered, “It sounds like a bear . . . not that I know what a bear sounds like.”

  “It’s late in the season, but . . .” Ben slipped his backpack from his shoulders. He took out a gun, ammo, and bear Mace. “Don’t worry. Got it covered.” He dropped ammo into the revolver.

  “You have a gun?”

  “I always carry a gun when I go into the backcountry. But don’t tell the cops. I should be nineteen.”

  “You actually know how to shoot that thing?”

  “I do and so does your boyfriend. We used to go to the range together.”

  “When was this?”

  “The summer before last.” They heard the growling again. “Yeah, that sounds like a bear. It’s definitely warning us off.”

  “What do we do?”

  “We turn around and go the other way.”

  “What if it comes after us?”

  He didn’t answer, took her hand, and they reversed direction. “Stop looking back. We’re fine.”

  “I have come to the conclusion that the only fur I want to see is hanging in the Bergdorf salon. And faux fur at that.” She was walking too fast and she stepped in a pool of mud. “Oh God!”

  “It’s dirt. It’ll wash off.”

  “Ugh, it’s so squishy.”

  “I thought you weren’t gonna kvetch.”

  “Ursa Major changed my mind.” She made a face. “You actually went shooting with JD? Meaning you two were friends at some point?”

  Ben sidestepped the questions. “Hold on a moment.” He unloaded the gun and rechecked to make sure the chambers were empty. Then he stowed the gun in his jacket. He kept the bear Mace within reach. “You should drink. The humidity must be in single digits.”

  She took out her water bottle. “You can’t hate JD if you went shooting with him.”

  “I never said I hated him.” He pulled her in a different direction. “Let’s try up this way.”

  “What’s here?”

  “Don’t know. I’ve been around here, but not at these coordinates.”

  “You keep coordinates of every place you’ve been.”

  “Of course. Why should I retrace something unless I want to retrace?”

  “Are there bears here?”

  “We’ll find out. Go.”

  “Ugh. It’s uphill?”

  “We’re going toward the trail. We’d have to go up anyway.”

  They walked without talking, two sets of eyes sweeping over the ground, asking it to give up its secrets. An hour more of searching with nothing to show for it. Ro said, “I have to go to the bathroom.”

  “Lots of bushes out here. Take your pick.”

  “I’m not gonna go in a bush.”

  “If you’d prefer a tree, go for it.”

  “That’s disgusting.” She sighed. “I’m fine.”

  “Ro, we’re about an hour away from the car. Just do it. I promise I won’t look.”

  “That never even occurred to me.”

  “Don’t be stubborn. Just go over there and do your business. Yo
u’ll feel much better.”

  “The only thing that’s going to make me feel better is a marble bathroom and a tub filled with hot water and bubbles. You were right, Vicks. I’m a wuss. I’m not doing this again.”

  “A smart person knows her limitations.” He opened up another bottle of water and drained it. Maybe the best thing to do was to show by example. “You can do what you want, hon, but I need to piss. I’ll be right back.”

  “You’re leaving me alone?” She grabbed his wrist. “I’ll go with you. I’ll close my eyes.”

  “It’s like twenty feet away.” He gave her the bear Mace. “Please don’t use this on me by mistake.”

  “Where’re you going?”

  “See that tree and that bush?” Ben pointed with his stick. “Right there.”

  “I want to go with you.”

  “You’re being ridiculous.” As he started up the hill, she came after him. “Stop it! C’mon!”

  She stopped. Gorgeous girl, but a sissy. They made them soft in the city. She was rooted to the same spot and gripping the Mace when he returned. “Uh, I can take this back now.”

  She didn’t answer, remaining as still as stone. He had to pry the Mace from her fingers. Her face had turned from white to gray. Ben said, “What’s wrong?”

  Slowly she lifted her stick, the tip pointing to an area on the ground about fifty feet from where they stood. She tried to talk, but the words clogged her throat. She didn’t need to say anything. He saw it: a near-perfect seven-by-five-foot leaf-covered rectangle lying below the surface of the ground.

  Don’t think, Vicksburg. Do!

  He took out his cell. No reception. He took out the GPS. That wasn’t working either. The mountain was blocking the signals from satellites. He’d do it the old-fashioned way, compass and pencil.

  He wrote down the coordinates. He drew a map. He made landmarks. He took pictures with his camera. He needed to be able to lead the police back to the spot. Ro hadn’t budged from where she was initially standing.

  “Let’s go.” She wouldn’t or couldn’t move. “Ro, we have to call the police.” He took her gloved hand. Even through the suede, her fingers felt icy. “You’re cold. Let’s go warm you up.”

  He tugged and eventually she followed like a puppy being leash-trained, walking very slowly without conversation. Ben was worried. Her face was bloodless, her lips were chapped, and she was shivering. The front of her pants at the crotch was marked by a big piss stain.

  It appeared that fear had overcome her sense of propriety.

  Chapter 16

  As soon as they were in her Explorer, Ben cranked up the heat. Ro sat on the edge of the passenger seat, her knapsack still hanging on her back. He took it off and then rummaged through the contents. She had brought along a change of clothes—a pair of knitted leggings, a thick argyle white sweater, and a pair of Uggs. He took out the clothing. “You might want to change. Maybe be a little more comfortable before we go back.”

  Ro looked down at her lap. Her lower lip began to tremble. The tears started a few moments later. He handed her the Kleenex box. “You need help, Dorothy?”

  She nodded.

  He came over to the passenger door, took off her muddy boots and wet socks, and stowed them in a plastic bag. Hoping to motivate her, he unzipped her jeans. She was heat-welded to the spot. “Let’s get the jeans off. Turn around and lift up your butt.”

  She did as she was told and he pulled the sodden denim down. Her legs were slim and long. Her panties were white lace and probably soaked as well. He gave her the leggings. “I think you can handle it from this point. I’ll turn around so you can take your underwear off.”

  She didn’t answer, but he could hear her moving. A few minutes later she whispered. “I’m okay.”

  He went back to the driver’s seat. Her complexion had taken on a greenish hue.

  “I feel sick,” she told him.

  “Do you need to throw up?”

  Without answering, she threw open the door and barfed without leaving the car. When she sat up, her eyes were watery and goop was leaking from her mouth. She took a tissue and wiped her face.

  “Water?”

  “Yeah. Is it her?” Her voice dropped. “Katie Doogan?”

  “I have no idea. But we have to call the police.” His brain was reeling. “I don’t know anyone in the Albuquerque PD other than Milton Ortiz, who was assigned to the Doogan case. I’ll try to get him. He knows me. But there’s a good chance that we’re going to be questioned by someone else.”

  “Questioned?”

  “You as a witness, me as a suspect.” He smeared his lips with organic lip balm. “’S’right. I’ve been down that road before.”

  “A suspect?” A pause. “Why?”

  “The police are going to wonder what we were doing hiking in the backcountry. This is what I want you to say.” Silence. “Are you listening?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell them that you’ll be happy to answer any of their questions. But you won’t answer anything until you have a lawyer present. In this case, the simplest thing to do is to call your dad. They’re not going to mess with anyone from the state attorney general’s office.” She didn’t answer. “Ro?”

  “I hear you.”

  “Okay. Once your dad is with you, then just tell them the truth. That you just came with me. And you can tell them that I was here looking for Katie Doogan’s body. Because that’s what I’m going to say. If they start asking you pointed questions, your dad will be there to protect you.”

  “I don’t need protection. We didn’t do anything.”

  “I know, Dorothy. It’ll be okay. But still, ask for a lawyer. That way they can’t question you.”

  “Doesn’t that make you look like you’re hiding something?”

  “No, it makes you smart. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. As soon as we get reception, I’m gonna call my dad to come down. Then you call your dad. Then we call the police. Say nothing until your dad is with you. You can tell the police I’m obsessed with my sister’s case. You’re not revealing anything new.”

  “Okay.” Her eyes were on her lap. “What about the files and everything you have in your room?”

  “Uh, good question.” He weighed his options. “Don’t volunteer anything, but if it comes up, tell them. You don’t have to protect me. I don’t need protection.”

  “Why would they even think you were doing something wrong? Katie Doogan’s been dead for two years.”

  “Let me explain something,” he told her. “The police suspect everyone. When I found my sister’s body, they grilled me, implying that I knew all along where she was . . . and that by finding her, I was trying to be a hero to my family. At the time I was too naive to realize where they were going. Shanks helped me out. I’m wiser now. I know I’m gonna catch heat.”

  “Vicks, I was the one who found the spot.”

  “You can tell them that, but they probably won’t believe you. Just stick to the truth. Don’t let them rile you. And don’t say anything unless your father gives you permission to talk.”

  “Okay.” She took his hand and squeezed. “I’m with you all the way.”

  He managed to smile, then turned on the ignition and put the car into drive. “Let me know when you get reception.”

  It took twenty minutes. Finally, her phone sprang to life. “We’ve got bars.”

  Ben was driving on a two-lane highway and it took a little maneuvering to pull the car over onto a slender gravel shoulder and completely off the blacktop. He pulled out his phone and punched in his dad’s cell. When it clicked in, he said, “Hi, it’s me. I got a problem.”

  “What’s wrong?” Panic in his father’s voice.

  “I’m fine, Dad. I was hiking in the woods. I think I might have found a body.”

  “At Mount Baldy?”

  “No, I’m down in the Sandias—”

  “You went looking for Katie Doogan! Again!”

  “Dad, I’ve got to cal
l the police. I need you to come to Albuquerque like right away.”

  “God, when are you going to stop?”

  “You need to come to Albuquer—”

  “I hear you, dammit.” Dad was beyond aggravated. “I’ll come as quick as I can. I don’t have a car.”

  “I left the car with Mom.”

  “I know. But she’s not here and I’m with a business associate. I’ve got to get a ride home and get the car and explain everything to Mom and get her all upset. Ben, you have to stop with this nonsense!”

  “Dad, right now I have to call the police. Come down as quick as you can.”

  “Call up Grandpa Ed. He can get to you in twenty minutes.”

  “He’s a patent lawyer, Dad.”

  “Just shut up and do what I say.”

  “I’m not going to bother Grandpa, okay. He’s an elderly man. Whenever you get here, you get here. I won’t talk until you’re with me.”

  “Fine.” A pause. “I am so damn frustrated with you.”

  “I know you are. I’m sorry. I’ve got to hang up. Ro has to call her parents.”

  “Ro?” A gasp. “Ro Majors is with you? Are you out of your mind, taking her down to search for bodies?”

  “She needs to call her father, Dad.”

  “Tell her not to say anything either until her father gets there.”

  “We’ve been over it. I’ll talk to you late—”

  “Where should I meet you?”

  “Uh, I have to wait for the police at the trailhead. Then I have to lead them down to where we saw the grave—”

  “You didn’t find a body.”

  “We found what might be a grave.”

  “So you don’t know if it’s a grave or not.” When Ben didn’t answer, his father said, “Where should I meet you?”

  “Just go directly to the Albuquerque PD main headquarters, okay. I’m going to try to find Milton Ortiz. At least he knows who I am. Oh, and maybe you should call Shanks.”

  “Sure. Ruin someone else’s day.”