Page 49

“Easy. I read the true crime series about the murders in Black Rock Falls.” He shrugged.

“The author went into great detail, which made them a breeze to copy, but I mixed up a few to make life difficult for you.” His posture suddenly changed.

“No more talking. Put down your weapons. I’m walking out of here. ”

Kane didn’t move an inch. “That’s not gonna happen. I don’t make deals in caves. Come down to the sheriff’s office, we’ll get you a lawyer, and then we’ll talk.” He read him his rights.

“You’re wasting your breath.” The supremely confident man’s mouth curled into a smile.

“I win. You’ll never risk Olivia’s life.

” He chuckled. “I know how you think. If I didn’t, why do you figure I kept Olivia alive?

Look at her, she’s perfect and I want to kill her so bad, but then I’d lose my bargaining chip. ”

“So you want to confess your sins?” Carter gave a cynical laugh. “Sorry, we didn’t figure we’d need to bring a priest.” He looked at Kane. “Remind me to add one to our team the next time we’re hunting down scum.”

“I’m no fool. I’ve seen the bodycam. Whatever happens here will be recorded.

I’ll tell my story and then I’m leaving.

” The man waved the device. “This detonator has a long range and you’ll never figure out how to disarm the vest, so you’ll let me go and then maybe hope to catch me later—but don’t hold your breath.

I’ve been enjoying myself for a long time and nobody’s caught me yet.

Well, not for murder. You see, I’m in and out before small-town cops like you discover the bodies. ”

“Why did you try and shoot the woman with me at the crime scene out at Glacial Heights?” Raven stepped closer his weapon drawn. “She hasn’t done anything to you.”

“You and she were in the way.” The man shrugged. “I knew if I took you out, the sheriff would come running.” He moved his black eyes to Kane. “I needed to put things right.”

Examining the detonator, Kane recognized the improvised type, and the man’s thumb hovering above a red button. He flicked his fingers at Carter to stand down. “Okay, we’re listening. So the murders in the bathrooms were yours. Is that the message here?”

“Yeah.” The man’s grin spread under the gap in his balaclava.

“I like to kill in threes on Halloween because it leaves a lasting memory. People get scared when they believe I’m coming back, but in truth I move around.

I don’t kill every so many years. I kill all the time.

I just make it three on Halloween in the same town.

Not just here but all over the good old USA. ”

Frowning, Kane stared at the delusional man. “So you’re saying we arrested the wrong guy for the Halloween shower murders? If I recall, you were in jail over that time.”

“Yeah, I was but I met this crazy guy in jail.” The man leaned against the wall as if he had all the time in the world.

“He was on remand for killing dogs. We talked about killing. You know, we recognize each other. Psychopaths have a kinship—a respect for each other. I let him run his mouth and the conversation went onto my kills. They’d been all over the media.

He didn’t know I was the killer, but I told him how neat it would be to record the murders and place them in the graves.

” He sighed. “He raved on about how much he’d love to become famous like the Halloween Killer.

The next thing I know, this guy is copying my shower kills right down to the recordings and burying them in threes.

” He stabbed a finger in his chest. “The first ones you found were mine. He messed up and got caught. I’m setting the record straight. ”

“You could have sent us an email.” Carter shook his head. “All this is drama queen overkill.”

“So you believe, but it seems to me I have the upper hand here.” The man waved the detonator. “I’ll make it simple for you. I walk out of here and she lives.”

The threat was real but this guy was a master manipulator playing out a scene in his deluded mind.

Kane rolled his shoulders. “You figure I’m gonna allow you to walk out of here when you’ve threatened to kill my wife?

I’ll give you one chance. Place the detonator and the weapon on the ground, put your hands on your head, and you leave here alive. ”

“I press this button and we all die.” The man held up the detonator, his thumb poised over the red button. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”

The deafening sound of a shot came from beside Kane as Carter discharged his weapon.

The bullet hit the man in the shoulder, throwing him to the ground.

The detonator slid across the floor stopping at Olivia’s feet.

The girl screamed in terror as Kane dashed forward to disarm the perpetrator.

In a split second, the man went for his Glock.

On instinct, Kane aimed center mass and fired.

The gunshots reverberated through the mineshafts in endless echoes.

He stared down at the man, as a patch of blood spread across the massive hole in his chest. It wasn’t necessary to check his vital signs, but Kane kicked the Glock from his hand and then bent down.

He removed the balaclava and pressed fingers to the man’s neck.

He shook his head. “This is Silas Thorne. I interviewed him. He was a ranch hand out at the Silver Buckle.” He straightened. “You okay, Olivia?”

“Get this vest off of me.” Olivia stared at Kane with terrified eyes. “He was going to blow me up. Get me out of here.” Her entire body shook and her teeth chattered. “I don’t want to die. Please help me!”

“Calm down.” Carter placed a hand on her shoulder. “Keep shaking like that and you’ll trigger the bomb and we’ll all die. I can get you out, but you must sit still.”

“I’ll try.” Tears spilled down Olivia’s cheeks as she looked at Kane. “You killed him.” Her eyes widened. “Is he really dead?”

Nodding, Kane squeezed her shoulder. “Yeah, he’s dead.” He pressed his com to talk to Rio. “The perp is down. Get here ASAP.”

“Copy.”

Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Carter. “Gutsy call. What made you shoot?”

“I know the device. It’s not what most suicide bombers and the like use.

They arm their bombs to explode when they remove their finger.

That type needs two pushes on the button to explode.

It’s a failsafe.” Carter shrugged and went to Olivia.

“You’re gonna be fine. Just sit still for a little longer and I’ll have you out of this in no time.

” He went to his knees beside Olivia and then glanced up at Kane.

“Jenna won’t be happy. She wanted him alive. ”

Kane waved his concerns away. He’d seen Jenna’s horrified expression at the autopsies.

“It was him or me. I don’t figure she’ll shed a tear for this guy.

” He went to stand beside Olivia, keeping his body between her and the corpse.

He crouched beside her. “You were very brave. Those signals you gave me saved all our lives. Carter here will free you, but you must try and remain calm. I’ll be right here holding your hand, okay?

” He indicated to Raven. “This is Dr. Johnny Raven. Once we’re out of here, he’ll take a look at you and then we’ll get you to the hospital. ”

“No hospital. He didn’t hurt me. I just want to go home and see my mom.” Olivia searched Kane’s face. “My friends? Are they okay? He raped them and beat them. I’m glad he’s dead.”

Ripping off the Band-Aid was Kane’s only choice. He squeezed her hand. “They didn’t make it. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Oh, my God.” Tears streamed down Olivia’s face and she trembled. “You gotta get me out of here.” She gasped in air at a frantic pace. “Don’t let me die. Please, get the bomb off of me. I can’t stand it a second longer.” Her lip trembled and she sobbed, her entire body shaking.

“The bomb will trigger if you don’t sit still.” Carter’s face was slick with sweat as he cut wires. “This is a little more complicated than I imagined. It’s gonna take time.”

“Oh, Jesus.” Olivia tore at the vest. “Get this thing off of me.”

Kane gripped her hands. “Take deep breaths. Carter can’t help you if you shake. If he cuts the wrong wires, we’re all toast.”

“You can say that again.” Carter looked at Raven. “Can you give her something? She needs to relax.”

“Olivia, look at me. Now, take some deep breaths.” Raven moved closer. “I’m going to give you a tranquilizer.” He took a shot from a small case and pushed the needle into her thigh. “You’re doing fine. It will all be over real soon.” He smiled at her. “Slow breaths… in and out, in and out.”

“I need more light.” Carter looked at Kane, his face etched in concern. “This set up is like a bowl of spaghetti. It has traps all over.”

Kneeling beside him, Kane pulled out his MAGLITE and held it steady. “Take your time. We have all day.”

Beside him, Carter’s face was tight with tension.

His teeth dug deep into his bottom lip as he worked.

Minutes ticked by and each time Carter’s pliers closed around a wire, everyone held their breath.

Intent on the almost impossible task facing Carter, Kane tried to slow his racing heart as his friend made each snip, followed by the long second’s wait for an expected explosion.

Sweat ran down his face, and Kane gritted his teeth as he watched each delicate move.

Carter’s intent gaze moved back and forth, tracing wires and cutting them like a surgeon performing brain surgery.

He hardly dared to breathe for the fifteen agonizing minutes it took before Carter lifted the vest from her.

He sighed with relief and nodded to him.

“Great job.” He looked at Olivia. “You’re okay now.

Put one arm around my neck.” He lifted her into his arms. “Let’s get you out of here. ”