“Yeah.” She rubbed her arms, inclined her head toward the walking trail. “Maybe a hundred yards in. Trail hooks right. Look for two limbs propped against a pine tree. She’s off to the left toward the lake. You can’t miss it.”
She inhaled, letting it out slowly as though struggling for control.
“How do you know it’s a she?”
“Shallow grave.” She shuddered. “I guess the rains washed some of the dirt away. I saw her face. She’s been there a while.”
“Stay here. JD’s on his way.” He purposefully hadn’t told anyone other than his chief deputy about the call. He wanted to see things himself without interference. He skimmed the ground as he headed toward the trail. A popular destination, many people hiked it every day. Why had they not found this body?
When he saw the limbs against the tree, he turned left, steps slow and precise, studying the terrain carefully. A few yards further, he saw it.
A small mound, not much more than leaves and debris, and the recent heavy rains had washed a lot of it away. He approached with care, trying not to disturb things any more than they were.
A muscle flicked in his jaw, anger increasing as he stared at the remains. Pale blonde hair, matted with dirt and leaves covered part of her face. Sam was right. The woman died several weeks ago.
Maybe even about the time he began hearing the voice in his head. Is this what you wanted me to find?
He made his way back to the parking lot as JD arrived.
“Crime unit’s on the way, Sheriff.” The deputy’s solemn voice was ringed with tension. “What do you want me to do now?”
“I’ll get the perimeter secured. Call Billy Ray on his cell. Don’t use the radio. Have him pull everyone out here. See if Bakersville PD can spare a couple of folks, too. This area is going to be swarming with gawkers, and I need everyone to secure the scene for the Rangers.”
Within an hour, the area was crawling with law enforcement personnel as well as a few townspeople who saw all the activity and came to investigate.
Nothing wrong with the rumor mill.
Coop looked up and noted Sam remained where he left her so he walked toward her.
He wants her.
Sam watched Coop approach, her arms crossed in front to ward off the chill that would not abate, despite the balmy day. He was in full-on cop mode, and she prepared herself for the interrogation to come.
Two bodies in one week. Both found by her. Even she would question the coincidence.
“What were you doing out here?”
The harshness in his voice made her stomach churn with anxiety. She hugged herself tighter. The truth wasn’t an option. “I found the trail yesterday, but didn’t have time to explore.”
His stare drilled into her, causing her voice to shake, and she focused on a red fiber clinging to his left shoulder. “Eva told me this was a good walking trail, and I wanted to check it out.” She paused. “Jack heard something, saw something, I’m not sure. Anyway, he took off. It caught me by surprise, and I lost his leash.” She glanced up and away.
He knows I’m lying.
“I ran after him. He was barking and pawing at - at her face.” She sucked in air, and blew it out slowly, immense self-control the only thing holding her together. “I pulled him back and we left.” She finally met his chilly gaze. “And called you.”
He made no comment, just watched her closely. “Your knees are dirty. So are your hands.”
Face flaming, she snapped, “There’s nothing like finding a body that’s been buried in a shallow grave for several weeks to test your composure. Mine failed.”
“Where?”
“Where what?”
“Where did you fail?”
Inner turmoil masked by a deceptive calmness, she replied, “Head of the grave. The ground is still damp enough my handprints are probably visible.”
“Is that all?”
Sadness overwhelmed me, and I fell to my knees, unable to move until it passed.
“Yes.”
“Did you throw up?”
“No.”
Arms folded across his chest, feet planted apart, tension bounced off him in waves. “It’s more than fifty feet off the trail, almost to the lake. How did you find it?”
She pulled me there. “I told you. Jack got away from me, and I chased after him.”
“Jack is the reason you found the last one.” The statement sizzled with accusation.
Body stiff, she met his frosty glare head on. “That’s right, Sheriff Delaney. Jack is the reason I found the last one, too.”
“One of the Rangers will be over to talk to you. I have some sweats and a tee shirt in the back you can change into. They won’t fit but it’s all I got.”
