Page 5 of Ranger Belief
So young. Jonah smothered the anger welling inside him and focused on the area around the body. The dirt and pine needles were disturbed. Bloodstains spattered the side of the tent. He’d seen enough crime scenes to make a logical guess. “He was running when he was shot.”
Laney nodded. “I surmised the same.” She ruffled Scout’s ears in a reassuring gesture when the canine whimpered. Naturally empathetic, the dog didn’t like being around thedeceased. It was a common reaction among search-and-rescue dogs. They took pride in finding people alive and could suffer from depression when that didn’t happen. Even though Scout hadn’t been “working” when Tyler died, she could still pick up on Laney’s stress and sadness.
Broken branches and disturbed pine needles indicated a struggle. Jonah pointed to the area. “What happened there?”
“That’s where I was attacked. The man wore a dark mask and clothing. He was athletic and fast, but I can’t tell you his approximate height or weight.” Frustration drew a furrow on her brow. “I can’t even tell you his race.”
“Eye color?”
She shook her head. “The eye holes of his balaclava were covered with dark mesh, and I couldn't see through it. Everything happened so fast. One minute I was looking at Tyler, and the next I was on the ground.” Laney pointed to a bush. “My gun flew over there. I struck him with my flashlight, but he punched me, and the blow was enough to give him the advantage.”
She swallowed hard as if fighting back memories. Once again, the urge to hug her rose, nearly overwhelming, but he knew now wasn’t the time. Instead, he gave her a moment to gather herself. “What happened after Scout chased him away?”
“He took off toward the east, away from the lake. It wasn’t until after he fled that I found the second victim.” Laney followed a broken trail through the trees down to the water’s edge. A young woman lay partially hidden in the high weeds. The beginning of a black eye marred her skin, and deep fingerprints bruised her neck. “Ava Morrison, the sheriff’s niece. Also 21 and a college student.”
Jonah drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing his mind to focus on the details of the crime scene. He noted the broken branches on nearby bushes, the footprints in the muckclose to the shore, and Ava’s ripped clothing. “You said a caller reported hearing fireworks at 9:15. Where is she located?”
“Campsite 5. She was driving past Campsite 8 when she heard the loud pops.” Laney seemed to anticipate his question before he asked it. “No one is staying in Campsites 6, 7, or 9. Tyler and Ava were secluded out here.”
Jonah suspected the killer had known that. He followed the trail back to the campsite. Laney and Scout joined him. Needing comfort, Jonah bent down and stroked the dog’s head, smoothing her ears back before planting a kiss between her soulful brown eyes. She licked his hand.
Then he turned to face the campsite. Laney let him stew for a few moments and then asked, “What are you thinking?”
“The perpetrator snuck up on them. Came out of the woods holding a gun while they were making s’mores. Tyler and Ava ran. The killer shoots Tyler in the back, which explains the loud pops the caller mistook for fireworks as she was driving by. Then the perpetrator follows Ava into the woods, catching up with her at the lake. He sexually assaults her and then strangles her. Right about then is when you showed up. He hears you calling out to the campers.” Jonah pointed to another path leading from the campsite. “Where does that go?”
“Campsite 9.”
A theory formed in his mind. “Has anyone searched it?”
She shook her head. “Not to my knowledge.”
“We need to. I bet we’ll find evidence proving the killer parked there and used that path to enter this campsite. After killing Ava, he needed to get back to his vehicle, but you were in the way.” He turned to face Laney. “That’s why he attacked you.”
She studied the scene. “Okay, that makes sense. But why strangle me if he had a gun?”
Jonah shrugged. “He strangled Ava. Maybe it’s his preferred method when killing females. Or maybe he lost his gun in theweeds while attacking Ava. We’ll do a thorough search of the area, see if we can find it.” He sighed. “Where is the sheriff? I need to interview him.”
“I convinced him to wait with a few deputies at the road.” Laney stepped in front of him, her protective streak showing. “He’s in rough shape, Jonah. Sheriff Morrison doesn’t have kids of his own. His niece is his sister’s only child. From what I’ve gathered, the entire family doted on her.”
“I’ll be sensitive, but the interview has to be done.” He placed a hand on Laney’s arm, stepping to the side and bringing her with him, so the coroner technicians could pass. They carried Tyler, wrapped in a black body bag, on a stretcher. “We need to interview both families to be sure, but my gut says Tyler was collateral damage.” Determination fueled his words. “Ava was the real target. We need to find out why.”
FOUR
Her throat ached and her head pounded in time with her heartbeat, but Laney’s physical discomfort was slight compared to the pitch of her emotions at the sight of Sheriff Grayson Morrison. The proud lawman sat on the rear bumper of an SUV, shoulders hunched, eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot. He appeared devastated.
Chief Deputy Keisha Williams was speaking softly to him, but looked up as they approached. Despite turning fifty last month, her sepia-colored skin remained unlined, and her figure athletic. Naturally curly hair was ruthlessly pulled back into a bun that fit her no-nonsense personality. She took several long strides in their direction, interrupting their progress.
“Laney.” Williams nodded, then shifted her attention to Jonah. “You must be Texas Ranger Jonah Foster. Thank you for coming so quickly. I’m grateful for the assistance. Our department is dedicated to finding the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible. Whatever you need, just ask.”
Jonah shook her hand. “Appreciate that, ma’am.” He kept his voice pitched low. “If I may be frank, your deputies have been professional, but there's an underlying anger that's affectingtheir judgment. Deputy Martinez felt the need to lecture me about taking this case seriously, and another physically restrained me despite proper credentials. I understand why—this case hits close to home—but I need to know emotions won't compromise the investigation.”
Williams looked toward the crime scene tape where her deputies stood rigid with barely controlled fury. “Point taken, Ranger Foster. I'll handle it.”
A pang of irritation flared within Laney. The warning Jonah gave was unnecessary and hypocritical. This case was personal to him too, and no one was lecturing him about emotional distance. It was just like him to assume the worst. Yes, the deputies were upset, but these were good men who'd served their community faithfully for years. Martinez fished with the sheriff twice a month and had a teenage daughter of his own. Of course Ava's murder hit him hard. But that didn't make him a liability. It made him human.
“I assume you’ll want to form a task force,” Chief Deputy Williams continued. “My department will provide local support and manpower, but I think it makes sense for the Texas Rangers to lead the investigation itself.”
Jonah gave a sharp nod. “There are a few issues that need to be handled. It’s possible the killer attacked Ranger Torres because he needed to cross through Campsite 8 in order to return to his vehicle. Please have a few of your deputies look around Campsite 9 for any potential evidence that needs to be preserved. I also want a thorough search around Ava’s body to be conducted, as well as the trail leading back to Campsite 8. Specifically, I’m looking for?—”
