White River Burning полностью

“We have evidence that suggests a very recent time frame.” Beckert clicked his way rapidly through a number of photos, stopping at one of a fenced area attached to a large shed. He pointed at it. “That’s the kennel. See that material strewn across the ground? That’s what’s left of the bear meat. Evidently the Gorts dumped the carcass in the kennel and their dogs tore it to shreds. Judd also found a fresh bear pelt in a taxidermy shed next to the cabin. So our timing assumptions are valid regarding the removal of the bear and the crossbows—and the Gorts’ dogs as well. They were known to have about a dozen pit bulls that are now missing. But from the condition of the bear meat in the kennel—it’s only just beginning to decay—we know the dogs were there until sometime yesterday.”

Kline looked uneasy. “And the dynamite?”

“It’s likely that the Gorts had in their possession over a hundred sticks. Judd found an empty explosives crate next to a half-empty container of canvas bags. He figures the Gorts transferred the dynamite to the bags to make it easier to carry.”

Now it was Shucker’s turn to look worried. “You’re saying that two of the craziest men in White River have gone underground with a dozen attack dogs, enough arrows to kill off a small village, and enough dynamite to blow up a big one? How come you’re not in a panic?”

“I prefer to focus on the progress we’ve made and the high likelihood of a successful resolution.”

“Earlier you mentioned physical evidence linking the Gorts to Jordan and Tooker,” said Kline. “Can you tell us what that is?”

“The potentially damning item is a coil of rope found in one of their sheds. Judd’s impression is that it’s identical to the rope used in the playground. We’ll be getting a microscopic confirmation of that. If we get a cut match on the end fibers, that’ll clinch it.”

“You also mentioned computer evidence linking them to KRS?”

“Yes. On a thumb drive, taped to the bottom of a desk drawer. It contains the text and the graphic elements used to construct the KRS website. Meaning the Gorts either put the site together themselves or provided the elements to someone who did.”

Kline’s expression brightened. “So we’re really getting somewhere.”

“We are.”

“That thumb drive,” said Gurney, puzzled, “how were its contents examined?”

“On site, with Judd’s laptop. Minutes after it was discovered.”

“The drive wasn’t password-protected?”

“Apparently not,” said Beckert.

“And none of its individual files were password-protected?”

“Apparently not.”

“Did they find the computer that housed the files the thumb drive was backing up?”

“They found a printer, scanner, modem, and router, but not the computer itself.”

“Interesting,” mused Gurney, speaking to no one in particular. “The Gorts took their dogs, crossbows, arrows, explosives, computer, and God-only-knows what else. But they left an unprotected USB drive and a rope that could incriminate them in a double murder.”

Beckert’s voice grew noticeably colder. “We can speculate on the reasons for those lapses in judgment later. But right now there’s a more urgent priority. We need to encapsulate our progress in an appropriate statement. There are aspects to be emphasized and aspects to be avoided. Remember that we’re in the middle of a media minefield. Forgetting it could be fatal.”

Fatal to whom or to what? wondered Gurney. Was this about Beckert’s own political future? Or was something else involved?

Beckert continued. “Regarding our investigations—”

He was interrupted by a tapping at the door.

Torres stood up and opened it.

It was the sheriff. “I hope my return isn’t breakin’ the flow of some brilliant crime analysis.”

“Come in, Goodson,” said Beckert. “We’re just summing up a few key points.”

“The summin’ up is the best part.” He made his way toward his seat at the end of the table.

Beckert began as he had before. “Regarding our investigations into the shooting and subsequent Willard Park homicides, there are three points that must guide all statements made outside this room. Number one, we are making rapid progress on both fronts. Arrests in both cases are anticipated within forty-eight hours. Number two, we have obtained evidence that will support airtight prosecutions and convictions. Number three, we are giving these cases equal priority and resources.” He looked around the table, then abruptly changed the subject. “Goodson, how did your conversation go with your snitch at the jail? Anything useful?”

“Interesting for sure. You can decide if it’s useful.”

“He wanted to trade information for a favor?”

“Of course. But it was a she, not a he. What she said was that Blaze Lovely Jackson, one of the three leaders of the BDA, had a falling out with her two coleaders, Jordan and Tooker.”

“How serious a falling out?”