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“I swear I didn’t touch her.” Watts stared at the sealed packet on the desk. “What happened, did somebody hurt her?” He scratched his cheek and grimaced. “I guess it’s bad if you need DNA samples?”
“Like I said, she was involved in an incident and I am collecting DNA from people who met her recently.”
“Okay, I’ll take the test.” Watts frowned. “Can you at least tell me if she is okay? She is a real nice girl—you know, gentle like.”
“I’m sorry. I am unable to give out any information.” Kane pulled on a pair of surgical gloves and completed the test. He pushed a form toward Watts. “Sign here.”
“What now?” Watts signed the form and rubbed his chin. “Am I free to go?”
Noticing Alton entering her office, he waved her over then turned to Watts. “I’d like permission to search your vehicle.” Kane pushed to his feet. “Do you carry a rifle?”
“Yeah.” Watts stood. “Search all you like, I have nothing to hide.”
“Problem?” Alton strolled to his side and gave him a questioning stare.
Kane shrugged. “Nah, Mr. Watts has agreed for a search of his vehicle. Would you mind observing?”
“Sure.” Alton’s lips quirked into a satisfied smile and she turned toward the door.
After dropping the DNA kit at the front counter for Maggie to send to the lab, Kane met Watts and Alton outside. He checked the car, took samples from the carpet, and inspected the rifle. Watts had not fired the weapon recently. He turned to Watts. “Thank you for your cooperation. You are free to go.”
“Don’t leave town.” Alton waved a document under Watts’ nose. “I have a court order here to give me access to your cellphone and car GPS records.”
“Do what you need to do.” Watts opened his car and climbed inside. “I didn’t hurt Sarah and I hope you find the asshole who did.” He started the engine and drove away.
“He didn’t kill her, did he?” Alton’s mouth turned down.
“Nope.” Kane followed her back inside the station. “Not if his alibis check out, and they will by the number of people on his list. He volunteered a DNA test as well but I doubt forensics find any DNA traces on either victim. Whoever murdered her knows how to destroy evidence. The bleach used in the bunkhouse would likely have obliterated any viable DNA. I blame the forensic shows on TV; before they came along, criminals seemed a whole lot easier to catch.” He sighed in frustration. “Damn, I thought Watts fit the puzzle.”
“I’ll get Rowley to cross-match his GPS and cellphone with his statement before you cross him off the list.” Alton didn’t wait for his reply and strolled toward her office. “I think we should ask Rockford and his lawyer to come in for an interview.” She glanced at him over one shoulder. “Find Stan Clough.”
Forty-Three
“Sheriff Alton,” Maggie called out from behind the front desk, “I have that information you asked for.” She waved a piece of paper.
Jenna smiled and strolled to the counter. “Thanks. Any problems?”
“Not really.” Maggie raised her big brown eyes and sighed. “Informing relatives their loved ones have passed is very sad. I’m glad I took a course in grief management.” She let out a long sigh. “I’ve made notes against all the questions you told me to ask them. Only one problem: Sarah Woodward’s mother can’t travel and her uncle is coming to identify the body. He’ll be arriving in a day or two.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Jenna took the document and headed into her office.
She sat down and scanned the page. Father Maguire had supplied the name of John Helms’s dentist, and she picked up the phone to contact the forensics department to pass on the information. She spoke to the person in charge, Brent Stanton. “I know it’s only been a short time but do you have anything yet?”
“The first subject, the man in the barrel, is a Caucasian man in his late thirties, brown eyes, brown hair, five eight. The examination by your local man was complete. We’re currently classifying insects, soil, and vegetation samples embedded in the wounds, which would indicate the victim crawled on the ground and slept outside for a period of time. There are insects and what could be hay or straw fragments in the wounds and hair. Once these are identified, I’ll cross-match them to known species in your area. As luck would have it, we have a database of soil samples from many areas in Montana, so I’m hoping for a possible match. I would suggest his murder occurred in a barn. Apart from the soil and insects, there are signs of frostbite in the extremities.”
“Could you let me know if the information from the dentist confirms a match for John Helms? He fits the description.” Jenna rested her forehead on the palm of one hand. “As far as we are aware, he went missing approximately three weeks ago. His local priest came in and filed a missing persons’ report. Is it too early to give me an approximate time of death?”
“I would say the killer inflicted the injuries over a period of time, perhaps a week. There are signs of healing, although as you know, the fluid surrounding the body has washed away the DNA evidence. Although, rather than destroy the corpse, the mixture has preserved it to an extent. I would estimate the victim was placed in the solution no more than five to seven days before you found him.” He cleared his throat. “There are defensive wounds. The victim tried to shield his face from the attack.”
Jenna scribbled notes on a writing pad. “I gather the body wasn’t in acid?”
“No, I’ve sent a sample away for analysis but I’d say more like brine.”
“Have you been able to identify the mark on his shoulder? Is it a tattoo?”
“Fortunately, yes. After removing the top layer of skin, the mark showed up quite well. I’ll send you an image.”
“Thank you. And Sarah Woodward?”
