Rows of redwood trees line the road, making a deep green canyon. Kenzie, Patrick, Teresa, and Cho follow Sheriff Nelson.
"The girls were last seen leaving Sullivan's Tavern at one o'clock this morning. A truck driver saw their car around 5:30 and called it in. I only have four deputies, and only a couple of 'em have ever seen a body killed in anger. If what we have here is a homicide, I need help," says Sheriff Nelson.
"Just to be clear? Except in special circumstances, we don't help. We take over. You need to be okay with that," says Teresa, with attitude.
"Jesus, girl," exclaims Kenzie.
"She's not a morning person. She'll improve," says an apologetic Patrick.
"Names of the missing women?"
"Nicole Gilbert and Kara Parker. Local girls. Both 21. Work together at the hunting store in town. Last night was Nicole's engagement party."
The sheriff turns to Kenzie and narrows his eyes at her.
"Somethin' the matter, sheriff?"
"You look familiar."
Kenzie tenses for a second before returning a smile, "I get that all the time."
The team and the sheriff come upon a crime. An abandoned '92 Volkswagen Jetta sits off the uneven road in the grass and brush, leaving the car slightly skewed. Both doors and trunk are left open. Many police and rangers personnel gather around the scene. Deputy Parker and his dog go around the Jetta, unable to pick up the scent trail. Kenzie, Teresa, and Cho put on rubber gloves.
"The car was found exactly like this?"
"Yup. Well, no. Doors were open just like that. We popped the trunk."
In the car, there are two women's purses. The car keys are still in the ignition. A pink MP3 player looked up to the stereo. A large bloodstain is on the driver's seat, and more blood is pooling in the well of the car. There's a pair of high heels, and a lot of one particular brand of cosmetics are scattered around.
Teresa starts going through the things in the car while Kenzie turns the key in the ignition. The battery's dead.
"Yup, dead as a dodo. No gas either. They must have left it running," says Nelson.
The hound-dog goes in circles around the yellow tape that surrounds the car.
"There's a different set of tire tracks here that pulled off the road. Still fresh. A truck or a big SUV looks like."
The girls have a look.
"Nice and crisp," says Teresa. "Probably the trucker that reported the car. Make sure forensics gets a mold."
"What's going on with your dog?"
"He's confused somehow," explains Parker. "This behavior? He's sayin', hey look! This is where they're at! Gimme a slim Jim already!"
"Do you have a better dog somewhere close by?"
"Sire, this is the best dog in the county. C'mon now, Dexter. Everybody's waiting on you."
"Did you look under the car?"
"Under the car? Of course, we looked under the car."
Nelson looks at Parker, who grimaces. Nelson rolls his eyes, deflated. He goes to his knees and looks under the car, "Oh, crap."
Teresa, Kenzie, and Cho get down to look.
"One or two," asks Patrick.
A girl, who's lifeless, is under the car.
YOU ARE READING
I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane
Fanfiction"I bet on losing dogs, I know they're losing, and I'll pay for my place by the ring, Where I'll be looking in their eyes when they're down, ...
