Chapter 3

Don opened the passenger door of the SUV. "Here, Charlie, sit down."

Charlie pulled himself away from the side of the vehicle, where he had been leaning. He was a still ghostly shade of white, but his breathing was slowing. He sat down on the edge of the seat with the door open, and looked at his brother miserably. "Sorry," he said; then glancing toward the room added, "That was completely humiliating."

"Don't worry about it, Charlie," said Don with a look of sympathy. "Even Colby was looking pretty green when we left, and I'm sure none of us can imagine some of the things he's seen." He dipped his head to look into Charlie's eyes, and gave him what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "You okay out here for a little bit?" At Charlie's nod, he stepped back. "I'm going in to hear the rest of it. Just stay put, okay?"

Don stepped back in to the room, trying to get his eyes to readjust to the dimness. Edgerton was pulling down a photo of one of the victims, and put up another. He turned and faced the room. "This Richard Walsh, our green dot. He was a solitary hiker – found on the trail dead, cause of death, blunt force trauma to the head. He was in a rocky area, and it is possible that he slipped and hit his head, but he has no other injuries."

"The coroner tells us that a fall would probably generate some other signs of trauma, and there were none, but he admits he cannot conclusively say it wasn't a fall. Imbedded debris does indicate that his head struck a rock, but whether that was from a fall, or whether someone was holding that rock, we can't tell. They could find no evidence either way at the site; there was a hard rain before the body was found. It is possible that he was intended to be the first victim, but if so, we aren't sure why the killer didn't proceed with his ritual."

"Because he was dead," said Megan. "It's possible that the killer feels compelled to perform the ritual on live victims."

Edgerton nodded. "That was our thought also. Unfortunately, we may never know." He brought up the map of the park again. "As you can see, our killer is operating over a large area. The Chumash Wilderness area is over 38,000 square acres, and the Sespe is about ten times that size, at 219,000 square acres. We have a lot of ground to cover, an elusive target, and no substantial knowledge of our killer. We need to do some research."

He looked at Megan. "I would like one person on profiling, looking for similar crimes in this and other areas. We have computer links already set up. I think you would be the obvious choice, Agent Reeves." Megan nodded.

Edgerton glanced at Don. "The rest of us will split, some checking out nearby towns to see if there have been any recent arrivals in the last two to three weeks. Another group of us will visit one of the sites this afternoon. It's the only site that is close by – the rest we will have to trek into, starting tomorrow. That will be at least a two day trip, maybe three. Agent Eppes, you and I can meet after this to figure out assignments." He looked at the sheriff. "Sheriff Peters and his men already have theirs."

Someone flicked the lights on, and the group began to dissolve. Don turned to David. "What did I miss?"

David grimaced. "He went over the official cause of death, which was massive blood loss and shock. The cuts in the chest were fairly superficial, and not life-threatening, but the tourniquets are only so effective, especially in the upper leg area. By the time the killer reaches that part of the leg, the victims are pretty much done."

Colby added, "He also talked about how the victims were found – always on a main trail, with the torso lying by itself, and the leg parts neatly stacked. The body is obviously meant to be discovered. This guy's a real nutcase."

Megan joined them, Edgerton behind her. "The question is; what is his trigger?" she asked. "Why here, and why did he start two weeks ago? If our database gives us anything in the way of similar crimes, and I can link any of them somehow to the area, we can narrow down the possibilities."

Charlie spoke from the doorway. At his voice, Don turned, noting with relief that his brother had a little color back in his face. "I can probably help you with that. I can generate some sorting algorithms that reference and compare the variables you want to look for." Charlie stepped in closer to the group, and spoke to Ian. "Sorry about the –uh – sudden departure –,"

"No problem," said Ian with a smile. "Happens to the best of us." Charlie smile wryly and looked at his shoes. 'Probably not to him," he thought. Ian continued, "I was hoping you could run that analysis that you did on the McHugh case; the bubble thing that you used to identify the most likely paths he would be on."

"Soap bubbles," said Charlie, looking up and smiling. "Isospectro geometrics. I used it to generate a Steiner tree."

"Yeah, that was it," said David, shaking his head and smiling at Colby.

"Yes, actually, that should work here as well," said Charlie. "I could use more data about the sites themselves."

"Like what?" asked Edgerton.

Charlie shrugged and shook his head. "I might not know until I see it – I'll be looking for commonalities and differences – in vegetation, topography, maybe even rock formations. I'll need to see the sites."

"You'll want to come out with me this afternoon, then," said Edgerton. "There is one site relatively near here. Tomorrow we'll all set out for the other two sites." He looked at Don. "I'm not trying to assign you and your team, but I could really use some help canvassing the towns around here."

'You just did,' Don thought to himself, but he said, "No problem. Colby, David and I can pick that up. We can probably be back in time to go with you and Charlie."

As it worked out, the plans needed some rearrangement. Charlie and Megan had set to work on the computers, and after only two hours, Charlie's sort had found a few candidates nationwide, but one that stood out from all of the rest.

Megan called Edgerton over excitedly. "Look at this," she said. "George Mansour, from Rosamond, only an hour from here. Murdered three weeks ago, his toes and feet removed. Survived by a wife, Beatrice, and son, Nathan. Listed as unsolved, but the prime suspect is the son, who went missing at the time of the murder." The excitement rose in her voice. "Physical description from DMV 6'3", 185 pounds, age 34."

Charlie worked the mouse, and Nathan Mansour's DMV photo appeared on the screen. Dark hair and dark intense eyes dominated a lean high-cheekboned face, with a hawk-like nose. The eyes were disturbing, intense, almost deranged. "He looks kind of like Rasputin," thought Charlie, idly to himself. His thoughts were jerked back to his surroundings, as Don, Colby and David, clumped in through the doorway.

"Hey, guys," said Don. "We got through Wheeler Point and the towns between here and there. No luck." He looked at the computer screen, as they approached. "You got something?"

"We think so," said Megan. "Charlie's sort picked out a few candidates, but this one really stands out. The M.O. is not exactly the same here – the victim was stabbed first, then his toes and feet were removed, but the location was only an hour from here, and the main suspect fits the physical characteristics we defined. The suspect is the victim's son." She hit the printer button, printing out several copies of the DMV photo; then flipped the screen back to the police reports. "Says here that the mother is still living at that address."

Don sighed and looked at Colby and David. "Well, the good news is, we now have a picture. The bad news is, now that we have a picture, we need to go back through the towns we just checked out. One of us needs to make a visit to Rosamond to talk to the wife of the victim." He looked at Edgerton. "What time were you planning on leaving for the site?"

"No later than an hour from now. It's a four-hour round trip, plus time at the site."

Don frowned and shook his head. "There's no way we'll get back in time – in fact I don't see how we'll get it all done today."

"You don't need to get back on my account," said Edgerton. "Charlie and I can handle the site visit – you guys do what you need to do. I'm taking a deputy with me, but we can probably get Peters to cough up someone else to help you."

"All right," sighed Don. "Megan, you've got the interview in Rosamond – you can take the SUV. Colby and David, we're going to split up. You guys take Gorman, Frazier Park and Ventucopa , and I'll hook up with whoever Peters gives us and cover Wheeler Springs around to Three Point.

Edgerton looked at Charlie. "We should grab lunch and head out, then. No reason to wait." Charlie nodded, and began packing up his notes. Edgerton looked at the group; then pointed to table in the corner. "We have radios over there – everyone might as well grab one now. Your cell phones will work in the towns, but I haven't found one yet that gets reception when you get into the park. If you want to get hold of Charlie and me, you'll have to get back within range of the trailhead and use the radios." He stepped aside, and got on the phone with Peters.

Outside of the room, Don pulled Charlie aside. "You feeling okay?"

Charlie looked up at him. "Yeah, maybe not ready for the lunch thing, but I'll be okay. I've got some granola bars in my pack." Don nodded, and Charlie headed over the SUV to change into his hiking boots. Don sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He knew it was unfounded, but he didn't like the idea of Charlie going on the trail without him. 'He'll be with Ian,' he thought. 'I can't imagine anyone he'd be safer with.' On the other hand, Charlie probably really didn't have to go, he reasoned. He would see the other sites tomorrow.

He watched Charlie put on his boots, contemplating telling him that maybe he should stay at the hotel, when Edgerton's voice came from beside him, startling him. "Don't worry," said Ian softly. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Don glanced at him. The man was not only silent, he read minds. "Yeah, I know you will," he said doubtfully. "It's just that for a genius, he can be pretty clueless sometimes. He doesn't always keep track of what's going on around him."

"I'll make sure he stays between us," said Ian. "Besides, we're going on horseback – it's the only way we'll get to the site and back on time."

Don snorted. "Well, that settles that. Charlie doesn't do horses." At Edgerton's questioning look, he continued. "We went horse-back riding when he was nine, and the horse took off with him. The guide had a hard time catching them, and by the time he caught up to them, Charlie couldn't hold on any longer, and the horse threw him. We haven't been able to get him near a horse since."

Edgerton grinned. "I'll take that as a challenge."

"Yeah, well, good luck. I tried to get him on one as recently as last year, and there was no way." Don looked up as a car pulled into the lot, and a deputy stepped out and looked their direction. "Looks like my ride is here. I'll see you later." He glanced at Charlie as he headed toward the car, with a feeling of relief. He knew if he couldn't talk Charlie into getting on a horse, there was no way anyone else could. Charlie would be staying at the hotel after all.

Charlie had finished putting on his boots, and was digging around in the back. He turned back around to find Edgerton standing next to him, and jumped.

Edgerton smiled. "Didn't mean to startle you."

"No that's okay," said Charlie. He scratched the back of his head, trying to cover his discomfiture. 'That guy moves like a ghost,' he thought.

"I've got to break something to you," said Edgerton, still smiling. "Our little trek this afternoon is going to be on horseback."

Charlie felt his heart drop. "Horseback?"

"Yeah. Your brother and I have a bet. He says there's no way you'll get on a horse; you're petrified of them. I told him that I think you're tougher than that." Edgerton smiled, waiting for a reaction.

Charlie scowled. "Well, I'm not really petrified – that's an exaggeration-,"

"Good," said Edgerton. "I figured that. Grab your gear; we'll take my car to the trailhead. They'll meet us there with the horses."

He walked away, stifling a grin, leaving Charlie with a pale face and a suddenly dry mouth. He started when Megan called from behind him. "Hey, Charlie, you almost done? I need to get going."

"Uh, yeah, sure," said Charlie, fumbling with his backpack; then closing the back of the SUV. He stared after Edgerton, oblivious to Megan's bemused look. "Good to go." Swallowing hard, he trotted across the lot.

Edgerton had picked up a sandwich from the diner, and ate while they drove to the trailhead. Charlie declined food; the smell of the sandwich was putting his stomach through uncomfortable gymnastics as it was. He felt his heart rate increase as they pulled into the parking area for the trailhead, his gaze riveted by the three horses standing on the edge of the lot.

As they walked over to the horses, Edgerton pointed out the information area. On the board were tacked notices reading "Trail Closed," and some brief information about the recent killings. "We've posted every trailhead," he said, "but we've still had reports of hikers on the trail who have ignored the postings. People are too stubborn, or too stupid, to give up their vacations."

Charlie barely heard him. Up close, the horses seemed huge, and his knees wobbled. "I – uh- maybe this isn't a good idea," he said.

Edgerton looked closely at him. "You know the old adage – if you fall off a horse, you should get right back on it."

"Yeah, well, that's the problem. I didn't." One of the horses snorted, and Charlie backpedaled a step.

Edgerton stepped into his line of view and held his eyes. "I happen to have a personal belief that it's never too late to get back on. Besides, are you going to admit to your brother he was right?" Charlie looked away, the struggle apparent in his face; then back at Edgerton. "Come on," said Edgerton softly, "trust me; it won't be as bad as you think."

Charlie looked back at him for a moment, his eyes caught by Edgerton's hypnotic gaze. "Okay," he said reluctantly, his heart thumping wildly even as he said it. He watched with trepidation as Edgerton cinched his pack to the back of the saddle.

"All right, now," Edgerton directed, "put your left foot in the stirrup, and swing your leg over." Charlie did as he was directed, landing easily in the saddle, feeling a jolt of panic as the horse shifted under him. Edgerton adjusted the stirrup height with practiced ease, Charlie hoping that he didn't notice his trembling knees. The deputy was already on the other horse, and after adjusting his own stirrups, Edgerton swung up on his with fluid grace. He turned and smiled at Charlie. "Let's go."

They headed past the parking lot and onto the trail at a slow walk. Charlie felt new panic as they started to move, and was devoutly thankful he had passed on lunch. He gripped the reins and the horn tightly as the deputy trotted up to take the lead, and Charlie's horse trotted after him; then reverted to a walk again as the lead horse slowed. Edgerton reined his horse in, and settled in behind Charlie. "Give him some rein," he called. "He'll follow the lead horse – you won't have to do a thing."

Charlie took a deep breath, and with an effort, gave the reins some slack. The last thing he wanted to do was relinquish control to this behemoth, he thought. It didn't take long, however, to start to feel a soothing rhythm in his horse's walk, and he began to relax, and look at his surroundings. They were in a forest dominated by pine; even though it was May, the climate was a bit cool, and Charlie was glad for his jacket.

The hill dropped off sharply to their left. At certain points, there was an opening in the trees, revealing breath-taking views of the valley. The vegetation changed as the slope descended, and the lower parts of the valley were covered with thick growths of chaparral. Charlie looked at the sunlight playing through the trees and dappling his horse's glossy chestnut hide, and took a deep breath. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. He felt a little bit of the sadness of the past two weeks lift like a weight from his shoulders, as the trail wound slowly upward. He would not have been nearly so relaxed if he had been aware of the eyes on the slope above, carefully following their progress.

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