‘Who’s on route?’ he asked
‘We deployed a three vehicle unit to the location, Forensics are on standby in case it isn’t what we think. It should take twenty minutes to get to the given location…..if it’s correct. The teams departed ten minutes ago, we should have an update soon Sir’
‘Excellent…..good work’ Jack dragged Nathan through the door.
‘The car…now, we’re going’
The entrance to the wood had been secured prior to them arriving. The yellow tape fluttered under the wind, the PC guarding the entrance tied one end tighter around the tree, hoping it would hold. Jack pulled the car onto the verge behind one of the many police vehicles that lay stationary. They climbed out of the car and pulled their collars up around their necks, the wind held a nip which attacked the bare skin. They were met at the entrance by the Detective who had taken the task.
‘Morning Sir’ his hands remained in their pockets.
‘Morning Lewis, cold one today’ grunted Jack
‘Yes it is. Well, I’m going to ruin the surprise,…..it’s him! The MO is a match, very obvious. Follow me, I’ll take you through what we have’ he turned and shuffled up the track to the entrance of the wood. Jack and Nathan followed close behind, Nathan was slightly annoyed as the Detective failed to introduce himself or offer a welcome. He chose to dismiss it. The branches hung from the large ageing trees, flakes of white lay upon the leaves. They were stopped by the tape as the guard requested a form of identification. Nathan heard Lewis grunt and spit towards the large male, something about being checked four times already, again he ignored the winging. They lowered themselves under the tape and came to a faint set of tracks, the mouth of the wood swallowing them.
‘This has to be the vehicle our guy used, it’s the only track we can find leading to the centre. Measurements and shit have been taken but I doubt it will come to anything, the snow has helped to cover most evidence up……again’.
Nathan lowered himself to one knee, he followed the tyre marks deep into the woods core. He stood when Jack began to move with their escort.
The tracks ended in the open space. Nathan performed a slow three sixty, scanning his surroundings. He noticed that the trees provided an excellent all-round cover from sight.
‘We believe he stopped the van here’
‘He did, he will have removed the body in this location…….it’s perfect, blocked from view and would hide the vehicles head lights’. Nathan offered.
‘The white suits have done their stuff around here already, they’re with the body now…….follow me’ waving them on with a flick of his head.
The mouth of the wood still held darkness, even though it was morning and the sun was up to aid their sight. Lewis began pointing out several broken branches along the way, he was talking aloud but Nathan had blocked out the sounds around him, he was attempting to picture himself there when the Wolf was doing his thing. The ground crunched and cracked as the snow covered debris was crushed by their boots.
The tents extremities bowed as the wind struck it. The white canvas appeared to cave in slightly. The Detective began to walk with them and Jack ordered him to head back, ‘We can take it from here, thank you’, his stern words proved slightly insulting as Lewis about turned with a face like thunder. The ground held a fresh glisten as the rising sun offered its rays of warmth. They walked on the recently made track, the white powder clung to their soles. There was another guard posted at the closed entrance, his arms crossed tightly across his torso. His illuminated puffer jacket reflected the light and Jack squinted as he approached him, Nathan was just behind.
‘Morning Sir’
‘Morning……..is Sally inside?’ he asked, nodding toward the tent.
‘Wait one Sir, Ma’am, Chief Inspector Crawford is here!’ he called
‘Morning Jack’, the voice came from inside the canvas shell, ‘In you come, just watch where you stand please gentlemen’.
The zip was tugged to the top by the static guard. He pulled a flap aside and allowed the guests to enter. Nathan was surprised at how warm the interior was, even though the floor still remained cold and damp. The wind had been denied by the flimsy walls, bending under the strain. They stood at the doorway, the grinding sound came from behind as the zip was pulled downwards, sealing them in. There were four in the Forensic team, led by Doctor Sally Brough. She was kneeling beside the mound that lay in the centre. The dark stained snow surrounded it.
‘Well it’s obviously our man’ she stated, ‘the MO is the same, well used area, left in plain sight, next to a wood and the heart has been removed’
‘So are we facing the same dilemma as last time?’ asked Jack
‘You mean are we going to have to wait until the body has defrosted again.........yes Jacky boy, I’m afraid so.’ She worked whilst talking.
‘Shit……..this fucking weather conceals everything’
‘Well, you never know……something might come up’ she tried to reassure.
The team had begun to chip away at the snow around the body, preparing it for removal and transportation. The blood soaked ground was dragged to one side as they dug under the victim, a small mound of crimson building up slowly. Jack decided to leave the tent, Nathan stood a while longer……….collecting the images before him and storing them in his mind’s eye.
‘Thanks Sal’ he smiled before leaving.
‘It’s a pleasure’ her flirtatious wink fired towards him as he left.
Nathan stepped outside to find Jack attempting to light a cigarette, the small stick protruding from his lips and his cold hands cupped around the end to guard the flame.
‘Jesus Jack……….how long has it been?’
‘Twelve months…give or take’.
‘So why start again?’
‘I’m not, it’s just a small one for the stress……….helps me to relax’ he stated as the deep drag filled his lungs. He exhaled slowly, the smoke blew into Nathans direction. Smelling the distinct aroma of tobacco he decided to partake in the event in which he had quit several years ago. His hand extended towards his friend who grinned from the corner of his mouth, the cigarette bounced and dropped its gathering ash.
‘The devil you know Nathan……the devil you know’.
‘Piss off……….it’s just one’ he smiled.
The end was lit and glowed a bright orange. He inhaled as deep as he could, his old lungs rejecting the first offering. He coughed slightly, the smoke escaped his nostrils. The second attempt was more fulfilling and he welcomed the slight buzz it brought, his head spinning slowly. The flashes from the cordon caught their attention. The news crews had gathered whilst they had been occupied in the tent, several cameras sat upon their high tri-pods, the reporters standing in front and informing the viewers of the situation. The quick succession of blinding lights came from the line, blasts of lightning aimed towards the men as they watched from the tent.
‘Fucking vultures!’ spat Jack as he flicked his cigarette; the wind caught it and tossed it behind his left shoulder.
‘I think it’s time to get out of here………what do you think?’
‘I agree…let’s walk the path we came’ Nathan pulled his coat higher to mask his face. He was unsure of the publicity the case might receive if people knew of his agreement to help. They moved with speed onto the track and entered the mouth of the wood.
Jack’s phone gave a mumbling sound as the incoming call vibrated in his pocket. He dug a cold hand inside his jacket and searched with his fingers, pulling it free once it was located.
‘Dawson’ he held an open hand to Nathan, telling him to hang slack for a minute whilst he took the call. He wandered off track into the woods, his free hand moving as he spoke. Nathan stood and looked up the track. He located the position of where they believed the van had been parked. His eyes followed the route that the Wolf had possibly taken.