At the same time Mayor Hartman and his son entered the Carson estate, Sheriff Hooper finally found a lead on the man who had called 911.
The manager of Newt's car-rental business had been brought to the sheriff's office. Hooper hurried into the lobby and placed both hands on the counter.
"Did a man named Darryl rent a car from you today?"
The manager thought for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah. He was wearing a floral shirt. He paid in cash and drove out of town not long afterward."
"Which direction?"
The manager approached the map hanging on the wall and traced the highway with one finger.
"He went that way."
Hooper followed the route from the edge of Newt until his gaze reached the marker for the Carson estate. His expression changed as memories of an old tragedy returned.
"Damn it."
He had believed every member of the Sawyer family died in the fire decades ago. If Darryl had driven toward that mansion before making the emergency call, the situation might be connected to the one person whose body had never been properly identified.
"I hope that monster really died."
Hooper turned toward his officers.
"Get everyone ready. We're going to the Carson estate."
The department had little evidence, but Hooper trusted his instincts. He ordered the available patrol cars to assemble and requested an ambulance to remain on standby.
At the estate, the barbecue continued after Mayor Burt Hartman and Deputy Carl Hartman joined the group. Ash placed additional steaks on the grill while Gwen brought out two more chairs and a folding table.
The conversation remained surprisingly pleasant. Burt disliked the Sawyer family, but Heather clearly knew nothing about what happened in Newt decades earlier. His hostility was not directed at her.
His immediate concern was securing control of the mansion.
The Carson estate was worth millions. Buying it would give Burt a valuable property and allow him to search every corner for evidence that Leatherface had survived the Sawyer massacre.
Heather gave him an asking price that was slightly higher than what she truly expected to receive. She had left room for negotiation, though the number still fell below the estate's probable market value because she wanted to resolve the matter quickly and return to New York.
Burt accepted without hesitation.
Heather stared at him.
"You don't want to negotiate?"
"The property is worth the price."
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"You certainly make decisions quickly, Mayor."
Burt leaned back with a satisfied smile.
"I've lived in Newt for a long time. I know the value of land around here."
His confidence came from more than experience. Burt had spent years using his position to build a private fortune through corrupt land deals, government contracts, inflated expenses, and carefully timed investments.
Whenever the town planned a new road or development project, he bought nearby land before the information became public. Once property values rose, he sold at a massive profit.
He also collected kickbacks from public contracts and redirected money through businesses connected to his allies. Even Newt's increasingly successful carnival had become another source of influence and income.
Paying several million dollars at once would consume most of the Hartman family's accessible wealth, but Burt considered the estate worth the sacrifice. He could continue earning money through his position afterward.
The mansion would also make an impressive family residence once the Sawyer problem was removed.
Burt knew better than to display his wealth too openly. A small-town mayor purchasing an enormous private estate could attract unwanted questions from state investigators or the FBI.
For now, he only needed Heather to agree to the sale.
The discussion ended with both sides satisfied. Carl finished his drink and rose from his chair.
"I need to use the bathroom."
Heather pointed toward the mansion.
"There's one down the hall on the right."
Carl entered the house while the others continued discussing paperwork and possible closing dates.
He found the bathroom without difficulty. After finishing, he washed his hands and looked up at the mirror.
A large figure stood in the doorway behind him.
Carl froze.
The stranger was much broader than anyone outside. He wore a stained red shirt beneath a filthy butcher's apron, brown pants, and an old tie hanging loosely around his neck.
A crude mask covered his face. Pieces of human skin had been stitched together with leather cord, and real hair hung from the scalp.
A yellow chainsaw rested in his hands.
Carl turned slowly and reached for his pistol.
"Who are you?"
The masked man did not respond.
"Put the chainsaw down."
Instead of obeying, the stranger pulled the starter cord.
The engine roared to life.
Carl drew his pistol, but Leatherface crossed the small bathroom before he could aim. The chainsaw swept toward his chest with enough force to cut him in half.
Carl threw himself sideways.
The spinning chain missed him and struck the metal faucet. Sparks scattered across the sink as the teeth bit into the hardened steel.
The chainsaw became lodged.
Leatherface pulled against it with both hands, trying to tear the blade free.
Carl saw his chance.
He raised the pistol and fired.
The first bullet struck Leatherface's head. Carl continued pulling the trigger until every round in the magazine had been spent.
Gunfire thundered through the bathroom.
Leatherface's head snapped backward several times. Dark blood leaked from beneath the mask before his enormous body collapsed onto the tile floor.
Carl backed into the wall and struggled to breathe. His hands shook while he removed the empty magazine and replaced it with a fresh one.
The masked man remained motionless.
Carl kept the pistol aimed at the body as he took a cautious step toward the door. He needed to warn his father and get everyone away from the house.
Outside, the chainsaw and gunshots had already reached the barbecue.
Burt immediately thought of Carl.
He drew his pistol and ran toward the mansion without waiting for anyone else.
Ash rose at the same moment. He hurried to the Ford and opened the cargo area.
The Remington 870 and Winchester lay beneath the luggage. Ash took both shotguns and strapped the large two-handed sword across his back.
He handed the Winchester to Heather.
"Stay with Gwen. Don't enter the house unless I call for you."
Heather accepted the weapon and checked the chamber.
"What happened in there?"
"I don't know yet."
Ash loaded the Remington as he approached the mansion.
"Stay alert."
He entered through the front door and followed the sound of Burt's footsteps.
Inside the bathroom, Carl began stepping over the masked man's shoulder. His eyes remained fixed on the chainsaw as he moved toward the open doorway.
A gloved hand suddenly closed around his ankle.
The grip felt like an iron trap.
Carl cried out as pressure crushed the bones beneath the leather glove. He looked down and met the eyes behind the human-skin mask.
They were no longer human.
A cloudy yellow-green color filled the sockets. Hunger and rage moved through them without any trace of reason.
Carl's blood turned cold.
He had emptied an entire magazine into the creature's head. No ordinary man could have survived.
Leatherface released a low roar and pulled.
Carl fell hard against the tile floor. His pistol flew from his hand and slid beneath the sink.
Leatherface ignored the blood pouring from his head. He gripped the chainsaw and ripped it free from the ruined faucet.
Metal screamed against the spinning teeth.
The engine roared again.
Carl tried to crawl toward his weapon, but Leatherface still held his ankle. He twisted onto his back and kicked desperately with his free leg.
The chainsaw came down across his waist.
Carl's scream filled the mansion as the spinning chain tore through his uniform, flesh, and spine. Blood sprayed across the bathroom walls while Leatherface continued pressing until Carl's body separated into two pieces.
Mayor Hartman reached the doorway one second too late.
He stopped and stared at his son's divided body.
Carl's final scream echoed through the hall before fading into silence.
Burt's face twisted with horror.
"No!"