Page 20 of Her Last Whisper

“I saw your formal request with the watch commander to have patrol drive by her residence on a regular basis. Good work. I agree with your decision.”

She leaned forward and lowered her voice slightly. “I went to see her. She’s petrified he’s coming back for her. You can see it in her eyes and in her body language. It’s truly disturbing.”

“Is there any possibility that she might be suffering from some sort of cognitive disturbance or illness?Schizophrenia?”

The server with long dark hair braided down almost the full length of her back dropped off two large burgers and a giant basket of French fries. “Anything else?” she asked.

“No, we’re good. Thank you,” said Katie.

“Thank you,” her uncle said as the waitress left.

Taking a big bite, Katie wrestled with her food before she answered her uncle. “No,” she said, wiping her mouth. “I believe that she experienced something terrible and her story is credible, but…”

Finishing her sentence, he said, “But finding corroborating evidence is the problem.”

Katie nodded. “I’m inching closer though.” She took another bite. “Are these burgers getting better, or what?”

Swiping a French fry through a mound of catsup, he said, “It seems like it. I only eat here when I’m with you.” He smiled. “Maybe it’s the company?”

“Uncle Wayne, are you buttering me up so I’ll tell you all my cold-case secrets?” She laughed.

“I know how driven you can be. This placement is a little different than the other detective positions. You’re allowed some leeway and to oversee your own schedule.”

“And?”

“I don’t say this lightly. Please be mindful—and careful. Understand?”

“Of course.”

“I mean it.” He stared directly at her, eye to eye, to emphasize his concern.

Katie softened. “I understand. There’s always going to be some risk, but I’m making the right choices. Thinking before I leap.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. You are so single-minded about solving these cases,” he said.

“Isn’t that the point?” She ran her finger up the side of the cold glass. “You promoted me to this position for a reason—I’m not like other detectives.”

“Don’t force me to make it a temporary position.” He suppressed a little laugh.

“You would do that?” she said surprised.

“All I’m saying is be a little bit more conservative and don’t jump in headfirst with everything.”

“I know you’re right. There’s just a lot to digest right now and the suspect pool is too general and too large—which is frustrating.”

“I did some checking to make sure that there wasn’t some rule against it.”

“Against what?” she asked. Her curiosity piqued as she swallowed another bite.

“I know that some of your field investigations can take you to places alone—sometimes after hours—and I think that it might be a good idea to bring Cisco with you during those times.”

“Is it okay to bring him to my office?” Katie was intrigued by the idea, and she knew full well that Cisco would love being with her instead of at home alone.

“No, but you can house him at the department’s kennel when you’re working, and then take him when you head out somewhere.”

“I know Cisco would love being there, like he has a job again—even if it was just a kennel.”

“He’s a great dog and I know you’ve been taking him to some of the K9 training.”