Page 21 of Her Last Whisper

“Yes, actually Sergeant Hardy asked me to join in whenever I like.”

“Good. But I still need for you to include in your weekly reports the days that Cisco is with you and in what capacity. Understood?”

“Got it,” she said. “Don’t worry, I promise I will be careful out there.”

Twelve

Thursday 0845 hours

Katie stood in her office staring at her whiteboard. It helped her to recap all the information she had first thing in the morning, to walk around her office and take it all in; not something she’d be free to do upstairs in the detective division.

She sighed, realizing how lucky she was to have such free rein working cold cases; but she was also frustrated at herself for not producing results fast enough. She knew that there would be the occasional stumbling blocks, and leads that would go nowhere, but this case was extra-complicated because she was dealing with the incident in the pastandthe ongoing threat in the present. She needed to come up with a strategy that would keep everything on track.

As she thought about all her options, the phone on her desk rang, startling her. Tentatively she picked up the receiver and held it to her ear. “Detective Scott.”

“There’s been a homicide. I need you out there,” stated her uncle.

“Me?” Katie was momentarily confused why she was being informed.

“It’s Amanda Payton. Someone found her body early this morning.”

Katie’s heart pounded against her ribcage. “Where?” she said, trying to sound calm and professional.

“A young couple out running this morning found her body at a vacant lot near Whispering Pines,” he said.

“There’s been an ID already?”

“Her purse was found nearby with her driver’s license and her identification from the First Memorial Hospital.”

“I see,” said Katie, her mind whirring. “Who’s running the case?” she asked.

“Detective Bryan Hamilton.”

“I don’t know him,” she said, trying to put a face with the name.

“He’s new to the department, a transplant from Stockton PD.”

“I guess my cold case just got hot,” she said.

“That’s why I need you.”

“I can get all the information that I’ve been accumulating on Hamilton’s desk before he makes it back to the station.”

“No, you do not understand, Katie. I needyouto go to the crime scene and work the area with Detective Hamilton. I’ve already spoken to him and he’s waiting for you.”

“Oh.”

“Did you hear what I said? He’s waiting for you right now.” Her uncle’s voice was commanding.

“I’m on my way,” she said, already halfway out the door.

Thirteen

Thursday 0945 hours

Katie drove as fast as she could to the empty site near Whispering Pines that was destined to be the town’s new shopping mall. It was a pristine area that really represented the beauty of Pine Valley, with trails that bypassed around the vicinity and accommodated a large section of California pine trees. It wasn’t really called Whispering Pines. That was what most people called it because of the sound that the trees made when the wind blew—the sound of someone whispering.

Katie tried to focus as she readied herself for what she had to do next. It pained her so much that Amanda’s fears had been realized, that she couldn’t help her, but for now she had to think only of the task in hand.