Page 87 of Her Last Whisper

Thursday 2005 hours

It was just after 8p.m. when Katie drove up her driveway. She was completely exhausted from the events of the day; her eyes were blurry from looking at names on the computer all evening. She needed some food and a good night’s sleep, but her mind was still whirling from all of the information they had received.

As she neared the top of the driveway, her headlights caught Nick standing at her porch holding two bags. He smiled, which caught her off-guard. In khakis and black T-shirt his prosthetic leg wasn’t as noticeable, and he seemed to be moving on it a little better.

Katie cut the engine and got out. “Hey, I don’t remember ordering take-out.”

“Private delivery.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked walking up to the porch. She noticed that he looked more rested and cleaner than he did the first night.

“I wanted to bring you dinner. I’m sure you’re not eating enough investigating a homicide.”

Cisco barked several times in greeting.

“Well, thank you. And yes, you don’t eat enough when working.” She unlocked the door and made her way to the alarm to disarm it.

Cisco ran from one end of the room to another.

“I’m sorry, I should have called.”

“No, that’s fine. I’m actually starved and would love to have a conversation that didn’t revolve around forensics, autopsies, or suspect lists.”

“That’s a mouthful.”

“Make yourself at home. Grab some plates in the kitchen. I need to let Cisco out and quickly change,” she said, opening the sliding door as Cisco bolted outside.

Katie went to her bedroom and took off her holster and badge. She quickly slipped out of her work clothes and opted for yoga pants and a hoodie.

There was a knock at the front door.

“Nick, can you see who that is?” she hollered, zipping up her sweatshirt and letting her hair down.

Glancing at herself in the mirror, she saw how tired she looked with dark circles under her eyes and dull skin. She splashed water on her face and then brushed her hair. She hurried out of her bedroom.

“Nick, who was that?” she asked as she entered the living room. Then “Hi,” when she saw who was standing there.

“Hey,” said Chad.

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I made plenty of food for everyone,” hollered Nick from the kitchen, pushing more of his Kentucky accent than usual. The sound of plates rattling followed.

“I tried calling a few times, but I knew you were busy,” he said.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Chad, this is Nick, my sergeant from the army,” she said. “Nick, Chad.”

“We met at the door,” said Nick. “It’s nice to meet you, Chad.”

“I can see that I caught you at a bad time,” Chad said.

“No, no, come have dinner.”

“There’s plenty,” chimed Nick.

“C’mon,” she said and took Chad’s hand.

Chad wasn’t his usual energetic self and it was clear that he was surprised and a little bit hurt that there was another guy in the kitchen with dinner for Katie.