Page 95 of Her Last Whisper

Katie softened her tone. “It’s not what I want. Your brother has been honorably discharged from the army and he wants to reconnect—with family. From what I understand, it’s just the two of you.” She watched his response and sensed that he had some issues that had hurt him, perhaps deeply, but if there was love and hope for the two of them to reconnect—they each needed to reach out.

“I thought for sure he was a lifer. The army is his family, his life.” He looked away, not wanting to meet Katie’s gaze.

“You know, there are all kinds of families. And I swear as I’m standing here, Nick is more like family to me. Like a brother I never had. We went through a lot together over there and I don’t think I would’ve done two tours if it wasn’t for him. Believe me, he’s family. But you’re blood, and there’s nothing closer than that.” Katie was surprised at herself for being so open and forthright with someone she had never met before. Maybe it was because they shared someone or maybe it was because both of them were hurting—still hurting from the past.

James studied her for a moment. “So you’re a cop now?”

“Detective,” she said.

“Nick really asked you to find me?” he said with some disbelief.

“Look, I don’t know what caused your rift and why you two haven’t talked. But I do know Nick, and I think you owe it to him, and yourself, to meet and talk.” Katie took her business card from her pocket and handed it to James. “Think about it and give me a call. I know you’ll make the right choice. Okay?”

Taking the card, he said, “Thank you, Detective.”

“I know that Nick has had a hole in his life for not talking with you.”

He nodded and seemed to be lost in memories.

“Whatever you’re running from right now is not as bad as you think it is. There’s always a way to work it out. And it’s a lot easier with family on your side,” Katie said.

He nodded.

Nadine came out of the back door with a worried expression. She wore a loose dress but it was easy to see that she was pregnant.

“Everything is okay,” he said to her.

Katie watched the couple interact. It was clear that they were more than just a casual thing. “James, don’t forget what I said. From what I see, you have a family. Don’t let time or bad feelings let it slip away.”

The couple watched her walk away.

Katie reachedher car just as her cell phone rang. Pulling it out of her pocket, she was relieved that it hadn’t been crushed during the altercation.

“Detective Scott.”

“There’s a match,” McGaven stated with excitement to his voice.

“To what?” Katie felt goose bumps rise on her arms.

“There was a fingerprint match from IAFIS from your car to a First Memorial Hospital employee named Robert (Bobby) Sykes. And the best part, he’s a maintenance worker that cleans the surgery roomsandcomes in contact on a regular basis with the chemicals found on all three victims. And… he was on our suspect list.”

“Do you know where he is now?”

“According to HR—he is on shift right now.”

“Pick him up. I’m on my way back now,” she said.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Fifty-Four

Monday 1205 hours

Katie drove at warp speed back to the sheriff’s department, a million questions running through her mind. Was this the person who was following her and writing notes? Was it the killer? Was this going to be the break in the case they were waiting for? She felt a surge of excitement.

After finding a parking place and turning the car off, before she exited Katie gathered her thoughts of how she was going to proceed with the interview—it was her quiet time away from the department. She didn’t want to scare off Mr. Sykes, but she would press him as hard as she needed to get some answers. With some luck, he might just confess.

Someone tapped on her window, causing her to jump. She looked out her driver’s window to see Chad standing there.