Page 105 of Last Girls Alive

“Detective, you probably won’t understand this… and I mean it from my heart. I wanted to protect Tanis.”

“From what?”

“Bad experiences, life, bad people. She had done so much for the rest of us and I wanted to make sure that she was happy and at least had a chance—more than the rest of us.”

“Ms. Harlan, are you aware that your sister was murdered? And her body was found last week at Elm Hill Mansion?”

“Yes,” she said shakily, holding back the tears.

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“It had been a while. A few months… I don’t know…” She sniffled and wiped tears from her eyes.

“Do you know who would have wanted to kill her?”

“It wasn’t her. It was me.”

“What are you saying? That whoever killed your sister Carol meant to kill you?”

“I got in with some bad people, gambling, escort service, that sort of thing. They don’t like it when people want to leave. I’ve been looking over my shoulder every day since. And then… and then…”

“I see. Where were these bad people?”

“Sacramento.”

Katie had first been a patrol officer for two years at Sacramento PD and she was aware of some of these nefarious gangs. She made a few more notes. “Any names?”

“I don’t know their real names.”

Katie turned around in her seat because she wanted to see Candace’s face when she asked the next question. “Why did you try to kill me and my partner?”

“I didn’t.”

“I saw you, well, not your face, but I saw you standing there and shutting the door to the container.”

There was a knock at the window. McGaven stood there waiting as he made a hand gesture for her to come out.

“I’ll be right back,” said Katie as she got out of the vehicle, immediately regretting it with the cold air piercing her body. Shutting the door quickly, she said, “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that we’ve looked over the cameras and it was definitely Candace Harlan.” Katie saw John walk from the trail carrying cameras.

“Was there anyone else?” she asked.

“Nope, just her.”

Katie made a frown and bit her lip.

“What?” he said.

“I’ll fill you in on everything later, but for now, check out…” she said and retrieved a piece of paper from her notebook. “Do a check on Ray Conner, early- to mid-thirties. Businessman. Not sure of profession.”

“Who’s this?”

“This is Candace’s Ray—the one she ran away with that night. According to her, she dumped him three months later and took off to LA.”

He took the notes. “On it.” He looked at Katie with a questioning expression.

“I’m fine, really. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow. Don’t worry about tonight’s report—I’ll take care of it.”