Page 121 of Last Girls Alive

Katie stopped and turned toward McGaven. “Well, for example, with the child protective reports, sometimes when social workers fill out forms, they may have someone else fill them out.”

“You mean like an assistant?”

“Yeah, or pre-forms. Where they have the wording all made up or phrases used as a general response.”

“Why would they do that?”

“To get the reports turned in on time. Also, if they were being paid off or if they were going to extort someone. It’s not that common, but it does happen.”

“I’m not finding anything that seems weird about the books. It’s just tedious and repetitive about the terrible treatment as a child. How adults aren’t willing to understand the juvenile mind.”

Katie’s cell phone rang and she snapped it up.

“Scott,” she said.

“Detective Scott?” said the caller. She didn’t recognize the caller ID number.

“Yes, this is Detective Scott.”

“Hi, Detective, this is Shane from the county archive department.”

“Yes, hi, Shane. What can I do for you?”

“Well, you told me to call you if I found anything that you might find interesting.” There was heavy static in the background, making it difficult to hear his words clearly.

“Yes.”

“Well, I found these pages from a book that were mixed in with the Elm Hill Mansion file.”

“What kind of pages?”

“They appear to be from a journal.”

“Oh.”

“And on one of the pages it refers to the secret staircase in the house.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“I have a few errands and I will be right by the Elm Hill Mansion. Can I meet you there to show these to you? I’d like to see the house,” he said.

Katie thought about it and then said, “Can you make copies and send them over?”

“I would, but these types of documents are so old that I need to be super-careful with them and they’re not allowed out of my keeping. But I can bring them to Elm Hill where you can have a look at them. You could take a couple of photos with your phone.”

She looked at McGaven poring over his work and reading endless pages of the manuscript. She also knew that Shane probably wanted to take a tour of the house, and she really owed him one. “Yeah,” she said slowly, looking at her watch. “I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“Okay, sounds good. See you then.”

Katie ended the call.

“What’s up?” asked McGaven.

“Shane from the county found some pages from an old book or journal that was mixed in with the Elm Hill Mansion stuff.”

“Could be interesting.”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll run over to Elm Hill and check it out.” She began packing up some things, putting her cell phone in her pocket and gun in the holster. “I’ll be back in about an hour.”