Page 11 of Pretty Broken Dolls

“Finishing my—”

“Sentences. Isn’t that what partners do?” For the first time since receiving the case, Katie smiled. “And it’s your turn to buy lunch—and something better than a gas station burrito.”

Dropping the files on his desk, he said, “Let’s begin at the house as a starting point like we usually do—the crime scene,” he said. “And what’s wrong with those burritos?”

“I have to make a stop first.”

“For?”

“Cisco.”

Chapter Five

Monday 1350 hours

McGaven drove to Raven Woods, which was about half an hour from the department. He accelerated whenever he could, just out of habit as an ex-patrol officer.

Riding shotgun gave Katie some time to read through the investigation files in more detail. She tapped her finger on the photo of Jeanine Trenton’s necklace hanging on the fence, hoping to decipher what the killer was trying to convey.

“Nice ring,” he said.

“What? Oh,” she said, looking at her own engagement ring.

“How’s the wedding planning going?”

“It’s going.”

“You two still haven’t picked a date yet? Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

“We’re working on it. Still trying to figure out if we want a small, intimate wedding or something more festive. So many decisions.”

McGaven glanced at his partner. His face clouded as he seemed to be trying to figure out what was bothering her.

A low whine came from the back seat, shortly followed by a dog face squeezing itself in between McGaven and Katie.

“Hey, buddy,” said McGaven, scratching the dog behind his ears. To Katie, he said, “I’m glad you wanted to bring him today.”

“I feel guilty leaving him home, but it can’t be helped. And it’s great that Sergeant Hardy from K9 allows me to kennel him whenever I bring him to work.”

“Yeah well, he’s a lucky dog. Right, Cisco?”

The jet-black dog let out a couple of barks in agreement.

They headed south through open mountains with slight rolling hills. It wasn’t until they reached more heavily wooded areas that the sign “Raven Woods” appeared. They were about ten minutes from arriving downtown.

“What’s the road we need to take?” asked McGaven.

Looking through the paperwork, Katie said, “One sixty-seven Fox Hunt Road.”

“Did you leave a message for Agent Campbell?”

“Yep. I told him we were going to the house to have a look around.”

“Think he’s still in town?”

“No.”

“Why not?”