Page 110 of Pretty Broken Dolls

“One thing we can agree on: Sadie was in law enforcement as a correctional officer, so she would know all the common mannerisms of a cop.” She thought more about it. “What if itwassomeone from a law enforcement background? And many police officers have been in the military.”

“Like you.”

“Like me. But this person has an axe to grind—for whatever their personal perspective or experience.”

“I see where you’re going with this. Someone who would have access to military information—specifically military K9 members.” He studied the investigation board. “I don’t know, Katie. Isn’t that a reach?”

“Hang in there…Could it be something so far out that it’s actually right in front of us? The military dog training is central to all of these investigations.”

“Yes…”

“The message said, ‘the finale is coming’and now I’m getting cryptic messages that pertain to this case. C’mon, Gav, you know what I’m thinking.”

“I don’t know…”

“Let me run this by you: who has access to law enforcement information, military files, and would have the software to clone my cell phone? And moves like a cop?”

“Short answer: a cop, and the long version…”

“The long version would be the same person that’s watching us investigate these cases. The same person who is pulling the strings…making the scenarios work their way.”

“But what for? What’s his motivation for all of this?”

“A killer is a killer for their own reasons—even if it’s to make themselves look like a hero. To right a wrong. They generally feel as if someone has wronged them. Who would know how to keep suspicion away from himself? And watch us so closely?”

“But Sadie said the figure she saw was slight—nothing like Campbell. I think we need to talk to the sheriff tomorrow and bring him up to speed on what has happened…everything.” McGaven was adamant. “We need to talk to him and let him know our concerns. He’ll know what we need to do—if anything.”

“Yes, okay, you’re right.” She glanced at her watch. “I need to get out of here so I can get ready to meet Lizzy tonight.”

“Go home. Take your mind off this…it’s all theory, remember?”

“It’s profiling in order to make the pool of suspects smaller so we can pinpoint a few.”

McGaven began sifting through his lists, intending to keep plugging through them.

Katie tidied up her desk and put everything in a pile with her yellow steno pad on top with Special Agent Campbell’s reports. “I’ll talk to you later,” she said.

“Blow off some steam and have some fun tonight.”

“I just want a quiet nice dinner with a friend,” she said and smiled, leaving the office.

Chapter Forty-Four

Friday 1945 hours

Katie sat at a table in the bistro waiting for her friend Lizzy to arrive. She was looking forward to having some one-on-one time with her, so they could chat about the army days. Although Lizzy had relocated to the coast, she had visited Pine Valley a few days every month or so. Katie needed to relax and chat with someone close to her and push the investigation aside, even for just an hour or two.

The server brought Katie a glass of white wine as she waited. It felt great to be out and not wearing her typical work pant-suits; instead, she had opted for a navy dress and heels. One thing she never skipped was carrying a small Beretta pistol that she stashed in her purse. It was something that she had become accustomed to doing even though she was officially off duty. She chalked it up to being a police officer—basically you were always a cop, whether on or off duty.

Katie glanced at her watch and saw that Lizzy was fifteen minutes late. It was unusual for her; she was a stickler for being on time. She checked her cell, but there was no message from her either.

Katie dialed her phone and waited. No answer. The phone kept ringing. No outgoing message. She wondered if Lizzy could be in an area that didn’t have a signal, but then realized that the recorded message should cut in if that were the case. Odd.

The server approached the table. “Would you like to order?”

“I’m still waiting for my friend, but yes, I would like to order a chicken Caesar salad, please.”

“Of course,” he said and left to put in her order.