Page 114 of Pretty Broken Dolls

One thing about working in law enforcement was that you didn’t want to think that one of your own could be a killer, but Katie knew it happened.

Katie increased her speed as fast as she dared, and was coming up to the main road leading to the fairgrounds. She felt the prickly sensations warning of another anxiety attack and used her techniques of steadying her breathing and keeping positive thoughts in mind until she saw the billboard that read “Sequoia County Fairgrounds NEXT RIGHT.”

She drove past the main entrance and towards the east gate. Unless the key fit, it would remain locked, and she would have to scale the fence.

Pulling into the driveway, she parked the Jeep. Katie knew she was a mess. Her outfit was entirely unsuitable for climbing or running, and she felt vulnerable as it slowed her down. She didn’t have her gym bag in the car, so she had no clothes to change into.

The only thing on Katie’s mind was Lizzy’s safety. She pushed forward. She tried the key, just in case, but it was no use. Securing her gun and cell phone—underneath her armpit and inserted in her bra—she put the key between her teeth and climbed over the fence, tearing the hemline of her dress.

Hitting the ground running, she was aware that the killer could be watching her, and if so, she would be a perfect target. She ran as fast as she could. The pavement was brutal on her feet, scraping at her soles, but she only thought of her friend as the horrible images of the crime scenes rushed through her mind.

She got to a maintenance building and paused in the shadows to catch her breath and give her feet a rest. There was silence and no sign of anyone or anything happening. Was she in the right place?

Katie inched her way in the shadows along the buildings so that she wasn’t a bright target, undeniably aware that she was going in without knowing where the killer or Lizzy was. Not completely certain what she was looking for, she tried to make her way to the Ferris wheel.

Up ahead she saw something dark on the ground. As she inched closer with her gun directed out in front of her, she realized it was a body.

Not moving any faster, but maintaining a steady pace, in case it was a trap, Katie kept her cool and continued on. It was a man dressed in dark clothing. She could see he had white or blond hair. Finally close enough to see the man clearly, she realized it was a security guard. He was lying sprawled on his back with his arms out from his sides. His utility belt was empty, no baton, no flashlight, and no gun.

Katie rushed to his side and knelt down next to him. She could see that he was in his mid to late fifties. The side of his skull was bloody as if he had been hit with a sizable object, but it had stopped bleeding. Gently she picked up his wrist; there was a faint but steady pulse.

She leaned into him. “Can you hear me?” she whispered. “Sir, can you hear me?”

He moaned and moved his head.

“Who did this to you?”

He continued to moan and his words were incoherent.

Katie patted down his pockets looking for a cell phone and found nothing.

She noticed a nasty gash on the side of his forehead where he was knocked out. She inhaled deeply, calming her nerves and keeping her concentration.

If you don’t play, Lizzy dies. Tick Tock.

He moaned something unrecognizable.

“We need to get you out of the way—safe.”

Katie wrestled with him for a minute and managed to drag him near the maintenance area and out of immediate view. “Stay here. I’ll get you help. You understand?” she said.

He looked at her and nodded weakly.

Katie didn’t want to leave him and she needed to call an ambulance.

Suddenly breaking the silence and darkness, loud carnival music blared through speakers and the bright lights of the Ferris wheel lit up the area.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Friday 2130 hours

McGaven was still deeply engrossed in the articles, his instinct telling him that they might be key to the cases.

A knock at the door interrupted him.

“Hey,” said John poking his head in. “What are you still doing here?”

“Catching up on my reading and running endless reports.”