Page 5 of Pretty Broken Dolls

“Hey, Katie,” said McGaven, diverting her attention to him.

“Yeah,” she said but kept moving.

“Where are you going?”

“Taking a break to take some notes on the events and begin our report,” she said and hurried in the direction of the police vehicle.

Chad caught up to her. “Where are you running to?” he asked gently, knowing that every case took its toll on her.

“I’m fine. Just need to get the paperwork together for the sheriff.”

“Hey.” He took her arm and examined her face. “Take some time for yourself, okay?”

She forced a slight smile and nodded, not wanting to let him know how disturbed she was by the scene.

“See you later. Okay?”

It was clear that he wanted to kiss her but it would have been inappropriate at the crime scene in front of all of their co-workers.

“Bye,” she said and watched Chad return to the group.

As Katie looked for the blond stranger, scanning the street in both directions, she spotted the car driving away.

Her cell phone rang. She wasn’t going to answer at first, but it was the sheriff.

“Scott,” she said, making sure that no one was near. She felt conspicuous when she talked with her Uncle Wayne.

“Anything?”

“Yes. A body and ATV have been found.”

“Everything okay?” His voice was softer than his usual gruff sheriff demeanor.

“I noticed that detectives Alvarez and Hamilton are here.”

“I sent them.”

“I see.”

“I need a report from you and McGaven, and then you can set this case free and let the detectives close it.”

Katie stopped for a moment. It surprised her that he referred to “the case” as free.

The sheriff continued, “Alvarez will take over to make sure that everything is in order and he’ll be working the entire homicide investigation from start to finish, since it was originally his case.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” he said. “You’ve done your job—excellent work. You’ve had back-to-back cases lately and deserve a break. I don’t want my cold case team burned out.”

Katie sighed.

“Have the report on my desk no later than tomorrow.”

“I will.”

“And, Katie,” he said.

“Yes?”