Page 52 of Pretty Broken Dolls

Her demeanor softened as her shoulders slumped forward. “Oh, you haven’t found the killer yet?” she said, with some hope in her voice.

“That’s what we’re working on and we just wanted to ask a few more questions. Do you think that would be okay?”

“I’m sorry, it was a real loss losing Jeanine and in such a horrible way. She was one of the good ones. Who do you need to talk to?”

Katie glanced at her notes. “Angela Norton and Virginia Rodriguez.”

“Oh, Angie, she’s here.”

“What about Virginia?” said Katie.

“Uh, sure. She’s here today too.” Her tone was stilted.

“Would it be possible for me to speak with them?”

“Come with me,” she said.

Katie looked to McGaven and he nodded for her to go ahead—he hung back and casually began to check things out.

Katie followed Rita down a long hallway past several closed doors that she assumed were private offices as well as exam rooms. They continued, rounding a corner where they took stairs to the next level. Katie’s boot heels made a ringing noise against the metal as they climbed the staircase.

That familiar tug at Katie’s stomach tried to get her attention as they climbed in the stuffy and claustrophobic stairwell—the building was clearly old and in need of an update. Pressure seemed to build in her chest, causing her breathing to become shallow and stilted. Whenever she was in a tight area with dim lighting it made her nervous, and she tried to keep her wits and panic in check.

“Sorry, it’s a bit rickety, I’m afraid,” said Rita. “But it’s the only area where we have extra administrative offices. We needed every square foot downstairs for medical offices and exam rooms.”

Katie smiled in response, keeping her focus on her breathing.

“Here we are,” Rita said.

The door read: “Administrative Director, Angela L. Norton.”

Rita knocked on the door.

“Yes, come in,” came a voice on the other side.

Rita poked her head in and said, “A detective is here and wanted to ask a few questions about Jeanine.”

“Of course, please come in.” She eyed Katie a bit suspiciously.

Pushing the door wider, Katie entered the small office, which had no windows. The walls were lined with metal filing cabinets, with more folders on top waiting to be filed. There was a desk in the middle of the room with a computer, printer, and another large stack of files and paperwork.

“Thanks, Rita,” said the director. She was a tall, slender woman dressed in a sweater outfit and had a gold chain with glasses dangling around her neck.

Rita shut the door quietly behind her as she left.

“Hi, Ms. Norton,” said Katie. “I’m Detective Katie Scott from the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department.”

“Pleased to meet you, but I’m saddened that it’s under such unpleasant circumstances. I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

Katie thought she detected an east coast accent, but wasn’t sure. “My partner and I—he’s downstairs right now—are cold case detectives. And we’ve been given the Jeanine Trenton case.”

“Please sit down.”

“Thank you.” Katie spotted a metal chair up against one of the filing cabinets and slid it in front of the desk. She sat down. “One of the things we do when we receive a cold case investigation is speak with some of the people who knew the victim—and in this case worked with her.”

“What can I answer for you?” she said.

Katie immediately liked the director; she appeared to be honest and her body language indicated that she was genuine. She was relaxed and patient, not uptight and suspicious. “Well, firstly, can you tell me, what were Ms. Trenton’s responsibilities here? The report said she was a health care specialist.”