Page 3 of The Fragile Ones

“What’s the hurry?”

“The sheriff wants us to meet him in his office—like, ten minutes ago.”

“What’s it about?” she asked, wondering why he hadn’t texted or called her. Sheriff Scott, her uncle, never held emergency meetings unless there was a very important reason. Her mind began to search through the cold-case files she had been investigating recently—it most likely had something to do with one of them.

“Don’t know.”

“And you drove over here to tell me in person?”

“C’mon, I’ll race you back,” he said. “Let’s go.”

Katie had finally purchased a new car after her old one was totaled in a high speed chase. She took almost two months to decide what type she wanted. McGaven clearly wanted to check out her new wheels.

“Nice…” he said, as she led them over to a black Jeep SUV and disengaged the lock.

“This was the only car I really liked.”

“But more importantly, how does Cisco like it?”

Katie laughed. “He likes it just fine.” A minute later she followed McGaven out of the county parking lot, and headed to the sheriff’s department a few blocks away.

As soon as she was parked up, Katie grabbed her briefcase and got out of the vehicle.

Jogging up to her, McGaven said, “We don’t have time to stop at the forensic lab first.”

“What’s the hurry? What do you know that I don’t?” she asked, hurrying to keep up with McGaven’s long stride.

“Nothing, I swear.”

They quickly entered the building, but instead of going to the forensic lab where their cold-case office and files were located, they went straight up to the administration area where the sheriff and top supervising personnel had their offices.

It amazed Katie that whenever she went to the sheriff’s office her heart still beat just a bit faster. Her uncle was the one who stepped up to raise her after her parents died in a car accident when she was a teenager, and he was the only family she had now—but he was a strict boss. They had been through a lot together, and had their differences, but they had always managed to work them out and their bond had only become stronger.

Katie reached the sheriff’s office only to find the door was shut, which seemed strange. He usually had the door wide open when she arrived for a meeting or an update on cold cases. There were low voices and some laughter coming from within, which made her wonder even more about what was going on.

Hesitating, she raised her hand and knocked twice, McGaven waiting behind her.

“Come in,” came the familiar authoritative voice from the other side.

Katie took a deep breath and opened the door, taken aback for a moment when she saw the group that was assembled inside. She glanced to McGaven, seeing the same confused expression on his face.

Sheriff Scott, Undersheriff Dorothy Sullivan, the new Mayor Brendon Brown, and two casually dressed men that Katie didn’t recognize stared back at them.

“Please, Detective Scott, Deputy McGaven, come in and take a seat,” said the sheriff. With close-cut gray hair and his immaculate uniform, her uncle looked strong, distinguished and authoritative. Katie felt her stomach drop. Was one of her cold cases coming back to haunt her, or was it just her anxiety kicking in? She sat down next to McGaven.

“Mayor Brown has asked a favor from the department, and I’m inclined to grant it,” the sheriff said.

Favor?

The sheriff continued. “Detective Scott and Deputy McGaven, I would like for you both to meet Matt Gardner and Emir Patel. They are part of an award-winning documentary team—Wild Oats Productions.”

Katie and McGaven nodded politely and glanced at each other.

“Matt is the director and Emir is the camera operator and assistant director,” Scott explained.

Katie was still clueless as to what a film company had to do with her.

“Detective Scott, it would be helpful for everyone involved if we all work together,” piped up the undersheriff as she looked at Katie.