Page 38 of The Fragile Ones

Only when they were heading back to Pine Valley, did they finally speak.

“I think you’re right,” said McGaven.

“About?”

“Trying not to alienate the locals.”

“Well…”

“I don’t think those cops liked us much.”

“Maybe not.”

“We need more information about that house.”

“Yep.”

“Why are you so calm? You feeling okay?”

“For the tenth time, I’m fine, nothing that a nice hot bath won’t ease,” she said. In truth, her neck was stiff and her right side ached—and she might’ve chipped a tooth.

“Then what?”

“I think our biggest clue is that number—372.”

“You think it could connect the killer and Tessa Mayfield?”

“I think it’s the key to unlock this entire investigation.”

Chapter Sixteen

Tuesday 2120 hours

Katie was exhausted. As she drove home from the station, recalling the hours she had spent researching Whitney Mayfield, it caused her much frustration. Just when she thought she had some background, it proved to be a false lead.

Turning up her long driveway, she thought she saw a flash of light—but her house was dark. Strange. Her uncle had stopped by earlier to play with Cisco and let him outside, and usually he would leave a couple of interior lights on. She didn’t want Cisco to be left alone in the dark.

Her body still ached from her fall, but slipping into a nice hot bath would be the answer. She had called Chad earlier to invite him over, thinking they could have a nice quiet evening alone, but he’d said that he had been called into work to cover a shift for one of the other firefighters.

Katie pulled her Jeep up close to the house and turned off the engine. She stepped out, feeling a throbbing ache from her neck down to her right leg.

Odd. Usually she would hear Cisco barking as his way of greeting her, but it was completely quiet as she stood on the driveway. Walking up to the front door, she inserted her key and stepped inside to disarm her security alarm. Still no Cisco.

“Cisco,” she called. “Hey, boy, sorry I’m late.”

Katie turned on the lamp in the living room. Everything appeared to be just as she had left it.

“Cisco?”

She walked into the kitchen and turned on the light. Her skin prickled in the silence. Something wasn’t right. She rushed down the hallway to her room, but it was empty.

“Cisco!” she called, louder this time. Now she was worried, but maybe her uncle had taken him for some reason. She glanced at her phone, but there was no message. She was just about to call him when she noticed that the door to her guest room was closed. It was never closed. Something told her to move forward with caution.

She stood in front of the door and listened. Then, counting to three, she grasped the doorknob, turned it and pushed the door open with force.

The light flashed on instantly, followed by a large group yelling, “Happy Birthday!”

Katie stepped back in shock. It took her a moment to respond.