Page 73 of The Fragile Ones

Not now.

“In case I don’t make it, Rodriguez said that…”

“What?” she whispered.

“He kept saying that you can reach out and touch him…”

She stared at him and relived Rodriguez saying the same thing to her.

McGaven came to her aid. “Katie?” He looked worried.

“I’m fine,” she snapped back, pushing past him, away from the scene to the back of the building to breathe.

The sheriff ordered everyone to move out of the way so that the paramedics could make their way to the transport van, followed by two firefighters from the main engine.

“Katie!” Chad yelled through the pandemonium.

The deputies let him through. He ran up to her, seeing blood on her blouse and pants.

“I’m okay,” she whispered, holding back what was left of her emotions. “I’m not hurt.”

“When I heard there was a shooting here from dispatch—my heart stopped. I don’t ever want to feel like that again.” He held her tight.

“I couldn’t save him.”

Chad just listened, and didn’t tell her that everything was okay when it wasn’t. He was there for her—her rock—and that was all that mattered.

Sheriff Scott ran over to her through the chaos.

“Detective, are you okay? You don’t need any medical attention?” He sounded professional and neutral, when Katie knew he was clearly upset by the entire incident. “Maybe it would be best if you go to the hospital and have the doctors check you out?”

“I’m fine. I just need to go back to my office. That’s where I’ll be if anyone needs to talk to me. I’ll write my report and have it on your desk by the end of the day,” she said.

“That can wait,” said the sheriff.

“Can it?” she said with skepticism. “We’re trying to solve a murder—three murders.”

The sheriff looked at her and didn’t reply.

Turning to Chad, she said, “I’m glad you’re here. I’ll call you in a little while, okay?”

“Okay. You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Katie forced a tiny smile to keep her composure, still walking away around the entire area, and decided to enter the administration building from the other side, staying away from the turmoil.

What was Darren Rodriguez trying to tell her?

You know all about him. You can reach out and touch him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Saturday 1300 hours

Katie walked back to her office by way of the forensic division. It was mostly dark on the bottom floor, except for the main hallway which was always dimly lit. John and his technicians were out, making it a much-needed retreat for her. Her mind still raced and her legs were weak, but she moved forward as she always did, always trekking on through whatever life threw at her.

She was glad that she didn’t run into John—he must have been at the auto impound, thrust into the commotion of the shooting.

Turning the knob and pushing the door open, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, wanting to stay in the darkness a little longer to let everything settle inside her.