Page 30 of The Whispering Girls (Detective Katie Scott #14)

#2 Tamara Jane Lambert (TJ)

Twenty years old. Found near the Mountain Trail Pass .

Posed in field area . Face covered with fabric similar to Theresa’s burlap.

Cause of death strangulation (haven’t received official autopsy report), manner of death homicide, totem left at scene , clothes bagged and left in trash can , drag marks indicating she was brought there and where the killer entered the area.

From out of town . Staying at the abandoned Valley Motel .

No one seems to know her or have seen her from people questioned.

#3 Natalie Renaldo

Twenty-one years old. Nurse in training. Found at hospital . Posed in ladies’ restroom . Strangulation . Message in blood written on the wall: Three down…More to go… Waiting for more information. Crime scene appeared rushed, cutting things close.

Hospital Murders: Preliminary report, waiting for official reports

Nurse Patty Brown (throat slashed)

Security Guard Nelson Gonzalez (throat slashed)

Persons of Interest and Others Interviewed:

Devin Bradley (boyfriend of Theresa Jamison, lives alone out on thirty acres) POI

Gladys Miner (owner of Sunrise Café) Interviewed

Tami Clark (friend of Theresa, sister of Officer Clark, found boot near TJ’s crime scene) Interviewed.

Jack Thomas (local veterinarian, crime scene tech for the police department) Interviewed

Stu Jenkins (Manager at Crane Flooring) Interviewe d

Bill Westin (Installer at Crane Flooring) POI Not interviewed yet.

Police:

Chief Beryl Cooper

Officer Bobby Clark

Officer Terrance Banning

Katie had also noted a few other things they were in the dark about:

Woodsman (In reference to what?)

The name on the bench along one of the nearby trails : Carol Ann Benedict (Who was she?)

Katie stepped back and studied the lists.

The first thing she noticed was that there was still little to go on as they waited for reports from other sources.

But she knew they had to move forward with what they had and act accordingly.

The bloody, written words found on the bathroom wall resonated in her mind.

Three down…more to go…

“What are you thinking?” said John.

“We don’t have enough information and we’re supposed to wait for other agencies to respond. The medical examiner’s office and the crime laboratory,” said Katie. She was sure John sensed her frustration.

“Tell me what your gut says. ”

Katie thought a moment. She hated giving open theories because that’s not how she worked cases, but under the circumstances there wasn’t much of a choice. “Honestly?”

“Just throw it out. You’re not being tested,” he said.

“It’s that easy?”

“Yeah, just do it. Tell me what you really think and don’t worry about the facts.”

“I think this town has some old wounds and secrets. I think the cold case of a woman who was murdered fifteen years ago may be the key. I couldn’t find any information on her, not even a name.

But I have a suspicion that the name on the bench along the park trail—Carol Ann Benedict—could be her.

” She took a breath and stared at the fire.

John watched her. He never pushed her, always gave her space. “Okay, we can work with that.”

“I also think a good portion of the town is keeping things from us. When I first met Chief Cooper at Theresa’s crime scene, he definitely didn’t trust me and didn’t want my help. But then, like overnight, he’s been helpful and appreciative.”

“So you think he’s working with you to distract you from something else?”

“Maybe? I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t have enough to work with to make a constructive approach and move forward.”

“So tell me, where is the chief now?”

“I don’t know. We can’t get ahold of the two officers, Clark and Banning, either.

” She began to pace the large room, making Cisco sit up and stare at her.

“I tried calling the police department, where they have an assistant, Libby, and there’s no answer there either. Just a way to leave a voicemail.”

“So can the town call nine-one-one?”

“I don’t know. It probably goes to the county sheriff’s department and they’ll dispatch accordingly.”

John stood up and stopped her from pacing. “Katie. This is what we’ve been given right now. There’s plenty to work on. Give yourself a break.”

Katie met John’s gaze. She could tell he cared about her. Perhaps he cared more than he let on. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Whining.” She forced a smile.

“Katie Scott a whiner…I don’t think so.” John averted his eyes. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. Gav should be back soon and we’ll plan on working through the storm.”

The front door slammed open and McGaven rushed in carrying bags.

“Is there more?” said John.

“Yeah, two bags in the truck,” he said, winded.

Katie grabbed the food and headed for the kitchen to sort things. She tried to keep optimistic and not to replay everything until the overthinking became relentless.

“Hey,” said McGaven. “You okay?”

“Yeah. John has made some great connections. We’ll update you.”

He studied his partner closely. He could probably tell her stress levels were heightened, but he didn’t push. “Cool.”

Cisco nudged in between them.

“Not yet, Cisco,” she said, referring to the dog’s dinner.

“It’s cold and there’s some light snow flurries out there,” said McGaven.

“That’s not good.”

“We’ll be okay. John went to bring up some more wood for the fire.” McGaven’s cell phone rang. “Wow, I haven’t heard that for a while.” He looked at the caller ID. “It’s the chief. McGaven,” he said answering the phone. He put it on speaker so Katie could hear.

“You and Detective Scott need to get over here,” Chief Cooper said. They could barely make out the words.

“Where are you, Chief?” McGaven asked .

“At the hospital.” His voice was strained and had a strange breathless quality that made it sound as if he’d been running.

“Isn’t it closed down?” said McGaven.

“I know what’s been going on and I’m sorry that… If you both could please?—”

The line disconnected.

McGaven look at Katie. “We have to go now.”

“Wait. What if it’s a trap?”

“What do you mean?”

“I just…I’ve been thinking about everything. We need to be smart about this before we go charging in there.”

“Katie, we need to go.”

“What about Officer Clark?”

“The chief asked specifically for us.”

“Call Officer Clark and Banning to give them a heads-up.”

“Fine.” McGaven tried both officers and the calls went straight to voicemail. “We need to go now.” The tone of his voice was urgent.

The detectives rushed out of the kitchen and grabbed their coats, gear, and weapons.

“Where are you two going?” said John.

“The chief just called and said we need to come to the hospital ASAP,” said McGaven. “And then the connection went dead.”

“You’re going to need backup,” said John gathering his coat and taking his weapon. Since he was a Navy Seal, he could easily handle himself and would be the best possible backup for them. “You two need to take Katie’s Jeep in case the roads get dicey. I’ll follow in my truck.”

“Let’s go,” said Katie opening the door, letting Cisco out and the cold inside.