Page 6 of The Whispering Girls (Detective Katie Scott #14)

FIVE

Cisco was sniffing the grocery bags hopefully. “Leave those alone,” she said fondly.

For some reason, as she looked at the warehouse converted into a veterinary hospital, everything about the crime scene and the victim weighed heavy on her mind.

She wasn’t sure if it was because now she had nothing to do, no place to go—and a homicide victim left next to her vacation cabin had piqued her interest. Her curious mind kept pushing the strangeness of the entire situation: TJ coming to her door, the town so small that the local veterinarian was the crime scene technician, the body stored in the vet’s refrigerator waiting to be picked up by the county medical examiner’s office.

Cisco whined and poked his head toward Katie.

“I know…I know…” She scratched the big dog’s ears. Katie knew Cisco was bored too, also not used to having so much downtime. She opened her door and stepped out. “I’ll be right back,” she told him.

Katie crossed the street and walked to the vet’s office.

She didn’t realize how big the old warehouse building was—it even had a second story.

From what she could tell, the office was all downstairs.

She noticed there was attractive landscaping, neat and tidy, the blooming plants dormant due to winter approaching.

There was also a fenced-in area with tables that were stacked against the building for the winter.

There was a modern staircase leading up the left side.

She wondered what was up there. One thing at a time, she told herself.

She couldn’t shake the uniqueness of the entire situation and the uneasiness she felt moving around the town.

Tingling extremities, shallow breathing, and slight dizziness were trying to make their presence known but she fought hard to keep level and calm.

It often happened when she faced the unknown or something she couldn’t figure out, and had learned that these anxiety symptoms sometimes would indicate something was going to happen even before she knew it.

Katie walked to the entrance, which had two large swinging doors. She pushed open one of them, triggering a low buzzing noise.

The main area was large, warm, and inviting.

There was no receptionist and it wasn’t clear if there usually was one.

The long check-in counter was the centerpiece and there were cute gates on each side for entering and leaving.

The built-in furniture matched a more rustic environment, reminiscent of a barn, which was fitting.

The chairs and benches had easy-to-clean colorful cushions.

There were many photographs of animals and their owners on the walls varying in size—dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and reptiles.

Katie stopped and gazed at the pictures .

“Detective.”

She turned and saw Jack standing behind the counter. “Hi.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yes.”

“I heard a dog barking in your cabin earlier.”

“That’s Cisco.”

“German shepherd?” he said, smiling.

“How did you know?”

“I know that bark anywhere.”

“I’m sorry to come by without calling…”

“No problem,” he said and walked through one of the gates. “I sense something is troubling you.”

“Actually, I was curious about the crime scene. But now…”

“Now once you’re here you think maybe you were a bit overzealous?” he chuckled. “Detective…”

“Please, call me Katie.”

“Katie,” he said. “I’ll answer any questions you have. But I don’t know how much I can help.”

“I think you can.” She could smell the aroma of some type of tea.

“I’m sorry. Would you like some tea?”

It was as if he had read her mind.

“Yes,” she said, glancing out the window at her Jeep.

“Did you bring your dog?”

“Yes, he’s in the car.”

“It’s going to get colder. Bring him in.”

“Well…” She didn’t want to stay long.

“I just have two boarded dogs, but they’re in another area. And another dog, Abby, is in my office.”

“Okay.” Katie didn’t like leaving Cisco and she thought the area would be fine for him.

It took Katie a couple of minutes before she returned with Cisco heeling at her side. She walked through the main door as the dog curiously sniffed around.

“Wow, he’s a beauty, and has an obvious even temperament. Is he a police or military dog?” Jack approached Katie and handed her a steaming mug.

Cisco glanced in his direction, but didn’t seem interested in the vet, though he kept close to Katie.

Katie took a sip of the tea. “This is delicious.” She paused, not initially keen to share her personal life, but then said, “Cisco and I were an explosives K9 team in the Army.”

“Well, I’ve seen a lot of dogs and their companions, and I can tell you two have a very special bond.” He seemed to study Katie. It was clear he wanted to ask more questions about her Army tours, but he kept quiet.

Katie nodded, continuing to drink her tea. Her hands warmed and she didn’t have those annoying anxious feelings anymore and began to relax, which was something for her.

Jack leaned against the counter. “I don’t think you came here for tea. What’s on your mind?”

Katie remained quiet, gathering her thoughts. She knew she had to tread lightly because she didn’t know Jack or how the town conducted its crime scene business.

“You’re concerned about the homicide investigation?” he said.

“Yes. I want to do whatever I can to assist.”

Jack stood up and took a step toward her. “Why do I think there’s more to it than that?”

“What can I say? I’m a cold-case detective—mostly homicides.”

“And you’re on a vacation and there was a body dumped right next door.”

Katie nodded.

“I can see your point.” Jack opened one of the gates, as Cisco seemed eager to find out what was on the other side. He watched her with curiosity. “C’mon. I’m sure you want to look at the body and ask some questions. ”

Katie tried to figure out the vet. She was quite sure there was more to his story. “I don’t want to intrude on your work schedule.”

“I don’t have any appointments until 4 p.m.”

Katie followed him. “Thank you.”

Cisco happily shadowed them.

Katie was impressed by the layout of the building. It was clearly thought out. There were several private exam rooms, storage supply closets, a sitting area for animal parents, and two or three private offices. The floor remained a rustic wood that looked to be original.

“How long have you been here?” she said.

“The building belonged to my aunt and uncle. They had a hardware and feed store, and there were six apartments upstairs.” He took their mugs and set them down in a sink. “I used to help out here on vacations when I was a kid.”

“So you’re not from here?”

“No. I grew up in Sacramento. But I spent a lot of time here.”

“What made you want to set up practice in Echo Forest?”

“Why not?” He smiled. “I love it here. I spend most of my professional time as a mobile vet. There are a lot of farms and ranches.”

“And you’re also a crime scene technician,” she said. “How do you know how to do that?”

“My secret is out.”

Katie chuckled. “What do you mean?”

“I actually went through the police academy, but decided to go another avenue instead.”

Katie nodded. “I see.” She thought that was interesting, going from being a cop to a veterinarian. “Being true to yourself.”

Jack stopped just before a large door and looked at Katie. “Yeah, exactly. Most people don’t get that. ”

They stood for an awkward moment.

Katie realized the door was a large freezer. She turned to Cisco and said, “ Platz…bleib .”

The dog immediately lay down and stayed in his position.

“German commands?”

“Yes.”

Before opening the door, Jack grabbed a file from a wall holder. He handed Katie the file. There were two sealed evidence boxes stacked just to the left of the door, which had the proper chain-of-custody paperwork taped to them.

“Where is this evidence going?”

“To the state lab for processing, since this area doesn’t have lab facilities.”

Katie opened the file, where there were photos and information about the victim and condition of the body.

“How did you get all this information so fast?” She couldn’t believe what she was reading.

It was complete with the name of the victim.

Nineteen-year-old Theresa Ann Jamison. “I don’t understand. ”

“According to Officer Bobby Clark, he recognized the girl. Apparently she was a friend of his sister.”

“So there’s been a positive ID?”

“That’s my four o’clock appointment. Her cousin is driving in from Pine Valley to ID the body.”

Katie’s mind spun with uncertainty. Even in Pine Valley, where there were more personnel, they didn’t get all this information so quickly. “Chief Cooper seemed to indicate that they didn’t know anything about the victim.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. I was given the information and filled out the paperwork for the investigation, per the chief. Basically my part is over after the body is picked up tomorrow and transferred to Raven Falls, which is the county seat. They have a medical examiner.”

Katie reread a few pieces of information. Theresa was a longtime resident of Echo Forest. “I guess they’ll be able to do an autopsy?”

“That’s my understanding.” Jack then pulled the large silver lever and opened the door.

Katie waited for Jack to enter first. The immediate cold whipped out, taking her by surprise and almost causing her body to stop mid-step. Her breath caught in her throat. Even though it had been cold outside with some snow flurries, it didn’t compare to the large refrigerated room.

The overhead lights immediately turned on when they were inside. The illumination made everything appear almost colorless. It was like entering a decompression chamber. Next to the refrigerator system was a freezer used to accommodate animals that had passed or were euthanized.

Katie shivered and looked at the gurney supporting the outline of a body in a heavy plastic bag.

“Are you looking for anything specific?” said Jack.

His voice almost made Katie jolt—it sounded hollow and lifeless inside the closed room.

“I’m not sure,” she said. That wasn’t completely true, but she wasn’t going to show all her cards just yet—if ever.

Katie wanted a closer look at the injuries to try to get a better understanding of the killer. Jack unzipped the body bag and folded back the plastic. The girl’s hands and feet were protected by plastic bags, but the pink fingernails were still visible.

As always, Katie did not look at the victim’s face immediately.

She focused on the girl’s neck and the impressions that indicated ligature marks.

Then Katie leaned closer and her eyes trailed to the victim’s face.

She sucked in a breath and stood up straight.

The room seemed to spin and everything became oddly fuzzy around her.

She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Still staring at the young victim’s face, it as if she was looking at TJ—the young woman who came to her door for help.