Page 101 of The Whispering Girls

She relaxed some as things began to fall into place and make more sense, but she was still a bit skeptical and didn’t want to fall prey to something unsuspecting. She lowered her weapon but didn’t holster it.

“Where’s the chief?”

“I don’t know.”

“An educated guess?”

“I really don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

“Convenient.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was sooner. I was under orders to keep my identity secret, even from you when you took over the investigations,” he said.

“You knew we were at a loss for information and hitting walls, not to mention someone tried to kill us. Isn’t that worth telling us the truth? Five people have been murdered.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

“I hate to tell you, sorry just isn’t good enough.” Katie had so many things running through her mind. “I need to check on my partner, he hasn’t woken up yet.” She eyed Clark one more time and then went to see McGaven.

“Ohh…my head,” said McGaven as he sat up. “What the hell?”

Kate dropped to her knees. “Hey, you okay?”

“What’s going on? Where is everybody?”

“Just sit a couple of minutes.”

He nodded.

Katie found some bottled waters that didn’t appear to be contaminated with anything foreign. She went back to her partner. “Here.”

“Thanks,” he said, immediately drinking.

Clark appeared. “I’ve searched the entire first floor. No one’s here.”

“Where’s Jack? Is he a person of interest? He obviously drugged us,” she said. “Is this some kind of criminal enterprise? You better start telling us the truth.”

“What’s up with him?” said McGaven looking at the officer.

Katie helped her partner to his feet, and Cisco came to investigate McGaven. Katie quickly explained what Clark had told her.

“What are we going to do now?” said McGaven.

“I would suggest that we hole up, for now, and get all the information we can,” said Clark. “And then wait for reinforcements.”

For the first time Katie was conflicted on what to do, but John was missing. He had obviously been taken against his will for leverage and insurance. It seemed that Jack had gone rogue. But why? At that moment, everything pointed to Jack as the killer.

“We need to go upstairs. It will be easier to control and defend…in case…” said Clark.

“What do you mean, in case?” she said.

“Of what?” said McGaven.

“You know the killerwillbe coming for us, right?”

Katie hated to agree with him, but nothing about this investigation had been typical. They had to prepare for anything and everything. She nodded reluctantly at the FBI agent. “Yes, I know.”

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