Page 12 of The Whispering Girls

What was going on? It was like a parlor game.

Jack brought her a bottle of water.

“Thank you,” she said and began to drink. It was difficult to make eye contact with the vet. Just as she didn’t know much about him, he didn’t know anything about her. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been this unprofessional in a case.” She stood up, having regained strength in her body. A little wobbly, but she was going to push through it.

“Rest,” said Jack. “When was the last time you ate?”

“Early. Just a bite and some coffee.”

Jack frowned. “I see.”

“I’m fine. I have groceries in the car. I’ll eat when I get home.”

He studied her for a moment. “I get the impression you’re not only tough, but a bit stubborn.”

Katie was going to protest, but she laughed instead. “Maybe.”

“You’re on a vacation. Take care of yourself.”

“I appreciate your time. I guess I’ll be hearing from the chief if he needs help.”

Jack went to the front desk. “Give me your number and I’ll send you a text.”

“For?” she said.

“I’ll send copies of everything I can. Save you the trouble of asking later on.”

“Are you sure?” Katie knew the chief was most likely going to solicit her help. He wouldn’t have a choice.

“Of course. You’re a police detective. I’m sure you know how to keep things confidential.”

Katie smiled and quickly wrote down her cell number. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” The vet watched as Katie and Cisco left his office.

Katie drove into the gravel driveway at the cabin. The entire drive she kept rehashing the victim’s startling resemblance to TJ. She got out of the Jeep, grabbed the two grocery bags, and entered the cabin. The afternoon was definitely colder than it had been earlier in the day.

Cisco whined, but this time it was because he wanted his dinner.

“Isn’t it a little bit early?” she said, smiling at the dog.

Katie organized her food and decided she would make a skillet stir-fry with the rotisserie chicken and vegetables she’d bought. In less than twenty minutes, she had fed Cisco and was sitting down to eat. Everything smelled great; she hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she began eating. She opened her laptop and searched to find anything about the homicide, but she found nothing. She tried social media and the local news station. Nothing. It seemed odd. It would be difficult to keep this kind of crime news quiet—especially in a small town.

Katie finally closed her computer and sat for a moment. She had the urge to call McGaven and her uncle to discuss the case. Why? It wasn’t her case, and the Echo Forest police probably weren’t going to ask her for assistance.

“Oh, Cisco…” The black dog sat up and perked his ears at the sound of his name. “I’m sorry…this whole vacation and relaxation thing is going to be hard. Who knew?”

Katie wandered into the small living room, where there were DVDs and CDs on the shelves. She decided to watch a couple of movies and hoped it would take her mind off the homicide, TJ, the chief, and Jack the veterinarian. But as hard as she tried to watch a movie, the investigation kept flashing through her mind.

It was barely ten when Katie dozed off on the couch. The movie had stopped running and the cabin was quiet. She fell deep asleep and didn’t wake until almost five, when Cisco jumped on the couch, startling her awake.

“Cisco!” she said.

The dog barked several times as he jumped on the couch.

“Why are you all wet?” Her hands touched the cold dog and his sopping paws.

At first, she thought he had beenoutside, but then Katie quickly stood up and immediately her feet sank into a couple inches of icy water.