Page 17 of The Whispering Girls

“Our office is definitely too small for such an investigation,” said Officer Clark.

Katie already felt the weight of the investigation. How could she deny working the case? Vacation or not, there had been a horrific murder of a young woman. And if her instincts were correct, there would be another. The totem aspect was a strong signature and would most likely prove to be a key part to the case. She felt the pull and responsibility to conduct the investigation to the best of her abilities. But there were some things that bothered her about how things got to this point.

Jack took a step closer to Katie. “Well?”

Katie nodded. “I will do everything I can.”

“Great,” said Clark. “Give me a list of what you need. Officer Banning and I will make sure you have everything.”

“Okay,” she said.

“Let’s get you settled in at the lodge,” said Jack.

NINE

Wednesday 1315 hours

Katie and Cisco had settled into the suite after emptying her Jeep. She had been given the passcodes for the lodge, kitchen, and her suite. The vet had left to go downstairs to attend to patients and make a trip to one of the local ranches. Jack had stressed that she was to make herself at home around the lodge and that she could set up their command center in any of the other rooms.

Katie sat down in one of the chairs and called her uncle.

“Katie,” Sheriff Scott said when he answered. His voice was cheerful, which was a little unusual, because when in command his voice was matter-of-fact, so he must’ve been in a private area. “How are you?”

“That’s a loaded question.”

There was a pause. “I think it’s fairly straightforward. We both know you were going to struggle with what to do with yourself on a two-week vacation.”

“You know me so well.” She smiled.

“What’s that I hear in your voice?”

“There’s already been some strange things in this case,” she said.

“Strange? Like what?”

“The girl who knocked on my door to alert me to the body hanging in the tree has disappeared. No one seems to know who she is…and…the victim has a striking resemblance to her.”

“I see.” He paused. Katie knew her uncle was mulling over what she had told him. “Your reputation and closed cases speak volumes, Katie. My advice? Start from the beginning like you always do and follow every lead, and if you have to, turn over every rock you find.”

“I need Gav.”

“I’ve already let him know about the situation. He’s just finishing up a burglary case with Detective Hamilton.”

“Okay.” That explained why she hadn’t heard from him, not to mention he had a longtime girlfriend, Denise, who worked as a supervisor in the records’ division at Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department.

“Keep me posted,” said the sheriff. “And Katie…”

She knew what he was going to say.

“Be careful, be mindful, and don’t take everything on by yourself. Understand?”

“Thank you, Uncle Wayne.”

“By the way, this doesn’t count as your time off.”

“But—”

“No discussion.”