Page 24 of The Whispering Girls

“There are four very large suites and one is for you.”

“I take it you think this is a vacation and murder investigation rolled into one…like there’s no difference.”

Katie laughed. She was beginning to feel better and more relaxed—and eager to get to work.

Officer Clark returned. “Detectives,” he said. He was flustered and seemed to be alarmed. His voice was strained.

“What is it?” said Katie.

“There’s been another murder.”

THIRTEEN

Wednesday 2115 hours

Katie and McGaven along with Cisco drove in the Jeep following Officer Clark in his cruiser. As soon as Katie heard the news that a young female was found near a park hiking trail, she had visions of the victim from the day before hanging from a tree. But the report Officer Clark received didn’t state anything about a hanging.

Katie quickly updated McGaven about the first crime scene. He had many questions, as did she, but they would be addressing them when they were set up at the lodge.

“You okay?” said McGaven.

Katie took a corner behind the patrol car—the red brake lights flooded her vision. “Yes and no. Is that a good enough answer?” She hydroplaned the Jeep a bit on the wet pavement, but then straightened and was now falling a little farther behind Clark.

“Whoa, Detective Katie Scott is back,” Gav said smiling. “Echo Forest won’t know what hit it.” He kept the mood light, knowing that they were headed to something disturbing.

“Did I say I’m glad you’re here?”

“Indeed you did.”

Katie smiled and accelerated once again. She wondered about the crime scene, knowing they didn’t have the proper tools needed to conduct the investigation properly. Her mind then wandered to the first victim, Theresa Jamison, in the refrigerator at the vet’s office. There were many aspects of the case that seemed to be against them.

She slowed, taking her foot off the accelerator. “Is that it?” The area looked extremely overgrown and parking was limited. Gravel, torn-up asphalt pieces, and two large boulders that had once been used as barriers was what was left.

McGaven lowered his window and leaned out slightly. “There’s the sign: Mountain Trail Pass,” he said.

Officer Clark’s patrol car had slowed and continued around a narrow path, passing two picnic tables. The wooden tables had become severely dilapidated due to the elements—one seating area was completely gone. There were green and black spray-painted letters and abstract symbols on what was left of the furniture.

Katie pulled into an area near the police car.

“What do you think?” said McGaven.

Katie knew that wasn’t a simple question but rather an overall theory of the area and how difficult it must’ve been to get a body here unless the victim was murdered on scene. She worried about potential tire tracks they might have destroyed driving to the location. It was dark and she hoped Clark had some spotlights.

“I don’t know if Dr. Thomas is going to get here to do the crime scene, but there are gloves, evidence markers, and some bags in the back,” she said.

Cisco whined and spun around twice on the back seat.

Katie opened the car door and stepped out. The air wascold, but not as much as it was the day before. Hoping that the weather would ease up on the frigid temperature, they had to act fast and be as thorough as possible.

Opening the hatch of the Jeep, McGaven rummaged in a plastic storage box for what they might need. Katie quickly changed into hiking boots and a heavy coat. It took most of the chill away, but the prickly goosebumps weren’t from the cold but from the setting and what they were going to witness.

“Detectives,” said Clark as he approached, now wearing a heavy police coat.

“Who called it in?” said McGaven.

“Don’t know. They didn’t give their name.”

“Man, woman?”