Page 41 of The Whispering Girls

“Probably hunters,” she agreed.

The Jeep wasn’t far, so they all cautiously got out of the ditch and made their way to it.

“We’re just a bit jumpy,” he said.

Katie tried to sound relaxed. “I guess it’s because of our previous experiences with someone shooting at us.”

McGaven grabbed a pair of binoculars and looked in the direction of the loud shotgun blasts.

Three more shots sounded.

“I think there are two hunters,” he said. “I can’t see clearly because we’re losing daylight, but I can see orange and camouflage clothing.”

Katie hadn’t realized how much shorter the afternoons were and how the light could change quickly. It was nearly dusk and fiery color peeked between the trees.

Katie glanced at the time. “We have that appointment with the chief soon.”

As they neared the lodge, Katie saw one of the police cars leaving. Her mind finally snapped back into reality. For some reason, it was difficult to keep her head in the game with the two crime scenes. She wasn’t sure if her brain was exhausted and screaming for a need for rest or if it was the strange circumstances of the town. Even at the diner, there seemed to be something amiss. The locals were nice, but there was something else just beneath the surface that troubled her.

“Back at the lodge,” said McGaven. His usual calm voice and demeanor helped to continue to center Katie.

“Yep.”

“Wasn’t that Clark leaving?”

“Not sure.” She parked the Jeep and noticed that Jack’s truck was there along with another SUV. She assumed it was a late patient.

Cisco ran ahead of Katie and McGaven up the stairs wagging his tail as he patiently waited at the top. Katie punched in the code and the main door opened. The beauty of the lodge reminded her how fortunate they were to have such a great place to work.

“Hey. Check this out,” said McGaven. He picked up a large pile of reports on the table.

“What is it?”

Thumbing through the files and clipped reports, McGaven said, “Looks like the forensic and autopsy reports. And a note, saying they’ve also been emailed. That’s what I call speedy service.”

“Great. Let’s get these organized. I guess Officer Clark brought these as soon as they received them.”

“They must’ve fast-tracked them.”

Both detectives jumped right in to read reports and add information to the appropriate crime scene boards.

Katie looked at the autopsy report for Theresa Jamison. She quickly read through it once and then a second time more slowly, digesting everything.

“Okay,” she said as she stood up and updated the board. “Do you think it’s a good idea to have the murder investigation board in this front open area?”

“It’s not like there are other guests. It’s just the cops and Jack.” He studied his partner. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me something?”

“It may be nothing, but I want to make sure everything is kept confidential.”

McGaven moved closer to Katie. “What’s going on?”

“Besides being stuck in this town with these two homicides?”

“That’s not the Katie I know… You jump at solving a case.”

She sighed. “Ever since I got here, things are…”

“Things are what?”