Page 50 of The Whispering Girls

She headed to McGaven who was briefing the two local police officers: Clark and Banning. The police radio was chattering with talk of routine crimes. They carried them in case there was a call they needed to take care of. The officers turned to go about their newly instructed duties. They nodded to Katie as they left.

“Hey,” she said.

“You look beat,” replied McGaven.

“That’s an understatement. The chief has given us orders to leave and begin again first thing in the morning.”

McGaven paused and looked around.

“He said that they can hold the fort.”

Her partner smiled. “Everyone seems to be handling it.”

“Where’s Jack?” she said.

“He’s still processing the scene. But the good news is that each victim has already been identified, at least informally.”

“Who’s the vic in the bathroom?” she said.

“Unfortunately, she was a young hospital aid, just started a week ago. Her name is Natalie Renaldo.”

Katie thought about why the hospital had been a target.

Was Natalie the intended victim? Or was she an opportunity?

“Detectives,” said the chief pointing at his watch. “Now.”

McGaven waved and accompanied Katie outside to the Jeep.

“What do you think?” he said.

She turned to her partner. “What do I think?” She watched some of the volunteers take their posts around the hospital.

“I think we’re in over our heads.”

TWENTY-THREE

Friday 0745 hours

There was a soft knock at Katie’s door.

Cisco jumped off the bed and padded to the door. His tail wagged.

The door opened a few inches.

“Katie?”

Katie rolled to her other side and moaned. She had heard the knock and knew it was McGaven and that they had tons of work to sift through. “Yeah,” she said, her voice muffled.

The door opened wider.

“Hey, partner.”

“So are you my new alarm clock?”

He chuckled. “I seem to sleep great here…”

“Good for you.”