Page 51 of The Whispering Girls

“We have a ton of paperwork to go through and I have a surprise for you,” he said.

“I don’t like surprises.”

“C’mon.Everyone likes surprises.”

Katie sat up looking at the clock. It was nearing 8a.m. and later than she thought. She flung the comforter back. “I’m coming, but I’m going for a half-hour run.” She stood up, searching for her running gear. “If you could feed Cisco, I’ll be back in a little bit.”

“Sure, but?—”

“Please close the door,” she said.

McGaven and Cisco left her room and he quietly shut the door.

Katie didn’t mean to sound rude, but she usually thought about the investigations by running. She could clear her head and be fresh and ready to go. It had been her usual routine and she needed more than ever to have a sense of habit with these cases.

Within ten minutes, Katie was running along the trails. She didn’t see McGaven or Cisco as she rushed out the front door. There were sounds coming from the kitchen, but she didn’t want to waste time and then have to postpone her run. She decided to head toward where her rental cabin was located.

She could feel the cool air with every breath. The sun was out, tricking you that it was warmer than it actually was. Katie pushed her run and now recognized the area; knew it was near the cabin. She pressed on, pumping her arms and taking longer strides. The events of last night consumed her.

Why kill the woman they found in the stall?

Did she fit the profile of the other victims?

Did she know something about the killer?

Or was she an opportunity and would throw off the investigation?

And what about the other nurse and security guard who had been slain and left outside?

Katie pondered why there was a message this time and not atotem. It suggested it was a different killer—or maybe that the killer didn’t have time to prepare.

She passed the memorial bench with the plaque for Carol Ann Benedict.

Who was Carol Ann Benedict?

Katie stopped and took a closer look at the bench. Nothing seemed unusual, but there were some handmade letters scratched into the wood on the back.

I will love you forever, B.

Katie didn’t know what to think and she didn’t want to muddy her investigation by looking at things that didn’t complement the homicide investigations. She kept running.

A strong breeze pushed along the trail; perfect timing as questions inundated Katie’s mind. Before she reached the wider opening and before the trail continued to the cabin and first crime scene, she heard a sound. A soft pounding that resounded all around her. Knowing that sounds in the forest played tricks on the mind, she didn’t take it too seriously.

Until…the sound turned into footsteps gaining speed from behind her. This was someone who was a runner or an athlete—she could tell by their stride and speed. But what was impossible to tell was if it was just someone who had the same idea as Katie to go on a run that morning—or if it was someone more threatening trying to catch up with her.

Katie decided not to ponder who it was any longer. Instead, she stepped aside and took cover behind one of the trees where there were plenty of rogue bushes to camouflage her.

The footsteps kept the same consistent speed and the person was just about to pass her. Katie waited in anticipation.

She saw black running pants and a green hoodie. Dark hair. Medium height. Definite athletic body type. And…

Katie emerged from the thicket.

“John?”

Immediately, the runner stopped and turned. John Blackburnwas the amazing forensic supervisor at the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department, where she and McGaven worked.

“Were you hiding in the bushes?” he said, walking back toward Katie.