Page 53 of The Whispering Girls

“Okay, but?—”

“You’re just having a moment when you’re overthinking it. I know for a fact you’re going to find the killeror killers.”

“You think so? And what’s your evidence?” she said, smiling back at him. She appreciated that he was supportive. She couldn’t ask for a better team.

“Because that’s what the universe says…”

Katie could barely tear her gaze away from his intense dark eyes.

“Show me this first crime scene area.”

“Okay.”

“Is it really true that a veterinarian worked the crime scenes?” he said.

“Yeah. It was definitely a first.” Katie explained everything that had been going on as they walked the rest of the way, about the crime scenes, the first two victims having a striking resemblance to each other, Devin’s cabin, and the town in general.

“Sounds interesting,” said John. He paused and looked at Katie. “I have to say, as horrible as whatever’s going on in this town is, it seems strange too.”

“That’s how I see it.”

“That’s why you feel you may not be able to get everyone rounded up?”

She chuckled. “After the scene at the hospital, I’m not so sure. Some things seem to indicate a serial killer, but then others seem more random…as a way to cause chaos and panic.” Katie walked closer to the tree where the body of Theresa Jamison had been found. She stared at where the totem was set up.

“Is this the tree?” he said.

She nodded. “What do you know about totems?”

“Like amulets or talismans or putting a curse on someone?”

“I guess.”

“I don’t know much except there are some people who believe in spirits and that these types of representations ward off evil spirits…or send a message.”

“Exactly.” She studied the area, noticing the shape of the totem was still evident. “I get this sense someone is trying tosend a message or warning and... The first two victims were found at basically the same type of crime scene, but the hospital scene showed a more desperate, spur-of-the-moment type of killing.” Katie walked around the tree, noticing for the first time a narrow trail that ran parallel to the cabin she had been staying in.

John studied the marks on the tree left by the rope.

“John, take a look at this…” she said.

He joined her.

“Doesn’t this look like a drag mark?” she said.

He bent down and studied the area more closely. “It could be.”

“Look at how wide it is. It’s not consistent with a person or even an animal sliding.” She looked around at the low-lying scrubby brush. “Look at this.” She pulled what looked to be tan fibers from the lower section of the trail. “What do you think? It’s not from wildlife.”

John looked closely, turning over the short pieces in his hand. “I can’t tell for sure, but they definitely have the look and consistency of rug fibers.”

Katie stepped back. She hadn’t taken a thorough look at the area due to the weather and the fact that the crime scene was already being handled by the chief and Jack. “It’s only been a few days. It’s possible this could be from the killer, right?”

John nodded. “Let’s photograph the area and collect these. Maybe we can find where it came from.”

TWENTY-FOUR

Friday 1000 hours