Page 57 of The Whispering Girls

“The killer highlighted the murders of the three young women, but didn’t acknowledge the other nurse and security guard. That would make it five down. Or he could have been referring to the nurses and security guard as the three down… What is the killer trying to tell us? We need to retrieve an employee list for the hospital, including volunteers, and find out their whereabouts last night.”

“You think the killer works at the hospital?”

“They must have some connection,” she said. “Not sure what yet, but it’s the first time they have been almost caught—and their MO changed. They were rushed. Or it’s possible they don’t have anything to do with the two previous murders—but that would be some coincidence.”

McGaven added to his notes. “You got it.”

“Let’s get started. We need to find out if TJ stayed at a local motel…and we need to talk to Tami Clark,” said Katie.

“Copy that,” said McGaven.

“John, you up for a short jaunt?”

“You bet. What do you need?” he said.

“I know you don’t usually work the investigative part of a homicide or cold case, but we need the help…and…I know you’re the best at what you do,” she said and smiled. “Can you check out places that sell and install carpets…including ones that have remnants? If I’m correct about the evidence from the first crime scene, the killer seems to have transported Theresa rolled in a rug. See what you can find.”

John nodded. “I’ll check it out.”

Katie and McGaven grabbed a few files.

“Let’s go, Cisco,” Katie called.

“Road trip,” said McGaven.

TWENTY-FIVE

Friday 1145 hours

Katie and McGaven headed to the small motel on the edge of town. It was difficult to find as it didn’t have proper signage.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” said Katie as she looked around. It appeared they were heading into nowhere but a dense forest.

“Yes. Keep going.”

Katie slowed her speed and couldn’t believe people could find the place. Then she got her answer. They had come upon what was once a nice little motel, but now it was clearly abandoned and ready for demolition.

“It doesn’t look like the photos that were on the internet,” he said and began to search more. “It looks like they closed about two years ago…and it opened in 1974. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

Katie parked next to an old oak tree. The branches had since drooped, making it appear hunched over with its limbs dangling.

“You don’t think TJ was here, do you?” said McGaven looking around.

“What I do know is that we’re here, so let’s take a quick look,” she said and got out. She decided to keep Cisco in the car. They weren’t sure what they were going to find. She had her remote for the door popper if they needed him.

Katie paused and made sure her weapon was secured. There was no indication that anyone had been here in years. There were no tire tracks or footprints, but it was difficult to see through all the overgrowth. She could hear the sound of water indicating that a small creek was nearby, but it was difficult to ascertain in which direction with the way sound bounced in the forest.

“Okay, let’s go check it out,” she said beginning to walk through weeds and dead underlying brush.

McGaven slowed his pace behind Katie as he kept watch behind them.

The old motel was one story with eight rooms and a small office located in the middle. The paint had long since peeled and flaked away. All the exterior doors were intact, which seemed out of place. Usually buildings that had been abandoned and were deteriorating had some indication of vandalism or tagging, but there was none. It was as if a generation had moved forward and forgotten this motel was even here.

Katie stopped.

McGaven followed suit, not saying anything.

Not only was the site excessively overgrown, but Katie had a feeling of being watched and she didn’t want to get ambushed. Her fears were rational with her past experience in the military and previous police investigations.