Page 83 of The Whispering Girls

“Get your hands up!”

Both Katie and John immediately reacted, pulling their guns.

THIRTY-THREE

Saturday 0435hours

Katie kept her aim on the intruder. A person stood in the doorway in a shooter’s stance wearing a puffy coat with the hood pulled up. The dim lighting made it difficult to see the person’s face, though it was definitely a woman by the sound of her voice. Several questions crossed Katie’s mind. Who would be out in this kind of weather? And why would they care about someone at the police station?

“I would suggest lowering your weapon,” said Katie. “Now!”

“You’re not supposed to be in here,” the woman insisted.

“Put your weapon down!” said Katie.

“Who are you?” the woman said, her voice not sounding as intense as before.

“Detective Katie Scott and you’re not authorized to be here,” said Katie.

“I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“I…I’m Libby Castel, Chief Cooper’s administrative assistant.”

Katie blinked. She glanced at the photo on the admin’s desk then slowly lowered her weapon. “What are you doing here?”

John followed suit and lowered his weapon too. He looked to Katie with a question in his eyes.

Libby lowered her gun. “I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to contact the chief but haven’t been able to find him or Officers Clark or Banning. Have you seen them?”

Everyone put away the guns as the atmosphere lightened.

Libby sat down at her desk and looked as if she might faint. “I don’t feel well.”

“Take some slow breaths and try to relax,” said Katie.

“Okay…” Libby took several breaths.

“We came here because we haven’t heard from anyone since the homicides at the hospital,” Katie said.

“That was so horrible.”

Katie was careful with how much information she shared. They didn’t really know Libby or what her motives were.

“Tell us, why are you here?” said Katie.

“I couldn’t sleep. I’ve been so worried. They’ve never just vanished. They always left a message or have been in contact before, so I came into the office,” said Libby.

“What were you trying to find?”

“A note. A clue that one of them had been here. I don’t know—something.”

Katie could understand her concerns, but she still didn’t trust her. If there was one thing about the town she had learned it was to not trust easily. “Can you fill us in on some things?”

“Uh… sure.”

“Was there more information to the first two homicides that the chief was either investigating or holding on to?”