Page 9 of The Whispering Girls

She couldn’t shake the uniqueness of the entire situation and the uneasiness she felt moving around the town. Tingling extremities, shallow breathing, and slight dizziness were trying to make their presence known but she fought hard to keep level and calm. It often happened when she faced the unknown or something she couldn’t figure out, and had learned that these anxiety symptoms sometimes would indicate something was going to happen even before she knew it.

Katie walked to the entrance, which had two large swinging doors. She pushed open one of them, triggering a low buzzing noise.

The main area was large, warm, and inviting. There was no receptionist and it wasn’t clear if there usually was one. The long check-in counter was the centerpiece and there were cute gates on each side for entering and leaving. The built-in furniture matched a more rustic environment, reminiscent of a barn, which was fitting. The chairs and benches had easy-to-clean colorful cushions. There were many photographs of animals and their owners on the walls varying in size—dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and reptiles.

Katie stopped and gazed at the pictures.

“Detective.”

She turned and saw Jack standing behind the counter. “Hi.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yes.”

“I heard a dog barking in your cabin earlier.”

“That’s Cisco.”

“German shepherd?” he said, smiling.

“How did you know?”

“I know that bark anywhere.”

“I’m sorry to come by without calling…”

“No problem,” he said and walked through one of the gates. “I sense something is troubling you.”

“Actually, I was curious about the crime scene. But now…”

“Now once you’re here you think maybe you were a bit overzealous?” he chuckled. “Detective…”

“Please, call me Katie.”

“Katie,” he said. “I’ll answer any questions you have. But I don’t know how much I can help.”

“I think you can.” She could smell the aroma of some type of tea.

“I’m sorry. Would you like some tea?”

It was as if he had read her mind.

“Yes,” she said, glancing out the window at her Jeep.

“Did you bring your dog?”

“Yes, he’s in the car.”

“It’s going to get colder. Bring him in.”

“Well…” She didn’t want to stay long.

“I just have two boarded dogs, but they’re in another area. And another dog, Abby, is in my office.”

“Okay.” Katie didn’t like leaving Cisco and she thought the area would be fine for him.

It took Katie a couple of minutes before she returned with Cisco heeling at her side. She walked through the main door as the dog curiouslysniffed around.