Page 97 of The Whispering Girls

“Why don’t you just tell me?” she said.

“I get the feeling that you and the others are closing in on the killer. I think you’ve learned a lot in the past two days.”

Katie didn’t say anything, but she did think it was interesting that he referred to thekiller—one, singular—rather than killers. She decided to just blurt it out. “Who killed Theresa Jamison, TJ, and Natalie?”

“Direct. I like that.”

“Well?” she said. “If I don’t get any answers, you’re holding me against my will.” Katie began to move toward the interior stairs.

“I said I didn’t want to hurt you. I wanted to talk to you alone.”

“I’m tired of talking in circles. You are holding a law enforcement officer against her will.”

“I don’t think so, but first?—”

“I thought you could handle this, Jack,” said a familiar voice coming from the examination rooms. “I’m sorry, Detective. I can only imagine what you’re thinking.”

Officer Bobby Clark, dressed in casual clothes without his firearm, came into the living room.

“Clark,” said Katie. She was surprised, but not entirely. “Where’s the chief?”

“Good question,” said Clark. “I don’t know. The last time I spoke with him was at the hospital.”

“I don’t believe you,” she said, flatly.

“I’m telling you the truth. Whether you choose to believe me or not is on you.”

“Look at all this from my perspective,” she said. “I want answers. My partner and I both want answers.” Katie walked toward the secret staircase. She wanted to retreat, reevaluate, and proceed accordingly. Since there wasn’t any law enforcement in charge, Echo Forest was like a Wild West town. A literal free-for-all.

“Fine. Let’s sit down,” said Jack.

Clark nodded.

“I want to know who tried to kill us at the hospital. And where is the chief? Is he even alive? He called us saying he was at the hospital and that we needed to come. So why did you try to kill us?” she said.

Clark seemed genuine and calm. “I will tell you everything. We’re not holding you here. Get your partner if you like.”

Katie studied both men. She couldn’t get a complete read on them. It was strange. She wasn’t sure if it was the drug still in her system or not—but it made her reasoning skills a bit skewed. They appeared honest, but the fact that she had been drugged didn’t sit right with her. She didn’t respond but turned and headed to the stairway to get back to the second floor.

As Katie climbed the staircase, she half expected to hear gunfire at her back, but it remained quiet and the men remained where she had left them.

Katie reached the kitchen and ran into the living room. “Get up! Now!” she yelled to John, who leapt up.

“What?” he said groggily.

Katie made her way to McGaven’s suite and burst through the door. “Get up!”

Cisco barked from her room and Katie let him out.

“Everybody get up!” She grabbed a pair of socks, shoes, and a sweater.

When McGaven and John met up with Katie in the living room area, she explained everything to them. They were quiet for a moment, digesting the new information.

McGaven seemed the most upset. “So you’re saying Jack sedated you to bring you to his vet office. And Officer Clark is somehow his accomplice…”

“We don’t know that for sure,” she said.

“And it’s not like we can call the cops because they’re all missing except Clark. Who knows how much spying they’vedone on us? There’s probably listening devices in our cars…and…”