Page 98 of The Whispering Girls

“I know how you feel, Gav, but we need to hear them out,” she said.

“You’re crazy.”

“Listen…whether they are the good guys or not we need to know,” said Katie. “We need to know not only for this investigation, but for our safety too.”

“You’re quiet,” said McGaven to John.

“Just processing it as if it were a mission. I think they’re trying to figure out what we know. Sometimes you need to know your enemy in order to make a sound judgment…and then ultimately a battle plan.”

McGaven looked at Katie. “You good with this?”

Katie nodded.

“You too?” he said to John.

“Yes. I’m with you both.”

All three of them changed their clothes, made sure they had their weapons, and Cisco was going along as well. Katie was nervous because they could be walking into another trap like the hospital, but they didn’t have many other choices. They were isolated and the two men downstairs seemed to be the only ones who knew what was going on.

Katie looked at the men and she knew they had her back. They all had each other’s backs. Cisco included.

It wasn’t like a typical investigation, or even a fight. No one was who they appeared to be and they were all alone. It was still hours before any backup arrived.

She stayed solemn. “C’mon, stay alert.”

THIRTY-NINE

Sunday 0145 hours

Katie led McGaven and John down the interior secret staircase. The sound of their footsteps was like an entire group of combat soldiers going into battle. No doubt Jack and Clark could hear them coming. Cisco weaved and padded down the staircase as if it were nothing. He too was alert and ready for anything, waiting at the bottom. They were a team of four and between all of them they would find out the killer’s identity.

The group stood in the large waiting area—no one sat down. It was like a standoff. The storm was gaining strength outside and they could hear the thrashing winds slamming into the structure.

“So where is he?” said McGaven. It was clear he was annoyed and anxious at the same time, which was the opposite of his usually chill demeanor.

“Thank you all for coming down,” said Jack.

“There really wasn’t much of a choice,” said Katie.

“Please let me explain.” Turning to Katie, he said, “I apologize for the theatrics and not fully trusting all of you. I can seeyou are a great team. I did a little digging of my own and your Pine Valley case solve rate of one hundred percent is quite impressive.”

“We’re not here so you can tell us what we already know,” she said.

Jack looked at all of them. “I’ve misjudged you.”

“Where is the chief?” said McGaven. “Who are you protecting?”

“I told Katie I don’t know where the chief is.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” said McGaven.

“If I were in your shoes, I would think the same thing,” said Clark.

“What kind of game are you both playing?” said McGaven.

“Look, I will answer your questions,” said Clark. “I lost contact with the chief not long after the bodies were found at the hospital. And I’ve been looking for him ever since. When the storm hit yesterday I was going to be stranded, so I called Jack and he put me up until the storm passes.”

Katie watched the officer as he began to explain himself. She didn’t completely believe him. “Why didn’t you answer our calls and text messages?”