Page 99 of The Whispering Girls

“I’m sure you know the cell phone signals have been intermittent.”

“Yes, but we were still able to make calls and access the internet.”

“Here, look at my phone,” he said, showing that he didn’t have a signal.

“Better yet,” said McGaven, “why didn’t you just knock on the door upstairs and update us?”

“I thought I could find the chief and find out what’s going on. I know you all were conducting interviews and working the case.”

“I think this is a bad idea,” said McGaven to Katie and John.

“We were pulled into this investigation because your policeforce didn’t have the experience to conduct such an investigation,” she said. “I agree with my partner. This is a bad idea. We need know the truth and everything you know.”

“That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you,” said Jack.

“No, I’ve only heard bits and pieces. I have not heard what I believe to be the truth,” she said. “Let’s go.” She leaned toward John and spoke in a low voice. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re right, but I also think you need to interrogate them to get any information that will help,” said John.

Katie stopped at the staircase and looked to both men. “They’re lying.”

“You have the experience to know the truth and the lies,” said John. “Use it.”

They were put in a tough spot and had no backup until Sheriff Scott released the reinforcements to help them.

“Gav?” she said.

“I have doubts about this, but I have your back.”

Katie took control of the situation and had everyone seated around a dining table. She didn’t want to give Jack and Clark any of what she and her partners had found out or suspected. Her attitude was that of a police detective interrogator until they felt certain the vet and officer weren’t part of everything that had been going on since Katie had arrived at Echo Forest.

Cisco paced around the room until he found his spot at Katie’s feet. She liked having Cisco near her—it kept her grounded and focused. The dog could read her emotions well.

Katie took point in the interviews, which was whatshedid well. McGaven and John watched the men as they answered her questions.

“Do you know why the chief is missing?” she began.

Clark looked down for a moment. “I have some ideas.”

“Like?”

“For the past six months or so, he’s been different.”

“Different how?”

Katie watched Clark. He appeared calm and was even-toned.

“Secretive. Paranoid. And that wasn’t like him.”

“Not at all,” said Jack. He got up from the table. McGaven and John watched him closely.

“Did he know more information about the murders than he was saying?” asked Katie.

“I don’t know. If he did, he didn’t tell me.”

“Where is Officer Banning?”

“He had a family emergency in Arizona and left shortly after the murders started.”