Page 25 of Three Girls Gone

TWELVE

Amanda met with voicemail all three times she tried Katherine’s number on the way to the diner. “There’s no answer,” she told Trent.

“We need to let Malone know what’s going on. You don’t want him to find out from Rideout before he’s heard it from you.”

“Which would be another shitstorm. And he can never know that I’ve been helping her.”

“I’m with you on that. He’s going to be pissed enough that a civilian is investigating a police case. And if Malone or the chief, or even the brass at the NYPD sees her as interfering…”

“I know,” she repeated. The consequence would be Katherine behind bars while a killer roamed free, able to torture and kill little girls.

“Then you’re going to call Malone?”

“After we talk to Katherine.”

“And if we can’t reach her?”

“I’ll deal with that if and when.” She tried the diner this time, and after a few rings, the line was answered. “Is Katherine in?”

“Yeah, just a sec.” The call was put on hold, and a broadcaster from a local radio station was soon talking in her ear.

“She’s at the diner,” she told Trent, breathing easier.

“Good.”

“Hello, this is Katherine.”

“Kat, it’s Amanda.” Since Katherine confided in Amanda, they’d become friends. Given how they’d started off it was hard to imagine a close relationship was even possible. When Malone took a brief medical leave, Katherine came in as interim sergeant. Amanda and she had bashed heads.

“Hey, how are you?” Her friendly tone held a leery note. Amanda never called in the middle of the afternoon during the workweek.

“Not good. Trent and I are on our way to talk with you.”

“Now you have me worried.”

Amanda wished she could assure her it wasn’t anything horrible, but that would be a blatant lie. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Okay.” Katherine dragged out the word and ended the call.

“She has no idea what’s coming her way,” Trent said, keeping his gaze out the windshield.

“How could anyone conjure this?”

They passed the rest of the short drive in silence. Her thoughts were on two little girls victimized by a monster without a conscience. Even if they caught this guy, there would be nothing to truly explain why this happened.

Trent pulled into the lot for Hannah’s Diner, and when they stepped through the doors, Katherine was standing right there.

“I’m not waiting a second longer than necessary,” she told them.

“Do you have an office where we can talk in private?” Amanda asked, and Katherine took them into the back.

They passed May on their way, and she bunched her forehead in confusion, then followed them.

“I just need to talk with Amanda and Trent for a few minutes alone.” Katherine stared down her aunt until the older woman consented and walked off.

Katherine closed the door behind them and sat at the desk. She pointed at two chairs in the room, where Amanda and Trent sat down.

“You both look pale, like someone ran over your dog. But neither of you have one.” Katherine traced her gaze over the two of them. “Talk.”