Page 67 of Little Girls Sleeping
“The posing, taking great care with appearance and clothes, appears to be the signature of the killer.”
“Anything else?”
“He also took meticulous care to pose her at this precise location. He knew she would be found quickly. He’s toying with us. Showing us that he’s the one in charge, and that we shouldn’t try to profile him because he can change his behavior and signature at any time.” Katie paused. “Also… did you notice…”
“What?” replied the detective.
“This little girl isn’t Dena Matthews. Wrong hair color, and this girl is a couple of years older.”
The detective raised his eyebrows and nodded. For once, he had shut his mouth and listened to what Katie was saying. “We won’t know how she died without an autopsy or unless there’s any trace evidence,” he said.
“Most likely she was smothered.” Katie leaned in close to the child’s face and breathed deeply. “There’s a light, sweet stench, and saliva dried around her mouth. That dish rag back there probably held some type of chloroform to render her unconscious. The killer then placed her the way he wanted and carefully smothered her by pinching her nose and mouth closed. It would leave the least amount of evidence behind,” she explained, and stood up.
No one spoke. The only sound was the wind whipping through the pine trees.
Katie began to walk away. McGaven hesitated and then prepared to follow her back to the car.
“Detective Scott,” Templeton said.
Katie turned to face him, ready for some type of attack or insult.
“I’m not completely convinced this is the work of the same killer,” he said.
“That’s your opinion,” she replied. “It’s really down to what the evidence tell us.”
“Why do you think he didn’t have her in a coffin?”
“He’s pissed off we found his private graveyard. He’s going to do whatever it takes to fulfill his fantasy of his perfect little girls… and to make us pay.”
“He’s not going to stop, is he?”
Katie looked at the detective for a couple of moments. Something was different about him; his demeanor appeared defeated. His shoulders were rounded and it looked as if he had aged since they had arrived at the crime scene.
The van from the morgue arrived and parked.
She took a breath. “No, this killer, theToymaker, isn’t going to stop until we find him,” she said softly.
Her words hung in the air.
She continued to walk to the black SUV.
“Is that it?” asked McGaven. He sounded disappointed.
“For now. There’s nothing more we can do here until everything is transported to the morgue and forensics.” She looked at the deputy. “I think it’s time to go over everything we have so far.”
He nodded. He seemed to still be processing the crime scene in his mind.
“I have everything organized at my house,” she said. “Some things are beginning to make more sense.”
Thirty-Six
Katie eased the borrowed black SUV into her driveway and cut the engine. It was twilight and the sun was almost hidden behind the trees, giving a Halloween glow.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “I know my uncle wants me watched at all times, but there’s nothing to worry about. Really,” she stressed.
“I know,” said McGaven. “I just wanted to visit with Cisco.” He smiled. “Oh, and take a look at your secret office.”
“You like him?” she said.
