Page 90 of Her Last Whisper
Fifty-Two
Friday 1645 hours
Katie made a quick stop at her house to change into jeans and hiking shoes. Of course, Cisco wanted to come along. She left McGaven back at the office to try and find out more information and continue background checks. She kept the concept of working the crime scene backwards running through her head.
As Katie drove back into town and toward the vacant lot in Whispering Pines, where Amanda’s body had been found, she still thought about how all the women were connected. It still wasn’t clear if the women came into contact with the hospital chemicals when they were alive, or if the killer transferred it to them accidentally. She contemplated that theory until she reached the vacant land.
The automatic headlights turned on just before she found an appropriate place to park. The fall evening was getting darker and cooler. She should really come back when the light was better—and with McGaven. She quickly sent a text to him:
Where are you?
He sent a reply:
At the office admiring your map.
Katie laughed in spite of herself. She typed:
What do you think?
He answered her:
Taking it all in.
Can you meet me at Whispering Pines?
Give me fifteen.
See you then.
Katie turned her focus back to the property as she got out of the car, now better prepared with a flashlight, and followed closely by Cisco. This time he gave a high-pitch whine followed by a low chuff.
“What’s up, Cisco?” she said softly.
The dog circled her in one of his protection techniques, where he watched everything all around her in order to keep her safe. He had obviously caught wind of something he wasn’t sure of or didn’t like. Either way, he was cautious, and that was fine with her.
Katie always carried her police firearm no matter how she was dressed, but especially on any investigation. There were too many variables to calculate when dealing with a killer on the loose, and someone following her and leaving her notes. She knew that McGaven would catch up with her soon, which lessened some of her apprehension.
She glanced at Cisco who seemed to be edgy with his hackles slightly bristled, which could mean anything from the scent of vermin to something he couldn’t identify in the wind.
Katie stepped up her pace to the crime scene with her flashlight directing the way. It wasn’t completely dark, but she used the extra light to illuminate her surroundings. It wasn’t difficult to remember exactly where Amanda’s body was found.
Katie stood still and closed her eyes so she could envision the crime scene. What story did the killer have to tell? What was so important to him? She had already been here to investigate and there were photographs, but it was important for her to remember what had first struck her when she had arrived. The body was facedown, naked, posed in a very modest way. There was no drama in her positioning, nothing carved into the body, or even anything missing. This killer wasn’t taunting the police: He wanted the crime scene to reenact what should have happened if Amanda had not escaped—that was why there were ligature marks post mortem.
Why?
Katie stood at the exact spot where Amanda Payton’s body had lain, the reality giving her pause, remembering their last conversation; the sound of Amanda’s voice and the terror in her eyes. The last thing she said to Katie was:He said that I would never be without him. That he would come for me. And I know that he will eventually kill me.
There was a sound like the noise of muffled footsteps, or the stamping of something against the earth, above her near the parking lot. Katie hadn’t heard any car enter or leave the area since she had been there.
McGaven?
Katie stayed quiet and listened, using hand signals to keep Cisco close until she knew what was going on—not wanting to frighten some hikers or teenagers with her gun drawn and Cisco’s bark.
“Cisco,bleib.” She softly instructed the dog to stay until she released him from his position.
Katie decided to check out where the noise came from and who might be there—an inkling that someone was following her.
She hurried up the hill and down a well-traveled path. Deciding to turn off the flashlight, she stopped and listened in the partial darkness. She saw the outline of the trees, bushes, and the paths. There was nothing indicating that there was a person waiting and watching.
