Page 15 of The Fragile Ones
Something flashed.
Katie stopped and looked around her, daring to get close to the edge. There had been a bright sparkle of light—she was sure of it.
She kneeled down carefully. Cisco got on his belly and stayed by her side, picking up on her unease. Straining her eyes and waiting for another burst of light, she saw what looked like feet with socks covering them.
Katie quickly stood up swiftly inching closer to the edge and realizing that she left her binoculars in the SUV. “Anyone have binoculars?” she asked.
“Yeah.” Matt walked up to her carrying a small pair. “What’s up?”
Katie took a moment, focusing the lenses. Then she gasped, her heart pounding. Turning to Matt she said quickly, “I want everyone to stay at the clearing where we came in.”
“What’s the—” he started.
“Now!” she cut in. “Please, get everyone and their packs together at one location. Stay there. Do not move about, okay?”
“What’s wrong?”
“This is officially a crime scene,” she said.
Matt stared past her down the ravine, then immediately rushed to gather the others.
Katie looked through the binoculars again. It hadn’t been a figment of her imagination. A small gold barrette holding a handful of blonde hair, which had flashed in the sunlight. She could see two small bodies wedged in a crevice.
Chapter Seven
Thursday 1445 hours
Katie spent the next half hour giving the exact information of the roads leading to Hidden Trail to the sheriff, and the best way to navigate the vehicles after the sudden storm to the detective in charge. She coordinated search and rescue, the fire department, morgue, and forensics to the crime scene. The area would soon be crowded with first-responder vehicles, police cars, and the forensic team.
Take a deep breath…
Taking another look through the binoculars, from what Katie could see there were two girls, approximately ten to twelve years old. The clothing appeared to be shorts and T-shirts. One girl had blonde hair, while the other had brown hair. From her vantage point, Katie couldn’t see much else.
She was deeply saddened by the discovery, but there would be a family or two that would at least now have closure of what had happened to their children.
After the logistical whirlwind was over, there was nothing to do but wait at least an hour before anyone would reach the location. She dialed McGaven to give him the news and instructions to reach the location. She would feel more comfortable having him take statements from the crew, as since she was part of the group it would be a conflict of interest for her to conduct the statements. She knew Detective Hamilton would have enough on his plate working with the rescue unit to retrieve the bodies.
She explained to him what was going on.
“I can’t believe it,” McGaven said. “Do you know who the girls are?”
“No, I don’t have much to go on. Hopefully we’ll know more soon.”
“You alright?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she said, trying to sound like she usually did. “Call me when you get close to the area where my Jeep and the film crew’s SUV are located. Cisco and I will meet you there and ride up with you.”
“Sounds good. Talk later.”
Within the hour, Katie escorted the first responders of search and rescue and forensic services to the area. They waited for Detective Hamilton and Sheriff Scott to arrive before moving forward.
Katie rode shotgun, staring out the passenger window, as McGaven raced as fast as he dared until they reached the mountain road leading to Hidden Trail.
Cisco sat quiet and alert in the back seat.
Katie felt calmer with her partner. Whatever was necessary for them to perform, it was easier with him.
McGaven, always steady, drove in silence as the road turned bumpy and had to reduce his speed to avoid large potholes caused by the extreme rainfall. Katie closed her eyes to maintain her calm. The last time she had been to the Hidden Trail she had almost lost her life, and thought she would die alone. Flashbacks flooded her mind—things she never wanted to remember. Just when she was getting a grip on her PTSD, it felt like her world was coming full circle with the discovery of the girls.
