Page 60 of The Fragile Ones
“Is that Brad Mason, the local police officer?” he asked, looking closer at the photo.
“It’s difficult to tell. He’s much thinner in the photo. But I believe it is.”
“Wasn’t he the first to arrive at the scene of the apparent suicide?”
“Yes, he was.”
“Coincidental?”
“I’m not one to believe in coincidences,” she said.
“I always hesitate asking this but…what are you thinking?”
“They all have secrets,” she said, staring at the housewarming photo. She let out an exasperated sigh. “What aren’t you telling us? It’s like everyone in Rock Creek has a part to play in this complicated whodunit. There is someone behind the scenes orchestrating everything, but no one is talking.” She sat down at her desk and thumbed through her notepad. “Do they all know each other? The chief didn’t make it sound like that.”
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow when we have a chat with Mr. Rodriguez.”
“Knock, knock.”
Katie looked up and saw Denise in the doorway holding a beautifully decorated oversized chocolate cupcake, with a lit candle. John stood next to her with a grin on his face.
Everyone broke into a birthday song as Katie waited, embarrassed.
“Happy Birthday, Katie,” said Denise. “Make a big wish and blow out the candle.”
Playing along, Katie paused and blew out the candle.
“Yay!” everyone chimed together. “The birthday girl!”
“Okay, thank you so much, guys. I appreciate it,” said Katie, blushing. She wasn’t used to people making a fuss over her and it made her uncomfortable.
“I think you’ve made my partner blush,” said McGaven.
“Alright, alright, get back to work,” she said.
“Happy birthday,” said John, whistling the tune as he went down the hallway.
“Oh, here you go,” said Denise as she handed Katie several photos of Darren Rodriguez pulling the branch across the road.
“Great,” said Katie, quickly flipping through them. “Really great. You can see everything. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’ll email you some screen grabs and conversation about the town that you might be interested in.”
“Thanks.”
“And happy birthday, Katie,” said Denise, smiling before she left.
Katie looked down at the chocolate cupcake.
“I want a piece of that,” said McGaven.
“Split it?” she asked.
“I’m in.”
Katie found a plastic knife and sliced the cupcake.
McGaven took his half and gave Katie a peck on the cheek. “Cheers to you, partner.”
