Page 81 of The Fragile Ones
A light rain spattered across her windshield, forcing her to switch on the wipers. There was a heavy rain storm forecast that evening and it ramped up as she drove along Highway 9 all the way to Rock Creek. She instinctively slowed at the area where the branch had blocked them previously.
Just as she drove up to the highest point and began descending into the town, sheets of rain hammered her SUV, blowing in gusts across the roadway. Her headlights automatically illuminated the dark road, reflecting the standing water and making it difficult to see the dividing lines. Katie tapped the brake carefully to take the sharp turns. Her Jeep slipped from side to side—fishtailing even at her slower speed.
“Sorry, Cisco, we’ll be there soon.”
The dog ran back and forth across the back seats. He let out whines every so often to let Katie know that he was not happy with the car ride.
As if by a miracle the rain eased as the lights of Rock Creek came into view. It wasn’t Las Vegas, but she was thrilled to see civilization again and realized that she was hungry. She wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to live in a town where there was only one road in and out.
Her phone gave a chirp to indicate that she had signal again. There were three messages from the three men in her life: her uncle, Chad, and McGaven. She quickly listened to them. Her uncle just wanted to give support and remind her to keep in touch. Chad said he loved her and to be careful. Finally, McGaven said he was already in town and wondered where she was. He said he’d be at Joe’s Diner until he heard from her.
Just then her phone rang and she quickly answered:
“Scott.”
“Hey, girl, I finally got a hold of you.”
“Lizzy, so good to hear from you. I thought you were down in Monterey hanging out at the beach by now.”
“I’m going to be in town for another few days because of the storm that’s coming.”
“Oh, no,” said Katie.
“What?”
“I’m on assignment out of town for a few days, maybe more.”
“I can push my orientation till the end of the week, if that helps? Maybe the storm will give me more,” said Lizzy.
“It might. I’m hoping that Gav and I can leave Rock Creek before the end of the week.”
“Well, let me know, okay? We didn’t get to spend enough time together.”
“I’ll do what I can, and call you when I know.”
“Sounds good. Bye, Katie.”
Katie drove through downtown. It was easy finding the diner with a 1950s neon red sign and McGaven’s big red truck parked outside.
“I’ll bring you some goodies,” she said to Cisco, leaving him in the Jeep.
Katie jumped out and ran to the door of the diner, flinging it open. She stomped her feet on the large mat, and shed her jacket. Looking up, she saw McGaven sitting in one of the booths. His height, big smile, and the fact he didn’t look like he belonged there made him stand out.
There were two other tables occupied by middle-aged and elderly patrons. It was the early-bird hour, so the crowd was light. Two waitresses were behind the counter. The restaurant was dated, but tidy. Silver accessories dotted the walls, accompanied by knick-knacks that patrons had given to the restaurant over the years.
Katie went straight to the red booth where McGaven was seated and sat down. “Hi.”
“You made it,” he joked.
After finishing their meals, Katie and McGaven found the Oak Grove Motel & Cabins, passing several boat storages along the way. The area reminded her of a camping motel, surrounded by dense trees and extra property with picnic tables and barbecue pits. Like the diner, it too was old in style but nicely kept up. The motel was unusual and divided into single-story cabins.
Katie and McGaven exited their cars to the sound of rumbling thunder and a few flashes across the sky. They hurried into the office to get their rooms. An older woman wearing a bright yellow turtleneck, with tightly curled platinum-blonde hair, greeted them. “Hello there, and welcome to the Oak Grove Motel.”
“Hi,” said Katie. “We’re here to check in to our cabins.”
“Let me guess, Detective Scott and Deputy McGaven, right?”
“Yes. We’re that transparent?” she said.
