Page 25 of Pretty Broken Dolls
“Found something at the livestock area,” said another deputy.
Katie turned around and followed Deputy Pendleton. They hurried down adjoining rows of pens where large animals were housed. She was surprised that the searching deputies could find anything, given how huge the area was.
Katie spotted a couple of deputies waiting for her.
In the first pen—which was near the judging and presentation area—was a ring tied to a yellow ribbon. It swung slightly in the cool breeze. The dark stone was something like jade or a garnet, she wasn’t sure.
It was like participating in a crime-themed scavenger hunt—never knowing quite where the evidence would be located. There was a playful quality about it.
Katie made sure she was on the correct radio channel before she requested the crime scene unit to cover this location. As she walked back to the primary location, several theories ran through her mind. It felt as if the killer was trying to make each scene bigger than the last. The fairgrounds were usually frequented by hundreds, if not thousands, of people during the season.
Maybe there’s something important to the killer about this choice of location.
It connects with fun, family, and children.
But why a year apart?
Anniversary of something?
Katie knew that every passing year meant something to the killer. And as the victims were becoming more beaten-up and the throat-slashing neater and more experienced, it left her with a ton of evidence. Unfortunately, that’s what the killer wanted.
She glanced around and observed everyone working—all except Agents Campbell and Haley.
“What’s up?” asked McGaven.
“More evidence. Bloody fingerprints and bare footprints. John is working it.”
Turning to her, he said: “Hey, what’s up with you tonight?”
“Well, it’s actually morning and soon the sun will come up.”
“Something wrong?”
“It’s a bit overwhelming and I’m still thinking about the gas incident,” she said softly. “Now, it feels like all eyes are on us. Let’s get back to work.”
McGaven was going to say something, but held off.
Katie looked around for the agents and the sheriff, but they seemed to have disappeared and left the fairgrounds.
Katie and McGaven moved to a quieter and darker area as to not be overheard.
“We’re not going to know any more until the vic is on the exam table and John has tested the evidence,” she said.
“Who do you think did this?”
“You want me to rattle off a preliminary profile?”
“You bet.”
“I don’t like to do that, but there are some things that stand out to me.”
“I’m not going to hold you to it,” he said. “Just between you and me.”
“I think the killer is someone who has endured abuse. The vic’s body has some severe wounds. I think the killer has maybe gone through some horrific ordeal, or maybe someone close to them has—maybe someone they care about was murdered. The force is excessive, suggesting anger or rage—look at the severe damage to her arms, and what I assume to be broken fingers, as she defended herself.” She paused to think about the entire area. “And they are creating these crime scenes in a way that makes sense to them—it’s a way of working out their demons for everyone to see. Quite literally in our faces. Every year is telling—like an anniversary. Maybe it’s during a time period where the inciting event or events happened.”
“What else? I know you have more suspicions.”
“Not really.”
