Page 102 of The Whispering Girls
Sunday 0450 hours
Katie had finished searching the vet’s office for anything that would be helpful for them upstairs. She found video cameras still in their boxes, all types of tools, extra ammunition, and some miscellaneous items like surgical tools—scalpels, sharp scissors, and puncturing items—used in veterinary medicine that might prove to be helpful.
After making several trips, Katie stopped at the bottom of the secret stairs. “How’s it going?” she said to McGaven, who was securing the outside doors. They would soon have motion cameras installed.
McGaven stopped and glanced upstairs. “You think we can trust him?”
“What choice do we have?” She paused. “He’s from the FBI, but I’m not one hundred percent sure why he’s here. He’s been vague and a bit cagey, if you ask me. He says he’s here to investigate the chief on misconduct and possible connection to his wife’s murder.”
“But we’re talking about John being held and we don’t evenknow if he’s still alive. I don’t know if I want to put my trust into this man.”
“Knowing John, he’s still alive. With his training as a Navy Seal, they have no idea what they’re up against.”
“That’s true, but when it’s one of our team…”
“I know.” Katie looked outside. The snow had piled quite high in areas and the weather report said another storm riding on the coattails of the last one was coming. It was going to be fierce, but not last as long.
Katie went up the stairs with Cisco, who kept his pace with hers. She was trying to show how strong she was, but she also had to face the fact that she didn’t know for sure how to address this new situation. Her thoughts were on all the times John had been there for them working difficult cases and now he was in the hands of a killer—and they didn’t know where. John was special, not only great at his job, but he had been there for her. He was patient, kind, and a true friend.
“Detective?” said Clark.
Katie turned.
“I really want you both to understand my job here.”
“Did you know Jack was going to drug us?” she said.
“No.”
“Really? Did you know that John was going to be taken?”
“No. I mean, I knew it was possible that one of you might be?—”
“Kidnapped? Killed? The list goes on,” she said. “Explain to me how you knew that we were working the homicides, and why when we found out about the chief and his murdered wife you can disappear and act like its business as usual.”
“I knew all of you could take care of yourselves.”
“Wrong answer.”
“Look, Detective, I’ve been gathering intel on the chief.”
“What about Dr. Jack Thomas? How is he involved? You can’t tell me he’s not.”
“He’s been good friends with the chief. They watch each other’s backs. They know this town and they know how to divert your attention from things they don’t want you to know.”
“No, there’s something you’re not telling me.” Katie walked to the board, skimmed the crime scenes and the connections between everyone. She sorted through reports until she found what she was looking for. McGaven had received a background report on Dr. Jack Thomas. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me about Jack?”
Katie watched the agent’s actions. He was perspiring on his forehead and upper lip, even though it was rather cool as the fire burned down. He paced and anxiously ran his fingers through his short hair.
“Jack had a sister,” he said.
“Okay. He told us that he grew up here and mentioned siblings.”
“Just one sister, an older sister.”
Katie began to knit pieces of the investigation together as she looked at timelines. “She died fifteen years ago and her maiden name was Benedict.”
“No, it wasn’t. It was Thomas,” said the agent.
