Page 23 of The Whispering Girls
“Okay,” said Katie. She remembered the secret staircase heading downstairs and wondered if she should say anything—but she opted not to.
“I’ll get you some wood for the fireplace too. It’s freezing in here,” Jack added.
“There’s more investigation stuff for you in my patrol car,” said Clark.
“I’ll help you,” she said.
“No need, Detective. Stay here and I’ll be right back.” The officer left too.
Katie remembered she’d seen some candles in the kitchen and went to get them. One flashlight on the balcony certainly wasn’t enough light. She lit three candles and set them on the check-in counter. The room instantly intensified in light, but it still wasn’t quite enough for working.
Katie looked around the room and past the beautiful furnishings of the lodge. It seemed such an unusual place to put together their investigation. The entire town was unusual, and she still carried an uneasy feeling after her experiences in Echo Forest.
She could hear voices coming up the stairs and assumed it was Officer Clark and Jack coming back. Then she recognized the other voice.
Katie rushed out to the balcony. There was no mistaking who the other person was even in the dim lighting. Six foot, six inches tall with a light-reddish crew cut, and always there to help anyone, was her partner Sean McGaven.
“Gav!” said Katie. She couldn’t help but express her excitement that he was here. It made her feel more relieved that she had her partner to work the case.
“Did you have to pick the darkest and spookiest place in town?” he said with good humor.
Clark was helping the detective bring up a large whiteboard. The officer and detective seemed like old friends.
Before they continued to bring more supplies and boxes up, McGaven stopped and hugged his partner. “Great to see you.” He hugged her again.
“You too,” she said.
Cisco ran up to McGaven and took a few circles around him.
“Cisco, my buddy! So glad you’re here.” He petted the excited dog.
“Yep. Cisco’s on point.”
“Let’s get everything inside.” Gav headed to the door. “What’s with the lights?”
“Don’t know. Dr. Thomas, the vet and owner, is working on the breaker box.”
“Okay then…”
It took another fifteen minutes as Katie, Clark, and McGaven brought up the supplies and placed everything near the long dining table.
“This should do it,” said McGaven.
“Looks good,” said Clark. “I’ve never seen an actual homicide headquarters before.”
“There’s never been a homicide here?” said McGaven.
“About fifteen years ago—before my time.” Officer Clark’s phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said and walked outside.
“This place is really nice,” said McGaven. “I meanreallynice.”
“Wait until you see it in the daytime.”
“And we have it all to ourselves?”
“Yes. Dr. Thomas first opened in the spring and summer, but it’s quiet now.”
“From what I see this place is going to do really well. It’s a beautiful area.” McGaven walked around and studied everything—with Cisco following.
