Page 89 of Three Girls Gone
“No, that’s why I’m here. There are other things you could do,” Katherine said. “If we split our efforts, we might track this guy down. Could you forward the videos to me, Trent? I’d like to look at them more. If I find the guy’s face, I can forward it along to the chief too.”
A tiny tell in Katherine’s tone and flicker in her eye had Amanda suspecting she had seen something. “What aren’t you saying?”
“There is something familiar about him, but I can’t put my finger on why.”
Malone perked up at that, as did Amanda and Trent.
“Please, don’t get too excited just yet,” Katherine said. “If it comes together, I promise I’ll share.”
“See that you do.” Malone hastened out of the room, leaving Amanda with Trent and Katherine.
Trent turned the TV off and handed Amanda her phone back. She forwarded the email with the videos to Katherine.
“On another matter, you ever hear more from Briggs about the sender of the online form?” Amanda asked.
“Just what you already know. The sender tracks back to NYC.” Katherine opened the lid on her laptop, getting comfortable right there in the conference room.
“You can use my office, if you want,” Amanda offered.
“I’m fine right here.”
“Suit yourself.” Amanda led the wayfrom the room with Trent. She glanced over her shoulder at Katherine and found her friend staring at the screen of her laptop. Whatever was familiar about that man, Amanda hoped it would come back to Katherine before too much time passed.
THIRTY-SIX
Watching the videos was like a car crash, and Katherine couldn’t turn away. She watched the one of the man carrying Eloise in the dead of the night. Why she was torturing herself God only knew. Her poor daughter would have known those arms.Only she stopped being my daughter when I gave her away…
What burned now was despite spending the better part of the last twelve years searching for this man, he got to Katherine first. But if he assumed she was the timid sort to back off from a challenge, he had no clue who he was dealing with. He’d made a mistake by taunting her, and soon he’d realize that. She also didn’t stand on her own. She had a team to support her, to back her up. Because of their work, he was on her screen. But why was he familiar? And something had been said about a scar through his top lip… She’d spiral into insanity if she tried to force it.
She had reached out to the Gilberts. Evan by phone and Dawn by email, which was how she preferred to be contacted. This suited Katherine, who feared if she called the woman, her voice would give her away. Dawn would detect Julie’s killer hadclaimed other victims. As the woman who took Julie in as a baby, she didn’t deserve to feel any more grief or guilt. Katherine knew that she had struggled with what had happened to Julie, how it had scared her sober and that she hadn’t touched a drop of liquor since.
“If I hadn’t been so drunk…”
Dawn’s statement had regurgitated through Katherine’s mind many times over the years to the point of obsession. While one mother battled with guilt, so did another. Only Katherine had done so in secret.
The conversation she’d had with Evan about the party wasn’t helpful. She turned to her email hoping her luck would change. She found a reply from Dawn and clicked on it.
Hi Katherine,
It is always good to hear from you. At least I know my daughter is still remembered after all these years and that someone else cares. I miss her every day with an ache in my chest that won’t go away. I’m learning to live with it, while I’m also adjusting to being single. Evan and I separated a couple of years ago, as you know. The divorce finalized last week. I know people are holding divorce parties these days, but it didn’t seem appropriate. I grieve the death of our relationship too. But losing a child in such a horrific way… Nothing can prepare you.
As much as I want justice for Julie, and the man responsible behind bars, at some point I need to release this part of my life and move forward.
Katherine stopped reading there, finding her heart was pounding. She wished to reach through the ether and shake the woman. How could she ever expect to move forward? As healthy as it sounded, was it feasible? Katherine hadn’t even changed one of Julie’s diapers, and she was in love enough tosacrifice every moment to getting the man responsible. Though, could she claim that when she’d slacked off the last few months?
Katherine returned to Dawn’s email.
You might not understand my need to do this, but I’ve been working with a new therapist. Peace of mind is of the utmost importance and living in the past is no way to find it.
Again, thank you for your dedication over the years, to searching for the man who did this and holding them responsible, but I kindly ask that you leave me out of this loop in the future. That is unless you find this man. Then I want to know, and I will be there in court.
You asked about the people at that party… I still only remember glimpses of it. None of them are clear. A lot of strangers were there, people I didn’t know. People from the pageant circuit and the NYC venue. I was so busy bragging to anyone that would listen that I had the most amazing daughter.
Now I must go. Take care of yourself and don’t lose yourself in the past either.
Katherine’s cheeks were wet, and she swiped them, not realizing tears had fallen as she read. The email was a lot to digest, and she didn’t know why but the tidbit about people being there from the NYC venue stuck. Was it plural to cover those from the circuit or did more than one person from the actual venue go to the party? Katherine knew of one person from there who had attended.
She brought up the number for Leslie Gallagher from the venue. Leslie had worked there for fifteen years, making a career out of overseeing the place. Katherine had talked to her about the party years ago, but now there was one fresh point worth bringing up.
