Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
Katie and McGaven waited in the front yard as CSI and the medical examiner’s office from Rockview Police Department processed the scene.
“Did not see that one coming,” said McGaven.
“I couldn’t get past the stench. I knew there had to be something,” Katie said.
“The nose knows…” McGaven tried to lighten the mood.
Devlin came out of the house and jogged down the stairs to meet the detectives.
“That hand wasn’t in the house two months ago. It would have been more decomposed,” said Katie.
“You’re right. The ME thinks it’s been there about one to two days at most,” said Devlin.
“It appears this is most likely connected to our investigation,” Katie said. “Would it be possible to receive a copy of the report for the previously dismembered limbs as well as this one?”
“Absolutely. I’m not handling the case, that would be Detective David Stern.” He turned and looked at another sedan that was pulling up. “And there he is.”
A tall, stocky man with large, tattooed biceps got out of the vehicle. He was bald and wore a very intense expression—downturned mouth, eyebrows furrowed—as he walked toward the detectives.
“Hey, Stern,” said Devlin. “These are detectives Scott and McGaven from Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department.” He turned to the detectives. “This is Detective David Stern from Rockview PD.”
All the detectives made their introductions.
“We’re working two similar cases with the dismembered body parts,” Katie said.
“Yes, I heard,” said Stern. “I sent a preliminary report and photos.”
“Yes, thank you,” she said.
“We’d like to work together on these cases,” said McGaven.
“I don’t see why not. Have your sheriff talk to my chief to get the ball rolling,” he said.
“Besides copies of the reports from the two body-parts discoveries, we would also like to speak with Brandon Bates,” said Katie. “Would that be possible?”
Stern sighed and didn’t respond immediately.
Katie didn’t see it as a problem, but it was clear Detective Stern wasn’t completely on board with the two departments working together.
It didn’t matter. She and McGaven could force the issue.
The bottom line was she needed this information in order to find the suspect.
She definitely didn’t want more body parts showing up.
“I’m sure that can be arranged, but I don’t think he’ll be very helpful,” said Stern.
“Did he say anything that was the least bit helpful when you interviewed him?” said McGaven.
Stern shrugged. “He just kept saying he knew nothing about the body parts, but he did give us a name for the guns we found. It’s turned up nothing. I don’t think the person even exists.”
Interesting, thought Katie. She wondered if she could get Bates to tell them more. In less than a week, body parts were piling up, and she didn’t want to go to another crime scene in either Pine Valley or Rockview. What was the suspect trying to prove or convey? How could they make it stop?
“We won’t take up any more of your time, Detective,” she said. “We look forward to the reports and we will of course reciprocate as well.”
Stern nodded, never fully relaxing his tense facial muscles. “Will do.”
Katie and McGaven walked to their car and got inside. Katie started the engine and drove away before she spoke.
“Is it just me or did Detective Stern seem like he didn’t want to share?”
McGaven chuckled. “I would say he didn’t like us much. Maybe it’s the sheriff’s department or something more personal.”
“In this type of case we need to know who we’re working with,” she said.
“Devlin is cool,” he said.
“Agreed.”
Both detectives’ cell phones buzzed with text messages.
McGaven looked at his. “Oh.”
“Oh what?” she said, feeling the pit of her stomach drop.
“John wants us to come to the forensic lab in person. He has an ID on the blood from the napkin found at the second scene.”
“Did he say who?”
“No, but I get a feeling we’re not going to like it.”