Chapter 66
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Daylight was dwindling by the time McGaven drove back to the department, still high from having found the photo of Cole Dillon.
If only he weren’t worried about the silence from the others.
On arrival, waiting in the parking lot were John, Sheriff Scott, two detectives, and a dozen police cruisers.
McGaven had called John and the sheriff when Katie and Chris didn’t respond.
He knew they must be in trouble. As he drove he’d relay all the information he could so that everyone was on the same page.
The sheriff met him first. McGaven knew his face told the entire story of how worried he was about Katie and Chris.
Katie’s theory that the killer would be at one of the locations they were checking out had been true.
As she had suggested, they were the type of places no one would think to look.
Cole Dillon took people’s properties and made them help him with his specific instructions and when they were no longer needed—he killed them.
In this way he could continue to hunt, abduct, and dismember women to feed his delusions.
And now McGaven’s partner was in the middle of this killer’s fantasy.
“What about SWAT?” said McGaven, noticing their absence.
“They’re on a call in the south district,” said the sheriff. “It’s going to be a while.”
“We need to get to Katie.”
“I understand, but we don’t know what we’re getting into and we’ve lost daylight essentially. We’ve pinged their location and they’re still at that old property.” The sheriff unrolled a map on McGaven’s car’s hood. “This is what we’re anticipating from the little we know.”
John joined them and all three men contemplated their options and came up with a plan for half their team to enter the property by the main road, with the other half coming up the farm road. The officers were in SUVs and would be able to navigate the terrain.
The sheriff went to brief the others. John and McGaven were left behind, lost in their own thoughts—and concerns.
“What was the last thing Katie said to you?” said John.
“We were having lunch today and we talked everything out—all we had, the information and evidence. But nothing was pushing us in the right direction.”
“Let me guess… Katie wanted to use those notes as a way to try and trap him,” said John.
“You know her as well as I do—better.” McGaven looked down. “She thought she could have the upper hand. Take him by surprise this time.” He sighed. “We don’t want any more bodies.”
“You went to those two remaining properties?”
“Yes. We divided them for time’s sake, but Katie took Chris with her.”
“That’s good,” said John. “You know she’s always going to do whatever is necessary to save a victim.”
McGaven stayed stoic and didn’t immediately answer. “I know. But I’m worried. We have to get to her and Chris now. Time isn’t our friend.”
“I’ll ride with you. Just let me get a few things first,” said John as he rushed off.