Chapter 69
SIXTY-NINE
brIEFING ROOM, PINE VALLEY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Katie sat at the table with her hands on her lap wearing her police dress uniform. Her expression was solemn. All the events leading up to this briefing were more than she ever had to handle before.
McGaven sat next to her, and he too was in his police dress uniform, expression serious. There were several other officers and police staff, including John, gathered around the large conference table waiting for the debriefing to begin. The undersheriff was also present.
No one spoke. The room was silent. The heaviness overwhelming as they waited for the sheriff to enter.
Finally, the door opened and Sheriff Scott entered the room, his commanding presence shifting the energy in a different direction. Everyone stood at attention.
“Have a seat,” he said.
The room went quiet again.
“Thank you all for being here. As you all know, Deputy Christopher Anderson has been in critical condition due to blood loss and an infection from the knife wound. But because of Detective Scott’s quick thinking and attention, he will make a full recovery and will most likely be back on active duty in a couple of months.
Deputy Anderson and Detective Scott will receive the Police Medal of Valor.
We wish Deputy Anderson a speedy recovery and may God be with him. ”
The sheriff looked around the room, seeing the relief on people’s faces.
“This past investigation run by Detective Scott and Detective McGaven has been one of the most difficult, complex, and gruesome cases to date. The surviving victim, Patricia Kahn, has been through several surgeries and she’s recovering.
“We’ve managed to identify the killer as Cole Dillon.
He was a successful construction mogul who one day walked out of his life to pursue his killing sprees.
There’s not much known about him; he didn’t have a record.
At this point, there are seventeen victims connected to him.
There could be more. The victims have all been identified.
The forensics examination has been exemplary, thanks to John Blackburn.
There is still evidence coming through, and it probably will continue to do so for the next month.
There were many photographs of Dillon with the victims. Several were at Shelby’s house and it was thought she knew him before she was kidnapped.
“Thank you all for your work, sacrifices, and dedication. We are truly an exceptional sheriff’s department and I’m proud to be your sheriff.”
The room seemed to lighten in energy.
“You are dismissed.”