Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Her dreams bothered her. This case concerned her. The suspects troubled her. The crime scenes disturbed her.
Katie ran faster. The case unsettled her mind and soul. Who should she believe? What was her instinct telling her? By the chain of events, it appeared that one of the later victims had murdered Meredith and Misty. Where was the justice in that? Or was there justice?
Katie ran even faster as Cisco kept up at her side. The big black dog kept glancing up at her as if to say, Everything is going to be okay.
She couldn’t help but feel that they were going in circles and rounding back again with the investigation. Just when they had a great lead, something happened to derail everything. Frustration was her constant companion at the moment and she didn’t like it.
Katie followed the familiar trail as it got steeper. She tried to shake some sense into herself. Just moments from the top, she pushed harder, pumped her arms, and maintained long strides.
Once at the top, she caught her breath and looked at the view from the top of Hunter’s Point. It was one of her favorite runs. She paced back and forth as her heart rate settled back to normal. Cisco took his rest seriously as he trotted over and checked out nearby bushes and trees.
It was Saturday. Almost a week since three bodies had been found at the construction site for the new emergency services facility.
Taking deep slow breaths, her head seemed to magically clear as it usually did when she pushed her body on a run.
With hands on her hips, she scrutinized everything they had learned so far in the investigation.
She’d been through it all so often it was becoming like an old movie sputtering in her head.
Cisco came up to her wanting a pet.
“Good boy, Cisco. We’re going to work this out together.
” She stood at the edge of the valley. Along the way trees lined the sides so densely you couldn’t see anything else.
It was truly a magnificent view. She took a moment to be grateful for everything she had.
Even though she missed her parents terribly, she still had her uncle and family at the department.
Katie sat on a granite rock. She decided to call the hospital to check on Buck.
“ICU,” answered a nurse.
“This is Detective Scott from Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. I was checking on a patient, Raymond Young.”
“One moment.” The nurse put her on hold. Within a few minutes, she returned. “He’s left.”
“When?” said Katie.
“Early this morning. Without being discharged.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you.” The call disconnected.
Katie was disappointed, but not surprised Buck had gotten out of the hospital as soon as he could.
Her phone rang.
“Scott,” she answered.
“I bet I can guess where you are right now,” said the sheriff.
Katie smiled. Her uncle knew her so well. “It’s an amazing morning. Speaking of which, why are you up so early on a Saturday?”
“Going for a drive with Sydney. We’re going to hit some historic areas and have lunch. I’m excited. It’s been a while since I’ve had a lovely female companion.”
“Uncle Wayne, you deserve it. When can I meet her?”
“Soon. She’s heard all about you.”
Katie chuckled. “I’m sure.”
“I wanted to check in on you. I know this case is… a bit unusual.”
“Yes.”
“And no matter what I say, I know you’re going to work today.”
“Uh…”
“Don’t deny it. Just promise me you aren’t alone.”
“Cisco and McGaven will be with me.”
“Good,” he said. “Also, I don’t know if you’ve already thought about this, but you might want to check out those involved that were for and against purchasing and building the police-fire buildings. Many folks wanted to preserve the area. I don’t have names, but I’m sure you can find out.”
Katie’s mind was already speeding ahead. “Thank you, Uncle Wayne.”
“If you aren’t busy, come by the condo tomorrow afternoon—and I promise, no shop talk.”
“Sounds great. I’ll be there.”
“Love you. Talk to you soon,” he said.
“Love you too.” She was glad they would spend some time together tomorrow.
Katie sat for another few minutes, thinking about what her uncle had said. Maybe they were working so hard with the bodies and crime scenes they were overlooking more mundane things.
After a few more minutes, Katie got up from the rock with Cisco following and they made their way down the steep trail.