Page 53 of Race to Save Her

THIRTY-ONE

Thursday 0645 hours

Katie had been up for almost two hours due to the fact that she couldn’t sleep during the raging storm. The conversation with Ames didn’t sit well with her and she couldn’t pinpoint why—her mind kept going over the question of whether he had something to do with the crime scene. Her logical police mind said absolutely not. So why was she having difficulty believing it?

Cisco and Midnight were having fun together and, amazingly, they didn’t seem to be bothered by the storm as they hung out together. Katie looked out the window and saw the patrol cruiser at the end of her driveway. She knew her uncle was making sure she was safe.

She was just about to jump in the shower and get ready for work when her cell phone rang.

“Detective Scott,” she said, not bothering to look at the caller ID.

“A body has been found,” said Sheriff Scott.

Those words stung and almost collapsed her soul. “Is the body…” Katie couldn’t finish her sentence. She knew it had been coming, and there was no doubt in her mind that it was Shelby.

“Yes, it appears to be missing an arm.”

“Location?” she said.

“It’s out Baker Road to Hallow Lane at the five-mile marker.”

“Okay, I’ll be there shortly.” She sounded stoic and professional, even though that wasn’t how she felt.

“And Katie?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

The call ended. She knew her uncle always wanted her to be safe, but this time it felt like an ominous warning. This case had everyone spooked.

Katie quickly got ready and made sure Cisco and Midnight had everything they needed. Cisco wanted to go with her. He circled her twice and gave his usual whine of wanting to work.

“I know… Don’t worry, it looks like I’ll be back for you.”

The drive was longer than she had anticipated—almost forty minutes. It was in a part of the county she rarely went to. It was mostly rural with the occasional ranch, and hiking and camping areas with some great fishing.

She passed the four-mile marker on Hallow Road. There was a large drainage ditch that went from east to west. It was an area known for flooding and after the rainstorm the water was rushing about a foot higher than average, but was still a ways from cresting over the roadway.

The first question that entered her mind was: Why did a killer dump a body in such a storm? Then she asked: Was it intentional? Part of a plan? Will there be more bodies sprinkled throughout Pine Valley?

Katie spotted several patrol vehicles and the crime scene unit already there. There was also McGaven’s truck. Every crime scene and homicide bothered her, but this one felt so personal. She knew when the finger was left in her Jeep that its owner—who they now knew was Shelby—was already dead. She pulled to the side and parked. So many things were on Katie’s mind and she knew if they didn’t find a solid lead or a person of interest soon, this case could end up going cold.

Outside she surveyed the area. She looked down and could see the water rushing in the ditch. It seemed like a strange area to leave a body, where it could be easily found if someone was looking. Or was that the point?

“Hey,” said McGaven as he walked up to meet her.

“Where is she?”

“Up there,” he gestured.

Katie nodded, still looking around.

“It’s going to be challenging to get her body out.”

Katie wasn’t sure what to make of that comment, but she headed there.