Page 68 of Race to Save Her

“I couldn’t find anything. I guess he isn’t into selfies… and there was only that one photo of him with Shelby.”

The detectives worked longer in the office before they left to get ready for their evening at the hotel. Katie couldn’t help but think there was something big they were missing—hovering over their heads. And still she hadn’t worked out what the killer wanted with her. Maybe they’d get closer tonight.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Friday 0945 hours

The Puzzler knew he wanted to dispose of the bodies piece by piece. But it was beginning to bore him, so he decided to give the police department a homicide puzzle.

With a police radio, he had listened to calls and watched from afar. That was how he saw her at a crime scene. There was a very tall man with her he assumed to be her partner. He researched her and found out she was a cold case detective. Her name was Katie Scott. There were several articles about her—mostly due to her perfect solve rate. He loved the image of her as she held his gift in the white box that night.

The man was intrigued with her as he watched a slow slide show of her at the scenes, as well as parking her Jeep at the department. He wanted to know more about her, but he wanted her whole—which was the first time he had felt that way about anyone, especially a disposable woman.

He would set a trap that she couldn’t evade.

THIRTY-NINE

Friday 1730 hours

Deputy Chris Anderson prepared for his assignment to conduct surveillance on Tyler Brandt and opted to dress casually, like any other twenty-seven-year-old. He was given instructions that he didn’t have to stay in the car; he could get out and follow on foot if he deemed it necessary. He was excited that the detectives asked for him to assist in their current investigation.

He left his apartment with some nerves attacking his stomach. It was important for him to do a good job. His thoughts returned to the day before with Detective Scott and K9 Cisco. It was a harrowing experience, but he was inspired by the detective’s strength and fortitude. She was impressive. Everything he had heard about her was undoubtedly true. The positive things, anyway. There were those at the police department who respected her and a few others who despised her. Probably because of her solve record.

Chris drove to Tyler’s place and parked a couple of houses away. The detectives had found out that he had a 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift. He saw Tyler’s car, an older blue Honda, was still in the driveway. He didn’t wait long before Tyler exited his house to leave for work.

The deputy watched the young man, who seemed jumpy and kept glancing around as if expecting someone to leap out at him. Chris made notes of what he saw and the time. From what the detectives had told him, this didn’t seem like the personality of the man they had described. He thought that might be important.

Tyler backed out of the driveway and drove slowly down the street. Chris eased away from the curb and followed at a moderate distance. Tyler took a left turn at the main street going west instead of east. It didn’t appear he was headed directly to the restaurant.

Chris followed.

Tyler never raced or blew through signals; he kept to the rules of the road. That alone seemed strange. Most people don’t adhere so precisely to the law. It made Chris watch every detail of what Tyler was doing that much closer.

They drove for about twenty minutes before Tyler pulled into a driveway of a small older home in a nice little neighborhood. It was located at 1616 Merry Lane. Chris looked at his notes from McGaven. This was the home Shelby had rented for two years. He looked up and saw Tyler going toward the house, diverting around to the backyard.

Chris hesitated. Should he follow him? It would make his cover easily blown.

After deliberating back and forth, Chris got out of his car, making sure his weapon was secured and ready at any given moment. He checked around the immediate area as well as up and down the street. All was clear.

Chris jogged across the road and went around the opposite side of the house to Tyler. Moving quietly and hyperaware, he kept his body against the house and moved with precision.

Daring to peer in one of the windows, keeping to the side of the frame, Chris leaned forward and looked inside. Tyler was in the living room area and appeared to be looking for something. He wasn’t ransacking the house, but looking under every cushion, in every drawer, and on every shelf. He seemed to become more frustrated the more he looked without finding what he was seeking—he slammed a cabinet hard, causing the dishes to jump and rattle. He sat down on the couch running his hands through his hair. Chris watched and looked at his phone for the time to record his observations. He took a few photos for reference.

Tyler got up as if he had an idea and began turning over photos, opening the backs of their frames. He moved to two larger hung paintings and took them down, looking for something on the back of them too. This time he didn’t return the paintings, but tossed them aside. He then returned to the kitchen and began pulling out dishes, glasses, and containers. They shattered on the floor, but it didn’t stop his momentum. He was obviously on a mission.

Chris moved his position to another window where he could see Tyler more clearly. The young man went into Shelby’s bedroom and sat on the bed looking at the wall and top of the chest of drawers, actively searching for something. He slowly stood up in front of the dresser. He didn’t explore the drawers or the ornate boxes on top—he just stared as if there was supposed to be something there, but wasn’t. Chris took a few more photos on his phone to help back up his report.

Next Tyler spun around and flipped the mattress against the wall. He took a knife from his pocket and began slicing the mattress. The intensity of trying to find whatever it was made his behavior seem almost crazy.

Chris kept his position and wondered what was going to happen next. Whatever it was, he was about to find out.

FORTY

Friday 1810 hours

Katie was almost ready and McGaven would be arriving soon. She looked at herself in the mirror and, strangely, so many memories came flooding back from when she was with Chad; the places they went and the romantic dinners. It was bittersweet. Life sometimes gave you difficult times that you didn’t know how to solve. But life also had a way of working things out. She realized she didn’t regret being with Chad or the fact that he chose to move to another city without her. It just was. She had always felt she was on a mission. It was where her passion was. John in her life gave meaning and support—their energies synced.

Katie almost didn’t recognize herself in the reflection. She wore a black sleeveless dress with her hair down. She grabbed a satin jacket and her purse with a gun inside it. Fussing with her hair and makeup one last time, she walked to the living room. Cisco and Midnight were asleep next to one another on the couch. It made Katie smile.