Page 78 of Race to Save Her

“You are my life… I love you,” he said.

It wasn’t long before both were asleep as if one heart beat between them.

FORTY-SEVEN

Saturday 0910 hours

Katie awoke to the sun shining through the blinds, which refreshed her spirit. She could hear the shower and knew John needed to get to work—he had a long day as well, with the search of Shelby’s house ahead of him.

She got up slowly, feeling sore, but she had more energy than the night before and the sunshine seemed to bring her back into the land of the living. She wanted to get to work even though it was a Saturday. She and Gav needed to keep things rolling, especially if they were close to finding the killer—and hopefully finding Patricia alive.

Walking to the bathroom, she stepped into the steamy-hot shower with John.

Katie drove into the department parking lot feeling more positive. She sat in the car thinking about yesterday and the day before with Cisco. Now it seemed like a lifetime ago. She finally got out because she needed to make sure everything was good between her and Sean.

As Katie walked to the side entrance, she noticed a van with signage that read: “APS Electricians.” Two men were on ladders attempting to fix the outside lights. There was also a construction van for specialty building.

She entered and made her way to the forensic division as she always did. She knew John had a few things to take care of first thing, so she walked to the cold case office where the door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open and saw McGaven sitting at the table with new paperwork and his laptop.

“Hey,” she said, putting down her things.

“Hey,” he said back, but without making eye contact.

Katie knew that last night still simmered within McGaven. She glanced at the board, but she had to make things right with her partner. “Gav,” she said.

“What’s up?”

“I need to clear the air.”

“Okay.” He looked at her then, but he didn’t seem to have his usual fun spark.

“First, I want to apologize to you.”

“Katie…” he began.

“No, listen. I have been on this path of destruction when it came to catching this evil killer who dismembers women’s bodies.” She stopped and tried to remain calm and not cry. She had to come to terms with the fact that she was in a fragile state—and hated it.

“I know… this is a tough one. And I also know the scare you had with Cisco.” He smiled at her. “Know that I can never stay mad at you. I’m worried because I don’t want anything to happen to you—I would be lost.”

“I know. I feel the same way about you.”

McGaven stood up and hugged his partner. “It’s okay. We’re going to catch this guy. I got the best photo from the surveillance I could and sent it to John.”

“Good.”

“Now do your magic with the killer profile,” he said.

“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “It makes sense about Tyler.”

“What makes sense?”

“Shelby’s social media didn’t have much on it that indicated she was in a relationship with him, did it?” said Katie.

“You think he was lying to us about that?”

“Yes. I think he’s involved in these crimes, but he’s not a leader in this. He’s a minion and I think he was picked carefully.”

“By the killer?”