Her Last Whisper: An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller (Detective Katie Scott Book 2)

by Jennifer Chase

  The truth.

  Bobby Sykes sat in the chair across from the detectives. His nerves were obvious as he moved his right leg in a jangled tapping motion. He was slight in build and looked athletic, like he could run fast and ride a mountain bike. His sandy hair was almost shoulder length and he pushed it out of his face out of habit—and uneasiness.

  “Mr. Robert Sykes,” Katie began. “Bobby?”

  “Why am I here?” he asked, his voice a bit shaky.

  “Do I look stupid to you?” she said.

  “What?”

  “Answer the question.” McGaven ordered.

  “Do you look stupid? No. Why are you asking that?”

  Katie thought she’d jump right in. She tossed the steno pad and pen onto the table. “Write your name and where you live and work.”

  Robert Sykes did as he was told without complaining. He picked up the pen with his right hand and began to write.

  Katie looked at her device and pulled up a copy of the three notes left for her. She watched with interest as Sykes finished his writing assignment.

  McGaven picked up the notepad and he turned to show it to Katie. His expression revealed what she had hoped.

  She compared the handwriting and stared at Sykes. “Would you mind explaining this?” She turned the notepad and device so that he could see them both—it was obvious that the writing was from the same person.

  “I… don’t…”

  “You can do better than that,” she said. “Explain this to me.”

  “Okay, fine. I wrote those notes,” he blurted out. His attitude changed from the weak and unsure man to a guy with an attitude. “There’s no law against it. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “Why are you writing these notes and leaving them for me?”

  “Just insight.”

  “Insight? You want to go to jail?” she pressed.

  He leaned forward and spat out, “For what?”

  “Homicide. Kidnapping. Terrorist threats. Breaking into a police officer’s car. You want me to go on?”

  “No way! I didn’t kill anybody. You’re nuts.” He slammed his fists on the table and pushed his chair back. “I was trying to help you. Is this what I get for trying to help?”

  “Where were you when Amanda Payton was murdered?”

  “I was working a twelve-hour shift—and I never left the hospital. You can call my supervisor.”

  Katie waited a few moments to let Sykes settle down. “Why were you trying to help me?” she said in a less aggressive tone.

  “I’ve watched you.”

  The thought chilled Katie. It was the way he’d said it. “And?”

  “Man, you cops are dense sometimes. I’ve seen things.”

  McGaven interjected, “If you’ve seen things, then why the cryptic notes? Just come in and talk to us.”

  Sykes looked at Katie and then McGaven, and then back to Katie again. “I didn’t want anyone to know.”

  “You mean at the hospital?” she said.

  “Yeah. I need that job. Pay’s crappy but the benefits are good.”

  Katie lightened up and said, “You know something, then spit it out.”

  He hesitated, looking away. His leg tapped faster. He finally said, “There’s some weird stuff going on there, you know?”

  “Like what?”

  “It’s stuff. Weird stuff. Like she was being harassed.”

  “You mean Amanda Payton?”

  “Yeah. I guess she was dating several guys, you know.”

  “Who?” Katie asked.

  “The doctor, Jamison, and that creepy guy in the morgue.”

  “Okay. What makes you think that she was being harassed?”

  “Talk. Nurses talk all the time about shit. Mostly gossip, but people air their grievances. I’m cleaning and mopping floors after blood has been spilled all over an operating room. No one pays any attention to me. It’s like I’m not there. I’m totally invisible. But they talk… believe me…”

  Katie remained quiet and gave him the look, raising her eyebrows to continue.

  “She was talking to a couple other nurses, or nurse’s aides, and told them that she had been followed and she felt paranoid and scared. Like someone was going to get her. She looked like she was going to jump out of her skin half the time.”

  “When was this?” she said.

  “It started over a year ago.”

  “What do you know about the abandoned houses at the Basin Woods Development?”

  “Nothing.”

  “What do you mean nothing? You were there. You were lucky that my dog didn’t catch you and take you down.”

  “I followed you. It’s not that hard, you know.”

  “What do you know about the Basin Woods Development?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Now,” she said leaning forward. “I know you’ve had some involvement with the development. We know. Why don’t you tell us?”

  He clenched his jaw tight fighting to give any information. “I worked with a demolition crew a few years back. We were hired by the original development company to tear out certain things from the houses.”

  “Like what?” she pressed.

  “There were some problems with the wiring in the kitchen and laundry areas. Me and a bunch of guys were hired temporarily to do the job.”

  “Why?”

  “There were some lawsuits and stuff with the state—I don’t know all—but I did the job and moved on, finally getting the gig at the hospital.”

  Katie studied him, not sure if he was telling the truth. It was too convenient.

  “I’m telling you the truth,” he snapped.

  “How do you know Madeline Thomas?”

  “Who? I don’t know her. Whoever told you I did is lying.”

  “Calm down.”

  “I don’t know anything…” He looked away.

  “Do you know Tess Regan?”

  “No. I told you I don’t know who those people are!”

  “Are you working with the killer? Are you willing to be an accomplice? Just throw your life away.”

  “It’s…”

  “What, Bobby?”

  “There’s just something weird going on at the hospital… I think whoever killed Amanda is watching me too.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean? I’m the guy no one ever notices, so people talk about stuff. I’m all over that hospital. There’s someone watching everyone, even me.”

  “You think the person who killed Amanda is at the hospital?” she pushed.

  He nodded.

  “What else, Bobby?”

  “I’ve found weird things, symbols and sayings. Things where they shouldn’t be.”

  “Where?”

  “Around. I saw some weird stuff written in blood on the floor in one of the operating rooms, and then another time an ‘X’ written in some heavy marker on my locker. Like I said, weird stuff I can’t explain.”

  “Why would you make this stuff up?”

  “I told you—I’m not making anything up! There’s something going on.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  Bobby looked away but he became agitated, holding his frustration back—his fists clenched.

  “What else?”

  He shook his head.

  “What else are you not telling me?”

  He pushed his chair back as far as he could and crossed his arms.

  “What else!” Katie stood up and leaned across the table. “Tell us!”

  “I…”

  “What?”

  “I… think I’m going to be next.”

  “What do you mean?” she said.

  “Killed. I think I’m going to be next.”

  Fifty-Six

  Monday 2015 hours

  Katie was already beat and it was only Monday. Every waking moment she stressed over the investigation—with thoughts that another woman might be the next homicide victim. Her anxiety constantly tried to beat her down and take
her out of the game, but the overlapping adrenalin pump with each new lead and bit of evidence kept her going. She tried to stay one step in front of it during the day, but sometimes at night, when her strength and wherewithal were sapped, she couldn’t hold up a strong front anymore.

  She curled herself into a fetal position on the couch as her senses assailed her with flashbacks from the battlefield. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, Cisco snug at her side, waiting for her to get through the next shock.

  Crawling on her stomach keeping her head down, she moved through the heavy dust cloud on her elbows and knees. She felt the heat of Cisco’s body crawling next to her. He stayed next to her torso. She felt his heart beating—rapidly. She knew that the old building ahead was shelter but there were rocks and pieces of cement she had to navigate around without blowing her cover—bruising and scraping her arms, legs, and face. Cisco made these detours with ease as he waited every few feet for her to catch up. Shouts broke out all around her. Smoke obscured her vision. Katie couldn’t see her team but knew that a few were following her. She thought she could hear Nick shouting orders to move somewhere ahead but wasn’t sure. Her ears buzzed. She tried to speak but her mouth was strangely wet.

  Finally the dust cloud cleared and she saw an entrance. She heard Nick’s voice, “Move, move, move!” So she moved faster. Crawling over a threshold, she entered a safe haven out of direct exposure. Cisco pushed his way in and sat next to her thrusting his wet nose against her face. He began to lick her. She looked at him and realized he was bleeding, but upon closer inspection, the blood was coming from her mouth and face, dripping on the dog. Katie looked down at the front of her heavy uniform and saw that it was dark red, soaked with fresh blood. To Katie’s horror, it wasn’t hers or Cisco’s blood, it was a soldier in her platoon. Her friend Jack, funny, strong, had lost his life. Katie was now saturated in his blood—alive because of him. A joy and burden she would carry close to her heart for the rest of her life.

  Katie opened her eyes through the streams of tears, her arms wrapped around her torso. Her body trembled as she let the surges of grief and fear take over her. She thought that she could see that same cloud of dust swirling in her living room, but it was only her imagination. Cisco remained close, keeping his keen attention on her—comforting her the best way he could until the episode ended.

  Worn out. Feeling lost. Alone. She had new burdens to bear and she didn’t want to lose someone else on her watch. She stood up, gathering her emotions as best she could and burying them until she was forced to release them again. She made it to the shower and turned it up as high as it would go, the cascading water punishing her and cleansing her in equal measure. She imagined her memory disappearing down the drain and felt a little better.

  In yoga pants and a loose sweatshirt Katie did some stretches and tried to just breathe and relax. Cisco had decided that the day was over and climbed into her bed—his curled-up body pressed up close to Katie’s pillows. She didn’t have the heart to move him.

  She breezed through the house restoring order and picking up anything that was out of place, just in time to see headlights approaching up the driveway. Cisco barked and scurried across the hardwood floors, taking a tight corner sliding into the living room, and then stood strong at the front door.

  Katie opened the front door and Cisco shot out to greet Chad. “You’re such a good boy. A handsome boy,” he cooed several times, leaning down to pet the dog.

  He walked up to Katie and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “It’s nice to see you.” He studied her and by his expression he knew that she was hurting.

  “You too. I’m sorry we haven’t gotten together sooner.” She waited until Cisco followed Chad inside before closing the front door. In truth, she had forgotten about Chad coming over.

  “It’s okay, I’ve been settling into those twelve-hour shifts at the fire house. They are brutal and take some time to get used to.”

  “Do you just love it?” she asked.

  “You know, I absolutely do love it. It’s been my dream job since I was a kid.”

  “Are they hazing you yet?” She forced a laugh, trying to keep her full attention on Chad and not her own problems.

  “No. And don’t give them any ideas.”

  “It’s coming… watch your back. I know how cops are and firefighters can be just as bad.”

  “I’m watching my back now. You’ve got me scared!”

  Cisco ran around the room after drinking water and decided he wanted to stand on the couch looking from Katie to Chad, and back to Katie again.

  “Off, Cisco,” she said. “He was sound asleep before you got here.”

  “You hungry?”

  “I’ve missed a few meals because of this case—actually, cases. And yeah, I am hungry.”

  “Let’s see what you got.” He headed into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and checking out what was in the cupboards.

  Katie watched him with interest as she sat on the counter stool. “Verdict?”

  “Not as bad as I initially thought. What sounds good? Let’s see… leftover pasta, some kind of veggie dish, eggs, or comfort food like….”

  “Pancakes?”

  He turned around and his expression reminded Katie of when they were kids—eager and wanting to get into some trouble. “I think we have a winner. And that is one thing I definitely know how to make.”

  “My kitchen is all yours.”

  Cisco padded around the kitchen as if he wanted to make sure he wasn’t forgotten.

  “What you think, Cisco?” he asked and received a combination grumble whine. “I agree.”

  For the next fifteen minutes, Chad managed to dirty more dishes than necessary to create a bowl of pancake batter.

  Katie laughed quite a few times and actually didn’t think about the case, allowing her body and mind to begin to re-energize. She realized, watching Chad fumble once or twice in the kitchen, giggling in the process, that she had missed him much more than she realized. She thought that some things in life are experiences that are a part of life’s history, but when those people in the past are back in your life and you cannot imagine ever being without them again—cherish every moment.

  Before she knew it, they were both enjoying pancakes with heated syrup.

  “Oh my…” Katie managed to say, “this is the best ever,” and she stuffed another forkful into her mouth. “You need to make these for the guys at the firehouse.”

  “It’s a thought. We have an awesome cook right now. It’s one of those great perks. I’ve never seen so many excited guys looking at the menu for the week before.”

  “I’m glad that you’re enjoying the job. It sounds like it was worth waiting for.”

  He nodded. “The best things are.” He stared at her.

  Katie didn’t know what to say and it was an awkward moment. They didn’t speak about Nick or the other night. Her heart felt a tugging, but she wasn’t sure how to respond. She wondered if it was because of her experiences and being a cop had jaded her somehow. But she didn’t want to lose a great thing—maybe even the best thing to ever happen to her. She wanted to spend as much time with Chad as possible.

  “You know what would make this perfect?” Chad finally blurted out.

  “What?” she said.

  “Bacon. And more pancakes.”

  “I’m totally in.”

  Fifty-Seven

  Tuesday 1345 hours

  After spending most of the day doing background checks on hospital employees and waiting for anything else to materialize from forensics, Katie was going stir-crazy.

  “That’s it, I’m done with this for the day,” she announced. “I’m not getting anywhere.” Her eyes were tired but she still had quite a bit of excess energy. She was itching to get out.

  “What?” said McGaven, looking up from the lengthy list he was working on. Sticky notes and pieces of paper with his small handwriting were stuck all over his desk.

  “I’m so disappointed
that the search warrant we served for Sykes turned up absolutely nothing… nothing… I still can’t believe it.”

  “He’s not out of the loop yet.”

  “I know… I need to do something more. I can’t look at these useless background checks anymore.”

  “I second that,” he said.

  “Wait a minute.” Katie began searching furiously through paperwork.

  “What are you doing?”

  She sorted through two stacks of papers until she found it. “Okay, I need the aerial view.” She searched until she found it.

  McGaven watched her with curiosity.

  “I had almost forgotten all about this.” She put the pieces of paper on her desk side by side.

  “What is it?”

  “This was the original architectural drawing of the houses in what is now called the Basin Woods Development. I’m trying to find the house where Amanda said she was held captive on here. Where I didn’t find anything, but…”

  McGaven helped her move the maps, smoothing out the corners.

  Katie studied the neighborhood, streets, and zeroed in on an area where she had previously searched for the house based on Amanda’s description. Looking back and forth from the plans, she exclaimed, “There’s the house.” She referred to the floor plan with the two bedrooms. “Wait. See, these bedrooms aren’t situated like that. There’s a portion missing in the structure—at a weird angle. Why would they cut the plan like that?”

  “That could’ve been changed due to budget, or whatever.”

  “True.”

  “We need to start at the beginning—where everything started.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Road trip,” she said.

  “Let’s go.”

  “Everything for these cases is simmering right now. We need more…”

  “Let’s go then.”

  “Can we pick up Cisco?”

  Katie laughed, knowing the dog would love the company. “Sure, it’s on the way.”