Katie was annoyed as well as confused. This wasn’t how it was supposed to work. She glanced at her partner and he seemed to be uncomfortable as well.
Katie looked at the video of the house in Raven Woods and realized it was live. “You knew we were there,” she said and gestured to the computer screen. “You lured us to the house where we could have died from gas inhalation.”
“No, that’s not true. I knew you would go there, but I knew nothing about the gas. I swear.”
“Show us the footage of when we were there,” she demanded. “Now.”
Cisco moved to Katie’s side, sensing her mood change.
“Fine. You’re not going to see anything that’s useful or identifiable.” He keyed up a few coordinates and found the correct section of the recording. They watched a person in a hooded sweatshirt approach the house, keeping their face away from the camera. It was unclear if the person continued onto the property or not.
“I had no way of knowing that this person would release gas into the house. It wasn’t until later when I saw the firefighters and ambulances that I knew something was wrong. There was nothing that I could do. We’d put the camera there to protect the area and just in case the killer came back.”
Katie watched the video again and it was true that the person was not identifiable. She turned away from the computer and took a closer look at the three homicides depicted so carefully on the wall. Looking at the faces of the people of interest, she noticed that some of them were in military clothing. Then she saw the close-up photos of her that must have been taken at her home and on her running trail.
“You’ve been following me for a while,” she said, holding her anger in but feeling the creepiness of the entire situation.
“Like I explained, I had to be sure.”
“To make sure that I could be trusted? Really?”
“I don’t recall ever reading anything about stalking a fellow officer being a recognized job interview tactic,” chimed McGaven.
“Look,” said Campbell. “I understand how you both feel. But, I now know more than ever that you both are the perfect detectives for the job.”
“Your flattery is a little too late,” said Katie, as she made to leave.
“Wait,” the agent said and gently took hold of her arm.
Cisco growled.
“It’s okay,” she said to the dog.
Katie and McGaven headed to the door.
“There’s more to the investigations that you don’t know. At least, not yet.”
Katie sighed as her patience waned. “What is it?”
Campbell leaned against the desk. “Hear me out.”
Katie waited.
“We have been able to find a link between all the victims. It was actually accidental and one of the junior detectives stumbled on it. It seems that all three victims were in the military for a short time. Even though they were all different ages, they have one thing in common.”
“Being a homicide victim.” Katie didn’t hide her cynicism.
Campbell ignored her crass comment. “No, they were all part of the K9 military training program.” He gestured to Cisco. “There were a total of eight women in the program.”
“Are you sure?” she said slowly. Feeling a rush of heat and a slight prickle up her arms and down her spine, she steadied herself. She had never thought she would have something in common with a homicide victim, much less these three victims. It changed her outlook and now she wanted to solve the crimes more than ever.
“Positive.”
Katie paused, looking back at the crime scene photographs.
“Were they all handlers?”
“Two were handlers like you—Nancy Day and Gwen Sanderson. Jeanine Trenton was a kennel manager and dog trainer.”
Katie moved closer to the wall and took a longer look at everything. “So the military is the common thread?”
“That was one of the reasons why I thought you would be the perfect person to work these cases—with your military background in the same area as these women. Not to mention your success rate of cold cases.”
“We didn’t see any of this information in the boxes.”
“No,” he said and walked over to a desk, where he retrieved a flash drive. “Here. Everything we have is on there.”
“Not in the boxes?”
“Just in case some paperwork gets misfiled.”
Katie turned to McGaven who had been riveted to the new information just as much as she was. She gave him the look—he knew what she was asking and nodded in agreement.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” she said.
Campbell hesitated.
“These cases are about a year apart. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“So that would mean this last case here in Pine Valley at the fairgrounds is on schedule?”
“Detective, you are very astute. That’s why it’s been important to have another set of eyes on these cases.”
“While we wait for forensics and an ID to come in, we would need to re-examine everything on the Jeanine Trenton case—the autopsy, forensics, and reports. Everything. No restrictions.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t expect any less. In fact, I look forward to your assessments.”
“Is everything about the victims’ experiences with military K9 on this flash drive?” she asked. “I know the training facility here in California. Get us the clearance and information we need about the victims so we can talk to them.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“No. That’s not good enough.” She glanced at McGaven, who she knew was on the same page as her. “Get us access and clearance to speak with the master trainer and the commanding officer.” She walked up to the photos of each woman and studied them again. It struck her with angst that she had something of significance in common with them. Emotions were stirred up inside her about these cases and, sensing her anxiety, Cisco stepped up closer to her.
“I’ll make some calls, ask some favors, and get back to you before tomorrow,” he said. His expression changed a bit, showing more respect, as he watched Katie.
Katie looked to McGaven, the investigative wall, and then back to Campbell. “We’re in.”
Chapter Eleven
Wednesday 0900 hours
Once Katie arrived at work, she had a new perspective on the cases they were working. She had received text messages from Dr. Dean and John in forensics—both saying their reports were still delayed a bit due to the backlog. Statements and evidence were swimming through her mind and she needed to take a break. That was okay; for now, she wanted to take another look at the fairgrounds during the daytime and bring Cisco to run some track searches.
McGaven and John approached Katie.
“I just received the entire list of employees and any other person who had worked at the fairgrounds for the past five years and a list of employees at the Community Health Alliance. It’s going to be a day of fun background checks.”
“Wow, you’ve got the rest of your day cut out for you. I want to go back to the Sequoia County Fairgrounds and run some tracks with Cisco.” She turned to John. “Would it be possible to get a small piece of the victim’s clothing so that I can use it for scent work?”
McGaven walked to the office, opening the door. “Let me know if you need me.” He smiled and went inside.
“Sure. I have the key to get in to the fairgrounds, too.” John smiled. “I was going to run out to the county office and return it, but I could be persuaded to give it to you. Under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“If I could tag along. You might need some documentation and it would be wise to get some overall shots during the daylight.”
“What about the samples you’re running and call-backs?”
“Rob is on top of it. I was going to run the errand to bring the keys back anyway. They also assured me that no one would be there—no security guards until this evening. There aren’t any events schedule
d until next month.”
“Cisco and I would love the company.”
After Katie picked up Cisco at the police kennels, they set off to the fairgrounds.
“So, what’s the story with Lizzy?” he asked abruptly.
“Oh no, I don’t have these conversations. If you want to know something about her, then ask her. I thought you two were dating?”
“We’ve been out for drinks a couple of times.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“She doesn’t live here. She has a new job in Monterey, which is about five or six hours away. I’ve been in a long-distance relationship before and it doesn’t turn out well,” he said, looking out the side window.
Cisco stuck his big head out the back window so the wind could whip through his fur.
It was the first time that John had told her something private. She didn’t know quite how to respond. “As long as you go in with your eyes open.”
“Relationships are difficult enough without five hundred miles between you.”
“Have you talked to Lizzy about this?”
“No. I get the feeling that she’s looking forward to her new life on the coast.”
“Of course, but…”
“Maybe it’s best for us to just be friends. You never know who you’re going to meet around the next corner.” He watched Katie closely.
“True. But I think being open and honest is the best way to go, no matter where it takes you.”
“Katie?”
She turned to look at John.
“Everything okay? I may be out of line here, but it seems that something is troubling you.”
“You know, it’s these damn cases. It’s been extra stressful with the states cases and then two in our jurisdiction. It’s quite a balancing act.”
He nodded. It was clear that he knew something was up, but he was patient and wouldn’t push his friend.
Katie pulled into the west entrance once again and was amazed how much less threatening it felt than it had yesterday. The fences, the livestock areas, and the carnival rides seemed old and outdated, as if they were long forgotten from another time.
John jumped out and unlocked the double padlocks, opening the large gate. Katie drove inside and he closed the gate behind them.
Cisco whined and ran back and forth across the backseat.
“Take it easy, Cisco,” she said. “Soon, I promise.”
John got back in. “Where did you want to go?”
“I know that there were quite a few sets of footprints around the livestock area and the perimeter, but I want Cisco to start a search where the body was, or ended up at, and work backwards, hopefully finding out how the killer entered and where they went.”
“Sounds good.”
“Finding a murder weapon would be nice,” she said with skepticism.
John nodded in agreement.
Parking the Jeep near the fence area, Katie got out with a rolled-up map in her hands and examined it to get an overview. She wouldn’t let Cisco out until she had a feel for the area; the wind speed, sounds, and any potential distractions.
John maintained a respectful silence while Katie worked, letting her get on with her job. It helped that he was also a veteran and was a Navy Seal; they had a mutual understanding of their experiences and skills.
Katie stood still for a minute, closing her eyes, to get a feel. She could hear traffic in the distance, some birds chirping in a nearby tree, a soft scraping sound that reminded her of a rusted metal sign swinging in the wind, and she could feel the breeze on her face.
She walked back to the front of the Jeep and unrolled the map of the Sequoia County Fairgrounds. “Okay,” she said. “There are four major entrances and exits at each corner: north, south, east, and west where we entered. I noticed that there had been some recent construction, but I didn’t see it yesterday.”
“You’re looking for where the killer entered.”
“Yes.”
“It would have to be by a car or truck,” he said, scanning the map.
“But I’m not sure that they drove all the way to the Ferris wheel.”
“Most people couldn’t carry a body very far.”
“But they could have forced the victim to walk to the Ferris wheel and get in a car. That was where she bled out.”
John nodded and studied the sections of the map. “There are some emergency exits near the food areas.”
“I noticed that. I know it’s a big area, but it’s really no different than searching in the woods.”
“The search teams have been all over— won’t that be a problem? And the night security guard, but he keeps to these areas, except when he does the rounds every hour or so.” John pointed to an employee rest area near the restrooms.
“The scent should still be fresh enough, I hope, to stand out above the rest. What time does the guard come on?” she asked.
“Four to midnight.”
“He leaves after midnight and no one is here after that?”
“Yep.”
“The killer had to be here after midnight and then leave by 1:30 a.m.”
“Seems reasonable.”
“The victim had been dead for only about an hour or two before the first deputy arrived. I’m guessing, of course, but Dr. Dean will be able to pinpoint the time of death.”
“I would agree with that. Rigor hadn’t set in yet.”
Katie rolled up the map and stashed it inside the car. “Okay, did you bring the piece of clothing?”
“Yep,” he said reaching inside the car and retrieving a tube with ends that opened to let the victim’s scent release from an item of their clothing without it being touched.
“I didn’t want you to compromise the evidence, but I need it to give Cisco a scent. And then, of course, it goes into a doggie olfactory sensory computer and hopefully we’ll learn something new.”
John laughed. “I love that—doggie computer olfactory sensory neurons.”
“Yep, I’ve coined that and you heard it here first.”
Katie opened the back door and Cisco jumped out, wagging his tail and making his usual circles around them. She reached into the car to retrieve a long leash.
“You leash him?”
“Not always, but here I need to slow him down because of the cement, blacktop, metal on the rides, and the eateries. There’s a lot of man-made stuff around, and it’s not like it is in the forest.”
“Interesting.”
“There’s not much wind today, so that’s good. Just stay behind me, but you can fan out left or right.”
“I want to video, is that okay?” he said readying the digital video recorder.
“Sure, anything that might help with the case if Cisco finds something. Just so you know, Cisco will passive alert, meaning he will become agitated but will sit as the signal.”
Katie took the heavy-duty tube and began playing with Cisco, so he could get a good scent from the T-shirt the victim had been wearing. She ran with the jet-black dog, waving the tube so the scent wafted into the air, and ultimately in his senses.
“Okay,” she said and handed the tube back to John.
After attaching the leash to Cisco, Katie led him to the Ferris wheel next to the car. There was still some crime scene tape and the blood had dried on the ground. Katie wrinkled her nose, remembering how it had soaked her trouser leg.
“Cisco such,” Katie commanded—the German word for ‘seek’, pronounced ‘suuk’.
Immediately, the dog began to sniff the area all around the Ferris wheel car. Katie let out a few more feet of the leash. Cisco moved in a zone pattern, taking in the scent. He clearly got the scent and after less than a minute he sat, giving two quick barks.
“Good boy. Now such,” she said again, gently pulling on the leash.
This time Cisco’s nose was in the air as he moved toward the left then, dropping his nose to the ground, tail down, he weaved back and forth until he picked up the scent and speeded up.
&n
bsp; Katie knew that he was on to something and hoped that it wasn’t some type of rodent. Every handler had those thoughts, but the dog knew exactly what he was doing. She saw John in her peripheral vision as he followed in the least unobtrusive way, recording the track.
Cisco led them to the east area at the entrance and spent some time there, but didn’t alert. He then moved at a fairly brisk pace, making Katie run to keep up. They went around two food stands and crossed in a straight diagonal line to the livestock area. The dog hesitated around some wooden troughs and Katie thought he had lost the track, but then he picked the scent up again. His energy perked as he moved faster to get to the end.
Katie repeated her search command again to keep Cisco engaged and moving forward. Cisco went up one row and then down another, never veering from the straight lines. He ended up at the area where the ring hanging from a ribbon had been found. Cisco sat waiting.
“Good boy,” she praised. Turning to John, “He led us up to where the ring was located. Back near the food areas, he seemed to get confused, but he was getting cross scents. It means that the scent went back and forth.”
“That was amazing.”
“It does mean something important. It further proves that the killer and the victim walked in here and she was killed on the ride. Otherwise we would see blood in other places and we haven’t, with the exception of the bloody footprints.” She unhooked Cisco and he ran around in glee.
Katie and John walked back to the Jeep where Katie drew Cisco’s track on the map. It became clear what the victim’s last minutes were.
“Wow,” said John. “That tells the story.”
“Part of it, anyway. Not who the killer is…” Katie had a thought. “Do you have another fifteen minutes?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Let’s take the killer’s route and I want to have a look at the area under construction. Some of the rides are being updated as well.” Looking for Cisco, she saw him sniffing areas around the chain-link fencing. “C’mon, Cisco.” The dog looked up and happily followed them.
Katie and John took the walk from the eastern entrance, which led to the Ferris wheel. Then they followed the route from the ride around the eateries and to the livestock area where the ring was found.
Pretty Broken Dolls: An absolutely gripping crime thriller packed with mystery and suspense (Detective Katie Scott Book 6) Page 7