Page 104 of Race to Save Her

“It was in Deputy Young’s cruiser.”

“Katie, we need to double down now with your safety,” said McGaven.

“I appreciate what you’re both saying, but we’ve been down this road before. It’s the work we do. It’s the killers we chase…”

“This feels different,” said John.

“I agree,” said McGaven.

Katie had to admit it did make her uneasy.

“When the sheriff hears about this note, you know what he’s going to say,” said McGaven.

Katie shook her head. “No. I’m not going to quit this case. We’re too close. There’s a woman’s life on the line.”

“And so is yours,” said John softly.

Katie wasn’t going to stop. She went over to the first computer and saw the hardware that had been used to attach Shelby to the tree. She quickly changed the subject. “Did you find out what this is?”

“I know what you’re doing. We’re not done with this yet,” said McGaven.

Katie appreciated both John and McGaven caring about her safety, but she was going to ignore them both. “Anything?” she persisted.

John sighed and joined her. “It’s a specialized type of fastener used in the manufacture and construction of modular homes, barns, and specialized boxes.”

“Specialized boxes?” she said.

“There were two used on the secret storage compartment under Bates’s place. I read it in the report.”

“So the killer uses these types of specialized hardware pieces…” Katie worked out scenarios in her mind. “And obviously feels comfortable using them or didn’t think anything of using them.”

“We can try to trace them to where he buys them,” said McGaven.

“I tried,” said John. “He had to have bought them online or through a construction catalog where there’s tons of different hardware. It would be a needle in a haystack.”

“And we don’t have the time to search for needles with Patricia still missing,” Katie said. “We already have our work cut out for us. Thank you, John.” Katie couldn’t look directly into his eyes or watch his handsome face look back at her with worry. It was too painful.

The detectives needed to finish what they had already set in motion. There were two properties owned by Martin Sills they still needed to search. Katie was hoping the killer would know they were going to be there, so they could stop him before another woman was abducted—and before Patricia would be killed and her body dumped somewhere.

SIXTY-ONE

Tuesday 1115 hours

“I can’t believe I’m saying this… but I want to stop for burritos for lunch,” said McGaven.

Katie wrinkled her nose at the thought of burritos in the medical examiner’s office. “Let’s think about it.”

“Oh, man,” he joked.

They walked through the main area of the cold, uninviting office, the floors literally squeaky clean, and the ammonia cleaning smell lingering. The detectives were heading toward Dr. Dean’s office but were called to an examination room.

“Detectives,” said Dr. Dean.

Katie and McGaven walked into the exam area. There were glass jars holding human organs. The instruments used in autopsies were on a tray table where blood could still be seen. Katie did everything to not fixate on these items. She looked at her partner instead, who remained calm and seemed to be attentive to what Dr. Dean had to say.

Tyler’s body was on the examination table without a sheet covering him. After he had been cleaned up, it was easy to see the distinct stab wounds on his stomach and neck. The killer had been precise and savage.

“As you can see, it was a sharp-force trauma with a knife or similar device—total of eight wounds. The penetration was a good five inches and the location of each wound proved they were quick and violent.” He pointed to two wounds. “These would cause massive hemorrhaging resulting in death within minutes.”