Page 115 of Race to Save Her

Then she had a thought and looked up. There was access to the barn roof. She would have to climb up there, but it was the only way to get out. Patricia would have to stay. Katie knew help was coming. They just had to hang on.

Going back to Patricia, Katie said, “The only way out is through the roof. I’m going to climb out of here to get help, but you’re going to have to stay until the police can come and break the door in.”

The woman immediately clung to Katie, obviously traumatized by her horrendous experience. She began to shake.

“You’re going to be fine. I’ll be back for you.” Katie held the woman a little bit longer.

She went to the closet once again and made room for Patricia to sit down and hide. Then she led the woman there.

“Stay here until you hear the police, okay?”

“Yes.” Patricia nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

Katie could hardly move her gaze from the terrified woman. What she had endured Katie couldn’t imagine.

She would climb the ventilation system that had been used to control the temperature and humidity in the barn. Katie ascended awkwardly, falling several times until she got her footing and handholds down. She went up almost ten feet to the roof hatch, still carrying the gun in her waistband. It felt higher than ten feet, but she sucked up her uneasiness and pulled herself up to the hatch. She had to release the latches, which took a bit of effort, but eventually Katie was on the roof.

Catching her breath, she stayed low on her belly, not knowing where the killer was. His truck was still there, which seemed strange. Why hadn’t he fled?

As she lay on the metal roof, a flash in the distance caught Katie’s eye. To her relief, she saw vehicle lights approaching—dozens of headlights. Backup was almost there.

SIXTY-EIGHT

Wednesday 0115 hours

Immense relief flooded through Katie’s body as she lay on the roof watching help arrive. The headlights sliced through the darkness like a beacon of the best kind of rescue. She breathed a sigh of relief and took a couple of moments to focus on what needed to be done.

Katie managed to find a way to shimmy down the drainpipe. She saw the killer’s truck and took the appropriate measures to make sure everything was safe. She ran to the headlights to head them off, just in case they were under scrutiny and then targeted by the killer. He was most likely gone by another means of transportation. Everything Katie had seen had shown his ability to plan and then execute.

The succession of cars lit up the night. Red and blue lights flashed to show their strength and unity. No one was going to be left behind.

The first vehicle to reach Katie was McGaven’s truck. Both her partner and John jumped out to greet her.

John hugged her tight and whispered in her ear, “You’re okay.”

She could feel his heartbeat.

“What happened?” said McGaven. “What happened to you?” He regarded her appearance; all the dirt and mud. He gave her a weapon.

Katie sighed with relief. “It’s a long story, but I’m okay.”

“Where’s Chris?”

“He’s in a bunker. The killer tasered us—basically left us to die.”

The sheriff and several police officers arrived on scene. Katie explained everything that had happened to her and Chris, and about Patricia being found.

“All right, I want everyone to search this entire property,” said the sheriff. “The killer might still be here, so be vigilant and go in a two-man formation. His name is Cole Dillon—consider him armed and extremely dangerous.”

“You’ll have to break down the door at the barn to gain access,” Katie told them. “And that big door there is where Chris is. Be careful, he’s injured.”

“Let’s get some tools and break down these doors,” said Sheriff Scott. “Put up lights.”

Katie took a breath and stayed to the side, letting everyone do their work. Her exhaustion was gaining momentum. Soon there were sounds of heavy tools pounding on the doors.

She looked into the truck’s interior and saw the suitcases were still there. How would the killer have escaped? Maybe there had been another vehicle around back? Katie didn’t see anything to suggest that. Thinking back to the murder board, she considered how his desire to have extreme control over others was his way of keeping his own control. He was thorough, almost clinical about it. This meant he wouldn’t leave any loose ends.

Katie watched two officers trying to open the door where she and Chris had been left. She thought more about the way the killer had left her notes to let her know he could get to her anytime—and how he looked forward to it.