Page 23 of Race to Save Her

“Was everything removed?”

Devlin nodded.

“Were the parts wrapped?”

“Yes, they were in heavy plastic. I saw them for only a minute before the sergeant directed everyone out, closed it off as a crime scene, and called forensics.”

Katie nodded.

“Are you looking for something specific?” said Devlin. “I know the detective sent you a preliminary report with photos.”

“Yes. Though I’m not sure what we’re looking for, to be honest. We’ve caught a couple of cases of dismembered body parts.”

“I see.” It was obvious Devlin was a bit shocked at that.

Katie leaned toward the hiding spot just beneath the living room floor. She expected to see the ground under the manufactured home—but she didn’t. It was a specifically built box under the house. She leaned down as far as she could and used the flashlight. Her view was slightly upside-down, but she could see the entire compartment. The cadaver odor was still strong, which seemed strange given the discovery was made a couple of months ago.

“Anything?” said McGaven, who was now standing near his partner. It was instinctual to be close in case of something going wrong.

“Not really, but the compartment doesn’t look like it goes anywhere,” she said. Katie sat up, waiting a moment until a slight dizziness subsided. The stench still lingered. “It looks like there’s something in the kitchen area.”

McGaven and Devlin remained quiet, watching Katie move to the kitchen. She began opening cupboards, both high and low. She stood, deep in thought, trying to figure out where the stink was coming from.

Devlin was about to say something, but McGaven stopped him.

Katie then went to the sink area, which seemed bigger than what a trailer this size would have. She bent down and opened the cupboard doors, revealing the typical snake-like under-sink plumbing, an old sponge, and a bottle of cleaner. She looked farther to the back and noticed a board on the wall that appeared new.

Katie glanced back at her partner and Devlin, then used all her strength to pry the piece away and pull it out. “This has been recently added,” she said to the men.

She then pushed herself farther under the sink—a tight fit, but the odor was growing stronger. Turning on the flashlight, she swept the beam around a large hidden area at the back wall where a pink towel was wrapped around something solid. She stretched as far as she could until her gloved fingertips touched the towel. Gripping it tightly, she pulled the bundle into the kitchen where she dropped it on the floor.

Everyone stared at it. The bundle was narrow and about two and half feet long. She looked at the men watching. No one wanted to say a word.

Katie took a breath and began carefully unwrapping the roll. There was a slight crackling sound as if some kind of bubble wrap had been used, but she was able to open one end.

She stood, unable to tear her eyes away from the spectacle.

All three police officers stared at the human arm and its hand. The dismemberment was exactly like the others.

SIXTEEN

Monday 1600 hours

Katie and McGaven waited in the front yard as CSI and the medical examiner’s office from Rockview Police Department processed the scene.

“Did not see that one coming,” said McGaven.

“I couldn’t get past the stench. I knew there had to be something,” Katie said.

“The nose knows…” McGaven tried to lighten the mood.

Devlin came out of the house and jogged down the stairs to meet the detectives.

“That hand wasn’t in the house two months ago. It would have been more decomposed,” said Katie.

“You’re right. The ME thinks it’s been there about one to two days at most,” said Devlin.

“It appears this is most likely connected to our investigation,” Katie said. “Would it be possible to receive a copy of the report for the previously dismembered limbs as well as this one?”