Page 33 of Race to Save Her

“I hear what you’re saying,” she said calmly.

McGaven moved closer to the table.

“I know my partner here looks like the scary one, but”—her voice turned harsh—“I’m the one asking the questions.” She picked up the empty chair and threw it against the wall.

The crash made everyone jump.

The correctional officer called, “Everything okay in there?”

“We’re fine,” said McGaven.

Katie banged her fists on the table. “I need a few answers from you. Understand?”

“Yeah, okay,” said Bates. He was now paying attention and followed Katie with his eyes as she moved around the room.

“You don’t seem like the type to hurt women. Am I right?”

“No, ma’am. I’ve never hurt a woman.”

“You just steal things, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I’m going to make it easy on you. We just want to know who brought those body parts.”

“I… I… really don’t know.”

“You mean to tell me that you don’t know who hid body parts in your house? Are you serious?” Katie moved around the side of the table and leaned closer to Bates. “You do realize that someone dismembered a woman’s body and then hid the parts under your floorboards.” She leaned closer. She could tell by his slight fidgeting he was scared. It wasn’t clear if it was because of the visit or the person who was responsible for the hidden limbs.

Bates shook his head.

“You do understand what dismemberment is?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s when someone takes a really sharp knife or even a saw to cut up a body.” She took a breath. “That’s what was under your living room floor. And you could be charged with dismemberment or even murder when we get to the bottom of this.”

McGaven picked up the metal chair, set it upright, and then sat down facing his partner.

“Did you cut up a woman?” Katie said.

“No, no way.”

“Well then, who did?”

“I… don’t know his name.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never met him. He gives me instructions on where to hit because he wants weapons.”

“Okay, we’re getting somewhere.” Katie smiled. “What do you call him?”

“Puzzler.”

“And how do you get your instructions from Puzzler?”

“I get notes.”