Page 48 of Race to Save Her

McGaven let out a breath as he set down a couple of bags of food and drinks. “I don’t know why we couldn’t stay and eat.”

She smiled at her partner. “Here we can work and eat at the same time.”

“Copy that.”

“So, what have we learned?” she said.

“I’m still waiting for some things to come back from forensics.”

Katie nodded.

“Partner?”

“Yeah?”

“I think it’s time you tell me what’s up with you,” he said gently.

“There’s nothing up with me.”

He huffed a laugh. “The brilliant Katie Scott… you don’t hide your feelings well. Most people may not notice, but… you and I have been through some serious stuff. I know you.”

She sighed. “I hear you, and yes…”

“Yes?” He sounded sterner now.

“Look. This case is different and kind of creepy. Why was the finger in my car? Why did Ames mock and ditch me.” She took a breath. “It’s like I’m being tested, or taunted.”

McGaven watched his partner for a moment. “If you are being tested—you’re not alone. We’ll figure this out. And we have a new detective recruit with Anderson.”

Katie forced a smile. “You’re right.” She said it to make McGaven feel better, but she wasn’t so sure. She pushed her thoughts and feelings aside and focused on the investigation.

“I’m adding to this,” she said, and reached for a marker to write on the board.

What we know:

Shelby had a boyfriend (Tyler) and a boss (Cindy), who rented an apartment to her.

A man wearing a leather jacket was seen from the coffee house watching the yoga studio.

He targeted Katie with the first dismembered appendage—finger.

Tyler said a man sometimes watched him and Shelby at the hotel—specific or random?

No indication of struggle or anything out of the ordinary at Shelby’s house. Any photos were gone.

Dismembered parts found at the home of a criminal in Rockview. Who left them there?

Katie then updated the map, adding the locations of Shelby’s house, Katie’s Jeep, the yoga studio, and the trailer in Rockview.

“All these areas have to connect. But how?”

McGaven studied the photos and maps on the wall. “It seems random.”

“It’s like a puzzle where the important main pieces haven’t been found.” She began a list of people of interest they had spoken to. “We have to look at everything. No matter how small.”

Persons of Interest:

Tyler Brandt (boyfriend)