Page 55 of Race to Save Her

“Gav?” she said.

McGaven moved closer to see what she was looking at. “What is that? Some massive staple or blade of some kind?”

“Where’s the blood? There should be some blood on the tree or ground.”

“Her face seems strange too,” he said.

Katie looked closer and saw something small between Shelby’s lips. She gently parted her mouth and saw what appeared to be a piece of paper. Pulling it out, she carefully unfolded it to see a written message.

Katie, when do we meet?

Katie gasped and showed it to McGaven.

“What the hell?” he looked around to see if they were being watched.

Katie looked into Shelby’s eyes staring off into the forest, sitting as if she were going to have tea.

The killer was taunting her.

THIRTY-TWO

Thursday 0830 hours

Katie walked the perimeter of the crime scene. She tried to shake off the disturbing image of Shelby and the note left behind for her. She searched for anything that might indicate how the killer accessed the area and was able to pose Shelby as they had.

“I have John taking close photographs of whatever is holding her to the tree, as well as the note,” said McGaven. He waited a moment. “Katie?”

“I’m just digesting everything,” she said.

“It’s one for the books.”

“To say the least.”

“Have you found anything?”

“Negative.”

“Did the killer wade across the drainage ditch carrying a body?” said McGaven.

“Unless a drone flew her in.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” he said with a chuckle. “I know you’re freaked out, partner. The note was extra creepy.”

“I’m not freaked out. I just have to be ready.”

“For what?”

Katie turned to her partner. “This is all building up to something, and I’m now at the center of it. If we’re going to solve this case and find the killer—I have to be ready for anything.”

“You make it sound like you’re the only one here. I have your back no matter what… and John… the sheriff…”

She put up her hand to make him stop. “I get it, but it still doesn’t change the fact the finger was found in my car. Not yours or John’s or the sheriff’s—but mine.” She looked into the dense wooded areas remembering so many cases where the killer took them into rural and forested places. “Now there’s the note with my name on it.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’re going to find him.”

“It does matter,” she said. “This one I can’t seem to shake off.”

“C’mon, let’s finish the crime scene so that John can finish his job.”