Page 96 of Race to Save Her

“It’s what we do.”

“No, I mean I don’t want to see another woman who has been dismembered.”

“I can go,” he said, sensing her anxious energy.

“No. We’re partners and we have to work this case.”

“Let’s do it then.”

Katie and McGaven got out of the police sedan and walked toward the scene. A fire lieutenant was the first to approach them.

“Detectives Scott and McGaven?”

“Yes,” she said.

“We’ve received information that the deceased was part of your investigation.”

“What happened?” she said.

“It appears the car took the turn too fast, overcompensated, and ended up in the gully.”

“Can we access the car and driver?”

“The deceased isn’t the driver,” said the lieutenant.

“What?”

“The passenger was killed. The driver appears to have fled.”

McGaven looked at Katie.

“Any witnesses?” she asked.

“No one has come forward, but this area isn’t usually busy with traffic.”

“Thank you,” she said and began walking toward the gully.

“Detectives, it’s a bit dicey,” the lieutenant called. “I want one of my guys to go with you.”

Katie nodded as a firefighter came to escort them. She felt her throat tighten and her nerves go on notice.

How could that be?

The cold air felt more invasive as they reached the tree-lined area. She zipped up her jacket closer to her neck and re-adjusted her ponytail. For some reason the autopsy for Sills entered her mind.

Katie and McGaven stood at street level, looking down about twenty feet at where the car rested against a large tree. Apparently, the car had lost control and veered off into the gully. The first thing Katie thought was there were no visible skid marks—which seemed impossible. However, the front end of the car was crumpled; the driver’s door open.

“That’s Tyler’s car,” she said. It was a blue late-model four-door Honda.

“That’s why we called you because of the BOLO put out on it,” said their accompanying firefighter.

Katie looked at McGaven. “What’s going on?”

“It looks like your unidentified man might be cleaning house,” said McGaven.

“Let’s check it out,” she said pulling on gloves. Making her orders known, she added, “No one touches the car or anything inside.”

Katie carefully made her way down to the vehicle. It was slippery, but she managed the descent without any problem. McGaven followed close behind her. The firefighter waited to give any assistance needed. She succeeded in getting to the driver’s door, holding it for balance. She could see blood on the steering wheel and dappled across the seat. The airbag had deployed but had mostly deflated.