Page 97 of Race to Save Her

Katie felt her partner behind her. She leaned in and could see a man’s body slumped forward, covered in blood. Her first thought was to wonder if he had all his appendages—which he seemed to. It was difficult to see his face, but he had brown hair consistent with the young man they had interviewed earlier at Shelby’s home. She slowly reached in and pushed his shoulder so he flopped back. His chest was bloody with gaping holes, consistent with a knife plunged into the body several times. He had a tattoo of a wolf on his left inner arm.

“It’s Tyler Brandt,” she said.

“You sure?” said McGaven.

“Yes. But of course they’ll have to make an official identification.”

McGaven peered in behind her. “Are those stab wounds?”

“I think so.” Katie stood up. “We need this area taped off and forensics need to process this scene for fingerprints of the driver and whatever other evidence is in the car.”

McGaven climbed back up and made their orders known as he called in for forensics.

Chris was one of the deputies on the scene already and came to meet them. “What do you want me to do?” he said to McGaven.

“Make sure the scene stays protected until forensics gets here.”

“On it.”

Katie stayed at the car for a moment. She wanted to try to work out which way the driver might have fled—the road would be too visible. She surmised he had to have gone through the woods.

“Coming up,” she said to McGaven.

Katie watched everyone go to work. She released the fire department and ambulance. It would give the crime scene van and morgue places to park. Then the tow truck would be called to bring the car back to the department for a proper search.

She walked out into the street. It was quiet, only a couple of cars had passed during the time she was there. She saw a white SUV slow down as it approached. It read “K9 Blitz” on the back window and she realized it was Arson Investigator Luke Ames.

Katie walked straight into the street and put her hand up, indicating for him to stop.

He rolled down his window. “What’s up, Detective?” he said with a smile, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His left arm casually rested on the doorframe, showing his heavy scar.

Katie kept her composure. “There’s no fire here and nothing for you to investigate.”

“Heard the call.”

“We have everything under control.”

“I also heard about the incident not far from here concerning the dead body and murder scene.”

Katie remained stoic. “It’s part of our investigation. Thanks for your concern. We’ve got it from here.” She went back across the street. She heard Ames drive on as the fire trucks left the scene.

She didn’t have time to worry about men like him. The detectives had their work cut out for them—there were still more questions than answers.

FIFTY-SEVEN

Monday 1420 hours

McGaven had been overseeing the crime scene while Katie went home to return with Cisco. It was too tough and overgrown for deputies to search the forest. It would be much easier for the K9 team.

Katie pulled up and watched as the last of the crime scene operation was taking place. The car had been photographed and thoroughly documented by John before they removed Tyler’s body. Now the tow truck was getting into position to pull the car up the embankment. McGaven and one of the police officers helped with the navigation.

She sat in the car with Cisco breathing in her ear. This case has been a tough one, as they all are, but there seemed to be more at stake than victims and killers. It was more personal and Katie had come to some realizations about herself and her job. She wasn’t going to let what she had worked so hard for be destroyed.

“Okay, Cisco,” she whispered. “We’re going to search this area and find something from the killer.”

Cisco barked in agreement.

Katie opened the door and got out. She had changed into more tactical attire because she didn’t know what they were going to get into. She wanted to be prepared and safe. Cisco wore his working vest and collar.