I turn and head downstairs, rushing for my car. I make it to the trail in record time. But I need to make sure. I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Arriving on the scene, I see Milo and Kallie, along with a few other officers, standing around. I make my way over and see a glimpse of Abby’s red hair behind them. I stop in front of Milo and Kallie, the icy fresh breeze ruffling their hair. Milo's complexion is almost ghostly, and his eyes are wide with fear. Kallie has an exhausted look, her eyes ringed by dark shadows.
“Who found the body?” I ask, looking at each of them.
“I did,” Kallie says, and I take note of her hiking gear under the police jacket she wears.
“What time did you come across the body?”
“About five a.m.”
I frown and glance around. “Five a.m, it’s still dark. How did you stumble across a body out here?”
Kallie turns and points over to one of the trucks where a large German shepherd sits, quietly watching the commotion.
“Okay, I’m going to talk to Abby, then I’ll be back.”
They both silently nod without looking back at the crime scene. That isn’t a good sign.
I trudge toward Abby, pushing aside a few branches that brush against my coat.
“Hey, Abby,” I say, approaching her side. She’s staring down at the mutilated body of a young woman. For a moment, all she does is blink. I’m about to ask if she’s okay when her eyes snap to mine. Her warm brown eyes brim with emotion, glistening like glass, as she stares at me.
“Who would do this?” she whispers.
For the first time since arriving, I look over at the body placed in a stone circle similar to the one Lola was found in. The body looks to have bled out through multiple wounds at each of her major arteries. There are deep cuts to both her femoral arteries and both her wrists. The girl also has a long, deep cut across her neck. Her lifeless eyes stare at the sky, her naked body still and blue in the snow.
I look at the stone circle and frown. All the rocks are smooth and the same size. Someone went to a lot of effort for this kill site.
“How long do you think she’s been here?” I ask.
Abby sniffles and looks up at the sky, the sun peeking over the horizon, casting light across the area.
“I . . . uh. I can’t tell with the snow and . . . I think it’s best if you wait for the doc to do the autopsy,” Abby stutters.
I lightly rest my hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Looking around, I search the area, “Where is Doc?”
“On his way,” Abby replies, breathing deeply as she brings her camera up.
“Okay, well, take a break if you need to, Abby.”
She pulls her face away from the camera and gives me a weak smile. “I’m okay,” she whispers before getting back to work.
I turn and make my way to the others.
I look at Kallie first. “Have you given a statement?”
She nods in response, her arms tightly crossed over her chest.
“Alright, then, you should go home,” I say, and instantly see the fire ignite in her eyes.
“What? But I found the body. I want to be on the case,” Kallie says, stepping forward, her cheeks flushed. Which is much better than the paleness from moments ago.
“Look, we need all hands on deck for this, but you’ve been here since five a.m. I expect you to be well rested and clear minded. Go home, Kallie.”
“But–”
I shake my head. “We have to be smart about this. Go home, unwind, relax and sleep. You're no good to anyone tired. That’s when mistakes are made.”
