The rushed analysis came back from dental records. The skeletonized bones are that of Meredith Collins and her daughter Misty Collins.
“It’s official now,” said McGaven. “We can go full steam.”
“C’mon, let’s go to the old property. We’re still waiting for the ID on the third victim, as well as the autopsy and forensic reports.”
“And I’m waiting for reports to come back on the two construction guys,” said McGaven. “Sounds good. Road trip.”
THIRTEEN
Tuesday 1310 hours
McGaven drove through an area that didn’t appear to be a road as they tried to find the old Collins property. The overgrown trees and mangled shrubs were blocking the regular drive, so they had to bypass it and try another way to access it.
“Maybe this was a bad idea?” said McGaven, holding the wheel with a frown on his face. He stopped the car.
Katie looked from front to back. “There’s room.”
He laughed. “If we get stuck and have to call a tow, I’m blaming you.”
“Be my guest.”
McGaven thought for a moment and then continued. The grinding and slapping sounds of the foliage and dead debris from under and around the car seemed to go on forever. Katie cringed at the screeching sounds. Finally, the car exited the overgrown area into a field with high weeds and the remnants of a gravel driveway.
McGaven gave a sigh of relief. “I would hate to have todescribe to the sheriff how we wrecked one of the unmarked police cars.” He found a mostly cleared area and parked.
“No need to tell anyone anything,” She looked at them. “This is a nice big acreage. Why wouldn’t they have sold it by now?” she said, changing into hiking boots.
“No clue.” McGaven replied.
Once the detectives were out of the vehicle, the clouds seemed to block the sun, shading the area and making things appear dismal. It was as if the greens and yellows suddenly turned into various shades of gray. Several predatory birds swooped overhead, making large circles in the sky, and Katie could see worn paths that must have been from deer and other animals. There were trees in long lines throughout the property, but the rest was open, flat areas that resembled part of a ghost town. She remembered Ventura had told them how he felt uneasy when he was there, as if someone was watching him. She brushed her hand over her holstered Glock.
“Look,” said McGaven, pointing ahead of them. “It’s part of the house.”
Katie surveyed the area. A breeze picked up, making the almost four-foot-tall weeds wave back and forth. In between sweeps from the wind, you could see the remaining structure of what was once a small old-style farmhouse.
The crumbled building drew Katie closer. She easily stepped through the weeds and stood on what was once the front porch.
“I still can’t understand why someone hasn’t bought the property. It could be a farm or even used for commercial purposes like cattle or produce.”
McGaven had walked around the spot where the dwelling had once stood. “I agree,” he said, returning from the other direction.
Katie stepped slowly as she searched the area as well as the remnants of the house. She didn’t feel as if someone waswatching them as Ventura had explained—it was more like someone was tracking them like they were prey. It could be someone connected to the property or it could be squatters. Either way, Katie wanted to hurry and check out everything they needed to see and move on. There were more pressing matters to investigate. She took several photos around the dilapidated structure and land area. It would help with comparing it to county maps and any historical records of the property they could find.
The house had disintegrated over the years, leaving the ground scattered with pieces of siding, porch lumber, and interior wall panels. They were spread out, but some appeared to have been moved by hand. It didn’t seem recent, but someone had been here inspecting and organizing the remnants of the house. It struck her as odd.
“Gav,” she said.
There was no answer.
Katie walked around the outside of where the house had been. It was difficult to see due to the overgrowth of foliage. The breeze picked up again, causing her to sneeze. She didn’t see her partner.
“Gav?” she called again.
Silence still.
Katie figured McGaven was inspecting the open area behind the remaining structure. She followed the path he’d taken earlier. The property seemed different behind the old home. There were no indications a barn or other outbuildings had existed, though there were many reasons why she couldn’t see where they might have been. Perhaps they’d completely broken down and the pieces removed.
“Katie?” said McGaven, sounding like he was a mile away.
