“Hey,” said John softly from the sliding door.
Katie turned and smiled.
“You okay?”
“I’m just putting the day to rest.”
“I’m wrecked, so I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes,” she said.
John smiled and went back inside as the sliding door shut.
Katie appreciated that he knew she needed time alone to think things through—in fact, she loved that about him.
Katie got up. “C’mon, Cisco.” She went inside and hoped her sleep was restful this time.
THIRTY-TWO
Friday 0715 hours
Katie was refreshed and ready to take on the day, especially after an early run with John. It was one of their routines now when he stayed over and she really enjoyed it.
Katie pushed open the door to the detectives’ office and was surprised to see that McGaven wasn’t already there because he usually was an early bird. She put her things down and looked down the hallway and into the forensic examination room. The lights were on but no one was around. She heard a woman’s voice and assumed it was Eva having a conversation with someone about some reports.
Katie decided to update the murder board and work until McGaven arrived. She stood in front of it and looked again at the locations the bodies were found. She opened her laptop and searched for nearby properties to see if Buck’s story rang true. The County Assessor’s Office had helped Katie to look at all the properties near the crime scenes. She found one near the Collins property, listing the previous owners: Young, Bradford and Jillian. It had to be it.
Katie dug deeper and found out that Bradford Young, Buck’s father, had died ten years ago. There was no indication of how he died. Jillian Young, Buck’s mother, was currently residing at a nursing home. She felt sadness for Buck—his brother in prison for life, dad deceased, and mom in a nursing home.
She got up from her chair and indicated the perimeter of the Young property on the board. It seemed to match what Buck had told her, but did what he describe really happen? She wanted to move forward with an unbiased investigative attitude.
“So you beat me,” said McGaven, walking in.
“And your point is?”
“Well, I almost had a perfect record.”
“Just keeping it real,” she said. “Had a good night’s sleep and then a run early this morning.”
“I see.”
“You see what?”
“It must’ve not been a John sleepover.” He chuckled.
“Really, Gav—you’re going to go there?”
“It’s all in fun.”
Katie sighed. It really didn’t bother her, but she wanted to keep her personal life just that—personal.
“I’m sorry,” Gav said. “I love seeing you both together… finally.”
Katie changed the subject. “So…” she began.
McGaven immediately saw what she had been searching and then looked up at the board. “Oh, I get it. Wow.”
Katie updated her partner on the entire conversation with Buck last night. And she also showed him the background of the property and Buck’s parents.
