“No.”
“Just buy some for guests. Like me…”
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
McGaven grabbed a bottle of iced tea. “That’s a really good point about those against the building project. But they would still have had to have been related to the Collins family.”
“I know, but I just can’t help thinking there’s something simple or ordinary we’re missing.”
“Let’s get out to the Collins property. I’m meeting up with Denise and Lizzie later. We haven’t been spending enough time together.”
“So are you any closer to taking that big plunge?” said Katie, smiling.
“Marriage?”
“Of course marriage. You’re already a family… now it’s time to make an honest woman out of Denise.”
“What about you?” said McGaven.
“What about me?”
“How are things with John?”
“Stop that.” She laughed. “We’re getting to know one another away from work and it’s been nice.”
“Nice? That’s all you can say about the coolest and probably the most badass guy at the department, including the SWAT guys.”
“Gav, is that all you can say about him?”
“Well, he’s smart and definitely the best forensic guy I’ve known.”
“And?”
“Well, he’s definitely the best guy to have your back, with all that Navy Seal training.”
Katie laughed.
They decided Katie’s Jeep would be the best vehicle to take as they could put Cisco in the back seat. They packed everything they could think of: tools, flashlights, tarps, evidence bags and boxes with chain-of-custody labels, rope, large industrial garbage bags, tethers, extra water bottles, and zip ties. They then added their weapons and typical searching gear along with Cisco’s vest and long leash.
“You ready for a war or something?” said McGaven.
“I just want to be prepared—for anything.”
“I see your point,” he said.
They got to the property in twenty minutes. It looked completely different with the overgrown brush removed and the gravel driveway visible. Katie slowed her speed, taking in the area and gauging the tree lines and where the structures must’ve stood. It was evident many vehicles and earth removers had been in and out and all around the property. Areas where there had been tall weeds and dead branches were now scraped clean, giving the appearance of sand.
Katie parked the Jeep close to where the house had once been. She jumped out, opened a couple of windows for Cisco, and then began to make her way to what was left of the house. McGaven was close behind her, also surveying the area.
“So what exactly are you looking for?” he said.
“Not sure. But we’ll know it when we find it.” She heard a few whines and a bark from the car. “I remember when we were here before, I thought the remains of the house seemed odd.”
“And then I had to fall into a grave,” he said.
She shook her head at his flippant tone. “After looking at the house pieces, I want to start Cisco here and then do a spiral grid search.”
“This is the point of origin?” he said.
