“Can I help you?” she said.
“You want tohelp?”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but if you have something to say—then say it.” Katie knew she might be antagonizing the situation, but she wanted to get to the bottom of it.
“You’re a cop too?”
She didn’t reply.
“You’re the problem.”
“Explain what you’re referring to,” she said.
“What I’m referring to is that huge eyesore that’s going to be built for you cops and the fire department.”
“You mean the training facilities?” she said.
“Yeah, what a nice way of describing it.”
“Look, I’m going to leave if you’re not going to tell me what your beef is.”
He looked at her with disgust.
“What’s your name?”
“What’s yours?”
“I’m Detective Katie Scott. And you are?”
“Gary Pratt.”
“Well, Mr. Pratt. What seems to be the problem?” Katie was trying to be respectful, but she was losing patience fast.
“I represent the Citizens for the Environment and we’ve been fighting this construction project ever since it was raised as an idea.”
“I would suggest you bring it up with your congress representative.”
“A lot of good that does…” He seemed extremely agitated, clenching his jaw and his fists. It was clear he was angry and didn’t know how to express it or how to peacefully deal with it. He could prove to be a serious problem. “There’s nothing left but to take care of it ourselves,” he said and stomped away from her.
Katie made a note on her phone of his name and the name of his organization. She would have McGaven do a deep dive into the backgrounds.
She looked at her phone once more, concerned there were no messages of any kind from her uncle. It was as if he were off the grid.
THIRTY-NINE
Monday 0815 hours
McGaven drove the rural roads heading out of town as the detectives traveled to the last known address for Ian Griffin Jr., located at 1822 Branch Road, Space 12. Katie and McGaven decided to leave early to check out the trailer due to the forecast of heavy rain. Katie rode quietly and rehashed the events from the day before. She updated McGaven on Mr. Pratt and his organization, but she didn’t say much about her uncle except that they were going to reschedule. There was nothing to worry about.
As the sky became darker, thunder rumbled above. Within moments, rain pummeled the windshield.
“Great,” said McGaven sarcastically.
Katie grimaced. “I thought it wasn’t going to storm until this afternoon.”
“When is the weather forecast ever right?”
“True.” It was a passing storm and should clear up by the afternoon, but that didn’t help right now.
