FORTY-TWO
Monday 1700 hours
Katie broke the speed limits as she made her way back to the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. She quickly retrieved her laptop and files before leaving again in her Jeep. It was beginning to get late and she decided staying at her uncle’s condo in case he came home would be best. She picked up Cisco and a few personal items and headed to the country club. Her heart hoped her uncle would call her and it would all be a misunderstanding—a nightmare that wasn’t true.
Katie finally entered the condo. Cisco rushed in and was happily wagging his tail, looking from room to room for her uncle.
Katie was cautious as she stood at the entry, but everything looked the same and no one had been there since her previous visit. She locked the door and put her stuff down on the kitchen counter and in the living room. Her wet muddy clothes were in a bag. Exhausted and tired, she sat down on the sofa and Cisco joined her. He seemed interested in the bag.
“Yeah, you smell all that mud and water,” she said, pettingthe big dog. Her shoulder ached as well as her head. She realized she hadn’t eaten all day. Getting up slowly, she went to her uncle’s fridge. There were leftovers and some mixed-up chicken salad.
Katie opted for a chicken-salad sandwich and some fruit. Her phone buzzed. She was surprised it worked, but it must’ve dried out enough. There was a text from McGaven reminding her to rest and not investigate by herself. Partially chuckling, she responded that she was at her uncle’s condo.
Katie put the phone down on the counter and munched on her sandwich. She decided she’d look around, hoping it might give a clue as to where Uncle Wayne and Sydney had been going and perhaps why.
The kitchen had been cleaned up and there were no dishes in the sink. There were two wine glasses set aside that hadn’t been put away yet. She walked slowly through the rooms, taking notice of anything that seemed out of place—but everything seemed normal. She did find some brochures about historic places, restaurants, and events in California, but there was nothing indicating where her uncle and Sydney had gone. Frustrated and feeling helpless, she knew she had to wait—for the investigation at Griffin’s trailer and to hear from her uncle. She decided to go through case paperwork. It didn’t take long until her body crashed from the high adrenalin experience that day. Soon, Katie was asleep.
Katie had been deeply asleep on the sofa with a blanket and Cisco when there was a loud thump at the back door around midnight. She sat up immediately. The room was dark. She had forgotten to leave a light on. Slowly getting to her feet, she waited a moment for her eyes to adjust. There were lights on outside that helped the transition inside. She picked up her Glock and slowly moved to the back door.
There was a thump again as the door handle jiggled. It definitely hadn’t been a sound from her dreams.
Katie waited another couple of seconds. “Who’s there?”
There was a silence. Cisco stayed close to Katie’s left leg.
“Katie?”
She pulled back the curtain. There was a tall man standing outside. Her uncle.
“Uncle Wayne…” Katie flung open the door. Her uncle stood there with a surprised look on his face, carrying an overnight bag. “Katie, what are you doing here?”
With overwhelming relief, Katie rushed her uncle and threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
“Of course I’m all right,” he said, looking slightly confused.
Katie walked into the kitchen and living room, turning on several lights.
The sheriff down put his overnight bag and looked at Katie. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”
“What’s happened?” he said. “Is McGaven okay? John?”
“Yes, we’re all okay, but…”
Her uncle’s demeanor turned more authoritative and rigid. It was the official-police-officer way he became when dealing with serious situations. His eyes became darker and more intense. He was definitely ready to lead if he had to. He was a true leader and he cared about people, especially the men and women of the department.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?” she said.
“I had issues with it and I’m going to have to replace it. I got a throwaway one to check in with the department. And…”
“I thought you were coming home yesterday?” she said.
“We were, but I had trouble with my vehicle, so Sydney rented a car so she would be back for a meeting this morning.”
So somehow after Sydney had left she ran into someone who marked her for death…
“Katie, what’s going on?”
