“Take it easy. Sit down.” Katie took her arm and steered her to the couch. “First, we don’t know if something is wrong. Second, both the city and county police departments are searching for her. Okay?”
Shaking her head, Candace said, “It’s not good. The only real friend I ever had and now she’s gone. It can’t be true.”
“We don’t know that.”
“C’mon, Detective. What does your cop experience tell you?”
Katie didn’t answer. The truth was it didn’t look good but she wasn’t going to add to Candace’s already trauma-filled life.
Candace began to cry. “I’ve lost everyone.”
“We don’t know that yet.” Katie felt helpless to try to make the situation better—she knew, at least her cynicism chimed, it was most likely only a matter of time before they found the body of Tanis dumped somewhere with the eerie message in Italian—hunter-gatherer.
“Candace. I need to ask you a couple of questions. And I need for you to be honest. Okay?”
She nodded in agreement, wiping the tears from her face.
“Tell me about Ray Conner. What does he look like?”
“Um, he’s average, I guess. Brown hair, green eyes, and um…”
“Anything that stands out? Tattoos? Scars?”
“No. He had a couple of moles.” She laughed.
“Okay. Was he thin, muscular, pot belly…”
“He was thin, not fat, he was particular about his food. Everything had to be healthy. I got the feeling that he might have been heavy when he was a kid or he didn’t have a lot to eat. Something happened that he didn’t want to talk about.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I’m not sure, just some things he said to me. And some of the things he didn’t.”
“Is there anything else you’re not telling me about him?” Katie had the feeling that she was holding back about Ray. She was scared of him. Didn’t want to get him in trouble. Something made her hesitate.
“No, that’s all. It’s been five years. There’s not much to tell.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m telling you everything I know.”
“One more question.”
Candace waited.
“Were you in contact with your sister?”
“We were in contact about a week before she died, and before that it had been a year.”
“Were you in contact with Tanis?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know how to contact her?”
“I was following her on social media and I knew that there would be a safe time to reconnect.” She fought back the tears. “I guess I was wrong.”
“C’mon,” Katie said. She pulled out two towels and gave them to Candace. “You need to take a shower and I’ll get you some clothes, okay?”
She nodded and went into the bathroom, followed by Cisco. “Does he always do this?”
“Pretty much,” she said and laughed.
While Candace took a shower, Katie rummaged to find some clothes for her: a T-shirt, jeans, a hoodie, clean socks, and a pair of old running shoes. She also took the time to make a phone call to someone she had worked with in the past, Madeline Day, who worked to find housing for battered women—she would be over to pick up Candace within the half hour so that she would be safe for the time being, or until the Elm Hill killer was found.
Candace came out of the shower with her wet hair and scrubbed face.
“Here you go. I think they’ll fit,” Katie said.
“Thank you.” Candace went back inside the bathroom to change.
It wasn’t long before there was another knock at the front door. Cisco barked once and then made himself comfortable on the couch.
Katie opened the door, “Hi, Madeline.”
“Katie, it’s nice to see you,” said the striking dark-haired woman.
“Candace,” she called.
When the young woman came into the living room she was dressed in Katie’s clothes and they seemed to fit.
“Candace,” said Katie. “I want you to meet Madeline. She’s going to take you to a safe place to stay for a while, okay?”
She hesitated but then nodded. “Please, Detective, please find Tanis.”
“You have my card and my personal number. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Detective.”
“Call me Katie.”
She nodded and then followed Madeline out to her car.
Katie watched them leave and wondered what was going to happen next for Candace. She would have a social worker stop by and talk to her to see if they could get her into a program where she could get a job and find her own place to live.
“Well, Cisco, it’s back to bed.”
She once again fell into bed and was asleep within minutes.
Forty-Eight
Saturday 1715 hours
Katie fidgeted with her black gown for the charity event as she waited impatiently for McGaven to pick her up. She hardly ever wore anything that was dressy, much less this elegant. Her pantyhose hiked up and were bugging her and her strappy heels were already killing her feet. She grimaced. The low neckline made her feel conspicuous but the lady at the store said that it looked great.
It took her almost an hour to sweep up her hair and fight to look like she was some socialite and this party was just another gathering in her glamorous lifestyle. She had make-up that was perfect for such an evening—and it covered her scratches.
In the end, the sheriff’s department had been able to finagle a pair of invitations to the event at the Four Seasons, so Katie and McGaven didn’t have to sneak in with the caterers. The invitations had been delivered to her house. She was surprised that her uncle and his partners weren’t going to fight her on it. She guessed that they figured among themselves she couldn’t cause much harm at a fancy gala.
Cisco nudged his nose against her hand.
“I know, but this isn’t a K9 mission. I wish I could take you but it’s not a charity for rescuing dogs and cats.” She laughed because she was talking to Cisco as if he understood.
Katie felt naked, not due to the neckline, but without her gun, which she wasn’t going to attempt to bring hidden underneath her dress. There was a metal detector at the main entrance so that wiped that idea out. She didn’t predict any trouble.
Headlights appeared, illuminating the front windows, and moved up her driveway. A dark expensive foreign sedan parked. To Katie’s surprise, McGaven, dressed in a black tuxedo, exited and walked to the door.
She opened it before he reached the porch. “My, my, who is this handsome guy? GQ or what?”
It was the first time she had ever seen McGaven blush with embarrassment and unable to meet her eye. “I don’t know about that, but you clean up gorgeous, you know. Wow, look at you. Denise made me promise to take photos.”
Katie laughed. “She would, but she better not share on social media. I’ll deny it.”
McGaven took his phone out. “C’mon. Selfie time.”
Katie stood next to him and McGaven snapped a couple of selfie shots of them.
She grabbed her purse and wrap, kissed Cisco, and locked the door behind her.
“Let’s go,” McGaven said dramatically. He opened the car door for her and then climbed into the driver’s seat. “I thought it would be prudent for me to drive.”
“No problem here. I feel like a law-enforcement princess.”
The drive to Sacramento was just under two hours which was mostly freeway, and Katie had time to process the conversations with Candace—her body language and answers. There were some things she had said that Katie wasn’t sure were the truth. There was something about the lack of detail on her boyfriend Ray that didn’t make sense.
“So what’s causing you to fret?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t say fret, but I’m just thinking about some things that Candace said.”
“Like?”
“Well, she se
emed a bit too careless about her ex-boyfriend Ray. He was the one that helped her escape and had everything planned. There was a lot of talk and planning. But she hardly said two words about him.” She sighed. “I don’t know, something doesn’t quite fit. There’s something that she’s not telling us about him.”
“You know, it’s been about five years since he was her knight in shining armor. Feelings fade.”
“That’s true, I guess. But he was such an influence on her; older guy, helping her escape horrible conditions,” she said, watching the cars pass going the opposite direction. “So whose car did you borrow?”
“Police impound.”
“I really like it.”
“Maybe you should get one like it?”
“I’ve been thinking about what kind of car to buy, but this, as comfortable and nice as it is, just doesn’t fit my lifestyle. Plus it’s not in my price range.”
“Oh, I don’t know—you could lease or buy a good used one. I don’t think Cisco would mind.”
Katie chuckled. “No, you’re probably right. He would be fine riding shotgun.”
“And besides, if you go camping, Chad has all those off-road vehicles.”
“Yeah,” she said, staring out the window, watching the daylight turn to dusk.
The traffic picked up in intensity and the crowds increased the closer they got to the city. People drove their vehicles with aggressive tactics, cutting in and out of lanes. It made Katie a bit uneasy, like she was sitting in the middle of a minefield trying to run the gauntlet of unknowns before someone took her out. That seemed like the story of her life.
“You okay?” asked McGaven, glancing at her. “You look a little sad.”
“Oh, no, I’m not sad, just thinking about how crowded the city is and I used to patrol some of these areas. Never thought about it then, but now, I can’t imagine living here again.”
“I love Pine Valley. I never want to live anywhere else.”
“So,” Katie began. “What’s the deal with you and Denise? I mean, the real deal?”
McGaven flushed a bit red again.
“C’mon, tell me.”
“We’ve been getting along so well. We’re so in sync it’s a little scary. I don’t want to lose her. She was so worried at first because of her daughter, Lizzie. But I love them both, you know?”
“That says a lot, Gav. I’m really happy for you.”
“Look who I’m talking to. One half of the total power couple.”
“What?” She couldn’t help but laugh.
“You don’t see it? The beautiful detective and the dashing firefighter… I mean c’mon, the perfect couple.”
“For a movie. That’s what you make it sound like.” She leaned back in the comfortable leather seat. “It’s been good.”
“Yeah? Well, Detective Scott, I’d say we’re both lucky.”
She smiled back at him. Looking up ahead, she read the exit signs. “I think we’re close.”
“Yep, the GPS says we’re about a mile from the Four Seasons. You nervous?”
“Nervous about doing my job, no. But, I’m a little nervous being with all those fancy rich people.”
Less than five minutes later, McGaven drove through the main entrance and followed the signs for parking and stopped at the appropriate area. Two valets opened their doors and escorted them out.
Handing the keys to one of the men, “Thank you,” he said.
“Well,” Katie said to him. “Let’s check it out, Mr. McGaven.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Scott.” He took her arm and they ascended the wide staircase and passed through the grand entrance.
Katie was mesmerized at how oversized and elegant everything was: the lights, large indoor plants the size of a car, a breathtaking waterfall, and the furniture swathed with red and gold fabric. It was fit for a king and his entire entourage—she was positive that royalty had most likely stayed at this hotel.
“This is incredible,” said McGaven.
“Feeling a bit like a fish out of water—that’s for sure,” she whispered.
“You would never know—you are one of the most beautiful women here. Many people have noticed.”
Katie glanced at McGaven, not knowing quite what to say.
There were many couples, each dressed exquisitely and mingling with small groups of people.
They could hear classical music playing as they neared the grand ballroom where two men stood. They were dressed like hotel employees, but Katie knew that they were armed security guards. She figured there would be guards dressed as caterers as well in hopes of blending in. There were too many people of privilege and financial standing to not have this type of affair completely protected.
Katie and McGaven waited behind three other couples that were being checked into the charity event. It was finally their turn.
The man with a digital clipboard asked, “Name, please.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Sean McGaven.”
The man swiped his finger on the board and then took two seconds first looking at Katie and then at McGaven. “Yes, sir, please go in. Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you,” said McGaven.
They moved through the entrance and saw the entire gala gearing up. There were round tables, each with flowers, candles, and a chandelier hung from above. There was a full bar with several bartenders and servers. A large dance floor with a live orchestra was playing as guests were enjoying themselves.
“This isn’t something you see every day,” said Katie quietly to McGaven.
“No, can’t say it is…”
Their plan was to separate for fifteen minutes and meet up to compare notes, and then start over again until they found the McKinzies; they would then decide the best way to corner one or both of them. McGaven had eventually found a couple of photos in newspaper articles from years ago, so they had an idea of what they looked like when they were much younger, before they became so camera-shy. Not wanting to ask too many questions about them to the other guests, they were going to work their way to the couple.
Katie immediately surveyed the entire ballroom and counted nine private security guards—both men and women.
McGaven handed her a flute of champagne.
“Thank you. I counted nine private guards around the perimeter.”
“There are two couples over there,” he said, indicating with his eyes. “They each had a personal guard.”
“This is going to be more difficult than I originally thought,” said Katie.
“Let’s find the McKinzies first and then figure out what to do next.”
Katie nodded as they began to move through the crowd. She noticed that there were many people giving them the once-over.
“Did you see the looks?” she whispered to McGaven.
“Yep,” he said and kept his smile.
They meandered around for a while before deciding to go to the dance floor.
“You can dance, right?” Katie asked.
“Both my brothers and I learned from my mom when we were teenagers.”
“Bless her.”
They began to waltz slowly. It gave them the advantage of seeing most of the people in the room.
“I see them,” said Katie in McGaven’s ear. “Near the stage. Each has their own personal bodyguard.”
“I see them too.” He whirled Katie across the dance floor. “Mrs. McKinzie will need to excuse herself for the ladies’ room. Right?”
“Great idea,” she said.
“I’ll see what I can do with Mr. McKinzie.”
Both of them exited the dance floor and separated. Each going to their assignment; hopefully one of them would be able to speak with one of the McKinzies.
Katie made a beeline to Sara McKinzie as she was speaking to an older distinguished couple. She was a stunning woman wearing an elegant white dress showing off her still youthful figure, even though she was in her early forties. Her dark hair was partially in an up-twist. There was an unusual strand of pearls in a choker
around her neck.
Katie watched her mannerisms and could tell with most certainty that the woman was bored and was trying to figure out the best way to make her excuses to leave the couple. This was Katie’s chance. She picked up a glass of water and made her way through the crowd purposely bumping into a few guests as she went, as if she had a bit too much to drink. Smiling and weaving, she made a beeline for Mrs. McKinzie and tripped herself up at the perfect moment to send the water in her glass in a perfect arc that spotted the front of her dress.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. Here, I have a trick to help you get that out,” she said and guided her to the ladies’ room. The female security guard zeroed in on them, but Mrs. McKinzie waved her away.
They walked in the ladies’ lounge and restroom. It was larger than any restroom Katie had ever seen. Beautifully decorated with several stations where you could sit down and check your makeup. There were changing rooms. Attendants if you needed them.
“Mrs. McKinzie, I’m so sorry, but—”
The woman laughed with an almost musical tone as she took a seat in front of one of the beauty stations. “It’s quite all right. I was trying to figure out how to get away from the Lawsons.” She studied Katie for a moment. “You seem familiar. What’s your name, dear?”
“I’m Katie Scott.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Scott.”
“Actually, I’m Detective Katie Scott.”
“Detective?” she said as her smile faded.
“Mrs. McKinzie, I wanted to speak with you and I know that you don’t have to but I was hoping that you would make this exception…”
The older woman watched Katie closely—with curiosity. Her mouth straightened as her right eyebrow lifted. “Well, I find it refreshing when people just say what’s on their mind.”
With relief, Katie explained, “I’m investigating the death of two young women that were both the last residents at the Elm Hill Mansion.”
“That’s terrible. I believe I read something about that.”
The bodyguard entered the restroom and Mrs. McKinzie waved her away again.
“I have just two questions for you.”
“I’ll give you five more minutes, so I’d make it quick.” She began touching up her makeup and hair.
Last Girls Alive: A totally addictive crime thriller and mystery novel (Detective Katie Scott Book 4) Page 25
