All the Shiny Things: A Kate Reid Novel (Kate Reid Series Book 1)

by Mahle, Robin

“I can’t believe it! It’s that reporter from Channel 9 in San Diego. What the hell is he doing there?”

  “Chief Wilson, isn’t it true that Samantha Hansen, formerly Fields, was a long-time friend of Katie Reid, whom you are assisting in another investigation with which she’s involved?”

  And there it was. He had obviously done his research and was going to share it with the world.

  “I’m sorry. And you are?” the chief asked.

  “Marc Aguilar, Channel 9 News, San Diego. I believe you were in San Diego a week ago, working with the local PD on the Katie Reid case?”

  “As of right now, Mr. Aguilar, these are two separate cases, so if you’d like to let me finish…”

  “Two separate cases? Samantha Hansen was Ms. Reid’s closest friend. Don’t you find it the least bit suspicious that only weeks after Ms. Reid came forward with a description of her alleged abductor from more than twenty years ago that Samantha Hansen would be found, the victim of a ‘random act of violence?’”

  Katie thought she saw him using air quotes on that last statement.

  “Mr. Aguilar, if you’d like to inquire further, or if you have any information pertaining to the Reid case, I’d be happy to discuss it with you after this conference. In the meantime, I’d like to inform the people of Rio Dell that we are doing everything we can to find out what happened to Mrs. Hansen and you should all please respect the privacy of the family and let them grieve in peace. That’s all I have for now. Thank you.”

  The chief began to make his way back inside to throngs of reporters shouting questions at him about Katie. He only continued and ignored their demands.

  A resounding feeling of loss and defeat overcame Katie as she fell to the couch. This was all spiraling out of control. She looked at her parents and wondered if they would be next.

  “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. This must all be so difficult for you. You have no idea how much I wish I could make it go away,” Deborah said.

  As she so often had in the past, Deborah tried to find words to soothe her daughter, but none could mitigate the situation. It wouldn’t be long before the media would swoop down on the Reid house, knowing Katie was there. Her presence had now become all too obvious; the officer out front and a regular patrol trolling the neighborhood. These were not common sights in this small town.

  The media was going to give her abductor, Sam’s killer, all the press he could ever want. It was the opportunity he must have been waiting for; broadcasting Katie’s every move, the location of her family. It would all be out in the open. Serial killers are opportunistic. There would be no safe place for any of them now.

  Pandora’s Box had just been opened and no matter how hard she tried, Katie would not be able to close it. It was too late to turn back and it would ultimately be up to her to find him. There had to be a way to draw him out, something would have to give away his position or some evidence he left behind. She would not let him get away with murder again.

  There would be time to mourn Sam’s death properly. But now, the best way for her to honor Sam was to find her killer.

  19

  “I need you to take me to the station, please,” she said to the officer standing guard outside the house.

  “Ma’am, I’m not supposed to leave here, but I can call the station and see if they can send someone to pick you up.”

  “Thank you; I’d appreciate that.”

  Katie paced back and forth, peering through the front room curtains, waiting for a car to arrive.

  “Honey, why don’t you sit down until they send someone?”

  “I can’t. I just feel so useless right now. There has to be something I can do. That news conference was awful. It won’t be long before they all come here, Mom. I think I need to find another place to stay. Maybe a hotel; I don’t know.”

  “She’s probably right, Deb,” John said. “I want her here as much as you do, but we need to think of everyone’s safety. If she’s at a hotel, there’ll be plenty of officers stationed there to protect her. At least she’ll be able to keep a lower profile. With Sam’s parents living nearby, you know as well as I do the media will be coming.”

  “I can’t bring more pain to Sam’s family. I’ve done enough already. At least if I’m not here, they’ll be less inclined to hang around.”

  “Okay, fine. I’m not entirely convinced, but if the both of you think it’s best, then I’ll go along.” Deborah’s frustrations usually took the form of a large, heavy meal; which was exactly what she had in mind right now for her unexpected law enforcement guests. Her sudden disappearance into the kitchen was a sure sign.

  Another half-hour passed before a patrol car finally showed to pick up Katie. “I’ll let you know where I’m at, okay? I promise.” A quick kiss goodbye to each of them and she was out the door.

  » » »

  The officer pulled into the parking lot around the back of the station. A few reporters still lingered at the front and he didn’t want to toss fresh meat their way by showing up with Katie. He ushered her in through the back door and, as they entered, Katie noticed Chief Wilson in his office with the door closed. He caught sight of her through the window and instantly hung up his phone, heading to meet her in the hall.

  He yanked the door so hard, the metal blinds rattled and crashed against the small window insert.

  “Katie, what are you doing here?”

  “Where’s Marshall? I need to talk to him.”

  “He’s at the warehouse with Scarborough and his team.”

  “Why aren’t you there?” she asked him.

  “I’ve been keeping the media under control. We’ve been flooded with calls since the conference ended. It’s been a damn madhouse around here. Avery and the others slipped out about an hour ago. They think forensics has found something on the car.”

  “Can I go down there?” she asked.

  Chief Wilson glanced at the officer, an obvious unspoken exchange between the two, and the officer walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

  “Katie, why don’t you come in so we can talk?”

  She followed him into his office as he closed the door behind her. “Katie, the FBI is pushing pretty hard for you to go into protective custody. Detective Avery’s been doing everything he can to convince them otherwise, but with what’s happened with Sam, they’re not likely to give into him again.” Wilson lumbered toward his chair and lowered himself down. He was not an overweight man, but moved as though burdened by a heavy load. “We’re all very concerned about your safety and the safety of your family, Katie. Avery won’t admit it, but he’s probably the most concerned. He blames himself for what happened to Sam. You know that, right? After the killer contacted you back in San Diego, he knew this was going downhill in a hurry. He was losing control of the situation, but didn’t want to admit it.”

  “This isn’t his fault. Are you trying to turn me against him or something?”

  “No, of course not, why would you say something like that?”

  “I’ve dropped all this at your front door step and, at first, I thought you were on my side, but it just doesn’t feel that way any more, Chief. And now, you want me just to go away quietly and let you all handle this?”

  “I don’t understand where this is coming from, Katie. I’ve done nothing but try to help you.”

  “You’ve made it seem like you were helping, but now I think you’re trying to shove this under the rug. You even told Marshall you thought he was wasting my time, putting me through unnecessary pain. How do you explain your being so defensive with the FBI back in San Diego?” She placed her hands on his desk and leaned in, ensuring her final point would be clear. “I think you’ve wanted this all just to go away. Well, it can’t now, not with what’s happened to my best friend. Whatever happened with my case the first time isn’t going to happen again. He won’t get away, I promise you. No one blames you for whatever happened twenty years ago.”

  “Jesus, Katie. You have no idea what you’ve done.”
His plea was barely audible under his breath.

  She stepped back, caught off guard by his hushed comment. It was clear to her now, by his furrowed brow and worried eyes, that he was afraid.

  “What are you not telling me, Chief?”

  “You want to go to the warehouse?” This time, his resolute manner returned as he ignored her question. “Then go. Miller can take you. See if you can convince them not to send you away.”

  This was not the same man that she’d first come to for help. Something had changed in Wilson, something that left her unnerved.

  » » »

  The abandoned warehouse soon came into view as Officer Miller approached the parking lot. Windows were broken; the ones that remained were covered in soot. Rust stains ran down the corners where the flashing had fallen away. The exterior appeared grey with thick dust settled against its surface, while areas around the openings were blackened. The neglected building must have stood vacant for some time.

  She remembered this place now. There had been a fire here. She couldn’t have been more than fifteen when it happened. It used to be a feed manufacturer until the fire destroyed most of it. The fact that it still stood was a surprise.

  Is this where he killed her? They’d found Sam’s car here, but that was the extent of Katie’s knowledge. The building loomed larger as she and the officer approached the entrance. It was an eerie place, now that she’d gotten a good look at it. The doors were charred and hung loosely on their hinges. It would take some finesse not to knock them off completely, so she carefully pushed open one side. Muted echoes reached her ears; the sounds arising from further back in the building.

  “Ms. Reid, please stay behind me.” Miller extended his arm in front of her to slow her pace. “Detective Avery? Agent Scarborough?” His words echoed throughout the empty building.

  The voices silenced and soon, footsteps could be heard in their place. Around the corner, Marshall and Agent Scarborough emerged.

  “Kate, what are you doing here? I thought you were with your folks?” Marshall asked.

  But before she could reply, Officer Miller jumped in. “She insisted on coming down here. I thought Chief would have called to tell you.”

  Marshall checked his cell phone, but had no missed calls. “Reception in here is terrible.”

  “This is where they found her?” Katie gazed at the derelict surroundings.

  “No. Just her car; she was found at a rest stop on the outskirts of Rio Dell. We believe it was the killer’s intent to get the chief and, by default, us involved. We’ve got forensics here examining the car and this was as good a place as any to set up and not be discovered by the media,” Marshall replied.

  “That didn’t appear to go over very well this morning.” She stepped toward him. “Listen, can I talk to you a minute?”

  “Sure. We can step outside.” Marshall followed her back through the entrance where she dared not move the doors again, only carefully sliding between them.

  “What’s going on? You okay?” he asked.

  “Chief said the FBI is pushing you to get me out of here.”

  “They are. I’m starting to think it’s a good idea, Kate. I know it’s not what you want…”

  “You’re right. It’s not. Do you think you could convince them to set me up with—what did you call it—a protection detail, at the Victoria? They’re already staying there anyway. I was thinking maybe I should stay there. My parents can’t go through any more of this. And I know Sam’s family shouldn’t have to either.”

  “I don’t know. I just think we’re dealing with something that’s gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better. He’s deliberately screwing around with us. He’s after you and God knows I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Marshall gently tucked her hair behind one ear. “I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you, Kate.”

  She felt his eyes take in every part of her. He was afraid for her and it was frightening to witness such vulnerability. This was not a game and Sam had already paid the price for Katie’s obsession. “There was something the chief said earlier, before I came out here. I don’t think he meant for me to hear it, or he let it slip out in frustration. Whatever it was, he said that I didn’t know what I’d done. Implying that I’d brought the monster out of hiding and terrible things were about to happen, or rather, have happened. It scared the hell out me, Marshall. He’s not telling us something; I’m sure of it.”

  “You think he’s hiding something from us?”

  “It makes sense, doesn’t it? I thought it was because he felt threatened by you or by the FBI, but now I’m not so sure.”

  “Let’s just deal with one thing at a time. We’re waiting on DNA to come back from the blood we found in the car.”

  She recoiled at his words. His matter-of-fact tone was intolerable to her right now. She’d heard enough already and it took every ounce of strength for her not to collapse in a puddle of tears again.

  “Once we get that back, we can try to match it up with the case in Portland. If we get a hit, then we know we’re dealing with the same man, without a doubt. It’ll change everything, Kate. We’ll have DNA and your description of him. We’ll enter that into ViCAP and hope for a match with not only Portland, but other cases as well. We’re getting close, I swear it.”

  “But I thought they didn’t have any DNA evidence from that case?”

  “Well, that’s what I thought, but a few years back, that department set up technicians to enter old case files into ViCAP. They were able to pull hair from the victim’s clothing they still had locked up in evidence. After ruling out that it may have come from the victim or anyone related to the victim, they entered it as the unsub’s. They’ve been waiting, hoping someone else would eventually enter evidence that would match. That’s what we’re praying for right now.”

  “You’re starting to sound like one of them.” An inadvertent chortle escaped her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Unsub? Unknown Subject? Isn’t that the term Scarborough uses?”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “And this is exactly why I need to be here,” Katie continued. “You are getting closer to finding him and I still think I’m the only one who can get him to put that final nail into his own coffin. Marshall, do you think they’ll agree to the hotel?”

  “I’ll talk to Scarborough. He’s taking a lot of heat on this too. They don’t want to risk any more lives.”

  “I don’t either, but I can’t go. Don’t let them send me away.”

  “Let’s go back inside before they start wondering what we’re doing out here.” He fell behind, letting Katie take the lead.

  “I think it’s best we keep our relationship quiet for now, all right? They’ll send you away for sure if they think I’m compromised.”

  “Are you?” She turned briefly toward him.

  “You’re damn right I am.” Inside, Marshall spotted the agent. “Scarborough? I think we might have a solution for Kate.”

  Katie shrank into the background, letting Marshall take the lead on this one. She knew anything that came from her would be dismissed as reckless disregard for her own safety. He stood a better chance going at it alone.

  The two stood several feet away and Agent Scarborough glanced at Katie as he seemed to consider the proposition. “I don’t know, Avery. I don’t think they’re going to buy it. They want her out of here before something else goes bad.” His eyes shifted between the two of them as though suspicious of Marshall’s motives. “I’ll run it up the ladder, see what response we get. It’ll take more resources. We’ll have to have a team at the hotel, at her parents’ house, and with Samantha’s parents. We can’t take any chances. It’s going to bring lots of attention our way, overrunning a small town like this. I have to think he’s close, Avery. All this…” Scarborough scanned their surroundings. “He’s making it too easy for us.”

  “Let’s just find what we can for now,” Marshall began. “I’m going to
send Kate back with Miller to her parent’s house.” He started toward her, looking pleased. “Kate, pack your things. I’ll call you when I know where you’re going.”

  She agreed and followed Officer Miller back to the patrol car. But Katie had something else planned. “Would you mind taking me back to the station first?” she asked.

  “I’m supposed to take you home, Ms. Reid.”

  “I left something there. I’ll only be a minute.”

  He grunted in disapproval and opened the car door for her.

  » » »

  No sign of media vans or reporters remained when they arrived back at the station. She wondered where they had all gone, especially Aguilar. He wasn’t going to stop and she knew he’d be trouble if word got out where she would be staying.

  “I’ll only be a minute or two,” Katie said, stepping out of the car.

  Miller followed her inside and waited in the lobby, talking with his colleagues. Katie slipped away quietly, disappearing in the back.

  She searched for Chief Wilson, but he wasn’t in his office; an anticipated outcome she welcomed. While his door was closed, she peered through the window blinds and a sliver of what appeared to be an empty office was just visible. Katie opened the door enough to discreetly slip inside.

  His desk was littered with files and paperwork which appeared to be concerning Sam. Among the clutter, Katie spotted the corner of a picture just visible from beneath a manila file folder. She pulled it out. It was a crime scene photo of Sam’s body lying naked on the ground. A few twigs and leaves rested on her; the blood mixed with dirt matted her once caramel-colored hair. It was as if the killer flattened her into the wooded floor, her body having sunk deep into the soft, wet soil. From the report in the file, it seemed she’d been found about a hundred feet behind an abandoned rest stop on the outskirts of town.

  California was hard hit by the economy, and in an effort to save money, closed down several lesser utilized rest stops. Unfortunately, these abandoned buildings were magnets for drug deals and other crimes. It was only by the grace of God that Sam had been found when she was. The thought of her out there alone for days or weeks nauseated Katie. According to a statement from a man named Stephen Hernandez, his maintenance crew came through once a month to do a safety check. He was the one who found her.