Cisco began barking and tried to attack his lifeless body to save her.
Katie realized that the shooter wasn’t her backup, or the police. They would have identified themselves. That was what her instincts were telling her: there were two killers, that’s why she couldn’t get a complete profile—two different people with two different motives.
Another shot rang out nearby.
“No,” she whispered. Cisco was in prime view of the unknown shooter. The only thing she could do was give the dog a command to get him out of the line of sight. “Cisco return! Return!” Katie yelled. “Return.”
The dog hesitated, licked her face still pinned under the body.
“No. Cisco, return!” she cried.
The dog looked at her and then ran as fast as he could and disappeared into the darkness. The command was a last resort that told the dog to “return,” which meant to return to the vehicle or wherever the handler had first started out for their mission that day. Katie prayed that the dog would make it back to the SUV and not circle back to her. She would get to him when it was all over.
A couple more shots blasted, zinging by Katie and hitting higher in the trees. The weight of Cody pushing hard against her made her sick as his warm blood spilled against her chest. The dead weight was difficult to push away, but with pure determination she wriggled out from underneath him. Her left shoulder was now numb; she was able to reach her Glock that had fallen during the scuffle.
She half-crawled and half-ran, staying low until she could get to safety. The huddled trees and darkness hid her—but for how long? She took cover behind one of the large pine trees, pressing her back against the trunk but alert to everything around her.
The firing had stopped.
She didn’t know where the person was or who had been shooting at her. It was clear that the person wanted Cody Teagen dead, but they seemed to be almost toying with her. Was it the second killer? Was Cody a decoy? Was someone else pulling the strings?
McGaven froze in his position and took cover. There was no mistaking the sound of a high-powered rifle. He knew it well. Someone was shooting and he didn’t believe it was Katie. The echo bounced all around the hills, trees, and valley below. Glancing down at his phone, there was still no signal and there was no way to contact John. Even though he knew that John could take care of himself.
McGaven kept moving forward to get to Katie. He knew that she would need help and that the person shooting was most likely the killer. He had forgotten all about how tired he was and how strained his muscles were. He pushed on.
Katie moved from tree to tree, keeping an eye out for anything moving in the darkness.
“Detective Katie Scott, where are you?” a man’s voice called out. He wasn’t close, but he was headed her way.
Katie froze.
“Detective, I know you’re out here. I guess you finally met my secret weapon.”
Katie went through every interview, statement, and person that she and McGaven had spoken to but…
“Still don’t know who I am? It’s pretty obvious, really,” he said. “I should’ve been your first suspect.” The man laughed.
Was he disguising his voice somehow?
“Is there some reason why you don’t want to talk to me? You seemed so interested before when you and your partner had so many inquisitive questions.” He sniffed loudly and Katie instantly remembered speaking to Dr. Brandon Wills with his box of Kleenex and wadded up handkerchiefs on the podium and in his office. He was now hunting her like prey. Of course. Like McGaven had said—revenge and jealousy are the usual reasons to kill.
“C’mon now, you left that message for me. Clever, Detective. Actually, much smarter than I gave you credit for. The cops I met twelve years ago were so stupid. Bumbling. They believed what I told them.”
“You didn’t kill Cynthia Andrews,” she yelled back.
“Ah, there you are. Again, clever, Detective. No, I didn’t kill Cindy. I hated her. I envied her. I was jealous of what she was going to get—leaving me behind with nothing. I worked just as hard as she did. But no, I didn’t kill her.”
“So you used Cody to do it. Taking the coward’s way out—I can see that.” Katie wanted to draw him out, and if he thought he was so much smarter than her—all she had to do was wait for his mistake.
“No, it didn’t start out like that. It evolved. Cody was angry, he hated school, but he was easy to manipulate and seemed to become more and more obsessed with death—in fact, he loved it. Then I guess he discovered he had a knack for it. He killed students he didn’t like, people he crossed paths with…”
Katie kept her calm. “I see… you’re drawn to underachievers and psychopaths to make yourself seem better—more important.”
“Hardly.”
Katie eased her body to another position, keeping herself moving, so her voice wouldn’t be coming from a consistent place. “Hey, you can be as high-minded as you like, but you seem to kill people that you can’t control. You couldn’t control Cindy and you couldn’t control Cody—lost cause.”
He remained quiet.
Katie moved again, trying to circle back around to find out if she could spot his location.
He didn’t answer her.
“Dr. Wills,” she said. “Well actually, it’s just Brandon because you really didn’t earn your doctorate, but killed and stole for it. I think that makes it null and void. That’s the way I see it.”
There was still no response.
Katie grew nervous and readied herself. She knew that Dr. Wills was coming for her, cleaning up any loose ends that would connect him to the murder of his classmate and her aunt.
She stayed still, not moving until she could get a fix on him. There was no telling where he was. There was a quick flash from the southern part of the trail. Katie wasn’t certain if it was something from an animal or if it was coming from the reflection of a weapon. She decided to move toward it instead of running from it—not wanting to be ambushed.
Another light reflection emitted.
She held her position.
Walking along the path was the outline of a man who moved in and out of the main trail. She saw the man’s profile and immediately knew that it was McGaven. He had found her. But then Katie’s spirits dashed as she thought about Wills out there roaming with his rifle homed in with a scope. She had to warn McGaven.
Katie finally caught up with him, waving silently to get his attention. The sound of the rifle cracked, echoing all around them. McGaven hit the ground.
Without a second thought she ran out into the clearing to pull her partner to safety, back into a hiding place in the trees. He had a bullet in his leg. She helped him up and took his weight as they disappeared into the grove, shots firing into the air around them. As they ran, Katie could tell McGaven’s wound was serious. He was falling into shock and was having trouble staying conscious.
“Stay with me,” she whispered as she tore a section of her coat to wrap around the wound, realizing that he needed a tourniquet. Immediately standing up, Katie took off her belt and bound it around McGaven’s leg, pulling it tight. He cried out in pain. “Take it easy. How did you find me?” she whispered.
“We tracked your car,” he said, breathless.
“Who’s we?”
Weakly he said, “Me and John.”
“John?”
“Yeah, a real-life commando.”
“Shhh… save your strength and don’t move otherwise it will bleed faster.”
“Where’s Cisco?”
Katie didn’t want to think about it. “Stay quiet,” she said and tried to make him comfortable. “We’re sitting ducks if I don’t go after Wills.”
“Dr. Wills?” he said.
“Yeah, he’s one screwed up mastermind. I’ll explain later. I think I have most of it recorded.”
Katie went to move and McGaven stopped her. “You can’t do this… by yourself…”
“Stay here… don’t move,” she ordered. “Kee
p holding that tourniquet.”
Without warning, gunfire ripped through the tree branches just above their heads. Katie hit the ground as flat as she could, covering McGaven until the bullets stopped pummeling the area around them.
“Stay down!” she said to McGaven.
Katie pulled her Glock, took aim and systematically began firing from the left to right. Before she knew it, she had to replace her magazine. Looking at McGaven, he didn’t look good, sweating, pale, and she knew that she had to get him to a hospital. She wondered where John was, and if he was out there somewhere or had circled back to the parking lot to get help.
Bullets exploded again. Branches ripped from the tree trunks. Pieces of bark shredded.
She heard twigs breaking and froze, expecting the worst.
Cisco. He had probably made it to the SUV and then came around the other way through the forest to meet back up. Katie couldn’t help herself—she hugged the dog. Cisco instinctively knew that McGaven was hurt and he took his position next to him, keeping him warm.
Gunfire ignited again, but this time it wasn’t aimed at them. Rapid sputters of gunfire seemed to be coming from an area in front of them between two different people. A gun battle. Katie squeezed in with McGaven and Cisco, making sure they were safe and shielded behind her. She kept her gun fixed toward the area where all the gunfire began and then suddenly ended. Katie’s nerves were frayed and her strength waning, but all she thought about was how she was going to get McGaven medical help.
The valley and hilltop went completely quiet.
Katie waited. Then…
“Katie, McGaven,” followed by a whistle.
“John.”
“It’s safe now. Keep talking, I’ll find you,” he said through the trees.
“We’re over here… McGaven is hurt… please hurry…”
Finally, emerging from the wooded area, John appeared. Katie didn’t recognize him at first, dressed like a commando. It didn’t matter. She was thankful that he had found them.
“John, we need to get McGaven to the hospital.”
He said, “I know… I called in backup when I had a signal.”
“Thank you, John,” whispered McGaven.
Katie hesitated. “Where’s Dr. Wills?”
“Dead.”
“Are you okay?” she said.
“He left me no other choice; he had you guys pinned down. I’m fine.”
“I know… he killed his partner, Cody Teagen.”
“Where is he?”
“A little ways up the trail.”
A helicopter flew over using its spotlights searching for them. The blade’s velocity blew wind down through the trees as the helicopter made a large circle around the area.
Katie and John used their flashlights to signal them…
Fifty-Three
A week later…
Katie rushed through the hospital hallway to find McGaven’s room. He was being discharged today and she wanted to see him before he left—and before Denise or anyone else came. He had a few complications from his bullet wound, but after two surgeries, he was going to be fine and was scheduled to return to regular work duties in two weeks.
Katie turned the corner and entered the room where McGaven was lying in a hospital bed with his leg in a contraption to keep it stable.
“Hey, partner,” said Katie.
“Hey,” he said as a big smile washed across his face.
“I thought you’d be on your way out?”
“I will be later today,” he said.
“Everything okay?”
“Oh yeah, everything is fine. I’m itching to get out of here that’s for sure.”
Katie pulled up a chair closer to the bed and took a seat. “Everything has been so crazy, but—”
He reached out to touch her hand. “You don’t have to say anything.”
“I do. What I did, not trusting you enough to tell you what I was doing. And then you risked everything to find me and to have my back… you risked your life for me.”
He caught her gaze. “I know you were protecting those of us who care about you. You were doing what you thought was right in order to protect your family—I know that, and there’s no reason for you to feel bad or apologize for anything. Because I would do it all again knowing what I know now.”
Katie remained quiet for a moment. “My life has been somewhat unsettling ever since I came home—make that really turned upside down. But, having people like you in my life has made it all worth it. And without sounding all mushy I really wanted to have a moment alone with you to say… thank you…”
“The feeling is mutual,” he said.
They sat together quietly for a few moments.
“Well,” she said. “You’re going to have a really cool scar from a bullet wound.”
McGaven laughed. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“Not as good as some of mine,” she laughed.
“What do you mean?” he said playfully. “I have more than you.”
“Ah, I don’t think so.” She stood up and began to show a few scars, one on the side of her belly, one down the side of her jawline, and a nasty one the side of her shin. “See here and here, and let’s not forget here.”
“Well, I’m catching up.”
“What’s going on in here?” said Denise at the doorway carrying a small overnight bag. She walked over to McGaven and gave him a kiss.
“Just sharing our war stories,” said Katie.
“Oh, is that all,” Denise laughed. “Hi, Katie.” To McGaven, “I brought you some clothes to change into before coming home.”
“Thanks, babe.”
Katie smiled. She loved seeing two of her closest friends together. “Well, I’ll check in on you before you come back to work.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “Is there still a cold case unit?”
“I’m going to find out later, but since my uncle will be reinstated, I don’t think there’s a problem. Don’t worry about that. Get better and rest—we have a lot of cold cases to solve.”
Katie went to the door, paused, and then turned back to them. “Thanks, you two.” And then she left.
* * *
The daylight became darker, as if a dimmer switch was turned down. The red and orange sunset reflected in the valley between the trees was breathtaking and indicated the end of another day.
Katie drove up in her uncle’s white SUV and parked. She saw Chad sitting on a large rock watching the day end. He didn’t immediately turn to greet her.
Katie walked up and put her arms around him. “I love this time of year. These are the best sunsets.”
“They are even better when you share them with someone you love,” he said.
Katie smiled. “I think you’re right about that—it’s even better.”
The couple remained quiet, watching the sunset turn more intense before slowly dissipating. The end of the day represented the hope for a new even better one tomorrow.
Instead of rehashing the dangerous covert mission that Katie had embarked upon and what could have happened, they chose to move on and cherish each day.
Fifty-Four
Monday 0830 hours
Katie sat across the table from Undersheriff Martinez, Sergeant Cannon of the internal affairs division, and Detective Hamilton. She had answered questions and updated them on what had transpired during her “unofficial” investigation in addition to her fully detailed report of everything that had taken place, including the voice recordings.
Sheriff Scott sat quietly next to Katie. No one spoke to him, but all charges for the murder of his wife had been dropped by the district attorney’s office.
Martinez headed the meeting and announced, “All the new evidence, as well as the confessions, was corroborated in the homicide cases of Cynthia Andrews and Claire Scott. And we are coordinating with other jurisdictions for the two other homicides of the students, Anna Blake and Dillon Masterson.”
“Yes,” said Detective Hamilton.<
br />
“Cody Teagen murdered both Cynthia Andrews and Claire Scott with the guidance of Dr. Brandon Wills,” Martinez said. “I just finished reading the forensic reports stating that there were small blood traces of Cody Teagen’s blood on Sheriff Scott’s knife. He must’ve inadvertently cut himself. In addition, the fabric strips left on the property were able to be matched to a small duffle bag owned by Teagen. There are a few other pieces of evidence being tested from the Andrews scene as well as the two murdered students, but it doesn’t slow down the process or the status of the cases. As far as I can see, these cases are closed.”
“Yes,” she said, feeling a huge sense of relief.
“Is there anything you would like to add, Detective Scott?”
“Everything was in my report,” she said and now was worried that she was going to be suspended for directly disobeying an order from a superior. “What about Detective Teagen?”
“We’ve done two interviews and are satisfied that he didn’t know anything about what his son was up to.” He changed the subject; obviously when a fellow officer was potentially involved in such horrific crimes, he didn’t want to talk about it. “How is Deputy McGaven doing?” the undersheriff asked.
“He’s doing well,” she said. “Getting better every day.”
“Good to hear. Well, my job here is done. It has been my pleasure to officially welcome back and be a part of reinstating Sheriff Wayne Scott.”
Katie smiled and wanted to clap and whistle, but she sat quietly in her seat.
“Thank you,” the sheriff said.
“No hard feelings, I hope.”
“None,” the sheriff replied.
“You can come back any time you like.”
“Tomorrow. Katie and I have something important to do today.”
“Very well. We’ll see both of you tomorrow. Oh, Katie, do I have to remind you—”
She interrupted, “No, sir, you don’t.” She didn’t need to be reminded that she had skated on very thin ice and wouldn’t disregard an order again.
Flowers on Her Grave Page 26
