Pretty Broken Dolls by Jennifer Chase
Chapter Fourteen
Thursday 2045 hours
Katie arranged herself on her sofa with her laptop and a clean notebook. After eating takeout from her favorite local Chinese restaurant, she was ready to dive into the two first cases to see for herself what happened to these two women—since she didn’t have enough time at the office. She wanted to fully understand the revelation of what Agent Campbell had dropped into her lap, still astonished by the chain of events.
Her mind wandered to Chad. His face. His laugh. Their time together. She wondered what he was doing and she missed him dearly. They had been through so much together, to be separated now was almost unbearable. They hadn’t said their official goodbyes yet.
She decided to send him a text: Miss you. Hope everything is going well xx
She leaned back against the couch pillows to let everything simmer in her mind. A fire was slowly burning in her fireplace, the flames lightly flickering, making the room feel cozy and safe. She didn’t feel sleepy, quite the contrary: she wanted some answers, especially after speaking with Sergeant Serrano. She didn’t know if it was the visit to the K9 training area or the fact that Chad was gone—but she felt melancholy.
Even though she had Cisco, she still had her firearm to hand. It was the police and military training that made her extra cautious. Her security was engaged and running properly; it was just an added precaution, making her feel safer.
Cisco sensed her emotions were downcast and was, as always, at her side in case she needed anything. He circled a couple of times before finding the right spot to snuggle down into on the couch.
Katie tried to push away her feelings about being alone now that Chad had all but left for Los Angeles. Her heart felt broken. Nothing was permanent, but it still felt like her world was falling apart, one aspect of her life at a time. She was also saddened by the Jared Stanton case, wishing that she could have done something to change the outcome.
Cisco’s light doggie snores interrupted her downhearted thoughts. She smiled as she watched him twitching his paws and legs, wondering what kind of dream he was having—happy or sad.
Taking a few more bites of her chicken and vegetables, she turned her attention to the cases.
Katie had transferred files from the backup flash drive into her laptop yesterday and now she waited as the files popped up on her screen.
Each victim’s report was in a file and from there it was divided into seven subcategory files: background, autopsy, police reports, victimology, forensics and crime scene, interviews, and miscellaneous notes. It appeared that everything was the same as the physical boxes they had received.
Katie pressed “Victim #1, Nancy Day,” and her overall investigation loaded up. She clicked on background information and began to reread through the lists and notes, putting asterisks alongside anything of interest.
Nancy Day, 34 years old, single, taught Administration of Justice for Littleton College* in Placer County. Brunette, average build, green eyes, no surgeries, no medical issues or prescriptions, no mental health issues, no close family relationships, slightly reclusive, had $67,000 in savings*, rented home, conservative spending patterns, paid bills on time, vacation once a year, had worked a total of four jobs in her life: fast food restaurant, went into army as K9 handler*, worked as admin to a law firm, and then got her teaching degree to work at the college.
Went into army to pay for her college. Well-liked by staff and students at Littleton College. No write-ups or bad behavior. Parents still living, not close*. Mom is restaurant/bar owner. Dad is an architect. Unhappy with daughter about army enlistment*. Sister married with two children—not close—no contact* in four years. Single. Dated two men, not at same time, over a three-year period, Darren Straight and Paul Wheeler. Both cleared of any involvement in her murder.
Katie sighed and sat back. “Not much to go on. Ordinary. Quiet,” she said quietly. “Why were you targeted? How could someone get to you? Motive?”
Cisco grumbled.
Nothing stood out in the police reports and interviews. Katie made a few notes as she read through everything so that she could refer back to them later. Nancy Day’s body was found in front of Littleton College, murdered and posed dramatically before anyone arrived. She was found by the security guard, who was later cleared of any involvement.
The victimology report did an analysis of a typical day and week for Nancy Day. The criminologist pinpointed the likely times and places where she could have been most vulnerable—especially if someone was paying attention or following her. These were at her home during the nighttime and working late at the college after students and most teachers had already gone home. Her death ended up being at the latter.
Who would have access to Nancy Day and want her dead?
Students? Teachers? Ex-boyfriend? Family member? Stranger fixation?
The theatrical staging of the crime scene would indicate that the killer wanted to embarrass her or show her to be a certain type of person—perhaps they wanted her to be exposed at her place of work. Revenge. Hate. But they didn’t completely go all the way. They could have had her nude in a compromising position—but they stopped short.
The forensic reports didn’t show anything tangible, such as fingerprints or fluids. The crime scene photos were presented well and showed Katie everything she needed to know at this point.
Katie quickly made notes and added more questions so she could get McGaven up to speed. From everything she had read, Nancy Day was average and had led a very quiet life.
* * *
Gwen Sanderson, 31 years old, petite, brunette, brown eyes, suffered from diabetes, owner of a small restaurant/deli called Gwen’s Place, had significant debt $110,000, known to harass people in public places, went to anger management classes, boyfriend (Joseph Alda), on-again/off-again relationship, no drug usage, non-smoker, liked by customers, liked by community, adoptive parents died in auto accident, no siblings or family noted, worked many jobs before owning restaurant: restaurant, maid, clerk, babysitting, dog walker, etc. Left home at 18 to join army to get away from parents. Was military K9 police—discharged early (military file sealed). Washed out?
* * *
“Hmmm, problem child,” said Katie.
She read through all the reports and one thing stood out to her: Gwen was murdered and her crime scene posed in a place that she had never visited. Her body was found secured to the front entrance on a fence at Roy’s Bed and Breakfast Dude Ranch, which had been under construction during the winter months. No one was working on the ranch at the time of her death. The second aspect that stood out to Katie was that the staged scene was much more heavy-handed with the makeup and the level of violence. As if the murder could have been committed by someone else trying to make it appear like the Nancy Day crime scene.
Possible.
Katie read the forensics report and studied the crime scene photos. Everything appeared to be rushed and have an amateurish aspect to it—similar to the fairgrounds scene. All the crime scenes resembled one another. The exaggerated application of the makeup. There were spots of makeup on the clothes and her arms. The placement of the jewelry seemed like an afterthought, as if the killer was trying to make their motive known. That made Katie pause as she thought about all three victims and their connections. However, the Nancy Day signature with the makeup was less pronounced than the others as if the killer wasn’t sure how much makeup to apply to accomplish the level of theater they had wanted. It was as if it was the first time the killer had applied makeup.
The characteristics that stood out to Katie connecting all four crime scenes were: posing of the victims in demeaning positions like broken dolls; a dramatic quality to the crime scenes —almost playful, like a game; items of jewelry hung like trophies that the killer didn’t take; excessive makeup; battered chest, and then the final blow in each case, slicing the throat to let the victim bleed out. It showed control, a need to embarrass, humiliate, abuse, and then kill. The three victims were also linked by the lack of forensic evidence.
Anger. Revenge. Hate.
Katie made more notes and skimmed some of the sections again. Once she had a grip on the crime scenes and forensics she could update McGaven in the morning. She gave her eyes a rest, leaned back on the couch, and allowed herself to fall asleep.