Pretty Broken Dolls by Jennifer Chase
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tuesday 1325 hours
After speaking with Mrs. Caldwell and realizing she suffered from a form of mental illness, Katie wanted some immediate answers from Special Agent Campbell. There was nothing in the reports they had to indicate she suffered from a mental impairment or that she grappled with voices, real or otherwise. It changed the investigation. It distorted the outlook from a witness and next-door neighbor. It was unclear if the neighbor saw something that night or not—she seemed to slip in and out of lucidness.
Katie felt her anxious energy escalate—sweaty palms, faster heartbeat, and shortness of breath. She wanted some answers and they weren’t going to leave Agent Campbell’s suite until they were satisfied that they were all up to speed on the investigations.
What else had been kept from them?
Dark clouds moved in from the north and were in typical rain-cloud clusters, ready to spring a leak at any moment. It was common this time of year, before spring laid out its beautiful colors and warmer weather across the landscape. Even the rolling valleys and mountain wooded areas changed and brightened with spring.
Was it all just a game?
Every day she woke up and didn’t feel doom looming over her was a great day. But these investigations were increasingly taxing and the anxious fear wormed its way into Katie’s psyche, stirring the deep-seated trauma she had suffered and triggering the sneaky symptoms of PTSD.
Katie gripped the steering wheel and concentrated on the strength of the engine performing every time she pushed the accelerator. It gave her comfort and focus on the here and now, instead of what might be. In her mind she challenged herself: Go ahead, weak arms, shaky fingers, and weird dizziness; I’m not afraid of you.
“How do you want to approach Campbell?” asked McGaven. His voice was calm but there was a hint of concern to it.
“I want the truth.”
“Okay.”
“That’s all I ever want when I’m working a case—the truth.”
“There’s some diplomacy needed here, Katie. I know you’re upset, but we need to be smart about this. Maybe confronting him like a stampede isn’t the best way to get what you want.”
“You realize that it’s likely he might have sent us into a trap initially at Jeanine’s house? I suspect that the missing page on Mrs. Caldwell about her mental illness was deliberately left out of our files.”
“You can’t say that for sure,” he said.
“It’s possible, right?”
“Maybe, but the smart way to handle this is to maneuver, not lash out.”
Katie thought about what he’d said. “You’re saying that we need be smarter to weed out the lies and get to the truth.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Katie breathed slowly, feeling the oxygen fill her lungs and then leave her body. She felt a layer of relaxation calm her nerves and begin to soothe her anger.
“Let me know your plan,” said McGaven.
“We’re going to Agent Campbell’s room at the Hobson Inn & Suites.”
“And?”
“And… I know you’re right, but I’m still mad. How are we supposed to solve a case when information is conveniently left out? Who does that? This is the third time we’ve found something missing.”
They were a few minutes away from the motel.
“It’s like we have a mystery within a mystery,” she said. “I don’t know why Uncle Wayne approved this arrangement.”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
“I know he has his reasons. He wouldn’t give his okay if he thought there was anything hinky about it. If there’s one thing I know about our sheriff is that he is by the book—he told me so on the weekend. No exceptions.”
“Would that include having his niece head up the crime scene unit with little experience?”
“Do you always have to do that?”
“Do what?”
“Make sense all the time and call me out.”
“That’s what partners are for.”
Katie stood at the door of room 212 at the Hobson Inn & Suites once again. This time she had a purpose that overrode everything else, but she couldn’t let Campbell know.
It began to drizzle—lightly at first and then more of a shower. The drops were large and dappled the foliage around them, making a calming sound.
She knocked on the door.
It was difficult for her to focus and keep her reaction calm and professional but she was determined not to let her anger get the better of her.
Katie knocked again.
No answer.
“He’s not home?” said McGaven, with a hint of sarcasm.
“It looks like his car is here.”
“Maybe he left with someone else? That agent…”
“Agent Haley?”
“Maybe. Call him or we can come back tomorrow.”
“No,” said Katie.
“No? What do you suggest we do?”
She tried the door and surprisingly found it unlocked. It seemed odd because usually at motels, doors automatically locked when you left. Agent Campbell must have deliberately unlocked the door, which seemed odd with the equipment and confidential information inside.
The doorknob turned in her hand and she hesitated before pushing the door open. To her surprise, McGaven didn’t say anything.
“Agent Campbell?” she said. “Anyone home?” She tried to make her voice sound casual.
Katie and McGaven stood at the threshold, not entering the suite. They could see the command center with photos and reports on the wall. The computers were humming, and there were stacks of various paperwork, file folders, and bankers’ boxes filled with even more information.
“Oh hi, Detective,” came a voice behind them. It was Agent Haley carrying a sealed container that had some type of meal inside and a drink with a straw.
“Is Agent Campbell here?” asked Katie.
“No, he’s doing some errands—I believe personal in nature. Can I help you with something?” She forced a smile.
Katie noticed that the perky agent assistant was different, more solemn. Based on the darkened areas under her eyes, she had probably been working all hours.
“We’re waiting for the results from forensics and autopsy report for the victim at the fairgrounds. I wanted to double-check some information that we received for the Trenton case—I think there might be some missing.”
“Of course,” she said. “Come in.” She walked past them and paused a moment to catch McGaven’s eye.
“Thanks,” said Katie and gave her partner a look, raising her eyebrow.
McGaven shut the door.
Agent Haley put down her food and went to one of the computers. “What are you looking for?” She sat poised with her fingers on the keyboard.
“Trenton case. There was an interview with Mrs. Sadie Caldwell. We seem to be missing some pages.”
“Oh?” she said. “Let’s see here…” She keyed up the case and scrolled through files. Then she opened a desk drawer, rummaged around through various office supplies and retrieved a flash drive, inserting it into the computer. “This will just take a few seconds.”
“That’s great. Thank you,” said Katie as she slowly skimmed the room again. Nothing had changed since their last visit.
The computer hummed as it transferred the information.
When it was done, Agent Haley pulled the flash drive out and handed it to Katie. “There you go. I just went ahead and copied all the reports. Sorry for the inconvenience. I’m a new junior agent, promoted from administrative executive assistant, and it’s been a bit overwhelming, but I’m getting there,” she rattled on then finished with a sigh.
“Thank you,” Katie said and then decided to ask, “Is there anything new on the Trenton case?”
“Not that I know of. Everything is there in your hand.” She popped open her container and began to eat. “Maybe we can keep this a secret? I don’t want Agent Campbell to know that I messed up.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said McGaven.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” She smiled as she ate a large forkful of salad.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything new we need to know?” Katie gently pushed.
“No…” The junior agent shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, if something new comes in, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.”
“Of course, Detective Scott,” she said.
* * *
Driving back to the office, McGaven’s cell phone chimed. It was a text message from Dr. Dean: We have an ID on the vic.