Pretty Broken Dolls by Jennifer Chase
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Thursday 2135 hours
Katie kept warm curled up on the couch with a cozy plaid blanket. The day had been long and she just needed quiet and security. Missing Chad was an understatement. She had even thought about driving to Los Angeles for a couple of days to be with him—but his schedule was so intense that they wouldn’t have any time together even if she was there.
Looking at the framed photograph of her and Chad, she had begun to realize how much she missed having him around whenever she needed him. It was clear that she hadn’t realized how much she had until it was in limbo—whether or not they would be together was still in question.
She couldn’t go to sleep right away and didn’t want to watch a movie or read a book. The soft rhythmic ticking of her mantel clock helped to slow down her pulse. She just wanted solace—to be quiet and think. Being well aware stressful situations brought on her symptoms of anxiety, she decided to let them come if they wanted.
Cisco was ecstatic that she was home even though her uncle had visited him earlier and fed him. He was a lucky dog that so many people cared about him when Katie had to work late. He snored softly next to her.
It didn’t take long for her to start thinking about everything that had happened during the day. Interviewing Mrs. Winchell and Daniel Harper. The clue McGaven found on Darla’s computer. The DH coincidence? Could Sadie be the killer?
It occurred to Katie that the victims were hard-working and strong personality types. They seemed to excel at military dog training. Was that what had triggered the killer?
Everything whirled around in her mind like a winter storm and there were signs that it wasn’t going to end any time soon.
Her phone beeped to alert her that a text message was waiting.
Katie picked up her phone. Reading the text, she sucked in a breath. It was from her friend Lizzy, but that wasn’t what disturbed her.
It read: Dead and gone.
Katie thought it was strange and creepy. Why would Lizzy send that? She pressed the dial button and after three rings, she answered.
“Hey, I was just thinking about calling you!”
“Why did you send that?” said Katie.
“What?”
“Why did you send that text message?”
“I didn’t. Katie, are you okay?”
“Lizzy, I’m looking at this message you sent a minute before I called. It says, ‘Dead and gone.’”
“I never sent it, Katie. You sure it’s from my number?”
“Yes.”
“I would never send something like that.”
Katie knew in her own mind that Lizzy wouldn’t have sent it, but she felt that all of a sudden she couldn’t trust her own judgment. Who sent it? And why?
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. I was mistaken. It’s been a long couple of days. I’m sorry.” Even though she knew the message came from Lizzy’s phone number—or did it? There was more going on and she was going to get to the source, but she didn’t want to worry her friend so she made light of it.
“Katie? You doing okay?”
“Yeah, just a rough day, that’s all. I’ll call you later. Okay?”
“Sure. Talk to you soon.”
The phone connection went dead.
Katie sat there with her phone in her hand for several minutes still looking at the text message.
Dead and gone.