Page 12 of Shattered Sanctuary

The chief nodded. “I do fine as long as I’m wearing them.”

“So that’s the noise you wanted to get away from? The streets of Chicago?”

“Well, it’s certainly quieter here.”

The chief slowed down and stopped the Jeep. They were back at the cabin. Erin was surprised they were already here.

“Thanks for the assistance,” he said.

“I hope it really did help. Could you... I mean, would you...”

“Keep you apprised of our progress?” he said.

“I’d like that. If it’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay,” he said.

Erin got out of the Jeep. Before she closed the door, she said, “I hope you catch him, Chief. And thanks for the story about the cabin. Hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

He laughed heartily. “I hope so too. And it’s Adrian. No one calls mechiefexcept my officers—and only when we’re on duty.”

“Okay, Adrian. It was nice meeting you.”

“You too.”

As Erin walked toward the front door of the cabin, a voice whispered in her head.William Watcher slew his wife. Slit her throat with his butcher knife. Now she wanders Watcher Woods, a ghastly visage in a cloak and hood. If you should hear her mournful cries, you will be the next to die.

Kaely checked the GPS on the rental car. A little over sixteen miles to the cabin. She’d been praying. Praying for the baby she and Noah wanted so badly. But this week was about Erin, not her own problems. It was hard not to think about it, though. It was always there in her mind. She asked God to help her put her own needs on the back burner and concentrate on Erin. Her GPS indicated that a turn was coming, so she focused her attention on the upcoming exit. Once she made it, she relaxed some. Spending a week with Erin had sounded like exactly what she needed. She and Erin hadclicked from the beginning, and she felt connected to the woman she’d spent so much time with...online. But now they would be face-to-face. Would the easy relationship they’d created stay the same?

She checked her GPS again. Another twenty minutes, and she’d be there. “God, Erin has had so much pain in her life,” she prayed quietly. “I understand that. Help me to be sensitive and compassionate. You’ve brought me so far, and I really want to see her soul healed too. You’re the only One who can do that. Help me to not think I can do Your job.” She sighed heavily. “And keep reminding me to stay out of Your way, okay?”

This was going to be an interesting week. As she made the last turn toward the cabin, Kaely whispered the same prayer she’d prayed so many times. “Not my will, Lord. Just Yours.”

NINE

Adrian dropped Erin off at the cabin and headed to the station. He needed to concentrate on the case he’d just been handed. A murder. He needed to find the killer and bring justice to the poor woman whose body was probably on the way to the ME’s office by now. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take them long to find out who she was. Surely, someone was missing her.

His thoughts drifted to Erin Delaney. She was guarded. Private. He was usually pretty perceptive about people, but she wouldn’t allow him past the wall she’d erected around herself. He tried to shake off thoughts about her, but her wide green eyes kept popping into his mind. He’d seen the pain inside them, and he wanted to ease it. But why? She wasn’t his type.

He’d told the truth about her book. He’d enjoyed it. It was realistic. She’d captured the heart of law enforcement and those who carried ghosts inside them. Ghosts who whispered in their minds at night when they tried to sleep. Although the public didn’t realize it, they wept over victims and faced confusion when confronted with the evil that human beings could inflict on each other. Although her powerful story hadheld him in its thrall, it lacked redemption. Hope. He felt certain Erin Delaney didn’t know God. Adrian couldn’t be involved with someone who didn’t share his faith. Yet, he’d felt something. Something he couldn’t explain. She really was amazing. Naturally talented. She’d provided him with more information than Dr. Gibson ever could have. She clearly noticed things that others didn’t.

When he reached the station, he parked and went inside. Now began the search for the identity of the dead woman. Then, once they knew who she was, he’d have to locate her family. He’d had to notify family members in Sanctuary before, but this was different. This appeared to be a senseless death. Something that shouldn’t have happened. There was a very dangerous person in the area, near the town and the people he cared for. Did the killer pick his victim at random? Or was he hunting something specific? Erin hadn’t been sure. She’d said that the next victim or victims would tell them more. But there was no way Adrian could allow some maniac to add more bodies to his horrific count.

When he reached his office, his administrative assistant stopped him before he opened his door. Lisa Parrish wasn’t a police officer, but she knew as much or more than most of the officers under his command.

“Hey, got a call from Merle Hubbard over at the resort. Seems like some woman who’s been staying there didn’t check out this morning when she was supposed to. A Chloe Banner. She left last night to go to the Grits and Grains event. Should have been back by now. He went into her room. All her things are still there, and it appears that her bed wasn’t slept in. It’s possible this could be your victim.”

“Or some tourist who drank too much and didn’t makeit back to her room.” Adrian sighed. “Call Merle and tell him...”

“Not to touch anything?” Lisa finished for him. She grinned. “We may not get much action here, but I watchCSI,Blue Bloods, andLaw & Order. I know about preserving a crime scene.”

“Seems we need some training,” Adrian said. “Not sure watching TV is the proper way for my staff to learn about protecting evidence.”

Lisa laughed. “I’m just teasing you, boss. You’ve done a great job training your people. And Tim has been a real asset. I’m sure he’ll be careful with the scene. Hopefully, he’ll find something that will help. Although, I hear that author you took to look at our victim had some helpful insights.”

Adrian frowned at her. “I just left there. How can you possibly know what happened just...” He looked at his watch, “an hour ago? And don’t tell me that news travels fast in a small town. That may be true, but nothing moves this fast.”

Lisa’s face flushed and she began to fiddle with a file on her desk. Adrian didn’t move, just continued to watch her. Finally, she sighed loudly and looked up.

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