Page 10 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Seven

Murphy forced the answering police unit to drive ahead where a sighting had been radioed in. By the time they arrived, the other cops who’d gotten there first admitted it wasn’t the right car and they were still in the dark.

They continued to drive around the area, covering every sleazy bar and motel but came up with zilch. No more sightings were called in, which meant the car with the hostage had pulled in somewhere or the kidnappers had reached their destination.

Relenting, stopping the wild goose chase, they opted to be taken back to Cooper’s where the kidnapping had taken place. It was dark and empty, earlier police presence obvious when one saw the notice on the door.

Seeing the cops were due for a shift change, Murphy and Kayti had no choice but to get dropped off on 4th Street at Headquarters to file their report. Before they could start, they were called into Kale’s office.

Heading upstairs, Kayti appeared distraught and Murphy couldn’t stand her fidgeting a moment longer. “Jesus, Swift, she’s not going to shoot you. This shit happens more than you know.”

“I just hate letting anyone down. It’s my fault that kid’s out there going through hell. It’s on me. You’d never have let them get away.”

He stopped and pulled her around to face him, his hands letting her arm go as if he couldn’t believe he’d purposely made physical contact. “You keep your mouth shut about what happened out there. I spiked that tire so you wouldn’t have to go blabbering about the chase. Got it!” His eyes drilled into her, just a hard no-bullshit stare.

She dropped her gaze, not having the stamina to hold his. “My name is Kayti. Katherine Edwards. I did introduce myself when you picked me up earlier you know.”

“Whatever. Just let me do the talking.”

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“Take five, Katherine Edwards. Who’s to know you weren’t taking the ditch because of another vehicle. Look, nobody’s perfect. Quit with the self-flagellation.”

“Right. Okay.”

They waited outside the office, Murphy leaning against the wall, his thoughts on the cold rye and coke he would have to pass up for multiple coffees. He never drank in the daytime.

He noticed Kayti in a trance and left her alone, glad she’d finally zipped up and the constant flow of blabber had stopped. He remembered her name, her full name, Katherine Edwards. Shock struck. He’d always had a favorite female name that surpassed any others, one he’d hoped to give a daughter one day.

Katherine.

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