Page 10 of Everything She Feared

She cautioned herself not to get caught up in the excitement and confusion, to remain calm. Focus on the work, because paramount to everything going on was the fact the investigation into a young person’s death was in her hands. Taking a deep breath of forest air, Pierce led the other detectives through the group toward the tape.

“Excuse me,” a woman, face taut with worry, said to Pierce. “Excuse me, who are you?”

Before she could answer, a man stepped closer to Pierce, saying loudly: “Are you in charge? Why’s the medical examiner here? What the hell happened?”

More people collected around them and another woman, her voice cracking with fear and anger said: “Our children are in there and they won’t let us see them!”

Pierce noticed that two TV cameras on the shoulders of newspeople were aimed at her. Other reporters were holding out phones, recording.

“Our son texted me.” A woman held up her phone, then pointed to the trail. “He said he thinks someone got killed and police are questioning our kids in there!”

“We demand to know what’s happening!” the loud-voiced man said. “It’s illegal for you to talk to our kids without us! You can’t detain them! We’ll get lawyers, we’ll sue!”

“Who are you?” a woman asked.

In a moment of silence Pierce jumped in, responding politely.

“I’m Detective Kim Pierce. I understand that you have questions and this is a troubling time. We’re investigating a report of an incident. I assure you, we have the authority to talk to your children, to gather information.”

“We demand to see our kids,” a woman said.

“I know,” Pierce said. “We’ll reunite you with them right here as soon as we’re done. I’m sorry, unfortunately that’s all we can say at this time.”

Pierce turned to the tape, which the deputy had lifted for her and the other detectives. Passing under it, another question followed her, one from a woman identifying herself as a reporter with a Seattle TV news channel.

“Detective Pierce,” she called, “can you confirm the age and sex of the victim?”

The air stilled as Pierce stopped, turned and sought the reporter. Mindful of the parents, the cameras and phones, she said: “I’m sorry but we can’t confirm anything at this time.”

Pierce and the detectives continued down the trail, tugging on gloves. Deputy Rob Hirano was waiting for them, ensuring they were out of hearing distance from the parking lot. A quick round of introductions, then for several minutes Hirano flipped through his notes, updating them on steps taken so far. He concluded by saying that the Sunny Days group was waiting at the day camp.

“They’re upset and want to leave. We’ve got paramedics and the medical examiner people here, and there are deputies and troopers to help with additional work.”

Then Hirano, his hands still gloved, passed a clear evidence bag holding a Washington State driver’s license to Pierce. Anna Catherine Shaw, aged seventeen, stared at Pierce from the photo.

“The ME got this,” he said.

Pierce signed an evidence tag, studied the license, then tucked it in her pocket and made notes.

“I read your summary on the drive out,” Pierce said. “The only person with her when she fell was Kaitlyn Jean Harmon, and she’s nine?”

“Yes. She goes by Katie.”

“What made you suspicious that this might not be an accident? You notedpossibly deceptive responses, concerning Katie Harmon.”

“Yeah, she seemed a little evasive,” he said. “I could’ve been misreading her but I thought we should be thorough, bring you guys in.”

Pierce nodded and, while she made notes, Benton jumped in.

“Anna Shaw was taking a selfie when she fell, right?” he asked.

“That’s our understanding,” Hirano said.

“Look,” Benton said, “people are dying all over the world taking dangerous selfies. This is a tragic fall.”

Pierce shot Benton a look. “How about we let the investigation determine what this is, Carl?”

He held up his hands in surrender.

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