Last Girls Alive (Detective Katie Scott #4) - Jennifer Chase Page 0,67

numbers on doors and at hallways.

“Hello?” said Katie catching the woman’s attention.

“Yes?” she said.

“I called earlier about speaking with Mrs. Margaret Adler.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Detective Scott, right?”

“Yes, and this is Deputy McGaven.” Katie smiled.

“Oh my,” she said, looking up at McGaven. “You’re probably the tallest police officer I’ve ever seen.”

“I think he’s the tallest I’ve seen too,” Katie chimed in, having a bit of fun at McGaven’s expense.

“Okay,” the woman said. “Margaret is out on the porch reading. Just follow through the main area until you see the sliding doors.”

“How will we know Margaret?” Katie asked.

“Oh,” the woman said and giggled. “You’ll know. Have a nice visit.”

Katie looked at McGaven and shrugged. “Okay.” They continued through the large living room where people were playing cards, working on puzzles, and a few reading books in the corner.

They came to the sliding doors which opened onto a large deck area where there were maple trees and low blooming bushes. Two men were chatting, and two women reading paperback novels.

“What do you think?” asked Katie.

“I don’t know. Just ask, I suppose.”

Both were feeling conspicuous, but no one paid them any attention.

Katie walked up to a woman fitting Margaret Adler’s build and what she thought she would look like. “Excuse me,” she said. “Are you Margaret Adler?”

The woman politely shook her head no.

“You looking for me?” said a voice behind her. A robust woman with fire-red hair, clearly dyed, and a colorful floral top, had appeared, riding a scooter. “I’m Margaret Adler. Judging by your suit, not to mention your gun and badge, you must be Detective Scott.”

“Yes,” said Katie. “Yes, I am. And this is—”

“Deputy McGaven,” Adler finished her sentence and smiled up at him.

McGaven nodded his head in introduction.

“Can we talk?” said Katie.

“Of course. Follow me,” she instructed and took off at full speed to another area of the patio.

Katie and McGaven almost had to jog to keep up with the woman—each feeling their bruises as they hurried.

Mrs. Adler settled in a nice spot between some of the landscaping and where there were two Adirondack chairs for Katie and McGaven.

Taking a seat, Katie jumped right in and began asking questions about Elm Hill. “Mrs. Adler, how long were you employed at Elm Hill?”

“Four years, three weeks, and sixteen days.”

“Okay,” said Katie and she lightly laughed. “I guess I’m just going to come right out and ask.”

“Please do. I have no secrets.” She waited patiently for the questions.

“Did you like your job there?”

“Sometimes. The girls were nice, just misunderstood and defensive because of their situations. But mostly, many days were filled with hassles and long hours. The county wouldn’t pay for overtime unless it was over forty hours during the week. So that made for some long days.”

“I see. Did you witness anything unusual?”

“C’mon, Detective. Just spit it out. This isn’t a court of law, you know—just a couple of gals talking.” She smiled broadly, showing her perfect false teeth.

“Okay. Was there anything going on at Elm Hill that had to do with abuse?”

“From what I saw, yes.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“I witnessed on several occasion Shelly McDonald using physical force on the girls—especially the quiet one… Tanis. She would slap her, punch her in the stomach, and I heard her beating her with something—I assume some type of switch or stick.”

That made Katie sad and mad that the woman used violence on the girls. “Did you report this to the police or social worker?”

“I would tell them everything I had seen when I was asked—I didn’t offer. Just wanted to keep my nose clean and keep my job.”

“Were there any men visiting Elm Hill—especially at night?”

“Interesting you should ask that… Normally I would say no, except for the police officers being called. Well, it was the muscular one. Can’t remember his name—I never spoke to him but just once.” She stopped and studied Katie and McGaven. It was unclear why, but she continued, “On one of the late nights I was finishing stocking the fridge with pre-made meals, when I saw two men accompanied by Shelly go upstairs. They parked their car outside, but I never saw them leave. When I left, the car was gone. That’s all I know.”

Katie leaned forward, “Mrs. Adler, I get the feeling that there’s something that you’re not telling us.”

“Well, I don’t know if it makes a difference or not. Or if it’s important or not, but it’s bothered me to this day.”

“Go ahead.”

“I used to hear crying, a woman crying. At first I thought it was