One of the night owls from earlier called out from somewhere deep in the forest, its lonely cry piercing the darkness. Hadley hadn’t said a word since Nick had joined them. She’d been too distracted by his demeanor, and now that Ramos had fallen silent, she braced herself for whatever it was Nick needed to say to them.
“We have a slight problem.” Nick shifted his weight and adjusted his thumb on the inside of his belt. “Hadley, did Kalen mention Reed to you?”
A wave of cold dread spread through her chest. She parted her lips to give details on her conversation with Kalen, but then changed her mind. She simply answered his question.
“No.”
“Where are you going with this, Turner?” Ramos asked, his eyes narrowing when he finally sensed the shift in the night air.
“Kalen Telfort confessed to kidnapping Missy Claymont, to assaulting Ty Hobbs, and to being aware of his father's previousvictims.” Nick finally met Hadley’s gaze. “But he’s denying any involvement in Reed's death. He claims that he was here at the cabin with Missy. I’m not sure there is enough?—”
“And you believe him?” Ramos interjected, obviously not buying Kalen’s claims of innocence.
“At this point?” Nick shrugged in response. “Kalen has been very forthcoming, and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise. Other than the timing of Reed’s death, of course. Hadley? You were with him for a while. Is there any reason to think he’s?—”
“Trying to avoid murder charges?” Ramos’ radio came to life once again, but he ignored the dispatcher. Nick continued to stare at Hadley, clearly waiting for her opinion. She remained silent, allowing Ramos to speak for her. “You’re damn straight, Turner.”
Nick was called away by one of his deputies. Ramos sighed in disgust, stepping away as he unclipped his radio. She was grateful for the blanket, because it prevented them from observing how she rubbed her chest in hopes of easing the discomfort.
She slowly lowered herself to the fallen log, doing her best to keep down the bile that threatened to travel up her esophagus. What if Kalen hadn’t killed Reed? Nick was right about Kalen being forthcoming with them, which fueled her fear that they’d only scratched the surface of Whistlerun's secrets.
35
Hadley Dawkins
October 2025
Thursday – 10:19am
The last photograph on the board was Missy Claymont's senior picture. The photographer had somehow managed to encapsulate a single moment that could never be recaptured, somehow succeeding in preserving a glint in Missy’s hazel eyes that suggested mischief or maybe just hope. This was a young woman who believed her life was just beginning, not yet knowing how little of it remained.
Hadley carefully pulled the final strip of tape off the back before studying the glossy print. She eventually placed it into the cardboard box atop the seven other pictures, each one representing a life cut short by Emanuel Telfort's twisted desire for companionship. The case was closed from an investigative standpoint, his son was in custody, and the townsfolk were left to pick up the pieces.
The state forensics team was still on the Telfort property, excavating the horrors from the soil. Blue tents had been set up,shielding the burial sites from prying eyes and drone cameras. It would take weeks to sift, catalog, and run DNA analysis before they could match bones to names…before families could finally bring their daughters home.
Hadley turned back to the whiteboard, causing the worn floorboards to protest as she shifted her weight. A subtle reminder that Reed would never finish the renovations. It was as if the house itself was mourning his loss.
She reached for the dry eraser through a morning ray of sunshine, disturbing the dust motes floating inside the golden beam. Swiping back and forth, she continued the motion until all the black lines that had connected the victims began to disappear. She had just finished obliterating the final red line when the front door opened.
The hinges needed oil, their objection audible even from across the room. Another task that Reed would never check off his list. She peered over her shoulder to find Warren Caldwell closing the door behind him.
“I was glad to see your SUV out front,” Warren said as he approached her. “I was hoping to have a minute to speak with you privately.”
Hadley set the eraser on the small, thin tray.
“I was just packing up some files,” Hadley replied, inspecting the whiteboard one last time. When she was satisfied with her results, she turned to face the mayor. “I’m surprised you’re not down at the festival this morning.”
“Actually, that’s where I was headed when I saw that you were still in town.” Warren cleared his throat and slipped his hands into his pockets. “I wanted to thank you personally. For solving the case. For saving Missy.”
“I'm not sure I saved anyone.”
“You brought her home. That’s what counts.”
“I spoke with Amelia this morning.” Hadley picked up the cardboard lid. “Missy still hasn't spoken a word since we found her. The doctors say it could be months, maybe years, before she fully processes what happened to her. Maybe never.”
Hadley flipped the lid in her hands.
“That's not saving someone, Warren. That's retrieving what's left.”
