A voice called out near the front—a woman from the regional TV station.“Sheriff, is it true the body was wrapped in red yarn?Is this some kind of ritual killing?”
Jenna kept her expression neutral.“I can’t comment on specific evidence at this time.Doing so could compromise our investigation.”
“But you’re not denying it?”the reporter pressed.
“I’m neither confirming nor denying anything about the physical evidence,” Jenna replied firmly.“What I can tell you is that we’re following every lead and working around the clock to solve this case.”
More hands rose, but Mayor Simmons smoothly reclaimed the podium.“We have time for just a few more questions.Please remember that this is an active investigation, and certain details cannot be disclosed.”
The next twenty minutes passed in a blur of questions that Jenna fielded as best she could.No, they didn’t have a suspect in custody.No, she couldn’t specify what physical evidence had been collected.Yes, residents should be vigilant but not panic.
Finally, Claire thanked everyone for coming and announced the end of the briefing.As the crowd began to disperse, Jenna spotted Ethan Pierce making his way toward her.The Gateway Herald reporter had developed an unsettling interest in Jenna’s investigative methods after her successes in other cases.
“Sheriff Graves,” he called, his voice carrying above the general murmur.“A moment of your time?”
Jenna suppressed a sigh.“Mr.Pierce, I’ve already answered all the questions I can at this time.”
“But not the most important one.Once again, you’re investigating a murder with minimal physical evidence and no obvious suspects.And once again, people are wondering about your...unconventional methods.”
Jake stepped closer, a subtle show of solidarity.“The sheriff’s methods are thorough and professional, Pierce.That’s all you need to print.”
“Is it?”Pierce persisted, his attention fixed on Jenna.“Because you know as well as I do, there are rumors circulating that Sheriff Graves has some special insight into these cases—something beyond standard police work.”
“Those rumors are exactly that—rumors,” Jenna replied, keeping her voice even.“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
Pierce lowered his voice, leaning in slightly.“Off the record, Sheriff—how did you know to look for victims in that abandoned mine just a short time ago?No one else had connected those dots.Not even the FBI.”
The question hit too close to home—too close to the truth of her dreams.Jenna maintained her composure through sheer force of will.“Good police work often looks like magic to outsiders, Mr.Pierce.I’m just doing my job.”
Mayor Simmons appeared at Jenna’s elbow, her timing impeccable.“Mr.Pierce, I believe the sheriff has made it clear she has nothing more to add at this time.Perhaps you could direct further questions to my office tomorrow?”
Pierce hesitated, then nodded, though his eyes promised he wasn’t finished.As he walked away, Claire gestured toward the hallway.“My office, Sheriff?Deputy Hawkins, you too.”
The mayor’s office was as pristine as ever, not a paper out of place.Claire closed the door behind them and moved to her desk without offering them seats.
“That could have gone better,” she said, her tone clipped.
Jenna bristled.“We gave them the information they needed without compromising the investigation.What more did you expect?”
“I expected you to have more to report than ‘we’re investigating,’“ Claire replied, her manicured nails tapping an impatient rhythm on her desk.“The last thing this town needs is another unsolved murder creating panic.”
“We’re working with what we have,” Jake told her.
Claire’s gaze slid to him briefly before returning to Jenna.“I can’t help but worry, Sheriff.About how these unusual cases seem to cluster around you.It’s almost as if...”
She let the sentence hang.
“As if what, Mayor?”Jenna asked, her patience wearing dangerously thin.
Claire lowered her head.“As if darkness is drawn to you.Or perhaps you to it.”
The words struck uncomfortably close to what Piper had said about herself—that she had left to draw the darkness away from their family.Jenna fought to keep her expression neutral.
“We’ve been through all this before, Claire,” Jenna said.
Claire sighed apologetically.“I know, and I’m sorry.It’s just that … with all that’s going on in Trentville … well, it’s hard to be rational.”
“A lot of people feel that way,” Jenna said.
