“You think Heather Banning had anything to do with it?”Jake asked as he parked the car.
“I don’t know,” Jenna admitted.“But she had the most obvious motive, at least for Amanda’s murder.And there’s something about her that’s always seemed too perfect, too polished.Like she’s performing.”
“Well, let’s see what’s behind that shiny storefront.”
They exited the car and entered the store.The interior was even more impressive than the window display suggested—exposed brick walls, gleaming hardwood floors, and merchandise arranged with an eye for both aesthetics and sales.
Heather Banning stood near a central display table, deep in conversation with a young female employee.She wore a navy dress that looked both comfortable and expensive, her ash-blonde hair pulled back in an elegant twist.As they approached, she glanced up, her expression shifting from animated business owner to careful neutrality at the sight of their uniforms.
She said something quiet to her employee, then turned to them with an appropriate smile.“Sheriff Graves, Deputy Hawkins.What brings you to my little shop this morning?”
Jenna took in the “little shop” with its expansive layout and premium inventory.Nothing about this place was small or simple.
“Is there somewhere we could speak privately, Ms.Banning?”she asked.
Heather’s smile faltered slightly, curiosity and then concern flashing across her features.“Of course.Is something wrong?”
“It would be better if we could discuss this in private,” Jake added.
Heather nodded, her gaze darting briefly to the customers who had begun to notice the law enforcement presence.“Macy, could you watch the floor for a bit?”she called to the employee she’d been speaking with.“I’ll be in my office with the sheriff.”
The young woman nodded, shooting a curious glance at Jenna and Jake before returning to straightening a display of hand-knitted scarves.Jenna noted with irony that several featured yarns in vibrant colors, including a deep green, but she saw that the yarn used was much finer than those found on the bodies.
Heather led them through the store to a door marked “Private” at the rear.Her office continued the aesthetic of the shop—stylish but functional, with framed awards and newspaper articles featuring Banning’s Finds adorning one wall.A large desk dominated the space.No clutter, no chaos, nothing out of place.Just like Heather herself.
“Please, have a seat,” Heather offered, gesturing to two chairs positioned opposite her desk.She closed the door and took her own seat.“Now, what’s this about?”
Jenna met her eyes directly.“I’m afraid I have some difficult news.Amanda Hartford was found murdered in her apartment this morning.”
Heather’s perfectly composed face crumpled, eyes widening in what appeared to be genuine shock.“Amanda?Murdered?That’s...that’s horrible.”
Jenna watched her carefully.The reaction seemed authentic—the rapid pulse visible at Heather’s throat, the sudden pallor beneath her makeup.But Jenna had interviewed enough suspects to know that similar reactions could be manufactured by those who were skilled.
“When?How did it happen?”Heather asked, her voice slightly unsteady.
“She was discovered early this morning by a friend who came to pick her up for their regular walk,” Jake supplied.“Based on preliminary findings, we believe she was killed sometime last night.”
“This is just...”Heather shook her head.“I know Amanda and I had our differences, but I never wished that on her.Never.”
“Speaking of those differences,” Jenna said, “that’s part of the reason we’re here.”
Heather’s gaze sharpened, the initial shock receding enough for her to process Jenna’s implication.“Wait.You don’t think I had anything to do with this?”
“We’re talking to everyone who had significant interactions with Ms.Hartford, particularly those that might have involved conflict,” Jenna said, keeping her tone professional.“It’s standard procedure.”
Heather leaned back in her chair slightly, a subtle defensive posture.“Is this connected to what happened to Derek Sullivan?I heard he was killed yesterday.”She was silent for a moment, then added, “There was something odd in the news about Derek … something about yarn.Was anything like that …?”“
“We can’t comment on any potential connections between ongoing investigations,” Jenna replied smoothly.
“But two murders in two days in Trentville?That can’t be a coincidence.”
“Ms.Banning,” Jenna redirected, “could you tell us about your history with Amanda Hartford?My understanding is that there was significant animosity between you two.”
Heather sighed.“The animosity was one-sided, Sheriff.I never harbored ill will toward Amanda.When I opened my store, I had no intention of competing directly with Hartford’s Closet.My focus was primarily on home goods and local artisan items.”
“Yet you expanded into clothing and accessories,” Jake noted.“Areas that directly overlapped with her business.”
“That was simply responding to customer demand,” Heather said.“People would come in here looking for those kinds of items.It was a natural evolution.”
