Elena sat behind her desk and took a quick sip of water from a stainless steel bottle.“What can I tell you about Derek and Amanda?I didn’t know either of them very well personally.”
Jake said, “We understand they both attended anger management workshops here at the center.”
“Yes, I believe that’s right,” Elena replied as she put down her water bottle.“Those sessions are run by Paula Boatman.She’s a licensed psychologist who volunteers her time here, and she’s very good at her practice.In fact, Paula was an incredible help to me after Sophie died.I don’t know how I would have gotten through that time without her professional guidance.”
“Paula Boatman,” Jenna repeated, the name triggering a memory.“Wasn’t she the one who tried to launch that anti-bullying and mental health program for the schools a few years back?”
“Yes, the one that didn’t get fully implemented.There was some controversy about funding allocation, if I recall correctly.Paula took it hard.Actually, she’s here today.Setting up for one of her sessions right now, I believe.”
Jenna felt a prickle of interest.Paula Boatman had been publicly criticized for her handling of the anti-bullying program—accused of overstepping and mismanaging resources.The whole thing had been messy, playing out both on TownCircle and in tense school board meetings.Paula had eventually withdrawn from public view, and Jenna hadn’t heard much about her since.
“We’d like to speak with her, if possible,” Jenna said.
"Of course."Elena stood and beckoned to Jenna and Jake."I'll show you the way.By the way, Jenna, I hear that your sister has returned.That's so amazing.I hope she's doing well."
“She’s … recovering,” Jenna said.
They followed Elena down another corridor to a room at the back of the building.Through the window in the door, Jenna could see a woman arranging chairs in a circle.Paula Boatman looked older than Jenna remembered—her brown hair now streaked liberally with gray, her frame thinner.There was still a certain rigidity in her posture that Jenna associated with people who held themselves under tight control.
Elena knocked lightly before pushing the door open.“Paula?Sheriff Graves and Deputy Hawkins would like to speak with you.”
Paula turned, her expression shifting from surprise to something more guarded.“Sheriff.Deputy.”Her gaze flicked briefly to Elena.“Is everything all right?”
“They’re here about Derek and Amanda,” Elena explained, stepping into the room.“I confirmed that they attended your workshops.”
“Yes, they did.”Paula studied Jenna with keen eyes.“This is about their murders, I assume?”
“That’s right,” Jenna confirmed.
“I hope you can help them, Paula,” Elena said.She checked her watch.“I should let you all talk.I’ve got administrative duties calling my name.”She turned to Jenna.“Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help with the investigation.”
“Thanks again,” Paula called after the director as she left.Then she looked at her visitors and said, “Elena was the one who suggested I volunteer here when my school program fell apart.She recognized that I needed a way to channel my expertise.”With a tight smile she added, “Ironically, running anger management workshops proved to be exactly the therapy I needed for my own anger issues after that public failure.”
Paula gestured to the circle of chairs.“Please, have a seat.My group doesn’t start for a few minutes.”
They each took a chair, and Paula commented, “These murders have been deeply disturbing.Especially knowing that both victims participated in my workshops.I want to help however I can.”
“How long had Derek and Amanda been attending your sessions?”Jenna asked.
“Derek had been coming for about four months, on and off.More off than on, to be honest.Court-mandated after his last assault charge.”Paula’s expression remained professionally neutral.“Amanda joined about two months ago.Voluntary, in her case.She was dealing with...significant anger issues related to her business failure.”
Jenna watched Paula closely as she spoke.There was a clinical detachment that made her assessments sound cold.That earlier comment about overcoming her “own anger issues” had also seemed performative rather than genuine.
“Did you notice any particular tensions between Derek and Amanda during these sessions?”Jake asked.
Paula shook her head.“They didn’t interact much, actually.Different types of anger, different triggers.Derek’s issues stemmed primarily from alcohol and impulse control.Amanda’s were more complex—resentment, envy, a sense of injustice.”She adjusted her glasses.“I try to create a safe space for people to express themselves, but I also maintain clear boundaries.Group therapy works best when it doesn’t become a venue for new conflicts.”
“Were there any incidents during the sessions that stand out in your mind?”Jenna pressed.“Arguments, unusual behaviors, threats?”
Paula hesitated.“I’m usually bound by confidentiality, as I’m sure you understand.But given the circumstances...”She sighed.“Derek had an outburst about three weeks ago.Nothing physical, but he verbally lashed out at another participant who suggested his drinking was the root of his problems.Amanda, on the other hand, tended to direct her anger outside the group—at Heather Banning specifically, and at the community in general for what she perceived as abandonment.”
“Did either of them ever express feelings that made you concerned for their safety or the safety of others?”Jenna asked.
“Not in any way that exceeded the norm for people in anger management,” Paula replied carefully.“Many participants express feelings of rage, resentment, even passing violent thoughts.That’s why they’re there—to learn healthier coping mechanisms.But I never observed anything in either Derek or Amanda that suggested they were at imminent risk of harming themselves or others.”
Jenna leaned forward slightly.“We’d like a list of the other people who attended sessions with Derek and Amanda.Their lives could potentially be in danger.”
Paula’s posture stiffened.“That’s highly confidential information, Sheriff.These are people who come to me in trust, often at vulnerable points in their lives.”
