Page 6 of In Her Mind

“Didn’t see her face, then?” Jake asked, his brows knit together in concern as the light turned green and Jenna started driving again.

“Not very clearly,” Jenna admitted. “The details were blurred, elusive. But the woman I saw could have been Amber...”

Jake gazed at her from the passenger seat, understanding dawning. “If it was Amber reaching out in your dream,” he said, voicing the thought Jenna hadn’t dared to, “it would mean she’s no longer with us.”

He was right. Her gift—or curse—had never been wrong before. And it meant that Amber Stevens might be beyond their help.

The silence in the patrol car grew thick as Jenna navigated through the streets leading out of Trentville. She stole a glance at Jake, noting how his gaze stayed fixed on the passing scenery, a mask of concentration. How much had her confession altered his perception of her?

He’d been surprised at her story and also hurt that she hadn’t confided in him before. He’d accepted that she was telling the truth because it explained how she’d come up with some information that had helped solve cases. But he’d admitted, “I just... I don’t know where this leaves us. As a team. As friends.”

Soon, the rural landscape of Genesius County unfolded before them. The homesteads dotted along the rolling hills spoke of a simpler way of life, each property separated by stretches of greenery and weathered fences. Jenna turned ontoa gravel driveway, pulling up to a one-story house framed by a wraparound porch and adorned with hanging flower baskets. It was a picture of pastoral tranquility, belying the distress surely felt inside.

Jenna and Jake left the vehicle and made their way to the front door. Before they could knock, the door swung open, revealing Norma Stevens. Her hair was pulled back into a hasty bun, strands escaping to frame a face creased with worry.

“Sheriff Graves, Deputy Hawkins,” Norma greeted, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Please come in.”

The warm and comfortable living room contrasted sharply with the situation. A man rose from a well-worn leather armchair, his movements deliberate, his expression grave. Otto Stevens’ large, calloused hands—evidence of years of labor at his auto shop—clasped together tightly as if holding onto the last vestiges of hope. His shirt, though casual, was neatly tucked in, and his salt-and-pepper hair was combed to one side, the very image of a father trying to maintain control amidst chaos.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” Otto said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying fear. Jenna nodded, ready to delve into the details of Amber’s disappearance. She sat on a faded floral-patterned couch, her notepad open and pen poised. The room felt too quiet, the kind of silence that presses in on you with expectant weight. She glanced at Jake, who had taken up residence in a nearby armchair, his own notebook ready.

“Mrs. Stevens,” Jenna began, “could you walk us through what happened this morning?”

Norma fidgeted with the hem of her apron before responding. “Amber comes in pretty late at night from work. Otto and I have usually gone to bed, and she’s very quiet. We didn’t notice whether she’d gotten home at all last night. But Amber... she’s always up by seven, helps me with breakfast.” Her voice wavered, eyes drifting towards the staircase. “Today, whenshe didn’t come down, I thought maybe she’d slept in. But when I went to check on her, her room was empty, bed still made up neat as a pin. Then I saw that her SUV wasn’t in the driveway.”

“Did you try contacting her?” Jenna asked, keeping her tone even.

“I called her cell right away,” Norma said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Straight to voicemail. That’s not like her. Amber’s responsible. She always lets us know where she is. She’s been home on summer break from Ozark State University. She’ll be starting her junior year in the fall.”

Jenna scribbled a note before looking up again. Their eyes met, and Jenna could see the flicker of panic threatening to spill over.

“Has she been home all summer?” Jenna shifted the topic, hoping to ease Norma’s distress.

“Yes,” Norma replied, a hint of pride seeping into her words despite the circumstances. “She’s been volunteering at Paws and Harmony Rescue during her break. Loves animals, our Amber. Wants to be a vet.”

“Does she always work a night shift?” Jenna pressed gently.

“Every evening, until about eleven-thirty, but no later than midnight,” Norma confirmed. “She prefers those hours; says it’s quieter then, easier to study or read alongside the kennels.”

“Could Amber have stayed somewhere else last night? A friend’s place, perhaps?” she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil churning within.

Norma shook her head, the lines of worry deepening around her eyes. “No, she would’ve called. It’s not like her to just disappear. I even thought...maybe she went to Jason’s, but I got no answer on his phone either.” The mention of Jason Reeves sent a ripple through Jenna, memories of his mugshot flashing in her mind—disorderly conduct wasn’t easily forgotten in a town like Trentville.

Otto shifted in his seat, discomfort settling over his broad shoulders. “She didn’t stay with him,” he said, almost to himself. He avoided Norma’s probing stare as he continued, “Jason told me at the shop yesterday... Amber ended things between them. He wasn’t happy about it.”

Jenna watched as surprise flickered across Norma’s face. “You knew about this? Why wouldn’t you say anything, Otto?”

The air grew thick with tension, and Jenna sensed the undercurrents of a long-standing relationship strained by secrets and silence. She noted the strain in Otto’s jaw, the way he seemed to grapple with words unsaid. Jenna tucked away every detail, each one a potential piece of the puzzle.

Norma’s hands twisted in her lap. Jenna observed the silent exchange between husband and wife, recognizing the shadow of doubt that crept into Norma’s expression.

Otto’s fingers drummed a staccato rhythm against the armrest, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the room. “I didn’t mention it,” he said finally, his voice hoarse with reluctant confession, “because I wasn’t pleased about it either.” He paused, the lines deepening around his eyes. “Jason and Amber... they’ve been together since they were kids. I always thought—hoped—they’d take over the business one day.”

Jenna remained still, her keen eyes absorbing Otto’s every nuance. His hands ceased their movement, and he looked at them as if they belonged to a stranger. “I suppose part of me was waiting for Amber to reconsider,” he continued, a tremor in his words.

“Could Jason have hurt her because she ended things?” Jenna asked directly.

“Never,” Otto shot back, the scoff erupting from him like a reflex. “Jason wouldn’t harm Amber. He adores her.”

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