Page 18 of In Her Mind

Jake nodded, his expression grim.

When they reached the office, they found the door standing open. Mayor Claire Simmons was perched like a hawk behind her desk, her eyes sharp and unforgiving. Her space was meticulously organized, each pen and paperweight strategically placed – a declaration of control. The mayor’s lips were set in a thin line of disapproval as she clasped her hands together on the polished surface.

“I just got word about the APB for two of our citizens,” Mayor Simmons started without preamble. “Why wasn’t I informed directly?”

Jenna took a breath, reminding herself to remain calm. “We left a message for you, Mayor,” she replied evenly. “We believed it was the best way to notify you promptly.”

“Leaving a message?” The mayor’s voice rose in incredulity. “I was sitting in a council meeting. You should have interrupted it!”

Jenna could feel the familiar prickle of frustration at the back of her neck. “Mayor Simmons, we’re doing everything we can to stay focused on finding Amber Stevens and Jason Reeves. I apologize if our method of communication didn’t meet your expectations, but we do have to prioritize our investigation.”

“Prioritizing is one thing, Sheriff Graves,” the mayor countered sharply, “but keeping me out of the loop is another. This town relies on my guidance, and I need to be informed.”

“Understood,” Jenna conceded, though every fiber in her being resisted the bureaucratic obstacle before them. “We’ll keep that in mind moving forward.”

“See that you do,” Mayor Simmons said, her tone softening only marginally. Jenna could sense the underlying need for power and control that drove the mayor’s every action. “Now give me something I can work with when people ask questions, Sheriff Graves. What do we know?”

“Amber Stevens vanished last night after her shift at Paws and Harmony Rescue,” Jenna began, reciting just the facts. “Her father, Otto Stevens, reported her missing this morning. The most likely suspect is her ex-boyfriend, Jason Reeves, who has also disappeared.”

“And what are our next steps?” The mayor’s voice held an edge of impatience.

“Colonel Spelling has currently engaged Highway Patrol resources to conduct a statewide search for Amber and Jason. Deputy Hawkins and I are overseeing the local investigation, pursuing every possible lead.” Jenna kept her report concise, aware of the mayor’s preference for brevity over detail.

Simmons nodded slowly, processing the information.

“Bad business,” Mayor Simmons finally murmured, breaking the silence. “Especially after what we’ve just been through with the recent case.”

“Indeed,” Jenna conceded.

“Please tell me we’re not looking at another serial killer scenario,” the mayor whispered, a rare crack in her polished exterior revealing genuine concern.

“Currently, there’s no evidence suggesting a connection to any serial activity,” Jenna assured her, though she knew better than to make promises. “Our focus remains on finding Amber and Jason as quickly as possible. Which means that we should be on our way now.”

Simmons exhaled a measured breath, nodding in resignation. “Keep me informed, Sheriff. Trentville cannot afford another scandal.”

“Understood, Mayor,” Jenna replied. Then, a sudden vibration in her pocket broke the tension. She retrieved her phone, recognizing the number immediately. “It’s Colonel Spelling,” she said.” With a swift motion, she tapped the speaker button.

“Spelling here. I’ve got some news,” came the colonel’s voice, crackling with urgency over the line.

“Go ahead, Colonel,” Jenna replied. I’m in the mayor’s office and she’s eager for information too.

“We’ve located Jason Reeves,” Spelling declared.

CHAPTER NINE

Clustered around the speakerphone, Jenna, Jake, and the mayor listened intently as Colonel Spelling’s voice crackled through: “Jason Reeves was arrested in Pinecrest.”

“Pinecrest,” Jenna muttered. “That’s where Ozark State …”

“Assault charge,” Spelling continued. “He attacked a student on the college campus. Sheriff Graves, you and Deputy Hawkins should head over to Pinecrest. I’ll be there shortly, meeting with Chief Morgan at the city jail where they’re holding Jason. We can find out more then.”

“Understood,” Jenna replied. “We’ll be there.”

The call ended abruptly, leaving a buzz in the air. Mayor Simmons, ever the politician, searched their faces for answers. “Please tell me this is good news.”

“We don’t yet know,” Jenna admitted, withholding judgment. “But at least we’ve located our main suspect, and we’ll be able to question him.”

Jake commented, “Dr. Reynolds mentioned that Amber was engaged to a fellow student at Ozark State.”

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