Page 20 of In Her Mind

Chief Morgan rubbed the back of his neck, a visible sign of stress. “If it hadn’t been for those students from the wrestling team nearby, Sweeney might be in the hospital right now. The campus police arrived just in time to cuff Reeves and haul him off before much damage was done to anyone,” he said. His gaze flicked to Jenna, seeking some sort of affirmation.

“Assault charges, you mentioned?” Jenna probed.

“Most likely a misdemeanor, considering Sweeney’s injuries weren’t severe,” Morgan confirmed. He leaned against the cool metal of the desk, folding his arms. “But make no mistake, Reeves was out for blood.”

She noted the tension in Morgan’s posture. It was clear that Pinecrest rarely dealt with such virulent outbursts of violence, especially involving students from the local university.

“Jealousy,” Jenna stated, recalling Dr. Reynolds’s words about Amber’s engagement.

“Apparently,” Morgan’s voice held an edge of disbelief. “According to Sweeney, Reeves accused him of stealing Amber away. Said something about ‘taking back what’s mine’ before swinging at him.”

“Has Sweeney pressed charges then?” Jake asked.

“Actually, he’s asked for them to be dropped,” Morgan replied, running his hand over his close-cropped hair. “But it’s not up to him. The county prosecutor has yet to decide.”

A silence settled over the room, punctuated only by the faint sounds of the precinct beyond the door. Jenna felt a chill despite the warmth of the afternoon sun filtering through the blinds. If jealousy had driven Jason to assault, could it have also led to something far worse? A suspect in a disappearance was a far cry from a simple case of assault driven by jealousy.

“We need to speak with Reeves right away,” Jenna said to Chief Morgan, her voice carrying a measured calm.

Morgan nodded, acknowledging the urgency in her request without a word. As he straightened from the desk, Jenna knew that their investigation had taken a significant, albeit murky, step forward. Whether it was a step towards resolution or further complication remained to be seen.

“Has Reeves asked for an attorney?” Jake’s voice cut through Jenna’s ruminations.

Morgan shook his head, the lines on his forehead deepening. “He’s not talking,” he said, his tone flat. “Too out of it to even ask for a lawyer, I reckon. He knows his rights, though. We’ve read them to him repeatedly.”

Jenna’s jaw tightened. If Jason wasn’t reaching for legal representation, either he didn’t grasp the severity of his situation or—she feared—he had nothing left to lose. The latter option sent a chill down her spine.

“Let’s see if we can get anything out of him,” she suggested, her voice betraying none of her concern. Jake nodded, a sign of assent and support.

They followed Chief Morgan out of the office, the hum of activity in the precinct growing louder as they approached the holding cells. Jenna picked up on the muffled conversationsbetween officers, the clink of metal doors, and the undercurrent of despair that seemed to cling to the walls.

The cell where Jason was detained was stark in its simplicity: a single fluorescent light buzzed overhead, casting a cold pallor over the cramped space. A cot bolted to the wall and a stainless-steel toilet were the only furnishings. Jason lay on the cot, looking fast asleep.

“Reeves,” Morgan’s voice was stern as he prodded at the reclining figure. Jason stirred, lifting his head slowly, revealing bloodshot eyes and a day-old stubble that did nothing to hide the hollowness of his cheeks.

“Jason Reeves, these are Sheriff Jenna Graves and Deputy Jake Hawkins from Genesius County, along with Colonel Spelling of the Highway Patrol,” Morgan introduced them, gesturing to each in turn.

Jason’s gaze swept over them lethargically, taking a moment too long to focus. Jenna observed him closely, searching for any sign of recognition or guilt, but found only the bleary resignation of a man who seemed to have given up.

“Leave me alone. Can’t you see I’m trying to get some sleep?” Jason’s voice was a gravelly mumble, the words slurring into the stagnant air of the holding cell. His eyelids fluttered, struggling against the pull of unconsciousness. Chief Morgan’s patience wore thin as he jostled Jason’s shoulder firmly.

“Sleep can wait, Reeves,” he said, an edge of authority in his tone. “Right now, you need to focus. You’ve got some questions to answer.”

CHAPTER TEN

“Jason,” Jenna began, her voice clear and devoid of judgment, “do you understand why you’re here?”

Jason Reeves had the disheveled look of someone who’d been on a bender—his hair unkempt, his clothes stained. He wobbled as he sat on the cot, as if trying to stay upright. The stench of alcohol lingered around him like a clingy fog. He blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face.

“Yeah, ‘cause I tried to take back what’s mine.” The defiance in his words didn’t quite mask his confusion about what was going on.

"People aren't property," Jake said firmly. "Amber gets to make her own choices. Anyhow, assaulting someone doesn’t get you anything good.”

“It was about justice, that’s all,” Jason spat out, as if the word left a bitter taste. “Liam stole my girl, Amber. Isn’t that a crime? It sure is wrong in my book.” There was a raw edge to his voice.

Jenna realized that Jason’s sense of betrayal seemed to reach beyond the current situation. He didn’t even understand Jake’s point about people and property.

She pulled up a metal chair and sat down facing the prisoner, who remained seated on the cot. “Tell us your side of what happened,” she prompted. She needed to hear his narrative, to weigh each word against her instincts.

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