Page 6 of Silent Smile

As the teenager stomped up the stairs, Finn let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry, Sheila. I didn't mean to start an argument."

Sheila shook her head, wrapping an arm around his waist. "It's not your fault. We knew this wouldn't be easy. She's been through so much, Finn. It's going to take time for her to trust that this is real, that we're not going to let her down like everyone else in her life has."

Finn nodded, pulling her close. "I know. It's just... I want this to work so badly. For all of us."

"It will," Sheila said, even as a part of her wondered if she was being overly optimistic. "We just need to be patient. And having Mrs. Jacobs around will let us focus on work without worrying so much about what's happening at home."

Finn offered a wry smile. "If she can survive Star's moods, that is."

They were interrupted by the ringing of Sheila's phone.

"Sheriff Stone," she answered, her voice automatically shifting into professional mode. It was strange hearing those two words together—Sheriff Stone. It just reminded her of her older sister Natalie, who had been sheriff before her.

Or her father, for that matter.

"Sheriff, this is Deputy Morrow," the voice said. "Sorry to bother you on your day off."

"No apology necessary. What's going on?"

"A body was just found out in Coral Pink Sand Dunes."

"Homicide?" Sheila asked, glancing at Finn. He crossed his arms and watched her, his face grave.

"I'd say so," Morrow replied. "Given the fact the victim was buried in sand up to the neck. That sort of thing doesn't happen by accident."

"No, it doesn't," Sheila murmured. "Thanks Morrow. I'll head over ASAP."

She hung up the phone and slipped it back into her pocket.

"New case?" Finn asked.

Sheila nodded. "Looks like we'll have to finish unpacking later."

CHAPTER THREE

The sun was still climbing the cloudless Utah sky as Sheila Stone's SUV wound its way along the desert road leading to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Beside her, Finn fidgeted with the air conditioning, trying to combat the oppressive heat.

"Remind me again why anyone would vacation in a desert?" Finn grumbled, loosening his tie.

Sheila shot him a sideways glance. "You know, you didn't have to wear the suit. We're not in the office."

Finn shrugged. "First big case with you as sheriff. Wanted to look professional."

The comment hung in the air between them. Sheila felt a twinge of discomfort. She didn't like being reminded that she was Finn's boss now—she wanted things between them to be the same as they'd always been, but she found herself wondering if that was naive.

How was she supposed to separate her work from her personal life when she'd just moved in with her second-in-command?

"I appreciate the effort," she said after a moment, trying to bridge the awkward silence. "But next time, maybe go for something more practical. We're likely to be trudging through sand all day."

Finn nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Noted, Sheriff."

As they crested a hill, the park sprawled out before them. Coral Pink Sand Dunes lived up to its name—a vast expanse of undulating dunes stretched as far as the eye could see, their color a striking salmon hue in the bright sunlight. The sand's unique coloration came from the erosion of Navajo sandstonecliffs surrounding the park, a fact Sheila had gleaned from her hasty research that morning.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, momentarily forgetting the grim reason for their visit.

Finn nodded. "Hard to believe something so terrible could happen in a place like this."

Sheila's mind drifted back to the file she'd reviewed on the drive. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, established in 1963, encompassed over 3,730 acres of uniquely colored sand dunes. It was a haven for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, and nature photographers. The park saw over 100,000 visitors annually, drawn by its otherworldly landscape and the promise of adventure.

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