Page 14 of Silent Home

"What was the argument about?"Finn asked.

"I had my headphones on, couldn't hear everything.But she kept saying he'd promised her something, that she had proof."Marcus glanced around the lobby, though it was mostly empty."The next day, Bradley told everyone she was banned from the production office.Said she'd become obsessive, unstable."

Sheila exchanged a look with Finn."When was this?"

"About two weeks ago.Right before Bradley started doing press for his new documentary."Marcus straightened up, his task with the display apparently finished."Listen, I should get back to work.

They need me to check the sound system in Theater Three before the Q&A."

He was already turning away when Sheila said, "One more question—"

But Marcus held up an apologetic hand as his radio crackled."Sorry, really can't be late for this."He hurried off toward the theaters, disappearing into the growing crowd of festival attendees.

Finn checked his watch."Q&A's in less than an hour.We might as well make use of the time while we wait."

The lobby was filling up now, festival-goers drifting in from the afternoon screenings.Among them, Sheila caught glimpses of event security—men and women in black polo shirts with earpieces, doing their best to look inconspicuous.She thought of the man who'd been watching her.

Was he watching her this very moment?Tracking her, following her movements?

"Sheila?"Finn asked."Any thoughts?"

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed.A text from Deputy Neville:Doctor Jin needs to see you.Says it's urgent.

Sheila showed the message to Finn.Whatever Jin had found on Jessica's body, it couldn't wait.And maybe it would give them the edge they needed before confronting Bradley Greenwald.

CHAPTER SIX

The county morgue occupied the basement of St.Mark's Hospital, its fluorescent-lit corridors a stark contrast to the festival's creative energy.Dr.Jin Zihao stood at his workbench, his tall frame bent over a microscope as Sheila and Finn entered.Classical music played softly from his ancient radio—Bach's Cello Suite No.1 if Sheila wasn't mistaken.Jin had once told her he found it soothing, a counterpoint to the gravity of his work.

"Forty minutes until the Q&A," Finn murmured, checking his watch.

Jin looked up, his sharp eyes bright behind his reading glasses.He'd been Coldwater's coroner for over two decades, having moved from Beijing in his thirties to study American forensic techniques.Now in his early sixties, his black hair was streaked with silver, but his mind remained razor-sharp.

"Sheriff Stone," he said, his accent barely noticeable after so many years in Utah."I found something interesting about your victim's death."

He led them to where Jessica's body lay covered on the examination table.Even after fifteen years in law enforcement, Sheila never got used to this part of the job.Jin seemed to sense her discomfort—he always did.

"The ligature marks are distinctive," Jin continued."Made by a very thin, strong cord."He indicated the precise line around Jessica's neck."Not rope, not typical wire.I believe it was gaffer's wire—the kind used to rig lighting equipment in film and theater work.It has a particular weave pattern that left these striations in the skin."Jin's eyes narrowed as he studied the marks."And given by how deep these marks go, I'd say your killer is quite strong.That's why I messaged you—I thought you'd want to see this right away."

"Think the killer's male?"Finn asked.

"Most likely, though I cannot be certain."Jin moved to his computer, pulling up detailed photographs."See these marks?The killer stood behind her, using their height advantage.Very controlled, very precise."

Sheila studied the images, remembering how Jin had taught her to read such evidence during her early days as a deputy.He'd been a friend of her father's, had attended family barbecues, had helped her study for her forensics certification.

Now he was helping her catch another killer.

"The lividity patterns suggest she was moved and positioned shortly after death," the coroner continued.He retrieved an evidence bag from his workbench."We also found this in her jacket pocket.It was well-hidden in the lining."

The business card was cream-colored, expensive stock."Katherine Walsh, Entertainment Law," Sheila read aloud.A Salt Lake City address was embossed below.

"Thirty-five minutes," Finn said quietly.

"Anything else?"Sheila asked Jin.

He shook his head."That's all I've got for now.I'll let you know if I come across anything else."

Sheila thanked him, and she and Finn walked away.

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