Page 15 of Silent Home

"A business card hidden in the victim's pocket," he murmured."What could that be about?"

Sheila recalled Rider's words about Jessica requesting a private meeting with the festival board to discuss concerns about ethical violations during the production of 'The Winter Palace.'Had she decided to hire an attorney, as well?

"I don't know," she said, pulling out her phone."But let's find out."

She called the number on the card.

"Katherine Walsh's office," a carefully-neutral voice answered.

"This is Sheriff Stone with the Coldwater County Sheriff's Department.May I please speak with Ms.Walsh?"

"May I ask what this is regarding?"

"It may concern one of her clients.This is very important."

There was a pause.Sheila waited, hoping this wouldn't be any more complicated than necessary.

"I'm putting you through now," the secretary said.

A moment later, a second voice spoke."This is Katherine Walsh.How may I help you, Sheriff Stone?"

"I'd like to speak with you about Jessica Gregory."

"In regards to…?"

"She's been murdered."

A long silence."I'm very sorry to hear that," Walsh finally said."How may I help?"

"We found your business card in her pocket.Was she in contact with you?"

"Yes, she came to my office about two weeks ago, very agitated.Said she needed legal advice about the film industry, but she was...uncertain."

"Uncertain how?"Sheila asked, putting the phone on speaker so Finn could hear.

"Like someone who knows they should speak up but is afraid of the consequences.We never got to specifics—she kept saying she needed to think about it, needed to be sure."

"That's all?"

"I wish I could tell you more, but she never came back.Never called.The only thing she said that struck me as odd was that she had proof of something, but she was afraid what might happen if word got out that she'd talked about it."

Like someone murdering her?Sheila wondered.

"Thank you, Ms.Walsh," Sheila said."Please reach out if you think of anything else."

They wrapped up the call and checked the time.Twenty minutes until the Q&A.

"It fits," Finn said as they walked to his car."She finds something during 'The Winter Palace' production—something worth killing over.Considers legal action but hesitates.Finally works up the courage to go to the festival board..."

"And someone silences her first," Sheila finished."Stages her death like a scene from the movie that started it all."

"A warning to anyone else who might talk?"

"Or a signature," she said grimly."Someone who sees murder as performance art."

They drove back toward the festival in tense silence, both aware they were heading into a confrontation with limited proof but growing certainty.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Main Street as they parked behind Theater Three.

"Ready?"Finn asked.

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