Page 24 of Silent Home

The brewery's back patio was heated by portable propane units, creating islands of warmth in the October night.Every table was occupied by festival attendees, their lanyards catching the light as they gestured enthusiastically about the minutiae of filming.

"Greenwald's premiere is starting," Finn murmured, checking his phone.

Sheila glanced toward the Coldwater Theater, where a line had formed outside Theater One.Bradley Greenwald's "Echoes of Silence" was one of the festival's marquee events, and even their earlier confrontation hadn't dampened enthusiasm.If anything, the rumors of drama had increased interest.

Annie finished her beer in a large swallow and hastily rose."Thanks for the reminder—I don't want to miss it."She took two steps, then turned back and said, "Hope you figure out what happened to Jessica."With that, she waved and hurried off.

"Guess the conversation's over," Sheila said with a sigh.

Thus far they'd spoken with a gaffer who remembered Jessica asking about access to the editing bay, a makeup artist who'd overheard her arguing with someone on the phone, and a location scout who thought he'd seen her taking photos of documents when she thought no one was watching.But nobody who could provide specifics about what Jessica had been looking into.

And nobody who had any idea why Jessica had been murdered.

"Come on," Finn said, rising."Let's walk around.The movement helps me think."

Sheila rose and followed Finn out.

"She definitely found something," Finn said as they walked past the Mountain View Hotel.The lobby was visible through plate glass windows, full of people discussing the premiere they'd just attended."But what was she looking for in the first place?"

A food truck was doing late-night business, serving coffee and pastries to the festival crowd.The smell of espresso cut through the cold air.Sheila bought a cup, needing the caffeine to help her think.

"Everyone says she changed in the last few weeks," she said."Started asking technical questions, looking into the business side.Why?"

"Maybe she stumbled onto something by accident," Finn suggested."Something in those late-night editing sessions with Greenwald."

They passed the Owl Street Coffee House, now closed but still hosting a small crowd of festival staff in their back room.Through the window, Sheila spotted Mara Winters, Jessica's former friend, deep in conversation with other actors.

"Should we talk to her again?"Finn asked.

Sheila shook her head."Let her be for now.She's already told us what she knows."

The night deepened, but the festival showed no signs of slowing.They found a quiet spot outside the Antler Room, away from the crowds.Sheila leaned against a brick wall, letting the cold seep into her shoulders as she tried to organize her thoughts.

"Something's bothering me," she said."If someone wanted to silence Jessica, why make it so theatrical?Why not make it look like an accident, or a robbery gone wrong?"

"The staging was deliberate," Finn agreed."Personal, even.Like they needed her death to mean something."

"Or like they were proving a point."Sheila watched her breath cloud in the cold air."Jessica was investigating something specific.She didn't just stumble onto it—she was looking for it.But why?What made her start digging in the first place?"

Finn shook his head silently.Sheila rested her head on Finn's shoulder, and together they watched festival-goers walk by.

"Ever wonder what it's like?"Finn asked softly."Acting, I mean.Becoming someone else for a while."

Sheila considered this."I suppose it's not that different from fighting, actually.When I was competing, stepping into the ring...you become a different version of yourself.More focused, more present."

"But fighting was real."

"Acting is real too, in its own way."She shifted closer to him, grateful for his warmth in the cold night."You have to believe in what you're doing and commit to it completely.Like Jessica did."

"You sound like you've thought about it."

"Maybe a little."She smiled against his shoulder."Star's been trying to get me to do a scene with her for her drama class.Says I'd make a good Lady Macbeth."

Finn chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest."I can see that, actually.You've got that whole 'determined woman with a complex moral code' thing going on."

"Is that your way of calling me scary?"

"Terrifying," he said, pressing a kiss to her hair."In the best possible way."

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