Page 24 of Once Silenced

Her mind whirred, replaying the conversation, and she marveled at the young women her daughters were becoming.April, with her hazel eyes so like Riley’s own, revealed an intellect and a spirit that outshone the darkness of her past.No longer a victim but a conqueror, April’s future was bright with promise as she prepared to enter Jefferson Bell University.

And Jilly—her Jilly—had come such a long way from the angry, frightened, vulnerable girl she had been.Once nearly lost to the streets, now thriving under their roof, her laughter was a daily reminder of life’s capacity for joy amid sorrow.

And then there was Bill.He had stepped into the role of father figure so naturally that it seemed he was always meant to fill that space.He offered guidance without expectation, his steady hand on the rudder helping to navigate the unpredictable waters of raising two strong-willed girls.

The way April and Jilly looked up to him, sought his approval—it was more than Riley could have hoped for.They were no longer just survivors; they were a family, knitted together by shared struggles and triumphs.

She closed her eyes, letting the feeling envelop her.In this moment, the weight of the investigation lifted slightly, and she breathed in the solace of her makeshift family’s invisible embrace.

What am I doing in the field again?She wondered.

She reminded herself that she’d been spurred back into action by Mrs.Whitfield’s murder.Even so, she couldn’t help wondering—had insisting on taking a case in the field been a mistake?She could be at home having a normal evening, just as she had done every night in recent years.

A knock shattered the stillness of the room.Riley’s eyes snapped open, her body tensing as years of instinct honed by danger and suspicion surged to the forefront.She rose from the bed, every sense heightened, the warmth of family thoughts receding into the corners of her mind.

She approached the door with her hand hovering over the sidearm still strapped to her shoulder—old habits died hard, even in the rural quiet of Glencoe.

Peering through the peephole, she was surprised by the face that she saw—unexpected but not unwelcome.

Riley unlocked the door and swung it open.There stood a familiar young agent, her bright blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, her blonde hair like a halo in the fading light.

“Hi, Agent Paige!”Ann Marie Esmer exclaimed, her smile wide and infectious.“I guess we’re partners!”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

As she stood there at the motel door with her go-bag in her hand, Ann Marie realized that her arrival was a surprise to Agent Paige.Then, mercifully, the senior agent said, “Come in,” and moved aside so she could enter.

“Agent Paige, I’m here to assist in any way I can,” Ann Marie said as she stepped through the door.“I understand this partnership is just for the current situation.Agent Meredith informed me that you’ve stepped away from teaching briefly to focus on this case and … needed a partner.”

After another slightly awkward moment, Riley added, “Let’s sit down and talk.”

Ann Marie plopped on the corner of one of the beds.She was a bit nervous about this assignment, even though she had worked with Riley Paige once before.On her very first case, Ann Marie had been sent to help chase down a killer who took on the persona of a murderous urban legend called Goatman.But when Agent Paige had switched to teaching, and Ann Marie had started working with her former partner, Bill Jeffreys.

When Riley took a seat on the other bed and nodded, Ann-Marie continued.

“Agent Meredith also mentioned that Bill Jeffreys is transitioning to training duties before his retirement, working with newbies.So it seems I’ll soon be paired with someone new permanently.After this, I mean.Until then, I’m fully committed to this investigation.I’m so excited about working with you again!That other time was a blast, a really great experience for me!”

Then Ann Marie felt a familiar twinge of self-doubt.She was all too aware of her tendency to bubble over with cheer, to fill silences with chatter and optimism.

“Okay Agent Esmer,” Riley responded.“But we’re past formalities, remember?It’s Riley and Ann Marie.”

Ann-Marie felt herself relax.

“Right, Riley,” she replied, tasting the freedom of informality.She hoped this small gesture would pave the way for a smoother partnership, one where she could learn and grow under the guidance of someone she deeply respected.

“We’ve had two recent murders,” Riley started.“One in Roanoke, another in Slippery Rock.I’m sure you’ve seen the preliminary report.Both victims were found with algebra quiz sheets pinned to their backs—distinctive ones.”

She pulled out a file, laying it open like a map.

“And today,” Riely continued, pointing to a photograph marked with coordinates, “a body was discovered at the exact location these quiz sheets pointed to.”

As Riley continued, Ann Marie leaned forward, her elbows on her knees as anticipation prickled her skin.She felt a rush of adrenaline at the prospect of tomorrow’s work.How could she possibly rest when the dawn promised the next step in their search for a killer?

“Sheriff Hagen will be expecting us in his office tomorrow morning,” Riley said, her voice weary.

“Maybe by then we’ll have an ID on the body,” Ann Marie suggested.

She pictured the dense Virginia woods of Blue Ridge Wilderness Park, the soil disturbed to reveal secrets long buried.

---