Page 63 of In Her Bed
Something shifted in Tyrone’s expression—not anger or resentment, but something that looked remarkably like compassion.
“How is Diana?”he asked.“I haven’t spoken with her in some time.”
“She mentioned your history,” Jake said, his tone neutral.
Tyrone sighed, a small smile touching his lips.“I imagine she did.Diana and I have different approaches to helping people.She believes I hold a grudge against her for adapting some of my techniques, but the truth is, I believe that healing practices should be shared, not hoarded.”
Jenna leaned forward slightly.“She showed us a threatening email she received.She believes you sent it.”
For the first time, Tyrone’s eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.“A threatening email?No, I would never do something like that.May I ask what it said?”
“It accused her of corrupting the astral plane and manipulating frequencies,” Jenna explained, watching him closely.“It ended with what certainly seemed like a veiled threat.”
Tyrone shook his head slowly.“That wasn’t from me.I know Diana has had conflicts with others in our field over the years.I suppose that email could have come from any of a number of sources.”
He paused, his expression thoughtful.“Diana has...struggled with paranoia for as long as I’ve known her.I’ve tried to reach out several times over the years, but she interprets even friendly gestures as attempts to undermine her.Diana has incredible intuitive gifts, but the same sensitivity that makes her perceptive also makes her vulnerable to fears and suspicions.”
He clasped his hands together.“I hope you’ll find whoever sent that email.Diana deserves to feel safe.”
The sharp ring of Jenna’s phone cut through the room.She pulled it from her pocket, noting Chief Morgan’s number on the screen.
“Excuse me,” she said, getting up and stepping a few paces away to answer.“Graves.”
“Sheriff, it’s Morgan,” the Chief’s voice came through, tight with urgency.“Diana Wells has gone missing.Somehow, she slipped away from the officers who were watching out for her.Spelling and I are headed to her store right now.”
“We’ll be right there,” Jenna said, ending the call and turning back to Jake and Tyrone.“We need to go.There’s a situation with Diana Wells.”
Jake was on his feet immediately, reading the urgency in her tone.
Tyrone stood as well, concerned about his features.“Is Diana alright?”
“She’s missing,” Jenna said, watching his reaction carefully.
A genuine alarm flashed across his face.“Oh no.Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“We may have more questions for you,” Jenna said, already moving toward the door.
“I’ll be available anytime,” Tyrone assured them.“My cell is always on.”
Outside in the parking lot, the darkness had deepened.“What do you think?”Jake asked quietly.
Jenna paused with her hand on the driver’s door.“He’s either exactly what he appears to be—”
“Or the best actor we’ve ever interviewed,” Jake finished.
“Either way, Diana’s disappearance changes things.I’ll call Spelling and let him know we’re on our way to Avebury Visions.”
Jake slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine.As they pulled away from Firmament Reach, Jenna couldn’t shake the feeling that they were racing against time.If Diana had fled, driven by paranoia, she might have placed herself in danger.But if she had been targeted by the same killer who took Marcus and Sandra, her chances were already dwindling.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Kevin Barrett stood on the roof of the abandoned Ozark Sole Works factory, his silhouette stark against the darkening sky.He swept the beam of his flashlight upon the crude broadcasting antenna, its metal framework rusted but still intact.The bolts had corroded, creating a reddish stain that spread across the concrete like dried blood.Kevin ran his fingers along the metal struts, feeling the rough texture.Yes, it would serve, if it proved necessary.
Sandra Reeves had been a disappointment.Her voice—once so vibrant, so perfectly pitched—had failed to capture the cosmic signal he sought.Useless, just like his first attempt with the man.
His plan had been flawless.Why didn’t it work either time?He had become despondent, and then the phone call earlier that day had changed everything.
Diana had called, using the name he’d adopted solely for her—Zephyr.
