Page 14 of In Her Dreams
Images appeared on the screen—faces of men and women, young and old, their expressions frozen in DMV photos and graduation portraits.
“Their pattern is consistent.They target individuals with minimal social connections—drifters, estranged family members, people living on the margins.They abduct them, hold them in secure locations, and eventually harvest their organs for black market sale.”
Jenna watched the faces scroll by, wondering how many more people had simply vanished without anyone asking the right questions.
“We’ve had multiple near-misses over the years,” Cody continued.“Three months ago in Jonesboro, we raided a warehouse based on intel from an informant, found evidence they’d been holding victims there, but they’d cleared out forty-eight hours earlier.”
He clicked to another slide—a clinical photograph of surgical equipment on a metal table.
“Two months before that, a state trooper in Iowa pulled over a suspicious vehicle.Driver shot himself before questioning.Passenger escaped on foot.The trunk contained specialized transport equipment for organs.”
Jenna felt her stomach tighten.She thought of the people they’d found in the mine—gaunt, terrified, kept like livestock awaiting slaughter.
“What we found today,” Cody said, his voice dropping slightly, “is the first active holding facility we’ve been able to access before they cleared it out.The victims you recovered are potentially our best source of intelligence on this organization to date.”
He turned from the screen, fixing Jenna with that penetrating gaze again.“Which brings me to my question, Sheriff Graves.How exactly did you and Deputy Hawkins know to look in that abandoned mine shaft?”
The room fell silent.Jenna had been preparing for this question, rehearsing plausible explanations that didn’t involve her conversations with the dead.But she couldn’t put any of them into words.
“We … got a tip,” she said instead.
“So it was a confidential informant?”Cody repeated, skepticism evident in every syllable.
Jenna nodded noncommittally.After all, it wasn’t entirely untrue.
“And this informant just happened to know the exact location where an organization that has successfully evaded federal authorities for years was holding their victims?”Cody asked.
Jake shifted in his chair.“Our CI has proven reliable in the past.”
“I’d very much like to speak with this CI,” Cody said.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Jake replied.“The nature of their position makes direct contact with federal authorities too risky.”
Jenna cringed at how Jake felt compelled to twist the truth on her behalf, and not for the first time.
“Too risky,” Cody echoed.He placed his palms flat on the table, leaning forward slightly.“Sheriff Graves, I hope you understand that this investigation has been ongoing for years.We’ve lost potential witnesses, missed crucial evidence, and watched victims disappear because we’ve always been one step behind.And now you’re telling me that you just happened to receive a tip that led you directly to their operation?”
“Sometimes small-town connections yield big results, Agent Cody.”Colonel Spelling’s interruption was smooth.“Sheriff Graves has an exceptional track record utilizing local knowledge and resources.I’ve worked with her on several cases where her methods, while unconventional at times, have proven remarkably effective.”
Cody’s eyes narrowed slightly, moving from Spelling to Jenna and back again.“I see.”Then he added sternly, “Regardless of how this discovery came about, the FBI will be taking jurisdiction over the investigation from this point forward.We’re bringing in a forensic team to process the scene thoroughly.We’ll need complete access to any and all evidence collected thus far, including your preliminary interviews with the victims.”
“Of course,” Jenna said, ignoring the frustration of having the case taken out of her hands.It was protocol, after all.“We’ll provide everything we have.”
The shrill ring of the phone on the conference table cut through the tension.Colonel Spelling reached for it, listening briefly before extending the receiver to Jenna.
“It’s for you, Sheriff.Your dispatcher.”
Jenna took the phone, listening as the dispatcher described the situation—two men on Maple Street arguing over a fallen tree, threatening to escalate to physical confrontation.
“We’ll handle it,” she said, hanging up.“Duty calls.Agent Cody, we’ll transfer all our files on the mine discovery to your team immediately.”
Cody nodded, his expression inscrutable.“Thank you for your cooperation, Sheriff.We’ll be in touch if we need further information about your...confidential informant.”
The transition from the high-stakes federal investigation to a mundane neighborhood dispute felt almost surreal as Jenna and Jake drove through the familiar streets of Trentville.The afternoon had mellowed, golden light washing over the small businesses and modest homes that made up the town.
“Well, that went about as well as could be expected,” Jake said, breaking the silence.
“Spelling ran interference for now,” Jenna agreed, turning onto Maple Street.“Let’s just hope Cody doesn’t push the issue.He can’t reconcile how we found those people.”
