Page 20 of In Her Dreams
He nodded, and Jenna moved into the hallway, pulling out her phone.She dialed Jake’s number, waiting as it rang twice before he answered.
“Hawkins,” came his familiar voice.
“Jake, it’s me.I need you to pick me up.We’ve got another one.”
A brief pause.“Like Winters?”
“Exactly like Winters.Young woman, Anita Palmer.Found dead in her bedroom, expression of terror on her face.And Jake—there’s another dreamcatcher.”
His sharp intake of breath was audible even through the phone.“Text me the address.I’ll be there in ten.”
Jenna ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket.She returned to the bedroom, where two paramedics were preparing to transport Anita’s body.Alice remained on the floor, the female paramedic still at her side, offering quiet comfort.
Jenna approached them, kneeling to meet the roommate’s tear-streaked face.“Alice, I know this is incredibly difficult, but I need to ask you a few questions while we wait for my deputy to arrive.”
Alice nodded weakly, wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her robe.
“That dreamcatcher on the wall—where did Anita get it?”
The question seemed to surprise Alice, who blinked in confusion.“The dreamcatcher?I—I don’t know, exactly.She got it a couple of months ago.She wouldn’t say where from.Which was a little weird because Anita usually tells me everything.”
“Did you notice any change in her behavior after she got it?”
Alice’s brow furrowed.“She became more...confident, I guess?Especially about her phobia.”
“Phobia?”
“She was terrified of birds,” Alice said, fresh tears welling in her eyes.“Ornithophobia, it’s called.We had to keep the windows closed in the mornings because the birds singing outside would send her into a full anxiety attack.It gave her nightmares and insomnia.But about two months ago, she said she’d found a way to overcome it.She started opening windows, even sat in the park feeding ducks last weekend.”Alice shook her head in disbelief.“I was so happy for her.It seemed like a miracle.”
Jenna’s blood ran cold.Two months ago—the same timeframe as Richard Winters and his claustrophobia.
“Did she mention the name of anyone connected with this change?”
Alice shook her head.“No, she just said she’d found a way to face her fears.She seemed reluctant to talk about it and I didn’t push because she seemed so happy.”
“Did she have any health conditions?”Jenna asked.“A heart condition, maybe?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that,” Alice said.“She was perfectly healthy.I just don’t understand.”
The paramedics had finished their preparations.They lifted Anita’s body onto a stretcher and covered it with a sheet.The lead paramedic approached Jenna.
“We’re taking her to the county morgue,” he said quietly.“Dr.Stark has been notified.”
Jenna nodded.“Thank you.I’ll be heading there shortly.”
As the two men wheeled Anita’s body out, Jenna turned back to Alice.“Is there someone who can stay with you?You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
“My sister,” Alice said, her voice small.“She lives in Danville.I’ll call her.”
“Good.I’ll have an officer stay with you until she arrives.”Jenna hesitated, then added, “I’m very sorry for your loss, Alice.I promise we’ll figure out what happened to Anita.”
As she spoke, she sent a text message to Officer Reynolds, who replied that she was on her way.Then, the sound of a car pulling up outside drew Jenna’s attention.She glanced out the window to see Jake’s familiar vehicle.
“That’s my deputy,” she said.“I have to go, but Officer Reynolds will be here soon to stay with you until your sister arrives.”
The female paramedic said softly, “I’ll stay until your officer gets here.”
Alice nodded numbly.Jenna touched her shoulder briefly, then headed for the front door.
