Page 52 of In Her Dreams
“Dr.Summers, this is Sheriff Graves.I’m here with Deputy Hawkins.”
“Sheriff!I was just thinking about our conversation yesterday.Have you made any progress with your case?”
“Actually, we have,” Jenna said, watching Jake’s face as she spoke.“But there’s been another death, similar to the two I mentioned to you yesterday.”
A sharp intake of breath came through the speaker.“Another one?That’s terrible.Who was it?”
“A former police officer named Samuel Rodriguez.He died in much the same way as the others, possibly of fright.”
“How awful,” Dr.Summers replied, her voice lowered.“And you think they’re connected?”
“We do.Dr.Summers, we’ve learned something that might be significant.Are you familiar with a substance called ka’lutma?”
There was a pause on the line—brief, but noticeable.“Ka’lutma?”Dr.Summers repeated slowly.“I believe I’ve heard the term.It’s some kind of plant, isn’t it?”
“A hallucinogenic plant,” Jenna clarified, “used in pre-conquest Latin American shamanic rituals.We have reason to believe it might be connected to these deaths.”
Another pause.“I’m afraid I don’t know much about it beyond the name.It’s not my specific area of research.”
Jenna caught Jake’s eye, a silent message passing between them.For an ethnologist specializing in ancient cultures, Dr.Summers’ knowledge seemed suspiciously limited.
“We wondered if you might know anything about its traditional ritual use,” Jenna pressed.
“I’m sorry, Sheriff,” Dr.Summers said, her voice perfectly polite.“It sounds fascinating, but I really don’t have any specific knowledge about ka’lutma.I’d be happy to look into it, though.”
“That would be great,” Jenna said, keeping her voice neutral despite the alarm bells ringing in her head.“Actually, Deputy Hawkins and I would like to stop by your office to discuss this further.Would you be available?”
“I have a class this afternoon, but I could see you before that.Shall we say in an hour?”
“Perfect.Thank you, Dr.Summers.”
Jenna ended the call and sat still for a moment, processing.
“You caught that too, right?”Jake asked.
“That an ethnology professor who studies ancient cultural practices claims to know almost nothing about a plant used in those exact practices?”Jenna put the car in drive again.“Yeah, I caught it.”
“Could be innocent,” Jake offered.“Maybe it really isn’t her area.”
“Maybe,” Jenna conceded, but she felt uncertain of that.
They drove in silence for several minutes, each lost in thought.The GPS directed them down a narrow side street lined with boutique shops.Thompson’s Apothecary stood at the corner, its green awning fluttering in the breeze, large windows displaying jars of dried herbs and handmade soaps.
Inside, the shop smelled of dried flowers, spices, and something earthy that Jenna couldn’t quite identify.Bells chimed softly as they entered.Behind a wooden counter stood a man in his late thirties with a neatly trimmed beard and round glasses, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal forearms covered in botanical tattoos.
“Welcome to Thompson’s,” he called cheerfully.“What can I help you find today?”
Jenna and Jake approached the counter, badges already out.“Mr.Thompson?I’m Jenna Graves, Sheriff of Genesius county, and this is Deputy Hawkins.We’d like to ask you a few questions.”
To his credit, Lucas Thompson didn’t flinch at the sight of law enforcement.His smile dimmed only slightly as he studied their badges.
“Sheriff, Deputy, a pleasure.What can I do for Genesius County’s finest?”
“We’re interested in a product you carry,” Jenna said.“Ka’lutma.”
Now Thompson’s eyebrows rose slightly.“That’s not something most people walk in off the street asking for.Mind if I ask why you’re interested?”
“It’s part of an ongoing investigation,” Jake said.“We understand you grow and sell it.”
