Page 35 of In Her Dreams
“Sheriff.Deputy.”Claire’s voice was smooth but taut, like a violin string tuned a half-step too tight.“Thank you for coming so promptly.”
She stepped aside, gesturing them into a foyer that gleamed with polished hardwood and tasteful antiques.A crystal chandelier cast prismatic reflections across the cream-colored walls and the marble floor.
“This way,” Claire directed, leading them past the sweeping staircase and into a sitting room where she met with visitors who weren’t guests.Jenna and Jake had been there before.
“Please, sit,” Claire said, indicating the plush velvet sofas.
Jenna and Jake took their seats on one sofa while Claire perched on the edge of the other, her posture rigid, hands folded in her lap.Her manicured nails were painted a deep burgundy tonight, the color of dried blood against her pale skin.
Looking around, Jenna noted a new photograph framed and displayed on the heavy desk that dominated one corner of the room—Claire and her late brother Clyde at what appeared to be a campaign event, their smiles identical in their well-practiced expressions of sincerity.The sight stirred a complex mix of emotions—Clyde’s murder case had brought her and Claire into a temporary alliance, but the goodwill earned seemed to have a rapidly approaching expiration date.
“Can I offer you anything?Coffee?Something stronger?”Claire asked, the social nicety feeling like a delaying tactic.
“We’re fine, thanks,” Jenna replied, preferring to get to the point.“Your message sounded urgent.”
“Yes.Well, I had an interesting day today,” Claire began, her raptor-like gaze shifting between them.“I had rather lengthy phone conversations with Colonel Spelling and a certain Special Agent Cody of the FBI regarding the recent...situation at the mine.”
Jenna kept her expression neutral.“I assume they brought you up to speed.”
“They did.Two victims were rescued, suffering from severe dehydration and malnourishment.Consistent with other victims found in other areas, the work of an outfit called the Harvesters.”Claire’s tone was clinical, as if reading from an internal press release.Then she added in a sharper tone, “They gave a thorough accounting of the investigation.Which I hadn’t gotten before.”
“The FBI team has concluded their work here,” Jake offered.“They’ve moved on, taking jurisdiction of the case since it crosses state lines.”
Claire’s shoulders visibly relaxed.“Good.The sooner Trentville is out of the national spotlight for something so horrific, the better.”
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as they fixed on Jenna.“Though Agent Cody did mention something curious.While he was impressed by how you managed to locate those victims, he seemed to be puzzled by how you did it, Sheriff.He said you led them directly to the captives.He said you weren’t exactly forthcoming about how you knew they were there.”
Jenna met Claire’s gaze steadily.“I have sources and tips that sometimes don’t make it into official reports, Claire.Local knowledge has its advantages.”
“Sources,” Claire repeated, the word dripping with skepticism.“How convenient.”
Jake shifted in his chair.“The important thing is that those two women are alive because of Sheriff Graves’ actions.”
Claire’s mouth tightened into a thin line, but she nodded once in reluctant acknowledgment.
“Indeed.However, that’s not the only matter that concerns me tonight.”She smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her slacks.“Rumors reached my office today that you’re treating Richard Winters’ death as a homicide case.And possibly Anita Palmer’s as well.”
Jenna felt a flicker of irritation.There it was, the real reason that the mayor had insisted on seeing them tonight.Claire’s intelligence network was impressively efficient—and intrusive.
“We’re investigating unusual circumstances surrounding those two deaths,” Jenna replied carefully.“Standard procedure.”
Claire’s eyebrow arched.“So unusual that I felt compelled to call Dr.Stark directly.She confirmed both victims had elevated levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress hormones at time of death.”She paused.“What she couldn’t tell me was how these medical anomalies led to a murder investigation.”
Jenna took a measured breath.“We’re not officially treating these as homicides, Claire.We’re simply gathering information to understand what happened.”
“Really?”Claire’s voice sharpened.“That’s not how Dr.Anthony Walsh characterized your visit to his office this evening.”
Jenna felt Jake stiffen beside her.This was the first indication they had that Walsh had contacted the mayor.
“Dr.Walsh called you?”Jenna asked, careful to keep her tone neutral.
“He was quite upset,” Claire continued.“He said you and Deputy Hawkins essentially treated him as a murder suspect, solely because both of the deceased happened to be under his professional care.”
Jenna exchanged a look with Jake, a silent communication passing between them.Walsh running to the mayor so quickly only heightened their suspicions of him.His defensiveness seemed to speak volumes.
“We asked Dr.Walsh routine questions,” Jenna stated evenly.“Nothing more.”
“He clearly doesn’t see it that way,” Claire countered.“In fact, he demanded that I, and I quote, ‘put a stop to Sheriff Graves’ prying into matters that are of no concern to her or anybody else.’“
