Page 47 of In Her Dreams
“That’s interesting,” Jake interjected.“Because all three victims had these in their homes, and all three had miraculously recovered from lifelong phobias shortly before their deaths.Quite a coincidence.”
“Mrs.Rodriguez told me something interesting,” Jenna said, her voice deceptively casual.“She said Sam couldn’t explain how he’d recovered from his agoraphobia.Said whenever she asked, he couldn’t get the words out.Almost like he physically couldn’t talk about it.”She leaned forward, her emerald eyes fixed on Walsh’s face.“Does that sound familiar to you, Doctor?Because you seem to be having a similar problem right now.”
The observation struck home.Walsh’s professional veneer cracked, revealing a glimpse of panic underneath.For a moment, Jenna thought he might break—might tell them what he so clearly knew.But instead, his expression hardened, and he pushed back from his desk.
“I think we’re done here,” he said, his voice taking on a sharp edge.“You have no evidence linking me to any crime, Sheriff Graves.In fact, you don’t have evidence that a crime was even committed.Only your famous intuition, which isn’t grounds for this kind of interrogation.”
The words were cutting and personal.Jenna felt Jake stiffen beside her.
“Your intuition,” Walsh continued, his tone almost mocking now.“That’s what I hear about you.How Sheriff Graves just seems to know things she shouldn’t, how she solves cases with uncanny insights.Where do those come from Sheriff?Rumors say from ghosts telling tales.But I don’t believe in ghosts.And I don’t believe you have any good reason to come around here interrogating me.”
The calculated attack landed with precision.Jenna kept her face neutral, but inside, a cold knot formed in her stomach.How much did people speculate about her?
“We’re investigating three deaths with remarkable similarities,” she responded coolly.“That’s a fact, not intuition.”
Walsh’s outburst seemed to have drained him of energy.He slumped slightly in his chair, the fight gone out of him.“I have nothing more to say to you.”he muttered.
Recognizing they’d reached an impasse, Jenna stood.Walsh was hiding something significant—that much was clear—but he wasn’t going to reveal it right now.
“We’ll be in touch, Doctor,” she said.“Don’t leave town.”
Back in the car, the tension that had built in Walsh’s office slowly dissipated.Jake rubbed a hand across his jaw, his expression thoughtful.
“He knows something about all of this,” he said.
“Yeah, but he’s not talking.”Jenna started the engine.“What he said about me, though...”
Jake turned to face her.“People talk, Jenna.Small town.But no one who matters thinks you’re anything but a damn good sheriff.”
His words warmed her, but the unease remained.“If Walsh is using it to try to discredit me, others might too.”
“Then we need solid evidence,” Jake said simply.“Our next step?”
“Dr.Valerie Mercer.Mary told me Rodriguez dropped Walsh and started seeing her in Pinecrest just before he died.”
Jake nodded and took out his phone.After a brief search, he placed a call, putting it on speaker so Jenna could hear.
A woman answered on the third ring.“Dr.Mercer’s office.”
“This is Deputy Hawkins from the Genesius County Sheriff’s Department.I need to speak with Dr.Mercer regarding a patient of hers, Samuel Rodriguez.”
A pause.“I’m afraid Dr.Mercer can’t discuss patients, Deputy.Confidentiality—”
“Samuel Rodriguez is dead, ma’am,” Jake interrupted, his tone firm but respectful.“Found deceased last night.We’re investigating the circumstances.”
Another, longer pause.“One moment.”
The line clicked, and a different voice came on—deeper, more authoritative.“This is Dr.Mercer.I understand you’re calling about Sam Rodriguez?”
“Yes, Doctor,” Jenna said.“I’m Sheriff Jenna Graves.We need to ask you some questions about Mr.Rodriguez’s treatment.”
“I’m bound by confidentiality, Sheriff, even after a patient’s death.”
“We understand that,” Jenna replied.“But Rodriguez is the third person in our county to die under nearly identical circumstances.All three experienced sudden recoveries from long-standing phobias shortly before their deaths.We believe their treatments may be connected to how they died.”
Silence stretched across the line.Finally, Mercer spoke, her voice noticeably more subdued.“I...see.This is concerning information.”
“We’d like to come to Pinecrest to speak with you in person.Today, if possible.”
