Page 25 of In Her Fears
It was the server at the Sunflower Café.He’d talked to her often.In the chaos of his shock and horror, it seemed strange that he didn’t know her name.
CHAPTER TEN
Standing in Chloe’s backyard, Jenna pulled out her phone and dialed the station.Every instinct told her that Alexis Downey’s disappearance wasn’t some simple misunderstanding—it was connected to her dream, to the Pinecrest murder, to something dark that was taking shape around them.
“I need officers at 217 Cedar Lane,” she told the dispatcher.“Possible abduction.Send Delgado and Donovan if they’re available.”She paused, then added, “And two more to do a neighborhood canvas.”
Jake approached from where he’d been examining the back gate.“Nothing obvious there,” he reported, keeping his voice low enough that Chloe, who stood on the back porch looking anxious, couldn’t hear.“No signs of struggle.”
“If someone took her, they were careful about it,” Jenna murmured.“Maybe someone she didn’t find threatening.”
Her phone buzzed with a text—the dispatcher confirming that officers were en route.Jenna slipped the device back into a pocket and turned toward the house.
“Chloe, officers will be here soon to start a more thorough search.I know this is difficult, but I need you to think—did Alexis mention any problems lately?Anyone making her uncomfortable, following her, anything unusual at all?”
Chloe shook her head, a strand of dark hair falling across her face.“No, nothing like that.I mean, she gets the occasional creep at the café, but nothing serious.”She brushed the hair back nervously.“She was happy, you know?Everything was good with Ryan, she loved her job, she was excited about moving in with him...”
The sound of car doors slamming out front interrupted her.Moments later, Officer Maria Delgado appeared at the side of the house, followed by Mike Donovan and two younger officers.
“Sheriff,” Delgado greeted her with a nod, her keen eyes already scanning the backyard.She was one of Jenna’s most empathetic officers, which made her perfect for this assignment.Donovan stood beside her, his kind eyes serious beneath a receding hairline.
“Officer Delgado, Officer Donovan,” Jenna acknowledged them.“This is Chloe Bennett, roommate of our missing person, Alexis Downey.”
Delgado stepped forward and introduced herself to Chloe with gentle professionalism, while Jenna took the other officers aside and sketched out for them what she knew about what had happened, including that Chloe had mistakenly assumed that Alexis had gone to spend the night with her boyfriend.
“I want a thorough search of the area,” she then instructed.“Check the alley behind the house, talk to all neighbors who might have been home last night.Look for any security cameras that might have captured something.Alexis was last seen here around nine or ten PM, sitting at that telescope.”
“On it, Sheriff,” Donovan said, already pulling out a small notebook.
“What about the boyfriend?”one of the younger officers asked.
“Deputy Hawkins and I will be heading to interview him next,” Jenna replied.“His name is Ryan Kimball.Works at Melody Junction Music Shop.”
Chloe stepped away from her conversation with Delgado, her cell phone in hand.“I need to call the hospital,” she said.“I can’t go to my shift, not now.”
“Of course,” Jenna said.“Take whatever time you need.”
As Chloe retreated inside to make her call, Jenna turned back to Delgado.“Stay with her,” she said quietly.“She shouldn’t be alone right now, and she might remember something important.”
“I understand,” Delgado replied.“And if we find anything?”
“Call me immediately.”Jenna looked once more at the telescope, still aimed at where the full moon had been the previous night.The connection to her dream—a full moon, a woman in trouble—sent a chill through her that had nothing to do with the morning air.
Jake appeared at her elbow.“Ready to head out?”
She nodded, but as they walked around the side of the house toward their patrol car, she was seized by a wave of exhaustion, and the world seemed to tilt slightly beneath her feet.Jake’s steady hand caught her elbow.
“Whoa there,” he said, concern evident in his voice.
“I’m fine,” she replied automatically, though they both knew it wasn’t true.
They reached the car, and Jenna hesitated before the driver’s side door, keys in hand.Pride warred with responsibility for a brief moment before the latter won out.
“Would you mind driving?”she asked, holding the keys out to Jake.“I’m not...I don’t think I should be behind the wheel right now.”
Jake’s surprise was momentary, quickly replaced by understanding.She never relinquished control easily, especially not while on duty.The fact that she was doing so now spoke volumes about her condition.
“No problem,” he said, taking the keys without further comment.
