Page 29 of In Her Bed
Claire’s eyes narrowed.“Standard procedure.Of course.”She sighed, the sound heavy with exasperation.“Walk me through it, then.All of it.From the beginning.”
Jake shifted in his chair, his shoulder almost touching Jenna’s in silent support.The gesture wasn’t lost on Claire, whose gaze flicked briefly between them before settling back on Jenna.Jenna hoped Claire wouldn’t make too much of the moment.
Jenna kept her voice even and professional.“Marcus Derrick’s body was discovered by two teenagers who had been playing around in the woods near the radio tower.That location is actually just outside the boundary of Trentville, by the way.The deceased was male, mid-fifties, who lived in a mobile home in the woods outside Pinecrest in Cable County.Cause of death appears to be strangulation.”
She continued methodically, describing the crime scene and the peculiar arrangement of the body as it was attached to the tower.
“The victim was obsessed with old technology—specifically vacuum tube equipment.He was positively paranoid about transistors and integrated circuits and such, thought the government was using them to monitor people’s thoughts.He was a recluse, but we’ve learned he recently purchased items at Howard Mitchell’s estate sale in Pinecrest.”
Claire’s expression remained neutral, but her posture had stiffened, her back straight against the high-backed leather chair.
“Mitchell—he was the electronics collector who died recently?”she asked.
Jenna nodded.“Heart attack, according to Pinecrest PD.His daughter, Rebecca Mitchell, came from Connecticut to handle the estate.When we visited the estate sale, we learned that Marcus Derrick had bought a vintage radio there.”
“My contacts in Pineville tell me you’ve taken a man into custody.Why didn’t you announce that you already have a suspect in jail?”
“His name is Harris Lynch.He’d been very interested in the radio that Derrick bought and apparently he has a temper.”
“So you’re saying he had a motive?”
“Maybe.Lynch owns Golden Legend Treasures in Pinecrest—deals in antiques and oddities.And he was upset about Rebecca Mitchell selling the radio to Derrick instead of him.We have reason to believe he’s been selling stolen goods.Chief Morgan and Colonel Spelling assisted us in obtaining a warrant.Lynch is currently in custody, though only for possession of stolen property at this point.We haven’t been able to tie him to the murder.”
Throughout Jenna’s account, Claire’s demeanor shifted, alternating between attentive listening and visible agitation.Her focus seemed less on the details of the investigation and more on their implications.
“So, to summarize,” Claire said, standing abruptly and walking to the window that overlooked the town square, “we have a reclusive individual from Pinecrest who was murdered and discovered in our county, a suspect held in Pinecrest on a lesser charge, and an investigation that is currently going nowhere.Did I overlook anything?”
“We’re exploring all angles,” Jenna said carefully.“The unusual nature of the crime scene—”
“What I’m concerned with,” Claire interrupted, turning back to face them, “is the narrative that’s forming.‘Trentville: Where Bodies Turn Up in the Woods.’It’s hardly the image we’ve been working to cultivate.”
Jake cleared his throat.“With respect, Mayor, I don’t think any town cultivates a murder-friendly image.This isn’t about marketing.”
Claire’s gaze snapped to him, her expression cooling further.“Everything is about marketing, Deputy Hawkins.Perception influences tourism, business investment, property values.When people hear ‘Trentville,’ I want them to think ‘charming midwestern town,’ not ‘murder investigation.’“
Jenna resisted the urge to sigh.Claire’s priorities had always been transparent—her political ambitions took precedence over practical realities.
“Perhaps,” Claire continued, returning to her seat and folding her hands on the desk, “this is a case better left to Pinecrest PD and the State Highway Patrol.After all, the victim was a Pinecrest resident.The stolen goods connection is in Pinecrest.It seems logical that they should take the lead.”
Jenna felt a flicker of irritation.“The body was found in Genesius County.That makes it my jurisdiction, Claire.”
“Technically, yes,” Claire conceded, her tone suggesting she found the technicality inconvenient.“But in the interest of efficient resource allocation...”
“I’m not stepping back from this investigation,” Jenna stated firmly.“The crime occurred in my county.The evidence was found in my county.And per state law, that makes it my case.”
Claire’s frustration manifested in the tightening of her jaw.“You always have an answer for everything, don’t you, Jenna?”
Jenna recognized the true nature of Claire’s irritation—not her handling of the case, but her unwillingness to be managed.
“I’m doing my job,” Jenna said simply.“And my job is to investigate crimes in Genesius County, regardless of where the victim lived or where additional evidence might lead.”
“Your job,” Claire countered, leaning forward, “includes considering the welfare of this community.”
“Which is exactly what I’m doing by thoroughly investigating a murder.Public safety isn’t achieved by passing the buck to another department.”
Claire’s expression darkened.“That’s not what I’m suggesting, and you know it.”
“What exactly are you suggesting, Claire?”Jenna asked, her voice level despite the growing tension.“Because it sounds like you’re asking me to prioritize the town’s image over finding a killer.”
