Page 42 of In Her Bed
As they stepped onto the porch, the morning sun cast a different light on the day.Jake walked on ahead, giving Jenna a moment with Frank.
“You remember what I said about you two?”Frank asked quietly, his eyes flicking toward Jake.
Jenna felt heat rise to her cheeks.“This isn’t the time, Frank.”
“Yeah, well don’t drag things out with excuses, Jenna.”Frank’s expression softened.“Life’s short.Don’t waste it pretending not to feel what you feel.”
She didn’t respond, but Frank’s words followed her down the steps to where Jake waited by the patrol car.For a moment, as Jake held the passenger door open for her, their eyes met.Something unspoken passed between them—concern, partnership, and something deeper that Jenna wasn’t ready to think about yet.
The moment broke as Jenna slid into the seat.Jake closed her door and circled to the driver’s side.As they pulled away from Frank’s house, Jenna pushed aside the complicated emotions stirred by Frank’s words.The case demanded her full attention.The truth about Sandra Reeves—and whoever was responsible for her death—was waiting in Pinecrest.
The patrol car headed down the quiet county road, carrying them toward an investigation they couldn’t officially conduct, searching for a victim they couldn’t explain knowing about, racing against a killer they couldn’t identify … hoping to save the life of a target as yet unknown.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The county line passed beneath their wheels with nothing but a small green sign to mark it.Now Jenna and Jake were now officially out of their jurisdiction, pursuing a hunch based solely on her dream—something that wouldn’t hold up in any court or official report.
“We’re stepping on thin ice here,” Jake said, breaking the silence that had lingered since they’d left Trentville.“If Morgan finds out we’re poking around Cable County without telling him...”
“I know,” Jenna said, her eyes fixed on the approaching town.“But if we’re right, if Sandra Reeves is—” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.
Jake nodded, understanding the unspoken.“And if we’re wrong, we make some casual excuse for being here?Or apologize for overstepping and go home with our tails between our legs?”
“I’m not wrong.”The certainty in her voice surprised even her.The dream had been too vivid, too detailed—Sandra’s terror, her flight through the darkness, the phonograph playing that old-time song.“I just can’t explain why I feel so sure about this one.”
The GPS directed them toward the outskirts of town, where warehouses and industrial buildings replaced the quaint storefronts of downtown Pinecrest.Melody Forge Studios stood between two larger structures, a converted warehouse with a modern glass entrance added to its brick facade.
“Not exactly what I pictured for a recording studio,” Jake observed as he pulled into the small parking lot where several cars were already parked.
They approached the glass doors, which slid open automatically.The lobby was modestly furnished with vintage-inspired music posters and comfortable seating.A man paced near the reception desk, phone pressed to his ear.He looked up at their entrance, his expression shifting from hope to disappointment.
“I’ll call you back,” he said into the phone before pocketing it.“Can I help you?”
Jenna stepped forward, extending her hand.“Sheriff Jenna Graves, Genesius County.This is Deputy Hawkins.”
The man extended his hand towards them, an inquisitive look in his eyes.“I’m Tony Silke,” he said.
Tony was in his early forties, with thinning hair.His casual attire—jeans and a faded band t-shirt—contrasted with the anxious energy radiating from him.
“We’re looking for Sandra Reeves,” Jenna said, watching his reaction carefully.“Is she around?”
Tony seemed to wilt at the question, his shoulders drooping noticeably.“No,” he said, a note of worry creeping into his voice.“What’s this about?Did you two have a meeting scheduled with her?”
“No, we had just hoped to find her here,” Jenna replied.
“Uh, you said Sheriff?Genesius County?Has something happened?”
“We’re just following up on a case from our jurisdiction,” Jake said hastily.“We’d hoped to talk with Ms.Reeves about it.”
“You seem worried,” Jenna observed.“When was the last time you saw her?”
Tony sighed heavily, raking a hand through his hair in frustration.“The last time I saw Sandra was yesterday evening around seven,” he admitted.“She stayed behind to finish mixing a track.She was supposed to be here this morning for a session with a local band at nine.”
He paused, shaking his head slightly.“She’s never missed an appointment in the five years I’ve known her.I tried calling her phone—more times than I can count.It keeps going straight to voicemail.”
“And all of this is out of character for Sandra?”Jake asked gently.
Tony nodded emphatically.“Completely,” he confirmed.“Sandra’s always been reliable – it’s what she’s known for around here.”He paused before adding quietly, “She once came in sick as a dog because she didn’t want to let down a client who’d driven three hours for their session.”
