Page 45 of In Her Bed
She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, and told Morgan, “We have reason to believe that Sandra Reeves was attacked and killed last night in a warehouse near her recording studio.”
“Sandra Reeves?”Morgan’s voice crackled through the speaker “The singer?What do you mean, you have ‘reason to believe’?Sheriff Graves, what the hell are you talking about?”
Jake shifted closer to her, his shoulder brushing against hers in silent support.
“I understand your concern,” Jenna said, struggling to find words that wouldn’t sound completely insane.“We received information that brought my deputy and I here, and—”
“And how exactly did you come by this...information?”Morgan demanded.
Jake gently took the phone from Jenna’s hand and held it out so they both could hear and speak into it.“Chief, we received a tip from a source that has been accurate before.It pointed us to a particular location.We’re following up on it now.”
“What kind of source?”
“The exact identity is unknown.But the source, as I said, has been helpful.”
Jenna winced at the half-truth.She hated putting Jake in this position, forcing him to bend the truth because of her inexplicable abilities.But what choice did they have?
“An unknown source,” Morgan repeated flatly.“I see.Does this mean Harris Lynch isn’t your suspect anymore?”Morgan cut in.“Because last I checked, he was in custody and we were looking for something solid to tie him to Derrick’s murder.”
“That’s right,” Jake said, his voice steady and professional.“Lynch was in custody when this...when we believe this new murder happened.”
The line went quiet for a moment.Jenna could almost see Morgan pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
“Exactly where are you?”Morgan finally asked.
“We’re at the location that was given to us,” Jake continued.“It’s an abandoned warehouse not far from the recording studio.”
“You’re already there?”Morgan’s voice rose in pitch.“Without backup or proper—?”
“We haven’t entered the premises,” Jake interjected smoothly.“We’re waiting for you and your team.”
“And why exactly are you two there without my knowledge?”
“As I mentioned before,” Jake replied smoothly, “our informant has been useful, even though unnamed.But since the source has not always been completely accurate, we needed to verify the existence of the place and to see if there was any merit to the claim.”
“And this claim involves Sandra Reeves?Our local star is supposedly a victim?”The incredulity in Morgan’s voice was palpable.
“Yes,” Jenna affirmed.“We did confirm that possibility before contacting you.We spoke with Tony Silke at Melody Forge Studios.”
She paused for a moment before continuing.“Tony informed us that Sandra didn’t come into work today which is highly unusual for her.Her car was left untouched in the parking lot since yesterday, and when he reached out to your dispatcher earlier today voicing his concerns, they were brushed aside.”
A heavy silence fell.“I’ll be looking into that,” Morgan finally muttered after what felt like an eternity to Jenna.“Where exactly is this warehouse?”
Leaning toward the phone, she said.“It’s just north of Melody Forge Studios.The address is 1782 Industrial Park Way.It’s an area that looks like it hasn’t been in use for some time.”
A heavy sigh filtered through the speaker.“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.Don’t do anything until I arrive.Clear?”
“Crystal,” Jake replied.
The call ended with an abrupt click, leaving them standing in uncomfortable silence.
“That went well,” Jenna muttered ironically.
“Could’ve been worse,” Jake offered, handing her phone back.“He’s coming to check things out, at least.”
“Thank you for covering for me,” she said quietly.
Jake’s expression softened.“You and I look out for each other.Always have, always will.”
