Page 50 of In Her Bed
“Bullshit,” Morgan said flatly.“You knew things no one could know without either being involved or—”
“That’s enough,” Spelling interrupted, his voice carrying the unmistakable command of his rank.“We have two murders with identical signatures.We have a killer targeting people connected to vintage audio equipment.That’s where our focus needs to be right now.”
The authority in his tone seemed to penetrate Morgan’s anger.The Chief’s shoulders lowered slightly, though the suspicion remained clear in his eyes.
“What’s this about audio equipment?”he asked after a moment.
Jenna seized the opening to shift the conversation.“Sandra Reeves recently purchased an antique phonograph from Howard Mitchell’s estate sale.Marcus Derrick bought a vacuum-tube ham radio from the same source.”
“How do you know that about Sandra Reeves?”Morgan asked, still skeptical.
“We interviewed Tony Silke at Melody Forge,” Jake supplied.“He mentioned the purchase.Said Sandra was excited about it, wanted to record the pure analog sound.”
Spelling nodded thoughtfully.“So we have a clear connection between the victims—both purchased vintage audio equipment from the same source.”
“Howard Mitchell’s collection,” Jenna confirmed.“His daughter Rebecca is handling the estate sale.She may have records of other purchases that could help us identify potential targets … or even the perpetrator.We need to go back there and find out.”
The practical focus on evidence and connections seemed to restore some normalcy to the interaction.Morgan’s posture relaxed further, though his gaze remained wary when it rested on Jenna.
“Alright,” Spelling said, taking charge with his usual assumption of authority.“Chief Morgan and I will head to Melody Forge Studios to interview staff and look for anything that might help establish a timeline or motive.”
He turned to Jenna and Jake.“You two should do what you’ve suggested, revisit Rebecca Mitchell.Find out who else purchased items from the estate, particularly anything related to audio equipment or broadcasting.We need to get ahead of this killer before he chooses a third victim.”
The clear division of tasks dispersed some of the tension that had built up during Morgan’s confrontation.Officers returned to their duties, the buzz of activity resuming around the crime scene.
Jenna felt a curious mixture of relief and unease.Spelling’s intervention had deflected Morgan’s questions, but the Colonel’s defense of her “unconventional methods” suggested he might have his own suspicions about her abilities.Whether that made him an ally or another potential problem remained to be seen.
As they prepared to leave, the medical examiner’s team wheeled Sandra’s gurney toward the waiting ambulance.The white sheet covering her body glowed in the sunlight, an unnaturally pure spot against the earthy tones of the clearing.
Jenna watched them load the gurney into the ambulance, a profound sense of failure washing over her.Sandra had come to her in the dream, had shown her the warehouse, had tried to communicate something vital—but too late to save her life.
“Why do they only reach out after they’re gone?”she murmured, not realizing she’d spoken aloud until Jake answered.
“Maybe that’s just how it works,” he said quietly, standing close enough that only she could hear.“Or maybe they’re trying to help stop the next one.”
The ambulance doors closed with a soft thud.Inside was a woman who had once filled venues with her voice, who had nurtured local talent, who had, in death, reached across some unfathomable divide to connect with Jenna.
“We’d better not let her down,” Jenna said.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jenna stared out at the passing landscape as the patrol car hummed along winding roads.Her mind circled back to Chief Morgan’s barely veiled accusations and Colonel Spelling’s unexpected defense of her.
Jake had called to inform Rebecca Mitchell that they were on their way to seek her help before he started to drive.“You’re quiet,” he commented, eyes on the road as he navigated a particularly sharp curve.“Still thinking about Spelling?”
“I’m not used to having someone at his level defend me like that," she replied.
“It was unexpected,” Jake agreed, his hands relaxed on the steering wheel.“But not unwelcome.”
“What do you think he makes of it?”she asked.“My methods, I mean.”
Jake considered this for a moment.“Honestly?I think that Spelling respects results.And you get them, regardless of how.”
“But he must wonder.Everyone does.”Jenna turned to look at Jake’s profile.“What’s your theory on what he’s assuming?”
Jake gave a small, thoughtful smile.“Well, he definitely doesn’t imagine you’re communing with the dead.That would be last on his list of explanations.”
“Agreed,” Jenna said, unable to suppress a chuckle despite the gravity of the question.
