Page 52 of In Her Bed
Rebecca nodded, composing herself with visible effort.“Of course.Anything I can do.”
“Do you recall anyone who showed particular interest in both the phonograph that Sandra Reeves purchased and the ham radio your father sold to Howard Mitchell?”Jenna asked.
Rebecca returned to her seat, brow furrowed in concentration.The ticking of an antique clock on the mantel punctuated the silence as she thought.Jenna could almost see her mentally sifting through faces, conversations, and moments from the estate sale.
“There were so many people,” Rebecca said finally, frustration evident in her voice.“Collectors, enthusiasts, just curious locals...I tried to keep track, but...”She shook her head.“I can’t recall anyone specifically interested in both those items.But of course, I could have missed it.”
Disappointment settled in Jenna’s chest, but she pressed on.“Did your father ever mention anyone whose interest in his collection struck him as concerning?Someone who perhaps seemed too eager or whose questions made him uncomfortable?”
Again, Rebecca thought carefully before answering.“My father was...selective about those he allowed to view his full collection.But he never mentioned anyone specific that worried him.”Her shoulders slumped slightly.“I’m sorry.I wish I could be more helpful.”
“There is something else you can do,” Jenna told her.“We need a complete list of everyone who purchased items from your father’s collection.It may help us identify potential targets.”Jenna exchanged a glance with Jake before adding, “And anyone who has expressed interest in future purchases, or distress that they didn’t get what they wanted.”
Rebecca looked concerned.“Of course.I have records of all the sales.I’ve been meticulous about that.But as for … any resentment or anger … I wouldn’t necessarily know …”
“Your list of purchasers and any prospective buyers will be a great help,” Jenna said, reaching into her pocket for a business card with Spelling’s contact information.“If you could send that information directly to Colonel Chadwick Spelling at the Missouri Highway Patrol,”
Rebecca took the card.“I’ll compile everything and send it right away.”She stared down at the card for a moment, then looked up with new resolve in her eyes.“And I’ve made a decision.I’m shutting down the estate sale until this case is solved.”
“That’s a significant decision,” Jake observed.“The sale must represent substantial income.”
Rebecca shook her head firmly.“I can’t in good conscience continue selling these items if they might be putting people in danger.Money isn’t worth a life.”She glanced around at her father’s beloved collection.“He would have felt the same way.”
Jenna nodded, forming a new respect for Rebecca Mitchell.“That’s a wise precaution, Ms.Mitchell.We appreciate your cooperation.”
As they prepared to leave, the mood in the room remained somber.Rebecca walked them toward the front door, where Franklin waited to escort them out.
“Sheriff,” Rebecca called as they reached the threshold.“Please find whoever is doing this.Before anyone else gets hurt.”
“We will,” Jenna promised, hoping the assurance wouldn’t prove hollow.
Back in the patrol car, Jenna immediately pulled out her phone.“We need to update Spelling.”
Jake started the engine but didn’t pull away yet.“Put him on speaker.”
Colonel Spelling answered on the third ring, his voice crisp and formal.“Spelling.”
“Colonel, it’s Sheriff Graves and Deputy Hawkins.We’ve just finished speaking with Rebecca Mitchell.”
“And?”There was the sound of papers shuffling in the background.
“She couldn’t remember anything helpful.But she’s agreed to send you a complete list of buyers from her father’s estate sale,” Jenna reported.“And she’s halting any further sales until the case is resolved.”
“Good,” Spelling replied.“I’ll put a team on analyzing the list as soon as it arrives.”
“Any developments on your end?”Jake asked.
“Morgan and I finished interviewing the staff at Melody Forge Studios,” Spelling said.“We have a person of interest—a former sound engineer named Claude Davis who had a falling out with Ms.Reeves last year.Morgan’s running background checks now.”
Jenna made a mental note of the name but kept her expectations measured.Their experience told her that obvious suspects rarely panned out in cases like this.
“Let us know if anything comes up with Davis,” Jenna said.
“Will do.”
After ending the call, Jake pulled the car onto the road.“Where to now?”
Jenna rubbed her temples, feeling the familiar pressure of a case with too many questions and too few answers.“Let’s stop at Brewed Awakening.I need coffee and time to think.”