Page 55 of In Her Bed
Jenna nodded, pulling out her tablet.“Let’s see what Breaking Tide is all about before we pay Mr.Tucker a visit.”
A few taps on the screen brought up the podcast’s website.The design was amateur – black background with neon graphics that reminded Jenna of late-night television from the 90s.The logo featured a stylized radio tower with waves radiating outward.
“Fringe science, government conspiracies, unexplained phenomena,” Jake read from the site’s description.“Looks like Tucker hasn’t strayed far from his roots.”
Jenna scrolled through recent episode titles: “Surveillance Through Smart Devices,” “Psychic Communications with Other Dimensions.”Then she stopped, her finger hovering over an upcoming episode scheduled for tomorrow: “Murder at the Tower: The Truth Behind Trentville’s Ritual Killing.”
“Jake.”She turned the tablet toward him.“Look at this.”
His eyes widened as he read.“Promising to reveal the truth about the murder?How would he know anything about it unless …”
“He’s involved in some way?”Jake put in.
Jenna shut off the tablet and slipped it back into her bag.“Let’s go talk to Mr.Tucker.”
They paid for their coffees and scones and headed out to the cruiser.Jenna spent the drive trying to organize her thoughts.If Tucker was responsible for both murders, what was his motive?Publicity for his podcast seemed too simple, too obvious.But she couldn’t dismiss it either.
Ridgeline Drive curved through an older residential area of Pinecrest.The homes were modest single-story structures, most built in the 1970s.Number 1875 sat at the end of a cul-de-sac, its weathered brick facade partially hidden behind overgrown hedges.
“Not exactly what I pictured for a conspiracy personality,” Jake commented as they parked at the curb.
A concrete path led through the neglected front yard to a weather-worn door.Jenna knocked firmly, and they waited, listening to movement inside.
The door swung open to reveal a man in his late fifties with thinning gray hair pulled back in a short ponytail.He wore faded jeans and a black t-shirt bearing the Breaking Tide logo.Wire-rimmed glasses perched on a nose that had been broken at least once.
His expression shifted from annoyance to curiosity as he took in their badges.“Law enforcement?To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Ray Tucker?”Jenna asked.
“The one and only.”He offered a smile as he looked at Jenna’s badge.“Sheriff Graves and...”He squinted at Jake’s badge.“Deputy Hawkins.Come in, come in.”
He stepped back, gesturing them inside with a flourish that struck Jenna as theatrical.The living room had been converted into a makeshift studio, with sound dampening panels attached haphazardly to the walls.A desk dominated the center of the room, crowded with audio equipment and multiple computer monitors.
“You caught me just in time,” Tucker said, closing the door behind them.“Was about to start recording today’s episode.But for Genesius County’s Sheriff, I can certainly delay it a while.”He said this with a wink that made Jenna’s skin crawl.
“We won’t take much of your time, Mr.Tucker,” she said, keeping her tone professional.“We have a few questions about your podcast.”
“Breaking Tide?Going strong for three years now.”Pride colored his voice.“Nearly fifty thousand subscribers.Not bad for independent media.”
Jake gestured to one of the monitors displaying the episode schedule.“We noticed you’re planning a special episode about a recent murder discovered near Trentville.”
Tucker’s eyes lit up.“Ah, you saw that!Yes, absolutely fascinating case.Body bound to a radio tower?The symbolism alone is worth exploring.”
“And what theories do you plan to share with your listeners?”Jenna asked, watching his face carefully.
Tucker leaned against his desk, clearly delighted by their interest.“Well, I’ve been researching ancient binding rituals.Did you know that several civilizations practiced similar methods for sacrifices?The victim bound to a structure that connects earth to sky?”He gestured dramatically upward.“I believe what happened in Trentville is part of a much larger pattern of ritual killings designed to open portals between dimensions.”
Jenna kept her expression neutral, though she found it increasingly difficult.“And you believe this theory?”
“Of course!The evidence is compelling.”Tucker reached for a notebook and flipped it open.“The positioning of the body, the stage of the moon that night, and its proximity to—”
“Mr.Tucker,” Jake interrupted.“Where were you on that night?”
The question caught Tucker off-guard.His animated expression faltered for a moment before understanding dawned.
“Am I a suspect?”He didn’t sound frightened – if anything, there was a note of excitement in his voice.
“Just answer the question, please,” Jenna said.
