Page 56 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
Kinsley dropped her gaze to the marble floor. It gleamed like polished ice beneath their feet. There wasn’t a scuff to be seen, allowing the prismatic light from the large crystal chandelier to take center stage. Even the air carried the subtle scent of something expensive. Not quite perfume, not quite floral, but something unmistakably curated.
“Good afternoon,” the guard greeted them, his voice carrying the practiced pleasantness of someone who dealt with important people daily. Kinsley lifted her gaze and pasted a smile to her face. “How may I assist you today?”
“Detectives Aspen and Lanen, Fallbrook Police Department.” Alex unclipped his badge and held it up for closer inspection. “We're here to see Sienna Webster.”
“Is she expecting you, sir?” The guard's hand hovered over a sleek phone. After Alex responded negatively, the guard pickedup the phone, pressed four buttons, and then waited patiently for Sienna to answer his call. “Miss Webster, this is Scott at the front desk. There are two detectives from the Fallbrook Police Department here to see you.”
Scott paused, listening intently to Sienna.
“Yes, from the Fallbrook Police Department.” Another pause, longer this time. Kinsley monitored his expression, noting the slight tightening around his eyes that suggested Sienna wasn't exactly welcoming the news. “I understand, Miss Webster. I'll let them know you're not?—”
Kinsley leaned forward slightly, her voice loud enough to be heard on the other end of the line.
“Please inform Miss Webster that we just need to confirm Nick Ryder's alibi. It won't take more than a few minutes of her time.”
The guard hesitated, then relayed the message, although it probably wasn’t needed. This time, Scott didn’t remain silent for long.
“Yes, Miss Webster. I'll send them up.”
Scott replaced the receiver before gesturing to his left.
“Elevators are right over there. Miss Webster is on the eleventh floor, number 1107.”
After thanking Scott for his assistance, Kinsley and Alex crossed the lobby toward the elevator bank. Kinsley pressed the up button, and the doors opened immediately, as if the elevator had been waiting just for them.
Once inside, Alex pressed the button for the eleventh floor. The doors closed with a soft pneumatic hiss, sealing them into a small space lined with mirrors and more polished wood. The elevator began its ascent smoothly, the only indication of movement a subtle change in pressure in Kinsley’s ears.
“That was a good idea,” Alex said, his reflection multiplied in the surrounding mirrors. “Mentioning Nick's alibi. It got us past the gatekeeper.”
“Sienna will still try to get rid of us in under five minutes.”
“Probably,” Alex agreed as he adjusted his badge until it was more secure on his belt. “But at least we got a face-to-face. That's more than we would have had otherwise.”
“And sometimes that's all we need.” Kinsley observed the floor numbers illuminate in sequence, each soft ding marking their progress. “Just a foot in the door and a chance to observe.”
The elevator slowed to a stop, and the doors opened to reveal a hallway that continued the theme of understated luxury. A thick carpet in a deep, rich grey muffled their footsteps. The walls were painted in a soft cream color. Tasteful abstract paintings in subdued tones were spaced along the walls. They were highlighted by recessed lighting that bathed them in a golden glow.
“1107 should be to the right.”
The fact that Sienna had agreed to see them at all was telling. Either she had nothing to hide, or she was confident enough in her ability to conceal whatever she might be hiding about Hannah Scriven.
They came to a stop right outside Sienna’s apartment door. Alex rapped his knuckles against the solid wood, and Kinsley positioned herself slightly to the side out of habit.
The door opened smoothly, revealing Sienna Webster.
Kinsley immediately noted that she was about five feet eight inches tall, with an impeccable posture that suggested years of coaching rather than natural ease. Her dark, curly hair was styled in a complex arrangement of braids that somehow appeared both effortlessly casual and meticulously planned.
“Detectives,” Sienna greeted them in a somewhat mocking tone behind a practiced smile. “Please, come in.”
Sienna stepped aside, gesturing them into her home.
The furniture was minimal but clearly high-quality. A charcoal grey sectional sofa that appeared both inviting and pristine was placed around a glass-topped table with a sculptural base.
“Thank you for seeing us,” Alex said before making introductions. Afterward, Sienna subtly indicated they should sit on the sofa. “As you heard over the phone, we’re investigating the murder of Hannah Scriven, and we’re confirming that you were having dinner with Nick Ryder last Wednesday night.”
Sienna chose an armchair opposite them. She crossed her legs and loosely interlaced her fingers over her abdomen.
“Yes, Nick and I had dinner that evening at Marcello's downtown. We left around nine.” She tilted her head slightly. “Nick called me the day after to tell me what happened to Hannah. I was very sorry to hear about what happened, of course.”
