Page 58 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
July
Monday — 9:36 pm
The campus courtyard had been transformed into a peaceful gathering space. Students and faculty quietly congregated in the center where Hannah Scriven’s portrait was carefully placed in front of a well-kept flowerbed surrounding a water fountain.
The photograph chosen of Hannah didn’t capture her smile, but rather depicted a solemn expression that matched her personality in life.
The soft, golden flames from numerous candles flickered against the encroaching darkness. The night air was filled with the rich aroma of melting wax, while the faint rustling of leaves in the light breeze added its gentle soundtrack.
Kinsley stood under a large oak tree, observing those arriving from different campus parking lots. The afternoon had gone by quickly since their interview with Sienna Webster. They had about half an hour for lunch and less than that for dinner beforespending the rest of the time coordinating with campus security and assigning plainclothes officers to the crowd.
The goal was to gather any intelligence that might aid them in the investigation. All personnel involved had been instructed to concentrate on those who had a personal or professional connection with Hannah or the Scriven family.
The radio at her hip crackled softly.
“Position two, no sign of the parents.” Alex's voice came through the radio, which Kinsley had made sure was low enough not to attract attention. “I've got eyes on the east entrance. Position three?”
“Negative.”
“Position four?”
“Negative.”
“Copy that,” Kinsley replied into the radio. “No sign of the twin sister yet, either. I do have eyes on Jade Patel and Courtney Huber, though. Reeves should be visible from position one.”
“Affirmative,” Alex replied.
Kinsley lowered the radio and shifted her weight, remaining in the large shadow of the oak tree. The artificial lighting that highlighted the fountain, along with all the candlelight, deepened the darkened areas around the courtyard.
Jade Patel stood at the edge of the growing crowd with Courtney Huber. Both women were engaged in deep conversation, although Jade’s gestures were quite animated, prompting Courtney to gently place a steadying hand on Jade’s arm.
Every now and then, Jade's gaze would scan those inside the courtyard. Interestingly enough, Kinsley noticed that Jade had gone still once someone had caught her attention. Kinsley followed her gaze to where Dr. Victor Reeves stood talking with Professor Bigsby and another faculty member. Reeves seemed calm, even somber, as he listened to the conversation.
“Movement at the east entrance,” Alex reported over the radio fifteen minutes later. “William and Katherine Scriven have arrived.”
Kinsley turned her gaze in that direction. Before long, the Scrivens arrived and began greeting the attendees of the vigil. The crowd eventually parted as the grieving parents approached their daughter’s portrait.
Katherine walked with mechanical precision, each step measured and controlled, her face a marble mask of composure. William was beside her, his hand resting on her lower back.
Kinsley radioed for a plainclothes officer to take her position so she could circle the perimeter. Such movement allowed her to catch fragments of conversation drifting through the humid evening air.
“—said they found her with a fire poker still…”
“…heard it was some crazed lunatic living in the woods near the cabin.”
“Everyone knows it wouldn't have happened if her parents hadn't pushed her so hard.”
"—think it has something to do with the cheating scandal. What if Rebecca…"
The rumors were spreading like wildfire, each version more dramatic than the last.
Jade and Courtney kept some distance from the gathering, and their focus remained on Dr. Reeves. Whatever connection existed between the student and the professor was charged with something that went beyond a typical academic relationship.
Kinsley's radio sprang to life again, and she instinctively lowered the volume further. Because resources and staff had been diverted to a surprise operation related to the homicide investigation connected to the string of armed robberies, most of the tech gear had been taken, leaving only a few items that were of little use to Kinsley and Alex. The Fallbrook PoliceDepartment wasn't exactly a top priority in the city's budget, nor the state's.
A sudden noise exploded in the air, capturing everyone’s attention.
Katherine Scriven had stepped up to a solitary microphone and tapped it. She stood next to Hannah's portrait while William moved to stand beside his wife on her other side. The conversations quieted as people gathered closer, eager to hear from the victim's mother.
