Page 59 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Still no Bailey?” Kinsley murmured into the radio, a growing unease settling in her stomach.
“Nothing yet,” Alex confirmed.
“I've got movement,” an officer noted. “West side. I can't confirm it's the twin from this angle.”
Kinsley moved casually toward the west side of the courtyard, careful not to draw attention to herself as Katherine cleared her throat, preparing to address the gathering.
“Possible visual on Bailey,” Kinsley said quietly into the radio. “I'm moving in to confirm.”
As she moved through the crowd, Kinsley noticed how the atmosphere had changed. The earlier murmurs had turned into quiet anticipation. William’s gaze was steady on some distant point, as if he couldn’t fully connect with the moment.
“Confirmed sighting,” Kinsley advised into the radio.
“Copy.”
The goal at this point was to observe body language and overhear conversations that might generate new leads. Besides the four plainclothes officers stationed at each of the four walkways, the others had been instructed to blend into the crowd.
Katherine Scriven began to speak into the microphone. Her voice carried across the courtyard with the practiced precision of someone accustomed to being heard in crowded courtrooms.Her words about Hannah's dedication to law and passion for justice rang with maternal pride. There was also a slight tremor in her tone when she spoke of her daughter's promising future. One that was now permanently erased.
“Hannah loved the law,” Katherine continued, her fingers gripping the microphone stand. "She saw it not as a career path but as her calling. She would have made an exceptional attorney.”
Kinsley made her way back around so that she could monitor Jade and Courtney. The two women still maintained some distance from the others, though Jade’s interest wasn’t on Katherine.
Dr. Reeves was now speaking with two new faculty members. While Kinsley had been approaching Jade’s position, Melanie Young had been making her way over to Bailey. The two women now stood side by side while listening to Katherine’s speech. The hostility in Bailey’s posture toward her mother’s words was evident.
Kinsley pivoted her attention back to Jade. She and Courtney were now engaged in what appeared to be an increasingly heated exchange. Courtney even had a hand wrapped around Jade’s arm while whispering urgently in her ear. Jade shook her head repeatedly, her face flushed with what appeared to be anger.
"…done." Jade's voice had risen just enough for Kinsley to catch the words. “I can't do this anymore.”
Courtney's grip tightened on Jade's arm.
“Please, not here. Just wait until after?—”
Jade wrenched herself free, her sudden movement drawing glances from nearby mourners. She straightened her shoulders and walked away, her trajectory unmistakable. She was heading directly toward Dr. Reeves, who had also noticed the exchange. He intentionally separated himself from the other two professors before Jade could reach him.
Kinsley began moving parallel to Jade's path, keeping enough distance while maintaining a clear view of what was unfolding. Katherine's eulogy continued in the background, her voice now describing Hannah's childhood determination, but Kinsley's focus had narrowed exclusively to the collision course between professor and student.
Dr. Reeves reached the shadow of a large oak, stepping into the dark silhouette where Kinsley couldn't read his expression. Jade, meanwhile, had already reached into her purse, pulling out a white envelope she held tightly enough to crumble the middle. When she finally got to Reeves, she thrust the envelope against his chest with enough force to make him step back.
“Alex, are you seeing this?” Kinsley murmured into the radio, observing the exchange with growing interest.
Though their words were inaudible from this distance, their body language spoke volumes. Jade's chin jutted forward in accusation. Reeves’ response came with hands raised in a placating gesture, though his face was still obscured by shadows.
“Affirmative,” Alex replied. “We’re not the only ones.”
Kinsley scanned the others with interest.
Nick and Sienna were positioned at the rear of the crowd. While they might have been listening to Katherine’s speech, their focus was on Jade.Melanie Young was no longer standing next to Bailey. Instead, Patty Bigsby had joined Hannah’s twin sister, and the exchange between Jade and Victor Reeves had drawn their attention, as well.
It was William whom Alex must have been referring to, because Hannah’s father had vacated his spot next to his wife, not that she had taken notice. He was making his way around the assembly. Kinsley realized almost immediately that his interest was in Bailey, not Jade.
“I’ve got Jade, you take William and Bailey.”
Kinsley had made the decision to intervene the second that Jade's reaction had become immediate and visceral. She had stepped back, shaking her head with such vehemence that her hair whipped across her face. When she turned to leave, Reeves lunged forward, his fingers closing around the sleeve of her jacket.
Before Kinsley could get involved in the altercation, Jade yanked her arm free. She then spat something at Reeves and quickly headed back toward where Courtney waited, her hands pressed against her mouth in distress.
“Jade.” Kinsley caught both women before they could exit the courtyard. “Jade, what was that exchange about?”
