Page 63 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Hannah?” Alex couldn’t help but think that such an act was out of character for their victim. She had been bright, smart, and steady. Most importantly, not reckless. “Why didn’t Jade just come clean with us last week?”
“Are you ready for this?” Kinsley asked, lowering her voice even more now that sound traveled more easily. “Reeves promised to give a passing grade to Jade if she stayed quiet about the affair. Plus, he's been paying her mother’s medical bills in exchange for her silence."
“Jesus,” Alex muttered, running a hand over his face.
“Turns out that Hannah figured out what was going on, and she mentioned to Jade that she was going to confront Reeves about it. Three days later, she was dead.”
“Means, motive,andopportunity.” The timeline aligned, and Alex began to mentally strategize their next move. “Reeves’ career, marriage, reputation…all hinging on the silence of two law students.”
“We still don’t have enough for an arrest. No DNA. No physical evidence tying him to the scene.”
“We can still bring him in for questioning.”
“I think you should take Hendricks to Reeves’ residence. Question him and his wife.” Kinsley tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll keep Blake with me. Think about it. We have Bailey, Nick, and the Scrivens all in one place. This may be our only chance to catch their genuine reactions before word spreads.”
Usually, Alex wouldn’t have agreed to question family members in this kind of setting. However, given thecircumstances, he had to accept that they might not be given this opportunity again.
“Fine, but keep in touch. I’ll do the same,” Alex said as he spotted Hendricks heading their way. “I’m serious, Kin. You've got a lot of moving pieces here.”
“I’ve also got additional officers on hand. I can have campus police walk Jade and Courtney home in a bit.” Kinsley nodded toward Hendricks. “Go. I’ll keep you posted if anything else shakes out.”
“Sir, the Reeves’ residence is only two miles away.”
Alex fell into step beside Hendricks, taking one last look at the courtyard—faces drawn, groups thinning out, and the occasional candle still flickering like a dying heartbeat. With so many follow-up interviews, he and Hendricks would likely get back to campus before Kinsley finished requisitioning those still present.
“Let’s roll.”
26
Kinsley Aspen
July
Monday — 10:36 pm
Kinsley positioned herself so Nick and Sienna wouldn’t have access to the east parking lot. At least, not without first having another conversation. Now that all the candles had been extinguished and were in the process of being collected, the mosquitoes had made themselves known.
“Some new information has come to light,” Kinsley said as she slapped the back of her left hand. Her irritation flared hotter than the sting of the blood-sucking insect. She was going to be covered in welts tomorrow morning. “I was hoping you could help clarify a few things for me.”
Nick’s jaw tightened, though Sienna’s expression revealed nothing as she slid her hand through his arm. She seemed completely unfazed by the buzzing mosquitoes.
“We’ve already been over this," Nick replied, his voice clipped and cold. “Any further questions for me should go throughyourfather’s firm. I’ve already provided a statement,and this hardly seems the appropriate venue for another interrogation.”
Sienna gave a soft, deliberate tap of her fingers against his arm. The ruby on her right hand caught the light just so as her gaze slid over Kinsley's shoulder to where Jade and Courtney still sat on the stone bench. Sienna then drifted her focus back to meet Kinsley’s gaze with renewed interest.
“I'd like to hear what Detective Aspen has to say,” Sienna announced, her voice carrying a measured cadency that all but dared Nick to disregard her wishes. “We all want to find who did this to Hannah, don’t we?”
Kinsley nodded her appreciation to Sienna before focusing her full attention on Nick. No point in beating around the bush. Most times, a direct approach received a genuine response.
“Mr. Ryder, were you aware that Hannah was having an affair?” Kinsley paused, noting his stunned reaction as the words hit him. His breath hitched just enough to confirm that he hadn’t been prepared for such an accusation. “Is that the reason things ended between you?”
A series of emotions appeared in rapid succession.
Confusion, disbelief, and then something mirroring anger.
“An affair? Hannah?” Nick’s gaze diverted to Sienna, though Kinsley figured he was buying time to get his thoughts in order. “Where did you hear something like that? Because it's complete bullshit.”
“Are you saying that you had no knowledge of an affair?”
