Page 67 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Bailey,” Alex repeated, letting the implications unfold in his mind.
“Yes,” Victor confirmed once more. His views on fidelity and his wife’s emotional well-being were obvious. Alex didn’t have an ounce of respect for the man. “Bailey Scriven.”
“And Hannah knew about this relationship?”
“Not at first. But she eventually came to me about it, yes,” Victor replied reluctantly. “I advised her it wasn’t her business.”
“Where does Jade Patel fit into all this?”
“My career comes first, Detective Lanen.” Victor removed his hands from his pockets, signaling that their conversation was about to end. “I would never jeopardize my position at the university. Any arrangement I have with Miss Patel is private and unrelated to your investigation. In fact, I believe I should consult an attorney before answering any further questions.”
The sudden shift to legal caution spoke volumes.
“That's your right,” Alex acknowledged, keeping his tone professional despite the surge of frustration. “We’ll reach out to you and your attorney first thing in the morning to cover any alibi you may have for the night in question…among other things.”
Alex gave a slight nod before crossing the living room and joining Hendricks in the foyer. The staircase to the second level was to their right, and a framed wedding photo was displayed on the wall opposite the handrail.
“If all you want is an alibi, you’ll find that I was at Bailey Scriven’s apartment on the night Hannah was murdered,” Victor revealed as he followed behind. Alex stopped to study the wedding picture in more detail. “Bailey and I had nothing to do with her sister’s death, detective.”
“I believe you, Dr. Reeves.” Alex surprised the man by replying honestly. He then directed his attention to the wedding picture. “Your wife. Is she still at the vigil?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“Which is why you were so free with your responses,” Alex murmured more to himself than to the professor. “Does she know about your affair with Bailey Scriven?”
“No, she doesn’t,” Victor replied truthfully. “I’d like to keep it that way, if possible.”
Alex had already retrieved his phone from his jacket. He didn’t bother to respond to the professor as he pressed Kinsley’s name and lifted the phone to his ear.
The photograph had captured Victor Reeves standing in a dark suit, his arm around a woman in a simple white dress, both smiling at the camera with genuine joy. The woman’s straight brown hair and green eyes were unmistakable.And if he were to make a calculated guess, she was well aware of her husband’s indiscretions.
Melanie Young had intentionally given Alex her maiden name.
Alex grimaced when he reached Kinsley’s voicemail.
“Hendricks, I need you to stay here,” Alex directed as he pulled out his keys. He quickly strode toward the door. “I’m heading back to the campus. Make sure Reeves doesn’t call his wife.”
Just like Jade Patel, Dr. Reeves’ wife had mistaken the identity of the woman sleeping with her husband. Instead of killing the correct sister, Melanie Young Reeves ended up killing Hannah Scriven.
28
Kinsley Aspen
July
Monday — 10:44 pm
The courtyard had emptied, leaving behind a heavy silence layered with dark shadows. Reflections from the fountain’s clear water shimmered across the lush tree branches above, and the light beneath the liquid blue pool looked more vivid in the absence of a crowd.
“Check the wooded areas surrounding the courtyard,” Kinsley instructed after keying her radio. She kept her gaze on Officer Blake as he led Jade and Courtney through the north exit. He would ensure they were safely escorted home. “Bailey is wearing white capris with an orange blouse. Large hoop earrings.”
Acknowledgments traveled back, one by one, through the radio. She switched the radio frequency before pressing the button once again.
“Dispatch, I need a patrol unit sent to an address.” Kinsley rattled off the apartment information, but at this point, shewasn’t sure if Bailey was a suspect or just a person of interest with answers to questions she didn’t know she even had. “Officers should not engage. I just need confirmation that the individual is on site.”
Kinsley lowered the radio, wondering if Bailey had been too distraught to drive. She had been standing near Melanie Young earlier in the evening. There was a chance the librarian had been concerned about Bailey’s state of mind and had given the young woman a ride home.
Before Kinsley could clip the radio to her belt, Katherine Scriven materialized on the path that led to the east parking lot. Her gait was clipped, and she met Kinsley's gaze with disdain before scanning the area. There was no doubt the woman had already placed a call to Captain Thompson regarding certain choices Kinsley had made this evening.
