Page 68 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Mrs. Scriven, is everything alright?”
“No,” Katherine stated forcefully before turning to retrace her steps. She ended up mumbling an apology when she ran into a young man. “Excuse me.”
Kinsley’s cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She retrieved it, but she held off answering the call when she recognized the lean frame walking toward her. It was also evident from the man’s expression that he wanted to speak with her.
“Detective Aspen, do you have a minute?”
“Yes,” Kinsley replied as she gestured toward the path. There was nothing she could do until the officers were able to locate Bailey. Alex’s name had been displayed on her cell phone screen, but she would return his call once she reached the parking lot. “And you are?”
“Clark. Clark Reimer,” he replied, holding out his hand without faltering his steps. “I spoke with your partner last week.”
“I recall you being at the library when I spoke with Jade Patel.” Kinsley waved away another mosquito as they continued forward. “Did you know Hannah well?”
“Not really,” Clark replied as he, too, fought off the blood-sucking insects. “Jade and I sometimes take breaks together, but she’s a year ahead of me. It’s probably not relevant, and I’m making more out of it than I should, but something has been bothering me.”
“Go on,” Kinsley prompted as they exited the courtyard, the brick path turning to pavement. The first thing she noticed was Katherine and William Scriven speaking to campus security. They were standing near Bailey’s vehicle. “I take it this is about Jade and Hannah?”
“Actually, it’s about Mrs. Reeves.”
Kinsley’s interest in the Scrivens intensified, but it was Carl’s statement that brought her to an abrupt stop. She pivoted slightly so she could monitor Carl’s expressions.
“Mrs. Reeves?”
“Well, she introduced herself to Detective Lanen as Melanie Young. I thought that was really odd at the time,” Clark said as he scratched the side of his neck. He glanced in the Scrivens’ direction. “When I asked Mrs. Reeves about it, she said it was simply a mistake.”
“Melanie Young?” Kinsley tensed, needing more confirmation. “Are you saying that Melanie Young is Victor Reeves’ wife?”
“Yes,” Clark replied as he began to scratch the side of his arm. “She told me that Young was her maiden name. She explained that it was just a slip. You know, reverting back to an automatic response. But she and Dr. Reeves have been married for years, detective. Then I spotted her crying near her car tonight. She practically screamed at me to leave her alone. She lost it. Anyway, I just thought you should know.”
A cold whisper of realization traced its way down Kinsley's spine. If she were right about Bailey being the sister involved with Dr. Victor Reeves, then his wife could have pieced together the truth, as well.
“Clark, thank you very much,” Kinsley said as she reached out to touch his arm. “You were right to come to me. I’m going to need you to stay here, though. Someone is going to take your statement.”
The radio in her hand came to life, Alex's voice cutting through loud and clear.
“Kin, do you copy?”
“I’m here,” Kinsley replied as she kept walking toward the Scrivens. She recognized Alex’s tone and guessed he had reached the same conclusion after his visit with Dr. Victor Reeves. “Switch to a private channel.”
Kinsley made sure she was far enough from the Scrivens, who were now observing her closely, to prevent them from overhearing her side of the conversation. She spoke softly, updating Alex on her theory and sharing what she had found out from Carl Reimer.
“It’s not a theory, Kin,” Alex replied as his car engine hummed through the radio. “Reeves confirmed that he had an affair with Bailey. He was with her the entire night last Wednesday into Thursday morning. I’m guessing he used the back entrance. I’m headed your way now.”
There were many moving parts in the investigation. Kinsley and Alex had even blocked out a few hours of their day tomorrow to focus on the grunt work. They needed to follow up on alibis, examine security footage, and review the background checks of everyone involved in the case. Rescheduling the vigil had come first, given the timing of it all.
“Bailey’s VW is still in the east parking lot.” Kinsley released the transmission button. She scanned the surroundingbuildings, but the only movement on campus now was that of the officers assisting in tonight’s surveillance. She lifted the radio to her lips. “Alex, I saw Bailey and Melanie together this evening. Now they're both gone.”
The implication lingered in the air, unspoken but clear. If Melanie had killed Hannah, thinking she was Bailey, and now had the real Bailey…there was a very good chance that she was trying to correct her mistake.
“I'm pulling in now,” Alex advised, his voice tight with tension.
“Copy that.”
Kinsley clipped the radio to her belt and cut across the sidewalk toward the Scrivens. They were clearly upset, and Katherine was mid-sentence, her voice raw.
“...can’t get a hold of her. She wouldn’t just leave her vehicle here,” Katherine said in frustration. She then turned toward Kinsley with a raised hand and fury radiating from her body. “And don’t you dare stand there and accuse my daughter of having an affair with a married man. Bailey might be spontaneous, but she would never?—”
“Dr. Victor Reeves has confirmed his relationship with Bailey,” Kinsley stated matter-of-factly. She understood that their lives had been turned upside down, but there was a real risk they could lose another daughter in the next few hours. “Mr. and Mrs. Scriven, I fear that Bailey could be in trouble. I’m going to request that an officer stay with you until we find her. The two of you should?—”
