Page 48 of In Her Wake
“So verify them,” Morgan said.“But I’m not wasting officers to surveil a man based on nothing but the fact that he took some photos.We have our killer in custody.”
“We have a suspected drug user in custody,” Jenna corrected.“One who, by his own admission, can barely function most days.The murders we’re investigating required planning, precision, and a steady hand.”
Morgan’s jaw tightened.“I know Morrison.I worked with him for years.When he’s clearheaded, he’s capable of extraordinary detail work.” He took a step closer to her, his voice dropping.“I appreciate your assistance, but the final decisions are still mine.We’re building a case against Morrison.We’re going to prove he’s guilty, and we’re going to find out what happened to Kevin Torres.If you want to chase photographers on your own time, be my guest.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room, the door swinging shut behind him with a decisive click.
“Well,” Jake said into the silence that followed, “that went about as expected.”
Spelling sighed, leaning against the wall.“Morgan’s always been...territorial.But I share your concerns, Sheriff.Morrison doesn’t feel right for this.”
“So what’s our next move?”Jake asked.“Keep investigating other angles while Morgan builds his case against Morrison?”
“Exactly,” Spelling nodded.“You should go back to Trentville, see what else you can find out about what happened to Marjory Powell.I’ll stay here, continue to work with Morgan’s team.See if any evidence materializes that definitively links Morrison to the crimes.Or, equally important, if anything emerges that exonerates him.”
Jenna’s phone vibrated in her pocket.She pulled it out, grimacing when she saw the caller ID.“Mayor Simmons,” she said to Jake before answering.“Sheriff Graves.”
The mayor’s voice came through sharp and clear.“Sheriff, I need you in my office immediately.”
“Mayor Simmons, I’m in the middle of an active investigation—”
“An investigation that has apparently prompted you to issue a public warning that has my phone ringing off the hook with panicked citizens,” Claire cut in.“Business owners are calling to complain that foot traffic has dropped to nothing.The Founder’s Day planning committee is threatening to postpone next week’s celebration.I have the Chamber of Commerce president sitting in my office right now demanding answers.”
Jenna closed her eyes briefly.“The warning was necessary given the circumstances—”
“Which you will explain to me in person,” Claire said, her tone brooking no argument.“My office.One hour.”
“I can’t be there that soon.I’m in Pinecrest.”
“Pinecrest?What are you doing in Pinecrest?Never mind.You can explain everything when you get here.”
The line went dead before Jenna could say anything else.She slipped the phone back into her pocket with a sigh.“Duty calls,” she said to Spelling.“Our mayor wants explanations about the public warning we issued.”
“Politics,” Spelling grumbled, his expression sympathetic.
Jenna and Jake hurried to their cruiser.Since they had no immediate leads to follow here in Pinecrest, they would go and talk with the Trentville mayor.But somewhere out there, Jenna felt certain, the real killer was probably already crafting the perfect face of his next victim.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Jenna parked at the Trentville Town Hall and cut the cruiser’s engine.The big old building was quiet when she and Jake entered.Most of the Town Hall’s staff had gone home, with just a security detail on the job.When they reached the mayor’s office Jenna rapped her knuckles against the doorframe.
Mayor Claire Simmons looked up from her computer, her hawk-like gaze instantly narrowing.She wore a tailored navy suit that seemed as unwrinkled at the end of the day as it likely had been at the beginning.
“Sheriff.Deputy.Please close the door behind you.”
Jake complied while Jenna took one of the chairs facing the mayor’s immaculate desk.
“I’ve had seventeen calls in the last two hours,” Claire began.“The Chamber of Commerce president is threatening to file a formal complaint.Three restaurant owners have reported canceled reservations.And the Founder’s Day committee is in an uproar about potentially postponing next week’s celebration.All because you issued a public warning without consulting me first.”
Jenna maintained eye contact.“With respect, Mayor, I didn’t need your permission to issue a public safety alert.We have a situation that warranted immediate action.”
“A ‘situation’?”Claire repeated, her voice sharp.“That’s what you call it?Your vague warning about ‘being alert to suspicious contacts’ has this town spinning conspiracy theories.”
“I apologize for not briefing you earlier,” Jenna conceded.“But we’ve been in the field since early morning, and developments have been...rapid.”
“Then enlighten me now,” Claire demanded.
“We found Marjory Powell’s body this morning on Cody Rostow’s farm.She was murdered—asphyxiated with an inert gas, according to our coroner’s preliminary findings.”
