Page 9 of In Her Wake
A pause.“My help?On a case?You know I love a good crime drama as much as the next girl, but I’m not exactly qualified to—”
“It’s about art,” Jenna cut in.“Or sculpture, to be more precise.I’m at a crime scene with...well, with a mannequin.A very detailed, very specific mannequin that looks exactly like the woman who lives here—and who has gone missing.”
The line went quiet for a moment.“You’re serious.”
"Dead serious.But with this case, I don't even know where to start looking.I need someone who understands how something like this would be made.Materials, techniques, and the time it would take.I thought of you."
“My God,” Liza whispered.“That’s...morbid.And fascinating.What exactly are we talking about here?Like a department store mannequin painted to look like someone, or...?”
“No.It’s custom work.Detailed.The face is...perfect.Eerily so.”
Another pause.“I can be in Trentville in thirty minutes.Where am I going?”
Relief washed through Jenna.“1423 Maple Street.It’s a residential neighborhood off—”
“Wait,” Liza interrupted.“Did you say 1423 Maple?”Her voice, now sharp with recognition, crackled through the phone.
“That’s right,” Jenna replied, looking back toward the kitchen.“Why?”
“Well, damn.That’s Marjory and Harry Powell’s address.”
Jenna inhaled sharply.“Then you know Marjory.”
“I wouldn’t say she and I were close.But yeah, I know her.Please tell me she’s not the one missing.”
“I’m afraid so.”Liza let out a long breath.
“Jenna, I can get there in about 45 minutes.”
“Thanks, Liza.”
“See you soon,” Liza replied, her voice grim.
Jenna ended the call and returned to the kitchen, where Officer Mike Donovan was still carefully documenting the scene.Jake had stepped out, likely coordinating with the officers who had arrived.As if summoned by her thoughts, he appeared in the doorway, his eyes carrying that hint of concern he always had when cases took strange turns.
"Maria's back from dropping Harry at his brother's place," Jake said, keeping his voice low as if the mannequin might overhear."Baldry just got here, too.They're ready to canvass the neighborhood like you asked."
Jenna nodded.“Good.I just called Liza Sewell—you remember her?The artist?”
“Your friend from Gildner?The one who did that metal sculpture for the town square last year?”
“That’s her.I figured if anyone could tell us how this mannequin was made, it would be someone who works with sculptural materials.She’s on her way over.”
Jake seemed to consider this, then nodded.“Smart thinking.We’re out of our depth on the technical aspects of this...thing.”He gestured vaguely toward the mannequin.“Thewhywill be a whole other question.”
“Mike,” Jenna called over to Officer Donovan, “are you about done with the photos?”
Mike lowered his camera.“Just about, Sheriff.Got it from every angle.”
“Good.Can you send those photos to both me and Jake?We might need them.”
“Will do,” Mike confirmed.
Jenna turned back to Jake.“While we’re waiting for Liza, you and I need to head over to Evergreen Realty.I want to talk to Darla Fenwick, Marjory’s boss.She’s the one who called Harry when Marjory missed her appointment.”
“You think she might know something?”
“She was probably one of the last people to see Marjory today.At minimum, she might give us a better timeline.”Jenna glanced once more at the mannequin, its presence filling the kitchen with unspoken questions.“Let’s go.”
