Page 10 of Silent Night

"Look," Natalie said, "I understand you have reservations. I mean, it's not just about leaving your old life behind, right? It's also about stepping into a completely new world—one filled with danger and heartache."

Sheila nodded, feeling a lump forming in her throat. "Exactly. And I'm not sure if I'm cut out for that kind of responsibility. What if I make a mistake and someone gets hurt because of me?" Like you did? she added mentally.

Natalie reached over and squeezed her sister's hand reassuringly. "Sheila, nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. You're strong, resourceful, and smart. You have the instincts and the skills to be a great cop."

Sheila, unsure what to make of all these compliments, said nothing. Did Natalie have no resentment for her injury? Did she really believe Sheila had done nothing wrong?

"Besides," Natalie added, her eyes twinkling with conviction, "you'd be doing something meaningful. Something that helps people, keeps them safe. It's a chance for you to make a real difference in the world."

Sheila chewed her lip, mulling over her sister's words. She knew Natalie was right; joining the force would give her a sense of purpose she hadn't felt since her Olympic dreams were dashed. But could she really handle the weight of that responsibility?

"Nat, I just...I don't want to let anyone down. Especially not you," she admitted quietly, the vulnerability in her voice making her heart feel heavy.

"Sheila," Natalie said firmly, her eyes locking onto her sister's with unwavering conviction, "I have never been more certain about anything than I am about this: You belong on the force, and you have what it takes to succeed. Trust me—no, trust yourself. We've got each other's backs, and together, we can face whatever challenges come our way."

As Sheila absorbed her sister's passionate words, something inside her began to shift. The storm of doubt slowly receded, replaced by a growing confidence in her own abilities. Perhaps it was time to embrace this new path and see where it led. With a deep breath and a determined nod, she made her decision, feeling as though she had crossed an invisible threshold into a new chapter of her life.

"Okay," she finally said, her voice steady and resolute. "You're right. I'll do it."

Natalie's face lit up, her eyes sparkling with pride and happiness. "I knew you'd come around, Sheila! You won't regret it, I promise. I'll make sure your training is fast-tracked—I'll text you the location of the training facility and put you in touch with one of the instructors there."

"Thanks, Nat," Sheila said, her heart swelling with gratitude for her sister's unwavering belief in her abilities.

The sisters shared a smile as they drove on, the tension from their earlier conversation dissipating like morning mist under the sun's warm rays. As they rounded a bend in the road, however, Sheila's smile faded when she saw the police barricade up ahead. They had reached the crime scene. The flashing red and blue lights cast an eerie glow on the surroundings, adding to the somber atmosphere that hung heavy in the air.

There, amidst the flurry of activity, she caught sight of a body being loaded into an ambulance—a chilling reminder of the grim task that lay before them.

What am I getting myself into? she wondered.

CHAPTER FIVE

Sheila stood next to Natalie, both of them gazing down the slope toward the edge of the Great Salt Lake. The colored flags fluttered in the breeze, marking where the body had been discovered. Sheila's brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of it.

"Why would someone bring a body all the way out here just to dump it in the water?" she asked. "It wouldn't sink with all that salt, and why do you throw a body in a lake except to hide it?"

"Strange, isn't it?" Natalie agreed, her eyes narrowing as she studied the scene below.

Despite the grim circumstances, Sheila couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the lake. The morning sun shimmered across the vast expanse of water, casting a warm, golden hue. A flock of gulls drifted lazily overhead, their cries loud in the still air. The scent of salt and wild sage filled Sheila's nostrils, and she felt a pang of nostalgia. It was places like this that made her love Utah so much—the untouched wilderness, the quiet serenity.

But now, that pristine tranquility had been marred by tragedy. An unfortunate soul had met their end here, turning this breathtaking vista into a somber gravesite.

The sound of footsteps crunching on gravel drew Sheila's attention away from the melancholy scene below. She turned to see Finn approaching, his tall and lean frame striding confidently toward them. A hint of stubble shadowed his strong jawline, and his eyes held a sharp intelligence that seemed to take in everything around him.

"Hey, Finn," Natalie said with a nod. "What can you tell us about the situation?"

"Morning, ladies," he replied, running a hand through his tousled brown hair. "The victim is a twenty-three-year-old woman named Jennifer Bainbridge. She was reported missing three days ago by her roommate. From what we've gathered so far, strangulation seems to be the most likely cause of death, but we won't know for sure until the coroner examines the body."

Sheila furrowed her brow, thinking about the young life cut tragically short. "Who found her?" she asked, looking back at the edge of the lake.

Finn gestured to a pair of young people in backpacking gear sitting nearby. They clung to each other, their faces etched with sadness. "Benny and Charlotte over there. They said the body seemed to come sailing out of the mist toward them. It must've been a horrifying sight. Worst part is, Benny was planning to propose to Charlotte today."

"That's awful," Sheila whispered, her heart aching for the grieving couple.

Natalie's gaze followed the colored flags down to the water's edge. "I want to go down there and see where she was found," she said, determination shining in her eyes.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Nat?" Sheila asked, concern creasing her forehead. "The terrain looks pretty…rough."

"Maybe, but I need to see it for myself," Natalie insisted, already starting to roll her chair toward the slope. As she navigated the uneven ground, it was clear she was struggling to maintain control of her wheelchair.

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