Page 31 of Silent Trail

Moses looked up from the screen, offering her a weary smile. His eyes were heavy with fatigue, yet they held a spark of determination. He was a large man, his stature imposing, but there was a gentleness in his demeanor that made him approachable.

"Given the circumstances, it's hard for me to go home and rest comfortably," he said, adjusting his pointed beard with a sigh. "I've been on the phone nonstop, talking to parents, organizing meetings with faculty... We can't just carry on like nothing happened."

Natalie nodded solemnly, her expression one of understanding. Sheila marveled at her sister's ability to empathize, even when she herself was grappling with her own challenges—challenges Sheila knew she'd never fully comprehend.

Moses suddenly leaned back in his chair, his eyes still locked on the screen. "Found it," he said, his voice deep and commanding. He motioned for the trio to gather around the computer, and they eagerly complied.

The video that played before them showed a raucous party in full swing, the laughter and music almost tangible as they watched. Young people danced and chatted, their faces flushed with excitement and the unmistakable haze of intoxication. The cameraman weaved through the crowd, joking about making a documentary on getting high.

"There were forty or fifties kids in total," Moses said. "Students from Clearview, Coldwater Community, Elbridge College, and other local campuses. Lots of kids who went to high school together and then kept in touch."

"Everyone seems to be having a good time, but what does this have to do with the case?" Sheila asked, her eyes scanning the screen for any hint of a connection. With each passing second, her heart picked up its pace, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and curiosity.

"Keep watching," Moses said. "You'll understand soon enough."

The cameraman – a teenager, by the sound of him – continued his antics, moving through the crowded house with an easy swagger. As he reached a quieter section, he paused and turned the camera on himself, tilting his head to listen to the faint sounds of laughter and chatter from outside. A conspiratorial grin spread across his face.

"Let's see what kind of trouble they're getting into back here," he whispered, chuckling softly as he crept toward the backyard.

Sheila leaned in closer, her heart pounding in anticipation. The camera rounded the corner of the house, and the scene that unfolded before them sent a jolt down her spine.

Two college girls were tying a scrawny, mousy-faced young man to a tree, their fingers deftly working the knots as he protested weakly. "Please, just let me go," he whined, a note of desperation in his voice.

Natalie's gaze sharpened, her jaw clenched. "That's Ami Nasir and Jane Johnson," she said. "Two of the victims."

"Look at him," Finn muttered, his eyes narrowing as he studied the young man. "He's got to be humiliated."

"Hey, what's going on here?" the cameraman called out, amusement evident in his voice.

Jane looked up, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Well, you see, we felt bad for Kyle here. Thought we'd show him a good time, and he agreed to come along for the ride." She gestured toward the blindfold lying nearby. "We led him out here, blindfolded, and before he knew what was happening, we had him tied up like this."

"Are you having fun, Jane?" Ami asked, a wicked grin on her face.

"Absolutely," Jane replied, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Just like we promised Kyle."

Sheila's gaze shifted from the unsettling video to Moses, her voice urgent. "Who is Kyle? What do we know about him?"

Moses stroked his pointed beard thoughtfully before answering. "Kyle's full name is Kyle Benedict. He's a senior at Clearview University, majoring in computer science. Brilliant kid, but he's got some social...limitations. He's been bullied since he started here, poor guy."

As the room absorbed the information, Sheila could practically hear her sister's calculated gears turning next to her. She pictured Kyle, bound and humiliated, and her heart clenched with sympathy. He must have been mortified.

"Anyway," Moses continued, "this incident at the party happened just a few days ago. I've been debating whether or not to intervene, whether to talk to those involved or let them handle it on their own. It's a tough call."

Finn's fingers drummed on the desk, his brow furrowed as he analyzed the situation. "Maybe Kyle decided to sort it out himself," he said slowly, his tone dark. "By killing Ami and Jane."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sheila's stomach did an uneasy somersault as she, Natalie, and Finn pulled up in front of the Benedict home, the van's headlights illuminating the quiet suburban scene. She couldn't shake the memory of the last time she and Natalie were in a situation like this and the injury that had crippled her sister.

She had promised herself, and her father, that she would look after Natalie. But how could she do that? She couldn't control what would happen. What if Kyle was holed up in that house, armed to the teeth? No matter how proficient Natalie might be in her wheelchair, she would be at a huge disadvantage.

Then you'll just have to make sure she's not in harm's way, Sheila told herself as a wave of fierce determination washed over her. No matter what, she would not let Natalie get hurt again because of her.

Sheila turned off the engine, and the three of them sat in the darkness for a moment, taking in the late-night stillness of the neighborhood. The street was lined with neat lawns and well-kept houses, each one appearing as if it held secrets behind its closed doors. The Benedicts' house was no exception, its dark windows and silent facade giving nothing away. There was an attached garage, but from their vantage point, it was impossible to tell if any vehicles were inside.

The quiet surrounding them was almost unnerving, punctuated only by the distant barking of a dog or the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. It seemed surreal that they were about to confront a potential murderer in such a peaceful setting.

Natalie pressed a button on the van's control panel, and the door slid open with a soft hum. The mechanical lift whirred to life, lowering her wheelchair gently onto the pavement. Sheila stepped out of the van, her eyes darting between Natalie and the quiet house before them. The weight of her concern was heavy in her chest, and she couldn't help but voice it.

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