Jenna cut the engine.As they stepped out of the car, the sheriff's building loomed before them, solid and ordinary—a stark contrast to the fantastical horror they were investigating.
Jenna pushed through the station's heavy glass door, Jake close behind her.As they approached her office, she spotted a figure sitting in the chair outside her door, legs crossed casually as if he belonged there.
Ethan Pierce.
The reporter from the Gateway Herald turned toward them with the smile of a predator who'd been patiently waiting for his prey to return.
“This day just keeps getting better,” Jenna muttered to Jake, who responded with a grimace of understanding.
Pierce stood as they approached.“Sheriff Graves,” he called, his voice carrying that precise balance of friendliness and professional distance.“Deputy Hawkins.Glad I caught you.”
Jenna stepped past him and into her office, not bothering to hide her irritation.“Mr.Pierce.I don't recall scheduling an interview.”
“The news waits for no one,” he replied with that television-ready smile.He remained standing just outside her office door.“And a murder in our little town is certainly news—especially one as...distinctive as this.”
Jenna resisted the temptation to slam the door in his face.She exchanged a quick glance with Jake, whose expression had hardened into the neutral mask he wore when dealing with difficult civilians.
“I'm afraid we're in the middle of an active investigation,” Jenna said, moving behind her desk.“Whatever you're looking for, this isn't the time.”
Pierce remained standing in her doorway, undeterred.“I've already heard about the body in the woods, Sheriff.The unusual…suspendedstate of the remains.”When Jenna glared at him, he lowered his voice, but continued.“What I haven't heard is how you're connecting these dots.Because you have your own special ways of finding patterns that aren’t visible to others.”
This wasn't the first time Pierce had hinted at Jenna’s abilities.
“Mr.Pierce,” Jake said sternly, moving to stand beside Jenna, “unless you have information that might assist our investigation, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”
The reporter's gaze shifted between them, assessing.“Information flows both ways, Deputy.The public has a right to know if there's a dangerous killer in their community—especially one with such...theatrical tendencies.”
“How exactly did you learn about the details of Claudia Kingsley's murder, Mr.Pierce?”Jenna asked.
“Sources, Sheriff.As I've always told you, I protect my sources.”
“Well, your 'sources' are compromising an active investigation,” Jenna replied, her patience evaporating completely.“And right now, you're interfering with police business.”
Pierce held her gaze for a long moment before relenting.“I understand.But this conversation isn't over, Sheriff.”He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a business card, placing it precisely in the center of her desk.“When you're ready to give the public the information they deserve—or when you need a sympathetic ear to explain your...unconventional methods—you know where to find me.”
Pierce backed away from the door, his eyes never leaving Jenna's.“I'll be working on the story with or without your input.Wouldn't you rather have some control over the narrative?”
“Goodbye, Mr.Pierce,” Jenna said firmly.
With a final, enigmatic smile, the reporter turned and left.Jake closed the office door behind him, then leaned against it, exhaling sharply.
“How the hell does he know about the state of Claudia's body?”he asked, his voice low with concern.“That detail wasn't in any public statement.And Spelling sure wouldn’t let it leak.”
Jenna sank into her chair, a bitter taste in her mouth.“Because our dear mayor can't keep her mouth shut when there's a chance to control the story.”She reached for her phone, fury building inside her.
Jake's eyebrows rose.“You sure about that?”
“Who else has both access to details and a political agenda?”Jenna punched in Mayor Simmons's number with more force than necessary.
Mayor Claire Simmons answered, her voice crisp.“Sheriff Graves.What can I do for you?”
“You can explain why Ethan Pierce knows details about a murder that weren't released to the public,” Jenna snapped, not bothering with pleasantries.
A brief pause.“I don't appreciate your tone, Sheriff.”
“And I don't appreciate you undermining my investigation by leaking information to the press.”
“Information sharing is part of maintaining public trust,” Claire replied, her voice cooling several degrees.“The citizens of Trentville deserve to know what's happening in their community.”