Mom went to the kitchen and returned with a plate piled high with cookies.“I used to read you girls the Disney versions,” she said, setting the plate down.“I didn’t actually know about those originals.”
Jenna continued scrolling through the text, noting the other dark elements—the queen's multiple attempts to kill Snow White, a glass coffin, and the final punishment where the evil queen was forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes until she died.
“So if our killer is planning to recreate this story,” Jake said slowly, “what elements would they use?The poisoned apple?The glass coffin?”
“Or the organ removal,” Frank added grimly.“Given what they did with the Little Red Riding Hood scene.”
Piper, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up.“I think it's going to be the first part,” she said, her voice steady now.“The snow, the blood, the huntsman, the woods—that's what I saw most clearly.“
Jenna studied her sister, impressed by her composure.Piper had been lost in a vision, shivering and disoriented.Now she was actively participating in the investigation, her mind clear and focused.The brooch seemed to have centered her somehow, allowing her to access the vision without being overwhelmed by it.
“You're incredible, you know that?”Jenna said softly.
Piper looked up, surprised.“What do you mean?”
“Most people would be falling apart after what you just experienced.But here you are, helping us make sense of it.”
A faint blush colored Piper's cheeks.“I want to help.These...visions, or whatever they are—maybe they can actually do some good.”
“They already have,” Frank assured her.“With this Snow White connection, we might have a chance to prevent the next murder.”
Jake checked his watch.“We should get back to the station, start working this angle.”
Jenna closed the laptop.“Mom, thank you for the cookies and tea.And for thinking of the brooch.”
“Keep it close,” Mom told Piper, squeezing her hand.“It seems to help.”
Piper slipped the brooch into her pocket.“I definitely will.”
After saying their goodbyes, with promises to check in later, Jenna and Jake headed back to the patrol car. As they pulled away from the house, Jenna asked Jake, “Can you get Colonel Spelling on the phone?He needs to know about this development.”
Jake pulled out his cell and placed the call, putting it on speaker as it rang.
“Spelling,” came the colonel's crisp voice.
“Colonel, it's Sheriff Graves and Deputy Hawkins again,” Jenna said.“We have new information about the case.”
“Go ahead,” Spelling replied.
Jenna explained Piper's vision at the crime scene, her reaction, and the connection they'd made to the Snow White fairy tale."We believe the killer may be planning a murder based on this story next, possibly focusing on the queen and the huntsman scene, where the victim is taken into the woods."
Spelling was quiet for a moment.“You're certain about this connection?”
“As certain as we can be,” Jake answered.
“And this vision came from your sister?”Spelling asked carefully.
“Yes,” Jenna confirmed, knowing what he was really asking.“My sister with the...special sensitivity we've discussed previously.”
Another pause.“I see.Then we do need to take this seriously.But how?I'll alert departments in neighboring counties to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities in wooded areas.But snow?That seldom happens this early in the year.”
“I know.But I guess it could be represented in some other way.”
“That’s too vague to be useful.Have you identified any potential victims who might fit the Snow White profile?”
“Not yet,” Jenna admitted.“That's our next step.We're heading back to the station now to work out some parameters and see if we can compile a list of potential targets.”
“Keep me updated,” Spelling ordered.“And Sheriff?How is your sister dealing with all this?I hope we’re not putting her at risk.”