“What they deserve is for us to catch this killer without interference,” Jenna countered.“Pierce obviously knows too many details about the condition of Claudia Kingsley's body.”
“Perhaps your department has security issues to address.”
“Cut the crap.You're playing politics with a murder investigation.”
“I'm doing what's best for this community,” Claire insisted, her voice rising slightly.“A killer who stages victims’ bodies is the kind of threat people need to be aware of.”
“What they need is for us to do our jobs without having to worry about sensationalist press coverage compromising evidence.That’s all that I need to explain to you, Claire.”
At that, the line went dead and Jenna realized that the mayor had hung up.She slammed her own phone down in frustration.The fairy tale murder, Piper's visions, the pressure from Claire and Pierce—it all swirled together into a problem that seemed impossible to solve.
“She actually admitted it,” Jenna said.“God, Jake, how are we supposed to work this case with Claire feeding information to the press?”
Before Jake could answer, the phone rang again.Jenna snatched it up, expecting the mayor calling back with more self-righteous arguments.
“Sheriff Graves,” she answered tersely.
“Jenna, it's Frank.”The familiar, gruff voice of her mentor immediately diffused some of her anger.“Got a minute?”
She softened her tone.“Of course, Frank.What's up?”
“I'm still at your mom's with Piper,” he said.“Thought you should know—your mom told Piper about your conversation earlier.”
Jenna closed her eyes briefly, remembering the phone call with her mother.“About her visions being helpful with this case?”
“Yeah,” Frank's voice lowered slightly.“And Piper got real quiet after that.”
Concern replaced Jenna's earlier anger.“Is she okay?”
"She's managing," Frank replied."But Jenna...she feels left out.Like she's being kept in the dark about something that involves her, maybe she should be included, at least a little.Her sensitivity might be helpful."
Jenna's gaze met Jake's across the desk.Including Piper in the investigation was risky.Although it was true that Piper had gained some control over the voices that threatened to overload her, she was still fragile, still learning to manage her abilities.But Frank was right about one thing: if Piper's visions were connected to the case, shutting her out might do more harm than good.
“I'll think about it,” Jenna said, then reconsidered.“Actually, no.You're right.Jake and I will come over now.”
“You sure?”Frank sounded surprised.
“Yes.We'll be there soon.”
After hanging up, Jenna sat in silence for a moment, weighing the decision she'd just made.
“You think bringing your sister into this is wise?”Jake asked gently.
“I don't know if it's wise,” she admitted, standing and gathering her keys.“But I do know we're getting nowhere fast on this case.What if Piper's voices could help us stop another murder?”
Jake studied her face, then nodded slowly.“Okay.I'm with you.Let’s go see what Piper can tell us.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Still wondering whether it would be more dangerous to shut her twin out of this case or to bring her into the investigation, Jenna drove toward her mother’s house.Could her twin’s visions truly be connected to this killer who had staged a murder scene to resemble a fairy tale?
“You're quiet,” Jake observed, breaking the silence.
Jenna exhaled slowly.“Just wondering if I'm making a mistake about confiding in Piper.”
“She's stronger than you think,” Jake countered.“I've seen how far she's come since she first returned home.”
“That's just it.She's made progress, and I don't want to jeopardize that by throwing her back into darkness.”Jenna turned onto Sycamore Lane, the street where she'd grown up.“The last time she followed her voices, she almost got killed.”
