I place both hands on the counter, lowering my head. How the hell is Mrs. Fields seeing ghosts now? What’s happening in this town?
“This is not good,” I say, mostly to myself.
“No, it’s not. It’s a terrible tragedy.”
I rub at the back of my neck, the stress mounting with every minute that goes by. This is going to be a total fucking nightmare.
“I believe she was murdered,” Alyssa says, frowning.
My eyes widen, and my hands ball into fists. I’m not sure how my mind didn’t immediately go to murder. I suppose I was hoping it had something to do with drinking too much, which I’ve been told has been an issue for her.
“She’s shown up a few times, and the way she presents herself is very reminiscent of Jenna.”
I remain quiet, allowing her to explain further.
“It’s clear that she died in or was dumped into a body of water. Her hair is soaked and matted to her face.”
“Shit,” I curse under my breath. “Alyssa, this is a fucking mess for so many reasons.”
She grimaces.
“What else can you tell me?” I ask, opening a drawer and pulling out a notepad and pen.
I need to jot this all down so that later, I can review everything she’s said.
“Not much, honestly. Everything else would just be speculation.”
“Humor me?” I say, writing down the description she gave of Chelsea’s ghost.
“I believe she’s trying to communicate through the TV. She’ll turn to channels that show girls that resemble her leaving bars and being approached from behind. Whoever killed her was a stranger.”
My eyes close, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’m not sure there’s anything I can do that won’t have the captain infuriated. You don’t go around claiming someone is dead without a body.
“I can’t take this to my captain. He won’t believe it.” I frown, apologetic that more people aren’t open-minded about her ability. “He’s not as receptive to things that can’t be explained by science.”
“I get it. You don’t have to apologize, Nick. I’m not sure I’d fully trust it if it weren’t happening to me.” She smiles, and I know it’s to ease my worry where her feelings are concerned. “So, what are you going to do with the information?”
I lick my bottom lip, peering up to the ceiling. “I’m going to call in a tip to Falls Haven PD. That’s where she’s been living and working and where she was last seen.”
“I don’t believe they took her far,” she says, eyes narrowing to mere slits. “I’d suggest looking at the docks.”
I grab my phone and make the call. It rings several times, and I’m just about to hang up and try again when a woman finally answers.
“Falls Haven PD.”
“Hi. This is detective Nick West of Knox Harbor investigative unit. I’ve gotten an anonymous tip for an unidentified missing female.”
“Go on,” she says, and I can hear her typing on the other end.
“The caller said to check the docks area for the missing person. They insinuated whoever she is, she’s deceased.”
“Did the caller give any additional details on the missing person?”
“No. They only said I should reach out to Falls Haven with the information. I was unable to trace the call, unfortunately,” I say, knowing that question was coming.
“I’ll send someone out to check the docks. Thank you, Detective.”
“Thank you.”
