Page 24 of Where the Fields Don’t Reach

“You, too.” Nora didn’t quite smile. She had lost weight in the eleven months since the funeral, and the loss appeared to have taken some of the softness from her face. It didn’t help that her auburn hair had been pulled back in a scrunchie, accentuating the slight hollowness of her cheekbones. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has,” Hadley replied, noticing her friend’s assessing stare. “How have you been?”

“I’m getting by, still working at the hospital. I find it’s best to stay busy.” Nora didn’t waste any time, and Hadley understood the underlying desperate need for answers. “Is there anything new on the case?”

Nora’s inquiry had been expected, but it wasn’t as if Hadley could explain her gut instinct over a simple trespassing citation. She made the snap decision to keep her response vague.

“I’m in town this morning to update Sheriff Turner on a few things.” Hadley heard the barista call her name. “Nothing concrete, though.”

Nora’s posture changed. It was a small motion, but still noticeable, nonetheless.

“A new development, then?” Nora asked cautiously, but it was the woman sitting across from her who narrowed her eyes at the question.

“You must be the ex-girlfriend,” the woman stated abruptly, not bothering to hide her opinion of Hadley.

“Whitney.” Nora’s voice came out sharper than she probably intended, the embarrassment already coloring her cheeks. “That’s not necessary.”

“It’s all right, Nora,” Hadley said evenly, taking in the woman’s appearance. Late twenties or early thirties. Blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. The kind of expensive workout outfit that was meant to display a toned body. She had manicured nails and wore a fitness watch around her left wrist. A large diamond sat on the ring finger of that same hand, the band turned slightly so the stone rode toward her knuckle. “And you are?”

“Hadley, this is Whitney Dohl,” Nora cut in to appease any hurt feelings. “She’s a friend of mine from the hospital. Whitney, this is Chief Hadley Dawkins.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Dohl.” Hadley politely extended her hand across the table. Whitney took it, the shake firm and brief, but not before a slight hesitation.

“Likewise,” Whitney murmured before settling back into her chair. “I apologize if that came out wrong, Chief Dawkins. I tend to be protective of my friends.”

“It came out fine, actually,” Hadley responded in kind. “Yes, Reed and I dated in high school. He was a good man, and I was glad to know he’d found someone to spend the rest of his life with. I’m sorry for what happened, and I truly hope that someday I can give Nora the answers she deserves.”

Whitney had the decency to avert her gaze. Nora’s eyes filled briefly, though she quickly blinked her tears away. Once she’d composed herself, she shifted the strap of her purse on her shoulder before standing from the table.

“I should get to work,” Nora murmured, reaching in front of Hadley to toss her empty cup into the trash bin. “My shift starts at nine, and I still have to swing by my apartment to change.”

“I’ll call you the moment I have something concrete, Nora,” Hadley promised, holding her gaze long enough for the pledge to register. “You have my word.”

Nora mouthed a thank you and walked toward the door with her water bottle in hand. The bell above rang as she left. Hadley nodded toward Whitney before heading back to the counter to collect the two coffees with her name on them. The barista had kindly set them in a drink carrier.

“Hadley,” Whitney called out as she grabbed her workout tote that was hanging on the back of her chair. She quickly closed the small distance between them. “I owe you an apology. What I said came out wrong, but I would like to discuss something with you that pertains to the subject of Nora.”

Hadley would have preferred that Whitney remain formal in addressing her. Whitney and Nora were friends. Nora had used Hadley’s first name, and the bridge from one to the other was a short walk. Still, Hadley didn’t take kindly to the familiarity.

“What is it that I can do for you, Whitney?”

“Nora and I’ve been close for almost five years.” Whitney stepped to the side when someone attempted to pass them, pausing until she could settle back into place. “When you came to town last year for the Claymont investigation, Nora had a difficult time with it. She never would have come out and said anything to you, but she was worried that Reed still had feelings for you. Then Reed was killed, and…well, that was really hard on her. Not knowing who killed him has been even worse, but she’s finally started living again. Yoga, concerts, and an occasional Friday night outing. All I’m asking is that you don’t give her false hope.”

“Whitney,” Hadley said in mild warning, recognizing where the conversation was going. “I’m simply doing my job when it comes to⁠—”

“I know,” Whitney exclaimed, holding up a hand in concession. “You didn’t do anything wrong, and I’m not saying that you did. All I’m asking, as her friend, is that you not give her hope if you don’t have something to back it up. A year has gone by without any leads as to who killed Reed. I don’t need to be the chief of police to know that his murder probably won’t be solved after all this time. A phone call from you that doesn’t turn into anything is a phone call that sets Nora back weeks if not months.”

Hadley weighed Whitney’s request.

The advice was, on its surface, reasonable.

“I can appreciate you looking out for a friend, Whitney,” Hadley said carefully, choosing the words for what they would and wouldn’t give away. “I’ll be thoughtful about what I share with Nora and when.”

Whitney seemed to want to add on to her previous statements, but Hadley determined that Nora wouldn’t welcome her friend’s intervention. She gave Whitney a polite nod and turned away, grateful as she exited the café that she hadn’t gone into specifics about her reason for being in Emberwood this morning.

10

Hadley Dawkins