Page 96 of Forever Gone

The internet connection at Karen’s former Loyall home had reached HearthSpace servers repeatedly during the month before her death. Ruth Keller’s account showed similar traffic. Linda Mercer’s mobile device and home router had accessed the same service.

The pattern was not proof that the women knew one another. Thousands, if not millions, of people could use the same platform.

But HearthSpace was obscure enough that this felt like more than a coincidence.

“How many local subscribers use HearthSpace?” Selena asked.

“The provider wouldn’t answer without a narrower order,” Kelly said. “They confirmed connections associated with all three victims accessed it, but not which HearthSpace accounts were being used or whether they belonged to the same group.”

Connor tapped Linda’s record. “Could someone else in the household have used it?”

“Possible. Karen’s former Loyall connection may also have been used by Gerry before the separation. Ruth lived alone. Linda shared internet service with Phil.”

“Did Phil know about HearthSpace?” Connor asked.

“We could ask.”

“He’s in no condition for another interview today.”

Selena returned to the board. “I agree.”

Three women from overlapping school years. Three users of an encrypted platform. Either connection could matter. Both might. The killer’s removal of their tongues suggested punishment for speech, disclosure, or betrayal. Private messages carried a logic the school records had not yet provided.

Connor placed the papers on the table. “That’s good work. This might be the break we need. The high-school angle isn’t giving us much.”

The compliment tightened something inside Selena.

Kelly had found the first new link since the Boyd lead collapsed. She had done it by going around Selena, using contacts in Seattle, and challenging the line Selena had defended in front of Blethan.

For one ugly second, Selena wanted the lead to fail.

The thought shamed her as soon as it formed.

Catching the killer mattered more than being first. More than proving she deserved the Eagleton assignment. More than refusing to let the girl who humiliated her in school become the agent who moved the case forward.

Yet the old need remained.

Selena had spent years measuring herself against rooms that expected her to fail. Washington rewarded certainty until certainty became a weapon. Returning home had stripped away the title, office, and distance she used to define her worth. Kelly’s arrival had touched the oldest wound beneath all of it.

Every disagreement became a contest.

Every success felt borrowed if it belonged to someone else.

She hated that about herself.

“Selena?”

Connor’s voice pulled her back.

Kelly stood beside the table, waiting.

Selena forced her shoulders to loosen. “Yeah. Good work, Kelly.”

Surprise crossed Kelly’s expression, followed by caution. “Thanks.”

“The internet provider can’t give us the content of the posts.”

“No,” Kelly said. “They only carry the traffic. HearthSpace controls the accounts and server records.”