Page 17 of In Her Memory

“Boyd Calloway won’t be happy,” Jenna agreed. “Neither will Mayor Simmons. I’m afraid my attention is going to be a bit—divided.”

Spelling’s gaze sharpened. “Sheriff, I need to be direct with you. I understand your sister’s disappearance is your priority. I would feel the same in your position. But you’re too close to that situation.”

“With all due respect— “Jenna began, but he held up a hand.

“Please, hear me out. I promise you my team will work tirelessly to find Piper. But this murder investigation needs your attention and objectivity. The town needs its sheriff focused on protecting its citizens.”

The words hit their mark, and Jenna felt herself deflate slightly. “You’re right,” she admitted reluctantly. “I know you’re right.”

“It’s not abandoning your sister to do your job,” Spelling said, his tone gentler than she’d ever heard it. “It’s honoring her by being the person she knows you to be.”

A lump formed in Jenna’s throat. Before she could respond, her phone rang. Mayor Claire Simmons’s name flashed across the screen.

“I need to take this,” she said apologetically.

Spelling stood, turning away to give her some privacy.

“Mayor,” Jenna answered, steeling herself.

“Sheriff Graves.” Claire’s voice was sharp, clipped. “I’ve just received a deeply concerning call about a murder investigation at Calloway House. A murder investigation that I, as mayor, knew nothing about until Boyd Calloway himself called me in a panic. He said he got the news from the building super. I need you in my office. Immediately.”

Jenna closed her eyes briefly. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Make it ten,” Claire snapped before ending the call.

Spelling turned back toward her. “The mayor?”

“Yes. She’s demanding my presence to discuss the Calloway House situation.”

“Politics,” he said with a slight grimace. “And even though the politicians have no direct authority over either of us, it’s an unavoidable part of our jobs.”

“Some parts more unavoidable than others,” Jenna muttered.

Spelling moved toward the door. “I’ll be in touch about your sister. You have my word.”

She was grateful for his understanding. “Thank you, Colonel.”

After he left, Jenna took a moment to gather herself before calling Jake.

“I need you to meet me at the mayor’s office,” she said when he answered. “Claire knows about the murder investigation, and she’s not happy.”

“Fantastic,” Jake replied, his dry tone matching her mood. “On my way.”

Jenna hung up. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to think of Piper—out there somewhere, possibly in danger. Then she pushed the thought away. Spelling was right. She had a job to do, a town to protect. The best way to honor her sister was to be the sheriff Piper would expect her to be.

She locked her office and headed out, bracing herself for the storm waiting in the mayor’s office.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Emma’s legs burned with each push of the bike pedals. Ten hours on the road had left her muscles rigid and her throat parched. Her mind was clouded with exhaustion and troubled by a lingering concern that her name might not really be Emma, but Piper.

The small town of Clarksboro materialized before her like a mirage—weathered storefronts, sparse traffic on the quiet streets. She knew this wasn’t her final destination, not with that impatient voice that kept urging her on.

“Just a little farther,” came the whisper from above her right shoulder.

Emma didn’t need to look. She knew what she’d see—Loyalynne hovering there, her pale porcelain face gleaming in the morning light, her blue glass eyes fixed on the road ahead, her delicate feet never quite touching the ground as she glided alongside Emma’s bicycle.

Loyalynne had first appeared to Emma in the house where she’d lived for a while as Piper Graves, but nobody else had known she was there. Only Emma was able to see or hear her. Last night the doll had explained that Emma had created a fantasy world and insisted that the people around her were imaginary, and that they would actually be better off without her. Finally convinced, Emma had taken the old bicycle and left.