Page 30 of In Her Memory

“Sheriff Graves,” he greeted her. “Deputy Hawkins. Thanks for seeing me on short notice.”

“What can I do for you, Mr. Pierce?” Jenna replied sharply.

Ethan’s smile didn’t falter. “I understand you initially treated Donna Marsh’s death at Calloway House as a potential crime scene, only to be... shall we say, discouraged by Mayor Simmons and Mr. Calloway. Care to comment?”

Jenna kept her face carefully neutral. “I’m not sure where you got your information, Mr. Pierce, but as I’m sure you know, we don’t discuss ongoing investigations.”

“So, it is an investigation?” He pounced on the word.

“We investigate all deaths where the cause isn’t immediately apparent,” Jenna said evenly. “Standard procedure.”

“Even when powerful local figures prefer you didn’t?”

Jake shifted his weight, a subtle warning to Pierce. “The sheriff’s department follows the evidence, not pressure.”

“Of course, of course.” Pierce made a show of jotting something in his notebook. “But surely you can understand the public’s interest. A mysterious death in a supposedly haunted mansion, now owned by the descendant of a man who was once run out of town? It practically writes itself.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m not giving you fuel for sensationalism,” Jenna said firmly. “Donna Marsh deserves better than to have her death turned into tabloid fodder.”

Pierce’s expression sobered. “Fair point. But may I remind you that violent crime in Genesius County has increased since you became sheriff? The public has legitimate concerns about safety, especially when your methods are... unconventional.”

The insinuation stung. Pierce never failed to bring up her “methods” whenever they met, and also the mysterious rise in homicides in Trentville. Jenna kept her voice steady. “If by ‘unconventional’ you mean ‘thorough,’ then yes, my methods might differ from some of my predecessors.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of your uncanny ability to solve cases with minimal evidence.” Pierce leaned in slightly. “Almost as if you have access to information others don’t.”

Jake took a step closer to Jenna’s desk. “The sheriff’s record speaks for itself.”

“Indeed, it does,” Pierce agreed, then turned back to Jenna. “There’s been an awful lot of death and mayhem during the last few months. Even if you won’t discuss Donna Marsh’s death, would you care to comment on rumors that some kind of supernatural evil is rising in Trentville?”

Jenna felt heat rise in her face. “You don’t believe in any of that, Pierce. You’re just looking for a headline.”

“You seem very certain of what I believe, Sheriff.”

“You’ve made your skepticism clear in past articles.”

“Perhaps.” A half-smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Or perhaps you’ve badly misjudged my motives.”

“Enlighten me, then,” Jenna challenged.

“I’m simply trying to keep the public informed.” Pierce closed his notebook with a decisive snap. “When strange deaths occur, when respected law enforcement officials employ methods others find... mysterious, people talk. My job is to find the truth behind those conversations.”

“Your job is to report facts, not stoke fears.”

“Sometimes the facts are frightening.” Pierce stood. “Thank you for your time, Sheriff.”

He handed Jenna his business card and added, “Call me if you change your mind about talking to me. I’m staying in town overnight. I hear Boyd Calloway is holding a meeting tomorrow morning, and I want to be there for it.”

“Where will you be staying?” Jenna asked.

“The Twilight Inn, I guess,” Pierce said with a shrug. “That’s where I usually stay when I’m in town. Have a pleasant afternoon, Sheriff. Deputy.”

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

“That went well,” Jake deadpanned.

“About as well as could be expected.”

“You can’t let him push your buttons,” Jake said.