Page 7 of In Her Memory

“Damn it, Jenna. I’m sorry.” The concern in his voice was genuine. “Do you have any idea where she went? Or why?”

“No. Dad came to me in a dream earlier and said she was gone, but said even he didn’t know where she was now. And she didn’t tell us anything. We don’t have a clue.”

Jake knew about her ability, had accepted it as part of who she was. In fact, he often seemed to look on it as an investigative tool that she could share with him. As their relationship had deepened during the last few months, he no longer seemed to question those sources at all.

“Okay,” he said. “Look, you focus on finding Piper. I can handle the Calloway House situation. From what I’m hearing, it’s pretty straightforward.”

Jenna rubbed the back of her neck, where tension had begun to build. “I’m not so sure, Jake. About Donna Marsh, I mean.”

“What do you mean?”

“I had another dream last night. Before the one with my father. There was a woman in the dark, holding a candle. She said, ‘I need help. I need to find who did this to me.’”

The line went quiet again. Jenna could almost picture Jake processing this information, weighing the coincidence.

“Did she give you any name or location?”

“Nothing about herself. But there was a dog in the dream too. It kept barking. I think its name was Biscuit.”

“Biscuit,” Jake repeated slowly. “I’ll look into it, see if Donna Marsh had a dog. But Jenna, even if there is a connection, your sister has to be your top priority right now.”

“I know, and she will be. I just... I wanted you to have all the information.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll check everything out thoroughly, I promise. And I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Jake.”

After they ended the call, Frank leaned back in his chair, his weathered face contemplative. “You should call Colonel Chad Spelling about Piper. Chad has resources we don’t. And he already appreciates your unique sources of information.”

Jenna considered this. Not only was Chad Spelling the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, he was one of the very few people she’d told about her ability. Although he might not understand it completely, Spelling respected her insights, and their previous collaborations had been productive.

“You’re right,” she said, reaching for her phone again. “He might be able to help.”

The call connected. “Good morning, Sheriff Graves,” Spelling’s crisp voice answered. “This is earlier than our usual consultations.”

“Colonel Spelling,” she replied, matching his formal tone. “I need your help with something personal.”

She explained the situation briefly. He knew about Piper’s history, so Jenna described her current disappearance, including the missing bicycle, and the limited information she had gleaned from her dream.

“I understand your concern,” Spelling said when she finished. “Your sister’s case has always been... notable.”

That was an understatement. Piper’s disappearance twenty years ago had caused one of the most intensive—but fruitless—missing persons searches in county history.

“I can meet you at the Trentville station in thirty minutes,” he continued. “We’ll coordinate a proper search.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” Jenna said, relief coursing through her. Spelling had never let her down when it truly mattered.

After ending the call, Jenna stood and collected her jacket from the back of her chair. “I need to go. I’ll speak to Zeke first, then meet Spelling.”

Frank rose as well. “I’ll stay here with your mother. Make sure she’s alright.”

Jenna replied gratefully, “Thanks, Frank. For everything.”

His hand rested briefly on her shoulder. “You’re juggling a lot, Jenna Marie. Don’t forget to breathe.”

The use of her middle name, something Frank and her mother also did, brought a small smile to her face. “I’m trying.”

Outside, the October morning had warmed slightly, burning off the early fog that had shrouded the neighborhood. Jenna slid into her cruiser. As she turned the key, the engine rumbled to life, but she didn’t immediately put the car in drive.