Page 19 of In Her Dreams (Jenna Graves #7)

“We’re investigating three deaths with remarkable similarities,” she responded coolly. “That’s a fact, not intuition.”

Walsh’s outburst seemed to have drained him of energy. He slumped slightly in his chair, the fight gone out of him. “I have nothing more to say to you.” he muttered.

Recognizing they’d reached an impasse, Jenna stood. Walsh was hiding something significant—that much was clear—but he wasn’t going to reveal it right now.

“We’ll be in touch, Doctor,” she said. “Don’t leave town.”

Back in the car, the tension that had built in Walsh’s office slowly dissipated. Jake rubbed a hand across his jaw, his expression thoughtful.

“He knows something about all of this,” he said.

“Yeah, but he’s not talking.” Jenna started the engine. “What he said about me, though...”

Jake turned to face her. “People talk, Jenna. Small town. But no one who matters thinks you’re anything but a damn good sheriff.”

His words warmed her, but the unease remained. “If Walsh is using it to try to discredit me, others might too.”

“Then we need solid evidence,” Jake said simply. “Our next step?”

“Dr. Valerie Mercer. Mary told me Rodriguez dropped Walsh and started seeing her in Pinecrest just before he died.”

Jake nodded and took out his phone. After a brief search, he placed a call, putting it on speaker so Jenna could hear.

A woman answered on the third ring. “Dr. Mercer’s office.”

“This is Deputy Hawkins from the Genesius County Sheriff’s Department. I need to speak with Dr. Mercer regarding a patient of hers, Samuel Rodriguez.”

A pause. “I’m afraid Dr. Mercer can’t discuss patients, Deputy. Confidentiality—”

“Samuel Rodriguez is dead, ma’am,” Jake interrupted, his tone firm but respectful. “Found deceased last night. We’re investigating the circumstances.”

Another, longer pause. “One moment.”

The line clicked, and a different voice came on—deeper, more authoritative. “This is Dr. Mercer. I understand you’re calling about Sam Rodriguez?”

“Yes, Doctor,” Jenna said. “I’m Sheriff Jenna Graves. We need to ask you some questions about Mr. Rodriguez’s treatment.”

“I’m bound by confidentiality, Sheriff, even after a patient’s death.”

“We understand that,” Jenna replied. “But Rodriguez is the third person in our county to die under nearly identical circumstances. All three experienced sudden recoveries from long-standing phobias shortly before their deaths. We believe their treatments may be connected to how they died.”

Silence stretched across the line. Finally, Mercer spoke, her voice noticeably more subdued. “I... see. This is concerning information.”

“We’d like to come to Pinecrest to speak with you in person. Today, if possible.”

A sigh. “Alright. I’ll work in a break if you arrive before noon.”

“We’ll be there,” Jenna confirmed. “Thank you, Doctor.”

As they started their drive toward Pinecrest, Jenna called Frank to update him about their interview with Dr. Walsh and their pending visit to a therapist in Pinecrest. Jenna and Jake then discussed the case, piecing together what they knew and what they still needed to learn.

“The way Walsh reacted when he found out that Sam Rodriguez was dead—that wasn’t just discomfort,” Jake said. “That was fear. And none of the victims seemed willing or able to explain their recoveries to anyone else.”

“You think Walsh put them under some kind of hypnotic suggestion? Blocked them from talking about it?”

Jenna shook her head slightly. “Maybe. But why would he then kill them? And how? He certainly didn’t go breaking into their houses. There’s no evidence of that. And fear itself isn’t usually fatal.”

“Unless you have a heart condition like Winters,” Jake pointed out.

“But Palmer and Rodriguez were healthy. And all three died the same way—terrified of something in their bedrooms, where those dreamcatchers were hanging.”

“Maybe he wasn’t trying to kill anybody,” Jake said. “He seemed surprised yesterday when you mentioned that Anita Palmer was dead, and he certainly seemed surprised about Sam. Maybe it was just some kind of unconventional treatment gone horribly wrong.”

They fell silent for a moment, the road stretching ahead of them, leading to Pinecrest and, hopefully, answers.

“Walsh’s comment about your reputation,” Jake said finally. “Don’t let it get to you. So people talk—let them. You’ve got the best solve rate in the county’s history.”

“It’s not just that, Jake. If word gets out about... about what I can do …I could lose everything—my position, my credibility. Even my mother would be affected.”

“Jenna.” Jake’s voice was gentle but firm. “You’re not alone in this. Whatever happens, whatever we find out, I’ve got your back. You know that, right?”

The sincerity in his words touched something deep inside her. She glanced at him briefly, allowing herself a small smile. “I know.”

As she drove to Pinecrest, the sky stretched vast and blue above them, innocent of the darkness they were pursuing. Still, Jenna couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the edge of something far more dangerous than they had initially imagined.