Page 28 of Silencing Stolen Whispers (Kinsley Aspen #2)

Jade stepped out into the morning sun. It hadn’t been noticeable in the artificial light, but there were dark circles beneath her eyes that even concealer couldn't quite mask. Her fingers worried the hem of her sleeve in a nervous gesture that seemed unconscious.

“That looked like more than a casual conversation in there, Jade.” Kinsley positioned herself so she could still monitor the entrance. “You didn’t answer my previous question. Is everything alright?”

“Not really. My mom is dying, my best friend is dead, and I’m barely making ends meet.

” Jade’s laugh carried no humor. Just the brittle edge of someone operating on too little sleep and probably too much caffeine.

“Dr. Reeves was offering to help me with some scholarship applications. He thinks I might be a good candidate for some grants to help me finish my last year here.”

Jade shifted her weight from one foot to the other, a restless energy that betrayed her words.Kinsley had to wonder just how much of what Jade had just spouted was the truth.

“Sometimes his enthusiasm can come across as... forceful.”

Kinsley wasn’t going to get anywhere if she kept on the current topic, so she chose to pivot to more pressing matters.

“I’m sure you’ve heard through the grapevine that we've arrested Rebecca Chambliss in connection with the academic fraud scheme you claimed to have no idea was taking place on campus.”

“Look, I wasn’t going to throw someone under the bus when I didn’t have any proof. Have I heard the rumors? Sure. Everyone has, but I didn’t know for certain. I stuck to the facts in my interview.”

“Did you?” Kinsley responded in kind. Jade was only getting in her own way.

“Jade, you knew very well that Hannah had been in touch with Rebecca Chambliss. And yes, we know all about Rebecca’s offer.

She was hoping to obtain personal information to blackmail a judge if she was ever caught, in exchange for taking the bar exam. So why lie to us about it?”

“You know what?” Jade threw her hands up high, as if she was at the end of her rope, though it was more about the topic of their conversation. “I think we’re done here, Detective Aspen. And after careful reconsideration, I’d like to exercise my right to an attorney.”

By this time, all color had drained from Jade's face. Her complexion was now ashen beneath her carefully applied makeup. She pressed a hand to her throat, as if the gesture would prevent her from saying another word.

“That’s your right, Miss Patel,” Kinsley replied evenly, reaching into her purse.

She was unable to find a business card, so she pulled out her wallet instead.

She recalled tucking one behind a credit card.

“You’ll want to give my information to your attorney, Miss Patel.

We’d like to know your whereabouts last Wednesday night. ”

Kinsley extended her business card. She had phrased her statements so that Jade’s response could theoretically be submitted through her legal representative. If she decided to offer it now, Kinsley was willing to listen.

Sometimes, the most genuine emotions come from people who have the most to hide.

Considering Jade's financial troubles due to her mother’s treatments, along with the conversation between Jade and Dr. Reeves, it was hard not to assume that everyone involved was directly connected to their victim and Rebecca Chambliss.

Jade took a step backward, as if she were going to turn and reenter the library.

Something stopped her.

“I was at home.” Jade stared at the card before tucking it into the pocket of her white pants. She then met Kinsley’s gaze as if she had nothing to hide. “All evening. Studying for an exam. My roommate, Courtney, was there too—she can verify it.”

Kinsley caught movement through the library's glass entrance. Dr. Reeves had pushed open the door, his pace unhurried. Not once did he glance in their direction.

“I really should get back to work. I’ll have someone reach out to you.”

Kinsley monitored Jade’s departure before switching her focus to Dr. Reeves.

He was heading toward the faculty parking lot.

Something about him and his interaction with Jade bothered Kinsley to no end.

She pulled her phone from her purse and speed-dialed Alex's number.

As it rang, she walked over to the shaded part of the entrance.

Alex answered on the second ring.

“I just walked through my front door. Let me change, and I’ll meet you at the campus.”

“Jade exercised her right to have an attorney.”

There was a meaningful pause as Alex digested that information. Kinsley did nothing to interrupt his process while she, too, mulled over Jade’s decision.

“I can hear your brain churning over the line, Kin.”

“We're aware that Rebecca Chambliss had an alibi for the night in question, but you mentioned she refused to answer any other inquiries,” Kinsley said, trying to piece together the investigation while her eyes lingered on the flyer in the window.

Someone had scrawled 'canceled' across the typed details of Hannah's vigil, originally planned for last week.

“We also know Jade is struggling financially.

I'm unsure how these two issues are connected, but both women are stalling us by involving lawyers.

This just drags out our investigation. I think we should go ahead with Hannah's vigil and see what unfolds.”

“I think it's a good plan,” Alex responded, following up with an idea of his own. “But I've been thinking about what you said earlier. About the possibility that the fraud case is unrelated to Hannah's murder. What if you’re right? What if there's a larger motive we're overlooking?”

“Like?”

“Sienna Webster. What if Hannah’s murder was more personal? What if Sienna didn’t believe that Nick had completely ended his relationship with Hannah? What if she decided to take matters into her own hands?”