Don't Make a Sound (Sawyer Brooks #1)(36)

Aspen sighed. “I didn’t say no one cares. It’s just that at some point people have to move on with their lives.”

“I get that. I really do. But forget about all those people for a minute. What about you and Chief Schneider?”

“I’m sure it gnaws at the chief. He loves this town like nothing else. But he can only do so much. He has a lot of stress. He was pressured by the public and the media to solve those cases. He still is. For years people demanded answers he didn’t have, and everyone seemed to have their own theory as to what happened. But what’s the chief supposed to do when he has to do it all on his own? He has to process the crime scene, sort out the evidence, conduct interviews, and follow up on any leads. I’ve watched him work. I try to help as best I can, but again, there’s only so much we can do. Most of the time, I feel sorry for the man. Even when he does solve a case and get a conviction, he doesn’t get any praise from anyone. It’s a thankless job.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” She thought of Kylie Hartford. The young woman had a whole team of investigators trying to solve her case, doing their best to bring her justice. Homicide detectives in big cities received intensive training in crime scene investigations. They didn’t always have all the resources they needed, but they got a lot more help than cops in a small town like River Rock.

They had arrived at the cemetery. Everyone had left. He pulled into the empty space next to her car. “Don’t look so down.”

“You don’t understand,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and this might be my one chance to prove myself.”

“I’m not sure how helpful Chief Schneider is going to be,” he said as she unbuckled her seat belt and grabbed her bag.

Her fingers were wrapped around the door handle when she looked at him. “What about you? Will you help me?”

“Of course. You were always there for me when I needed a friend. Maybe now I can repay you for everything you did for me.”

“I didn’t do anything. You weren’t the only one with problems. When everything fell apart at home and then Rebecca disappeared, I needed a friend too.” She hopped out of the truck. “Thanks, Aspen. For everything.”

He nodded. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

Sawyer waved as he drove off. Then she got behind the wheel of her car and returned Sean Palmer’s call.

“This is Sawyer,” she said when he answered. “What’s going on?”

“I heard about the girl . . . Isabella. Homicide.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Word gets around quickly.”

“It comes with the territory,” he said. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine,” she said, wondering why he would worry but appreciating the call all the same.

“As a reporter,” he said, “I always make sure I know things about the people I bring on to work closely with me.”

How much did he know about her? she wondered, and why was he telling her this now?

“As a crime reporter,” Palmer went on, “I also know a thing or two about criminals . . . killers. They don’t like people like you or me meddling in their affairs.”

He really was concerned. “Does that mean you’ll give me more time so I can look into Isabella’s murder?”

“I’m serious about the risk.”

“I understand,” she said.

“All and all, that whole speech you gave about not letting these girls be forgotten is about your friend Rebecca, isn’t it?”

She thought about that for a moment. Maybe he was right. Rebecca had simply disappeared, and sometimes it seemed as if no one had cared. “Sure,” she said. “It’s about Rebecca. But it’s also about Peggy, Avery, Isabella, and every young child out there who never got justice. They shouldn’t be forgotten, Palmer. Isn’t that part of why we do what we do? Report crimes so that people can protect their children, and the families of victims can get some closure?”

She heard an audible sigh come through the line.

“I’ll give you until the end of next week. But that’s it. I can’t do any more than that.”

“I appreciate it.”

“You haven’t worked one day for me yet, and I’m already having regrets.”

“Nobody knows River Rock and its nuances better than me,” Sawyer reminded him. “I grew up here. The people know me, and my parents are a big part of River Rock. The story will be important. I will see to it that our audience cares. Part crime reporting, part human-interest story. It’ll be good for both of our careers.”

He laughed at that. “Just get back here as soon as possible.”

She took a breath. “Thank you.”

“Too soon for that,” he said.

“What about the Kylie Hartford case? Anything new?”

“They brought Kylie’s boyfriend in for questioning yesterday. He’s the number one suspect. They’re talking about making an arrest.”

“So soon? Do they have evidence?”

“Why do you sound surprised? You said yourself that he had the motivation—jealousy. Detectives talked to Kylie’s neighbors, her coworkers, friends, and family. It doesn’t look good for the boyfriend.”