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"Maybe," Phoebe replied doubtfully. The two of them continued to talk about the possibility of Derek being the reason that Jenna had been acting odd in the weeks leading up to her death. When they were finally done eating, Phoebe reached for the file. She couldn't help but trace her fingers over the label, steeling herself against what information might be waiting to be discovered inside. "Let's see what Jenna's student file has to say about her senior year."
Several sheets of paper were inside the manila folder, detailing Jenna's academic records, class schedules, grades, and test scores from her years as a student. Phoebe took her time going through each document, carefully scanning the details listed for her late sister. She searched for any hints or clues that might indicate Jenna had been struggling or facing trouble in the months leading up to her death.
Phoebe systematically handed each sheet over to Chloe after reviewing it herself. The two continued their joint examination, hoping to uncover something—anything—in the mundane details that could provide insight into Jenna's state of mind during her last year of high school.
"Jenna's grades were good. She was taking a typical course load for a senior..." Phoebe's voice trailed off as she reached a page near the back, her eyes noticing a familiar name. "Wait. It says here that Jenna was part of the tutoring program. With her dyslexia, she needed additional help with math. Guess who her tutor was back then?"
"Alice? Didn't you say that she was valedictorian of Jenna's class?" Chloe leaned over, peering at the paper in Phoebe's hand. "Seriously? Derek Vance?"
"This would explain why Jenna was with Derek when Principal Grayson found them in that classroom." Phoebe handed over the last piece of paper to Chloe before tossing the used napkin into the white bag that now held their empty containers. "I find it odd that Principal Grayson felt the need to mention it, though. It was as if he thought there was more to their relationship."
Phoebe stood and walked over to the whiteboard, adding Derek's connection to Jenna in their notes. Chloe opened her laptop to dig a bit deeper into Derek’s life. While she did some research, Phoebe managed to collect their garbage and toss it in the trash bin that Chloe had tucked against her kitchen counter.
"Voilà," Chloe exclaimed with a smile. She glanced at Phoebe over the top of her laptop. "Derek Vance still lives in Bar Harbor. Get this—Derek is a travel blogger."
"Wait," Phoebe said with a snap of her fingers. "Mom mentioned that someone from Bar Harbor was in talks with some production company about a travel show. I wonder if she was talking about Derek Vance."
"I have an address," Chloe stated as she plugged the information into her phone. She then studied the map. "Opposite end of town from the marina."
"Well, we should get going then," Phoebe said as she replaced the cap on the dry-erase marker. She set it down in the holder before stepping back. "We'll drive over to my parent's house first, though. They should know about the dirt underneath Jenna's fingernails. Chief Bennett didn't think it was a big deal, but I remember those manicures as if it was yesterday."
Chloe had already closed her laptop and set it on the coffee table by the time Phoebe had walked over to the door where she had taken off her boots. The fabric freshener underneath Chloe’s sink had done wonders for the faux suede material. They might have saturated the boots a little more than necessary. At least the warm air from the vent had mostly dried the fabric. Plus, the soft interior was nice and warm when Phoebe slipped her feet inside.
"I’ll grab you a jacket," Chloe exclaimed before returning from her bedroom and walking down the short hallway a few seconds later. "What color do you want?"
"Just how many winter jackets do you own?" Phoebe asked as she took the red one with the black faux fur around the hood. "And isn't this the identical jacket to the one you just put in the bag?"
"And the same as this one," Chloe stated with a smile as she slipped her arms in a pale blue puffer jacket. "I bought one in every color. How long have you known me?"
"Long enough to know that you have a serious shopping problem," Phoebe muttered as she pulled up the zipper. She picked up her cell phone and keys from the table and slipped them into one of the pockets. “Ready?”
Chloe grabbed her purse, but she didn't immediately follow Phoebe out the door. She turned around and went back inside the apartment, leaving Phoebe standing at the top of the staircase.
A shadow shifted near the bottom of the stairs.
"Ready," Chloe announced as she joined Phoebe on the small landing with the camcorder in hand. "If Derek Vance likes the camera, then we'll make sure that we have one when we talk to him."
Phoebe nodded her agreement as she made room on the landing for Chloe, quickly averting her attention back to the lower level. The silhouette had completely disappeared, leaving the space empty. Aunt Trish had probably been near the cash register trying to listen in on their conversation. Phoebe couldn't really blame the woman. She had been very close to Jenna. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that Trish knew something from back then that she hadn't given a second thought to at the time.
"Chloe, will you go warm up the SUV?" Phoebe asked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys. "I think it's time that I ask Aunt Trish some questions."
Chapter Eight
Phoebe
Phoebe pulled the SUV against the curb, the tires crunching on the layer of old snow compacted into ice. She cut the engine and examined the neighborhood through the windshield. Modest houses lined the street on both sides, separated by overgrown, snow-dusted shrubs. The soft ticking of the SUV's engine as it cooled was the only noise to cut through the silence.
"Your dad looked great," Chloe said as she reached into the back seat for the camcorder. "I have to say, I might have been wrong to judge your mom so quickly. She even agreed with you that the dirt underneath Jenna's fingernails was odd."
"You don't think the change in their demeanor is odd?" Phoebe asked as a slight pop from the quickly cooling engine set her on edge. It appeared as if she hadn't gotten over this morning's ghostly visit. "Back when Jenna died, my mom was adamant that my grief was the only reason I had visions of my sister. I lost count of all the therapist appointments, but I do remember her telling me to stop spouting such nonsense. How it hurt them every time I mentioned seeing Jenna. And in the span of one day, they act like it's normal?"
"Well, your parents really didn't mention your visions today," Chloe pointed out with obvious reluctance. "I wouldn't exactly say they're on board with the whole vision train, if you know what I mean. I was just referring to their attitudes toward our investigation, that's all."
"Maybe," Phoebe murmured, still uncomfortable with how the conversation had gone with her mom and dad. On the bright side, Chloe was right about one thing. Phoebe's father seemed so much better this morning than last night. "Let's do this."
It was only mid-afternoon, and the winter sun’s rays were doing their best to break through the overcast sky. The mounded snow along the sides of the road was filthy with sand and dirt, some even carved through with tire tracks from the morning commute. The gusts of wind had picked up, prompting Phoebe to pull her zipper on the jacket until the material was closed tight underneath her chin before stepping out of the SUV.
Phoebe shivered instantly as the cold air hit her face.
