Chapter 3 #3
"So you work here full-time?" Pierce asked, noting the shelves lined with bound newspaper archives that suggested the paper took its role as community historian seriously.
"Not exactly," Mia replied, leading them down a corridor lined with framed front pages from significant local events. "I’m interning here. My mother used to be a reporter for the paper until... well, she died."
The casual way she mentioned her mother's death caught Pierce's attention, but before he could respond, Mia continued.
"Actually, she was murdered. The guy she was dating did it, but my father believes someone pushed him to do it."
Pierce stopped walking. "Pushed him?"
Mia glanced back at him, and Pierce caught a glimpse of the steel beneath her youthful enthusiasm.
"You'll learn fast here in High Peaks, there's more going on under the surface than people want to admit.
My father could tell you more, but..." She shrugged, as if family complications were just another fact of life.
"Speaking of investigations," Mia continued, "I've actually been going through the case myself."
"Your mother's death?"
"No, I mean the Rebecca and Jacob Hale murders.
My father's a State Police investigator, and as I said, I’m looking to get into law enforcement myself.
" Pierce sensed she was trying to prove herself, to demonstrate that she belonged in their world of professional investigation rather than amateur speculation.
"That could be very helpful," Pierce said. "Maybe your father could give us access to what the state has on file."
"Unlikely, but I can ask." Mia led them to a section of the archives and pulled out a box. "Here we go. The newspaper coverage of the case."
She spread the materials across a nearby table, and Pierce felt the familiar thrill of seeing primary source documents for the first time.
The headlines told the story in stark black and white: "Local Mother and Son Found Dead," "Police Seek Leads in Double Homicide," "Community Grieves for Beloved Teacher. "
"You remember much about this case?" Pierce asked, studying the photographs that accompanied the articles.
"No, I was eight at the time. This was ten years ago," Mia said. "But I heard about it growing up. Rebecca was a teacher at the local high school. People always figured it was one of the many people she was seeing at the time."
The casual reference to Rebecca's dating life caught Pierce's attention. In his experience, small communities rarely spoke so openly about the personal lives of murder victims unless those personal lives were central to the local narrative about what had happened.
They spent the better part of an hour going through the newspaper's coverage, and Pierce was struck by how thin it was for such a significant crime. A few initial reports, some appeals for information, and then the story seemed to fade from the front page with unseemly haste.
"Interesting how quickly this dropped out of the news cycle," Pierce observed.
"Small town," Mia said. "People want to move on, especially when there's no resolution. Nobody likes living with unsolved mysteries on their doorstep."
Before they left, Mia brought Pierce over to her desk and showed him a front page article from that morning's edition. The headline read "True Crime Podcaster Investigates Local Cold Case," and Pierce felt the familiar ego boost that came with seeing his name in print.
"Well, look at that," Pierce said, not bothering to hide his pleasure. "Word's getting around town that we're here."
"Oh yeah," Mia said. "The whole community's buzzing about it."
Pierce snorted. "Not sure if that's a good thing or not."
"I'm sure you'll find out," Mia replied, closing the paper. "But listen, it would really go a long way if you had a local connection here. Someone who could act as a buffer, mediate things between you and the community."
Pierce looked at her, recognizing the pitch beneath the helpful suggestion. "And that would be... you?"
She grinned, and Pierce caught a glimpse of the ambition beneath her helpful exterior.
"I've grown up here. I know this town like the back of my hand.
Our family has roots in this area going back multiple generations, all in law enforcement.
I mean, of course I'd take a backseat to the professionals, but if I could tag along, it would be amazing experience. "
Pierce looked at his team, seeing calculation in Marcus' eyes and skepticism in Camila's. Theo was already thinking about the audio possibilities of having a local guide, while Sienna was probably considering the social media angles.
"I thought you had to work here," Pierce said.
Mia shrugged. "I do, but like I said, I know people and I can shift things around. Plus, having someone who understands local dynamics could save you from stepping on landmines you don't even know exist."
Pierce nodded slowly. The offer made sense from a practical standpoint—local knowledge was invaluable, and having a member of a law enforcement family could open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
But he also sensed the hunger beneath Mia's helpful offer, the desperation of someone who wanted to be part of something larger than her small-town life.
"We'll need to discuss it as a team," Pierce said finally. "But I think it could work out. First thing, though—we need somewhere to stay. Marcus was supposed to book accommodations but apparently got distracted."
"Not a problem," Mia said, pulling out her phone. "I know just the place."