Chapter 10 #2
The words stopped Noah cold. "That's exactly my point," Noah said quietly. "If Keith was murdered, then whoever killed him is still out there, still protecting whatever secrets they've been hiding for ten years. And now you've put yourself on their radar by helping Pierce."
"Dad, stop trying to control me—”
“I’m trying to protect you." Noah stood up, moving closer to his daughter. "You will always be my responsibility, Mia. Not because you're not capable, but because you're my daughter. And with Keith's death, this whole situation has become too dangerous for civilians to be involved."
Mia nodded slowly, and for a moment Noah thought he'd gotten through to her. "I understand why you're worried. But I can't just pretend I'm not interested in this case, and I can't pretend I don't have information that might help find the truth."
He exhaled hard, running a hand over his head. “What information?"
"Local connections, family histories, things that outsiders wouldn't know or wouldn't think to ask about." Mia's voice softened. "Dad, I'm good at this. I have instincts for investigations. Why is that something to be discouraged instead of developed?"
"Because instincts without experience can get you killed."
Mia was quiet for a long moment. "Is this really about my safety, or is it about you not being able to control what happens to me?"
The question hit Noah harder than he'd expected.
She headed toward the stairs, not slamming doors or storming out, but moving with quiet determination.
Noah returned to his case files, but concentration proved impossible.
Evelyn Cross had been right about one thing—Mia was old enough to make her own decisions about risk.
The question was whether those decisions would be informed by wisdom or driven by the kind of youthful confidence that mistook knowledge for invulnerability.
Mia sat on her bed with her laptop open, ostensibly working on college applications but actually researching everything she could find about Pierce Landry's investigation.
The videos from the town hall meeting were already circulating on social media, showing her Uncle Ray breaking up the fight and Pierce being helped to his feet with a bloody lip and what would become a spectacular black eye.
The comments sections were brutal, locals defending the community's right to privacy, true crime enthusiasts criticizing the violence, conspiracy theorists indicating that the violent reaction proved Pierce was onto something significant.
Mia found herself caught between worlds, understanding both perspectives but not entirely agreeing with either.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime call, and she was surprised to see her grandfather's name on the screen. Hugh rarely used video calling, claiming that the technology made him feel old and confused.
"Hi, Grandpa," she said, accepting the call and propping the phone against her pillow.
Hugh's face appeared on the screen, sitting in what looked like his home office with warm lighting that made him look distinguished rather than aged. "Hello, sweetheart. I wanted to check in with you, see how you're doing after all the excitement in town."
"You heard about the town hall meeting?"
"Hard to avoid hearing about it. Small town, big news." Hugh's expression was concerned but not disapproving. "I also heard that you've been helping that podcaster with his investigation."
Mia felt a familiar surge of defensiveness. "Dad's already lectured me about that."
"Has he? And what did he say?"
"The usual. Too dangerous, stay away, let the professionals handle it." Mia couldn't keep the frustration out of her voice. "He acts like I'm still twelve years old and can't make my own decisions."
Hugh nodded thoughtfully. "Your father means well. What have you learned from working with Mr. Landry?"
“Not much. If he's learned anything significant, he hasn't shared it with me. I'm starting to think I was just being used for my local connections and family name."
"That's disappointing, but not surprising.
Outsiders often underestimate what locals bring to investigations.
" Hugh leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying the kind of conspiratorial tone that made Mia feel like she was being included in adult conversations.
"Sometimes as Sutherlands, we have to create our own path instead of waiting for others to recognize our value. "
The phrase resonated with Mia's growing frustration about being treated like a child by both Pierce and her father. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you have instincts, connections, and knowledge that could be valuable to the right investigation. Maybe the question isn't whether to help Mr. Landry, but whether there are other ways to pursue justice that don't require his approval or cooperation."
Mia felt something click into place, a sense of possibility that she hadn't considered before. "You think I should investigate the case by myself?”
"I think you should trust your instincts and follow your interests, regardless of what other people think is appropriate for someone your age," Hugh replied with the quiet authority of someone who'd spent decades making difficult decisions.
“Like you said, every investigator needs a first case that's truly theirs. Maybe this is yours."
The idea was both thrilling and terrifying.
Conducting her own investigation would mean defying her father's explicit instructions, but it would also mean finally taking active control of her own life and interests instead of waiting for permission from adults who seemed determined to keep her on the sidelines.
“Do you really think I could handle something like this?"
“You're a Sutherland, which means you have generations of law enforcement instincts in your blood. More importantly, you're smart enough to be careful and connected enough to access information that outsiders can't get."
The call ended with Hugh encouraging her to trust her instincts and follow her interests, regardless of what others thought was appropriate.
As Mia closed her laptop and prepared for bed, she found herself thinking about possibilities rather than limitations.
For the first time since Pierce had arrived in High Peaks, she felt like she had a clear path forward, not as Pierce's local assistant or her father's protected daughter, but as an investigator in her own right, capable of uncovering truths that had been buried for too long.