Chapter 2: A New Partner

When Captain Greer called me into his office that morning, I thought he’d be giving me updates on Sarah’s case or maybe a lead. What I didn’t expect was to find another person in the room—someone with an air of calm confidence that didn’t match the quiet chaos of Blackwood.

“Detective Ethan Cole, meet Detective Lila Ray,” Greer said, his voice low and to the point. “She’ll be your partner for this case.”

The woman beside him turned, her gaze cool and assessing. Lila Ray wasn’t what I’d expected in a partner. She was taller than most, with dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail, and eyes that seemed to take in everything with a hint of suspicion. Her expression gave nothing away.

“A partner?” I couldn’t hide the surprise—or the reluctance—in my voice. I’d never worked with a partner since returning to Blackwood. Didn’t need one, I’d told myself.

“That’s right, Cole,” Greer replied, giving me a look that said he wasn’t in the mood for arguments. “Lila’s got a background that might be…useful for this case. Some experience in cases with…disappearances.”

Lila’s gaze flicked to me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a trace of something there. Curiosity, maybe. Or annoyance. But just as quickly, her expression settled back into unreadable calm.

“Pleasure to meet you, Detective,” she said, extending a hand. Her voice was smooth, her tone professional. No hint of the mess I was certain lay beneath.

I shook her hand, noting the firm grip. “Same to you,” I replied, though I could tell she sensed the reluctance in my tone. “Guess we’ll be spending a lot of time together.”

“Guess so,” she replied with a faint smirk, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking and found it amusing.

Greer cleared his throat. “You two will start by reviewing the Jenkins case. Lila, familiarize yourself with the files. Cole, bring her up to speed. And Cole—don’t let this turn into one of your solo operations. Lila’s here because she’s the best at what she does. Trust her.”

I didn’t argue, though everything about her presence unsettled me. After all, we were dealing with Blackwood. Outsiders didn’t stay here long for a reason.

In the conference room, I pulled up the case file, aware of her watching me closely. She moved with an economy of motion, her posture always alert, as though expecting something to happen at any moment. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of background could make someone that guarded.

“Here’s what we have on Sarah Jenkins,” I began, clicking through photos and notes. “Seventeen, good student, close with her family. Last seen at Willow Creek Park, around midnight.”

Lila nodded, scanning the photos with interest. “Any other cases like this one?”

“Not officially.” I hesitated, debating how much to tell her. “But…yeah. A few other disappearances over the years. All unsolved.”

“Sounds like you’re familiar with them,” she observed, not meeting my gaze as she flipped through the report. Her voice was even, devoid of judgment, but it put me on edge all the same.

“I grew up here,” I said shortly. “Cases like these? They stick with you.”

She didn’t reply, and I found myself wondering if she had any idea what that felt like. Everything about her seemed tightly contained, as though she’d spent years building walls around herself. Part of me wanted to know why. The other part didn’t want to know at all.

“Here,” she said, pulling up a map of the area around Willow Creek Park. “Is there any pattern to where the victims were last seen?”

“Not really. Most of them vanished near open areas or on their way home. No signs of struggle, no witnesses. It’s like they just…disappeared.”

Lila was silent, staring at the map with a focus that bordered on intense. “I’d like to visit the park. Tonight. Get a feel for the place.”

I couldn’t stop myself from arching an eyebrow. “You think going there will give you some kind of insight?”

“Maybe. Or maybe it’ll just help me understand what these kids were dealing with.” She paused, her eyes flicking to mine. “It’s not just about facts and clues, Detective Cole. Sometimes you have to feel it. See the spaces they were in. Maybe even see the shadows they saw.”

I bit back a retort, uncertain whether she was simply playing with me or if she truly believed that kind of approach would make a difference. But something in her eyes made me pause—a haunted look that reminded me of the people in Blackwood, the ones who held secrets close to their chests.

“Alright, then,” I said, exhaling. “Meet me at the park around sundown. We’ll see what the place has to offer.”

She nodded, already halfway out the door. And as I watched her leave, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, somehow, she was bringing more shadows with her than the town had ever known.