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### Chapter Nine: The Arrival
The sun broke through the clouds as Detective Mason and Officer Davis prepared for what felt like an inevitable confrontation.
News of Jane's death had traveled fast, and now her parents were on their way to Hayesville from Los Angeles. Mason knew that this meeting would be pivotal—not just for the investigation but for understanding the family Jane had left behind.
As the sleek black SUV pulled into the small town's only hotel parking lot, Mason and Davis stood outside, exchanging glances filled with apprehension.
The vehicle's tinted windows rolled down, revealing a woman in her mid-forties, impeccably dressed in designer attire.
Her expression was a mix of sorrow and determination, eyes scanning their surroundings with an air of authority. Next to her sat a tall man, clearly wealthy, with an air of arrogance that suggested he was used to getting his way.
"Here we go," Mason said quietly, steeling himself for the encounter.
Jane's mother stepped out first, her heels clicking against the pavement as she approached them.
"I'm Claire Evans," she introduced herself, her voice steady despite the circumstances. "This is my husband, Richard Evans."
"Detective Mason," he replied, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming."
Claire's grip was firm, betraying a strength that lay beneath her polished exterior.
"We want to know what happened to our daughter."
Mason nodded gravely, gesturing for them to follow him into the hotel lobby where it was quieter.
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"We're doing everything we can to find out who was responsible and it's still a mystery to us on how she died."
As they sat down at a small table in the corner, Claire wasted no time diving into her daughter's life.
"Jane had so much potential," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "When I married Richard, it was supposed to be a fresh start for both of us—"
"But it didn't work out that way?" Davis interjected gently.
"No," Claire admitted, looking down at her hands. "Richard has three children from his previous marriage who never accepted Jane. It was difficult for her to fit in, it was like she didn't belong… I had to choose between my new life and my daughter."
Mason exchanged a glance with Davis; they could see the pain etched on Claire's face. "But you continued to support her financially?" he asked.
"Of course," Claire replied fiercely. "I sent her a generous allowance every month. I wanted her to have everything she needed—to live comfortably despite our situation.
I just wish I could've done more for her… To be there when she needed me most," she replied choking down on tears...
Richard leaned forward, his expression hardening as he spoke up.
"She should have come to live with us—she could have thrived in that environment if she'd just tried harder."
Claire shot him a look that silenced him instantly; it was clear there were unresolved tensions between them regarding Jane.
"We need more information about Jane's life here in Hayesville, I know you don't live here in hayesville however anything u know whether a rumor it'll be really useful" Mason said carefully.
"Anyone she might have been involved with or any trouble she might have faced?"
Claire hesitated before answering. "She had friends… but they were all part of this party scene I didn't approve of." She took a deep breath, gathering herself. "There was one girl—Lily—who seemed important to her."
"Lily" Davis looked at Mason, exchanging a knowing look with him.
"Yes," Claire continued, pain flickering across her features. "she was different from the others… Jane said she was the only honest friend she has who was kind at heart."
As they spoke about Jane's connections and struggles, both detectives could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air—the regret of choices made and paths not taken.
Once their conversation concluded, Claire stood up abruptly, determination shining through tears brimming in her eyes. "I want justice for my daughter," she declared fiercely.
Mason nodded solemnly. "We will find out what happened."
As they left the hotel lobby, both detectives felt an unsettling mix of emotions—a fierce resolve mixed with sadness for a life lost too soon and a family fractured by circumstances beyond their control.
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