Westbane

Episode 2. 6 Dottie Palmwater

Elfrida

Looking through the recorded statements of everyone Dottie contacted within the week before she went missing, I noticed they all said the same thing. She didn't act strange whatsoever, she was fine and didn't see anyone unfamiliar with her who could have been that mystery boyfriend, but they were sure she had one. The only anomalies were the Palmwaters and Zuri.

Which doesn't make sense at all-

A soft knock on my office door had me raising my head in that direction as the door pushed open, revealing Rhett's smiley face. "Busy?"

I returned the smile softly. "Uh no, not really."

He nodded, coming into the office. "Kai told me about what happened yesterday. He said you had a small accident just outside of the Bane woods. Are you okay?"

I tried to make sure my smile wasn't strained. "I'm okay; it was a small accident, nothing serious at all."

"If you need a break, you can head home early--"

"No, no, it's fine, really. I'm all good. Strong enough to live through the hours." I chuckled.

I've seen and faced worse.

He sighed in relief. "Okay, if that's the case, I'm glad you're fine." He smiled.

"Thank you."

"No thanks needed. I'll leave you to continue whatever it is you were doing."

I maintained my smile, wondering if I should tell him about my doubts about Dottie Palmwater's case.

He was about to head out when he turned back. "Uh, one more thing Elfrida."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I got word that you've been asking questions around town about the Dottie Palmwater case."

I paused, my brows raised. That was fast. "Oh... Well. It was amongst the files you asked me to give to Courtney. I noticed something weird about the case, and I had some doubts. I just wanted to confirm."

He nodded thoughtfully before speaking. "Dottie's case was a compassionate one for this town. If word really gets out to the public that the new deputy sheriff is asking questions, I'm afraid that would be you raising hopes and keeping the whole town on edge. I suggest you leave it be." He said, the stern look in his eyes making me question many things. "After all, some cases are better left unsolved."

I frowned at this.

Then he smiled again. "Don't stress too much." He said, before walking out of my office, and closing the door gently behind him.

If anything, his little warning only had me more curious. It confirmed my suspicions that Dottie's case is more than it's painted out to be.

I rested my hand on my chin, my mind trying to connect the invisible dots.

"What really happened to you, Dottie," I whispered to myself and the silent office.

* * *

Even as I sat at the Bane Cave waiting for Sasha and Owens, my mind wouldn't stop trying to pin a reasonable and more valid cause for Dottie's disappearance.

I don't know why I'm so bothered about this, but I guess it comes with the NYPD instincts still rushing through my veins. There's always something more to cases like this.

Rhett's warning fueled my interest in this case.

Did he know something? Does he know where Dottie is?