Cold Case Chronicles

2nd Story: The Day Before

The air had a crisp bite that hinted at the full approach of autumn. Jack stood outside the Camaro, leaning against its yellow frame as the morning light began to filter through the Oakridge streets. Today was Thursday, and the weight of tomorrow loomed over them—Sarah's bar exam. It had been weeks of preparation, but now, as the day approached, the nerves were palpable.

Jack took a deep breath, his mind running through the details of the Lana Garrison case. Despite the looming exam, neither he nor Sarah had let up on their pursuit of the truth. There was still so much to uncover, and as they drew closer, the danger felt all too real.

Sarah stepped out of the apartment, her red hair catching the morning light. She was dressed casually in jeans and a light sweater, her usual calm determination on display, though Jack could sense the tension beneath the surface. A stack of notes peeked from her bag, a constant reminder of the exam that was now just hours away.

"You ready?" Jack asked, straightening as she approached.

Sarah gave him a small smile, though it was tinged with stress. "As ready as I'll ever be. It's Thursday. Tomorrow's the big day."

Jack nodded, sensing the weight of it. "We can keep things light today, focus on the case but give you room to breathe."

Sarah's smile softened, and she slipped into the passenger seat. "Thanks. But you know me—I won't stop thinking about Lana's case either. We're too close, Jack."

Jack slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. "I know. We'll juggle it. We've got this."

As they drove toward the heart of Oakridge, the quiet streets slowly began to come alive with the morning bustle. Jack's mind shifted between the two big tasks ahead—the final stretch of the Lana Garrison case and supporting Sarah as she faced the biggest milestone in her legal career.

"We should check in with Melanie Roberts," Sarah reminded him, flipping through her notes on the case. "She was one of Lana's closest friends, and I feel like she's holding something back. She might remember more, especially since my dad worked the case back then."

Jack nodded. "Your dad would've questioned her. If she trusts him, maybe she'll open up to us."

They pulled into the lot of Mel's Diner, their usual spot to regroup. Inside, the familiar warmth of the diner greeted them, the smell of coffee and breakfast hanging in the air. Lena Voss, the diner's new owner, was behind the counter, chatting with one of the regulars. Her blonde hair was pulled back, and she had the easy smile of someone who had finally realized her dream—owning her own place.

"Well, look who's back," Lena said with a grin as Jack and Sarah slid into their booth. "What's the plan for today?"

Jack gave a nod in Sarah's direction. "Sarah's got her bar exam tomorrow. We're trying to keep things steady while we wrap up a few things on the Lana Garrison case."

Lena poured them both coffee, her smile widening. "Bar exam, huh? You'll do great, Sarah. I've been watching you work—no doubt in my mind you'll pass with flying colors."

"Thanks, Lena," Sarah said with a smile, though Jack could see the pressure weighing on her shoulders. "I'll be glad when it's over."

Lena set the mugs down, giving them both a nod before heading back to the counter.

Jack leaned across the table, his voice lowering. "We should reach out to Danny, too. The DNA results should be coming in soon, and that could give us something solid."

Sarah nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. "I'll call him after we finish up with Melanie. We're getting so close, Jack. I can feel it."

They finished their coffee in silence, both lost in their own thoughts about what lay ahead. Lana's case had become more than just an investigation; it had become personal. The more they dug, the more tangled the story became, and Jack knew they were nearing the breaking point.

By mid-afternoon, Jack and Sarah found themselves outside Melanie Roberts' suburban home. The house was modest, surrounded by well-kept gardens that hinted at Melanie's love for the outdoors. Sarah knew her father had worked the Lana Garrison case closely with Melanie back then, and now, as they approached the front door, Sarah hoped that connection might help them dig deeper.

Melanie opened the door, her expression shifting from curiosity to mild recognition as she saw Sarah and Jack.

"Mrs. Roberts, I'm Sarah Hall," Sarah said politely, stepping forward. "My father is Robert Hall, the detective who was working the case for Lana Garrison."

Melanie's expression changed instantly, softening at the mention of Sarah's father. She paused, reflecting on the case and the past before responding. "Your father... yes, I remember him well. He was very thorough when he interviewed me. Lana was such a close friend, I wanted to help in any way I could."

"Thanks," Sarah replied warmly. "We're continuing the work he started on Lana's case. This is Jack Mercer—he's been leading the investigation."

Jack nodded as Melanie stepped aside to let them in. Inside, the living room had a warm, lived-in feel, filled with soft lighting and shelves lined with books. Once they were settled, Melanie's expression grew serious as the conversation shifted to Lana.

"I've been thinking about Lana a lot since your father worked the case," Melanie began, her voice tinged with regret. "I wish I had been able to help more back then."

"We believe you still can," Jack said, leaning forward. "There are still pieces missing from Lana's last days, especially regarding the man she was seeing. Anything you can remember about him might help."

Melanie frowned, lost in thought. "He was quiet. Lana didn't like talking about him much, but there was something about the way she acted around him that made me uneasy. I didn't know much about him, but she started pulling away from everyone right before she disappeared."

Sarah exchanged a glance with Jack before asking, "Did Lana ever mention feeling threatened or scared of him?"

Melanie hesitated before shaking her head. "Not outright, but she was different. She canceled plans last minute, seemed restless. I don't think she felt safe with him."

Jack took note of the small details, the kind of things that could lead to something bigger. "Do you remember what he looked like or any distinguishing features?"

Melanie's brow furrowed. "He drove an old dark sedan. That's about all I can remember, I'm afraid."

As they wrapped up the conversation, Melanie offered one last thought. "If your father were still on this case, I know he'd find the truth. I hope you do too."

By the time Jack and Sarah returned to Sarah's apartment, the sun had started to set, casting long shadows over the town. The day had been productive, but now the pressure of Sarah's bar exam was more tangible than ever.

"You ready for tomorrow?" Jack asked as they stood by the Camaro.

Sarah let out a deep breath. "Yeah. I'll be ready. We're so close with Lana's case—I just want to wrap it up."

Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "You've got this. One thing at a time."

As they walked up to her apartment, Jack carried the notes from their meeting with Melanie, and Sarah's thoughts shifted to tomorrow. Jack knew that no matter what, they'd face both challenges together, and they were closer than ever to finding the truth.

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