The Edens, #1
Indigo Ridge
by Devney Perry
Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
Winn fights for credibility at the station, then races to Indigo Ridge where Lily Green lies dead on Eden land. Locals frame it as another suicide in a years-long pattern, but Winn insists on procedure: scene documentation, medical examiner, and verified ID before notifying family. Her stance clashes with Griffin, cementing a professional rift and setting investigative stakes.
Summary
Overwhelmed by paperwork and skepticism at the station, Winn changes a coffee-stained shirt and heads back when Allen speeds out with lights. After Officer Smith admits a body was found at Indigo Ridge—without notifying her—Winn follows to the Eden ranch.
At the scene, Griffin leads Winn to a young woman’s shattered body on the rocks: likely Lily Green, identified by Conor, the ranch hand who found her. Allen reveals two previous bodies at Indigo Ridge and a broader pattern of seven suicides in ten years, fueling local assumptions that Lily jumped.
Winn documents the scene, assigns Allen to photograph, calls for the medical examiner, and interviews a shaken Conor, who knew and once dated Lily. She withholds public confirmation pending formal ID and next-of-kin notification, despite Griffin’s insistence that “they know their own.”
Spotting no vehicle or shoes for Lily, Winn presses basic investigative questions about access and traffic on Eden property. Griffin bristles, demanding she focus on telling Lily’s mother. Winn refuses to shortcut procedure, and Griffin leaves, underscoring rising tension. Winn commits to handling the case her way as chief.
Who Appears
- Winslow "Winn" CovingtonNew Quincy police chief; takes command at Indigo Ridge, orders procedure, interviews Conor, and clashes with Griffin.
- Griffin EdenRanch owner; brings Winn to Lily’s body, asserts it’s suicide, resents questioning, and storms off after arguing.
- AllenDay-shift officer; responds to scene, references prior Indigo Ridge deaths, photographs and assists at the site.
- Officer SmithDismissive officer; fails to notify Winn about the body, answers her call curtly from the station.
- ConorEden ranch hand; discovers Lily’s body, identifies her by tattoo, emotionally distressed, once dated Lily.
- JimOlder Eden hand with mustache; supports Conor and drives him from the scene.
- JaniceStation ally; reassures Winn and keeps administrative matters organized.
- Lily GreenDeceased young woman found at Indigo Ridge; presumed suicide by locals, formal identification pending.