Break the Silence (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Are you guys alright down there?” A voice came from above Kane. “We’re on our way down.”

Kane looked up at the faces of the firefighters and gave them a wave. He looked down at Jenna. “Help is on its way.”

As Wolfe tended to his daughter, Kane eased Jenna into a sitting position and unbelted her from Emily. Jenna shivered and he shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it gently around her. She had scratches and bruises and bits of grass and twigs sticking in her hair, but somehow she’d survived. “I’m starting to wonder how many lives you have. This is your second dice with death this week.”

“Says the man who just climbed down a sheer rock face without a rope.” Wolfe grinned at him as he removed his jacket and covered Emily. “How many for you, Dave? You must be into three figures by now.”

Kane shrugged. “I don’t think about it.”

“Me either.” Jenna frowned. “I wouldn’t make a very good sheriff if I worried about getting hurt. It’s the nature of the game.” She sucked in a deep breath and looked at Wolfe. “I’m not going to make it back up top without pain meds. I’m okay, no headache or dizziness.”

“That bad, huh?” Wolfe wrapped a bandage around Emily’s head. “Dave, there’s morphine in my field kit. Check her eyes; if she looks okay, you can give her a shot.” He slid the kit toward him.

Kane made Jenna look into the sun then back a few times. She was freezing cold but lucid, and her pupils reacted normally. “She looks fine.” He pulled out the plastic container labeled “Morphine” and took out a prepared syringe. The sight brought back memories. He’d carried the same pack during his tour of duty. Without any preamble, he pulled up the leg of Jenna’s shorts and plunged the needle into her thigh. When she let out a howl of protest, he caught the flash of anger in her eyes. “Okay, which arm hurts?”

“The left.” Jenna trembled against him. “I must have put it out to break our fall.” She supported the wrist with her other hand and grimaced. “It feels broken.”

“Hmm, looks painful. I’ll wrap it but the paramedics are on their way. They’ll be here by the time the firefighters have you up top.” Kane narrowed his eyes on her. “You’re going to the hospital, so no complaints, okay?” Small rocks pelted them and he glanced up. “The fire department are on their way down. You’ll get to ride up in a stretcher.”

“I hate those things.” She indicated toward the twisted metal dangling over the ravine. “Did Lyons make it?”

Kane looked up from bandaging her wrist and nodded. “Yeah, he’s waiting up top with Webber.”

“Some guy gave me a bunch of flash drives and said Lyons had dropped them.” Jenna looked up at him. “They might be the evidence we need to arrest him. He might have been the killer after all.”

It was dark by the time Kane made his way back down the mountain with Rowley and Wolfe. He’d insisted Webber go to the hospital after noticing the bruising on his neck. After Emily had insisted she was fine and didn’t need to have her dad along, Wolfe had reluctantly remained behind. Although a small group of people had gathered to watch the firefighters in action, they’d soon dispersed once the paramedics had taken everyone down the mountain. He’d asked the bystanders if any of them had handed Jenna the flash drives but no one had come forward.

“Why is this guy so important?” Rowley glanced at him.

Kane pulled the flash drives from his pocket. “He’s a witness. When Lyons ran onto the bridge after Emily, he dropped these drives. Lyons is insisting someone was up there threatening him and they got into a fight. I was on scene seconds later and I didn’t see anyone.”

“Did Jenna recognize him?” Wolfe fell into step beside Kane.

“Nope.” Kane pocketed the flash drives again. “She didn’t see where he went because she was watching what was happening on the bridge.”

“Emily would’ve seen the fight, but after sustaining a head injury, there’s no way I’m going to allow questioning until I’m sure she’s okay.” Wolfe raised one eyebrow. “Are we clear on that, Kane?”

“Sure.” Kane shrugged. “I guess the doctors won’t allow us near Lyons either. I’d sure like to know if he accidentally dropped the flash drives or if it was an attempt to dispose of them in the ravine.”

“If they’re the missing ones from the safe at the frat house.” Wolfe frowned. “How did they get into Lyons’ possession? Unless he took them.”

Kane looked at Rowley. “Did you watch everyone coming down the trail?”

“Yeah, and I’ve taken photos of everyone.” Rowley slid his phone out of his pocket and opened the file. “Recognize any of them?”

Kane stopped walking and scanned each image. “Nope. Jenna said the guy she spoke to was tall and muscular with a buzz cut. He had a blue cap hanging out the back pocket of his jeans and wore a black T-shirt.” He paused at the images of Jones and Stein. “Where did our suspects go?”

“They went to their vehicles and drove away.” Rowley took back his phone. “They came off the trail about five minutes apart. They never returned. I figure they went back to their dorms.”

Kane rubbed his chin. “I’m heading home to get out of these wet clothes. I’ll feed Duke and settle the horses and then take some clothes to the hospital for Jenna.” He looked at Rowley as they walked into the parki

ng lot. “There’s nothing more we can do today. I’ll leave you to lock up. We’ll talk to Lyons in the morning. I figure he’ll be kept in hospital overnight.”

“Roger that.” Rowley smiled at him. “Can you give me a ride to the office?”

Kane nodded. “Yeah.” He turned to Wolfe and frowned. His friend’s expression had turned to granite. “What’s up?”

“What’s up, he says as if he didn’t risk Emily’s and Jenna’s lives up there. It’s just another day’s work for you, isn’t it, Kane?” Wolfe’s eyes bored into him. “Just so we’re on the same page, this is the last time you’re involving any of my daughters in one of your crazy schemes. Emily could’ve died today. It ends here, Kane, or I’m walking. Have I made myself clear?”