Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton)

He made the call to the Cattleman’s Hotel and the woman at the counter rang through to the bar and restaurant but no one had seen Jenna there either. Alarm bells went off in his head. This behavior was so out of character. “Something is wrong, Duke, we have to find her.”

The air was still and the moon had finally managed to force its way through the snow clouds. The world had changed into shades of blue and gray, deep shadows filled the alleyways. Kane looked up and down the street. It was quiet with only one other person driving along Main but a few vehicles lined up at the curb outside Aunt Betty’s Café. He found a space and parked.

“Come on, Duke. It’s just as well Montana law allows police dogs into restaurants. I wouldn’t want to risk leaving you in my truck in these temperatures.” He let the dog jump down and they climbed over the mound of snow and hurried into Aunt Betty’s.

He found Rowley and Sandy sitting at the table reserved for the sheriff’s department and sat down. Although the cramping in his stomach from worrying about Jenna had diminished his appetite, his disciplined training pushed him to eat. He had no idea how long it would take him to find Jenna and it might be some time before he had the chance to eat again. In subzero temperatures, eating meant the difference between survival and death. He ordered at the counter—coffee and a bowl of chili—and asked them to fill

his Thermos before adding a stack of sandwiches to go.

“You’re planning on staying out as long as it takes to find her, aren’t you?” Rowley peered at him over the rim of his cup.

Kane attacked the chili the moment it arrived and nodded. “Yeah, something is wrong if Jenna is not responding to calls. Wolfe is tracking her phone. It’s the only option I have. If she’s safe and needs some alone time that’s fine but I need to know.”

“She would’ve called me.” Sandy’s eyes searched his face. “We talk a lot lately and she mentioned someone called Jo. The FBI agent I think, so she might have called her too.” She sighed. “We’re close friends. I’m worried. She knows I work nearby and she’d only have to walk inside my office if she needed a ride. Jenna is way too sensible to just run off without telling anyone especially after what happened to her the last time.”

A vivid memory of Jenna’s kidnapping flashed across Kane’s mind. Her ordeal so terrifying, it had caused PTSD. “No, she wouldn’t just take off.”

His phone chimed a message and he swore under his breath the moment he read it.

If my foal is ill, call the vet. I’m busy.

Kane held out the phone to Rowley. “Someone has Jenna and is using her phone.”

Before Rowley could reply, Kane heard the soft voice of Kim Strickland behind him. He turned to glower at her.

“Hello, Dave, can I join you all? I’m here all on my lonesome.” Kim ran a hand down his back.

Kane shook his head. “No! I’m sorry, Miss Strickland but I’m on duty. Please leave me alone.”

His phone chimed again. It was Wolfe. “I have to take this.” He turned his back on Kim and took the call. “Do you have anything for me, Shane?”

“Sure do, Jenna is in Aunt Betty’s Café.”

Twenty-Nine

The hairs on the back of Kane’s neck stood to attention. He gripped his phone. “She’s not but I am. I’ll call you back.” He disconnected and dialed Jenna’s number.

Behind him Jenna’s ringtone filled the café. Kane leapt to his feet and in three strides had grasped Kim’s arms behind her back, cuffed her, and pushed her over a table. As she screamed abuse at him, he emptied her pockets and found Jenna’s phone. He dragged Kim to her feet, spun her around, and eyeballed her. “Where’s the sheriff? What have you done with her?”

“Didn’t you want her out of your life?” Kim’s astonished expression said volumes. “She treated you like garbage. I threw out the trash.”

Kane’s mind slowed dropping into combat mode. He could see everything clearly and what moves to make. The fob on her car keys was brand new. He stared through the café window and spotted a late model SUV. “That your vehicle out there, the blue one?”

“Yes.” Kim’s eyes filled with tears. “I did it for you, Dave—for us.”

“There is no us. There never was and never will be.” Kane curled his lip in disgust. He’d had enough, and her obsession was going to stop right here and right now. “I’m not interested in you, Miss Strickland. You were in trouble and I helped is all. I did my job and I’d do the same for a dog.”

Seeing the fear in her eyes, he took a step back. Twice now, he’d allowed her to see a side of him he usually kept under wraps. The agent sent to take out targets was a man devoid of emotion, a killing machine. He could have killed the men attacking Kim but he’d made the choice to disable. In the past he hadn’t had that option. Now that Jenna was in danger, he’d allow the machine to take control until he found her.

People in the café were staring open-mouthed at him. The place had become silent, and nobody as much as flinched. Dragging up every last ounce of professionalism he lowered his voice. “Tell me where she is or I’ll throw you in jail tonight.”

“No! She can die for all I care.” Kim’s eyes flashed. “You’ll want me when she’s gone.”

Kane slammed his fist into the table, sending the salt and pepper crashing to the floor. “Who else is involved? Tell me!”

When Kim shook her head, Kane moved up so close to her, he could smell the cigarettes on her breath. His nose wrinkled at the smell. “Provoking me is a real bad move. Tell me where you have the sheriff. Who else is in this with you?”

Ice-cold control slipped over him and he stood a breath away from her. The move was made to intimidate not harm. No matter what the provocation, he’d never resort to hitting a woman—not ever. Beside him, Duke growled deep and menacingly. His floppy skin pulled back to show sharp teeth and his hackles stood up. Gentle old Duke was ready to attack. In his peripheral he could see Rowley rushing forward and he took a step back, his mouth dry. He glanced down at Duke and hardly recognized him by his aggressive stance. “Down Duke, it’s okay.” He patted the dog on the head. He knows Kim has hurt Jenna.