Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton)

He pulled out his wallet and offered her some bills, but she ignored him.

“I paid by card over the phone.” She headed toward the front desk. “Your treat next time, okay?”

Thirteen

Contented and tingling from his kills, he sat near the window of Aunt Betty’s Café and sipped his coffee. From here, he could watch the world go by and sense the mood of the town. Outside, the carnival atmosphere of the upcoming rodeo shrouded the truth, and people went about their everyday business ignorant of the knowledge he had snatched two young girls from under their noses. He smiled a secret smile, an all-knowing smile. Soon they will all learn about my work and every man i

n town will be under suspicion.

The six o’clock news had come and gone without a mention of the young boys’ discovery of one of his girls. He had wanted to see their horrified expressions on his TV screen, but never mind, the boys would carry the vision of his work in their minds forever.

It would be a constant reminder to avoid girls like her.

Images flashed through his head as if he hit the fast-forward button in his mind then paused for him to savor each unforgettable moment. He wet his lips and sighed, remembering the feel of warm flesh against his palm, such a contrast to the cold, white skin when he laid them on the rock. The welling of blood as he moved the knife. The way Felicity’s mouth moved as if pleading him to stop.

He would never stop.

The sheriff and Deputy Kane drove by in a black SUV. He could see by the way she smiled at Kane that being in law enforcement had not prevented her from using sex to get her own way. Although he preferred to kill girls, the world would fit back into place without Jenna Alton. A man would make a far better sheriff, and no matter what her occupation, no woman deserved his respect. Perhaps he would show her what happens to women like her.

He stared after the black SUV. Taking her would be difficult. He had no way to make her come to him. It will take some planning, but if I have time, she will be mine too.

Fourteen

After finishing their meal at the kitchen table, Jenna encouraged Kane to join her on the sofa in front of the TV. Leaning back, she considered the man beside her. In the months since he had arrived in Black Rock Falls, she had come to rely on his unfailing loyalty and support. She enjoyed his company and tried to keep their relationship between work and home separate, yet since Shane Wolfe had walked into the office, Kane had changed. He usually had a relaxed, laid-back nature around her off-duty, as if he really wanted them to be close friends, but now something had wound him up so tight that any second he might bust a spring.

She turned down the TV and glanced at him. “Head aching again? Do you need to keep a check on the plate in your head, have the occasional brain scan or whatever?”

“My head is aching and no the plate doesn’t shift around, it’s bolted in place.” His dark blue gaze settled on her face. “My mind was on the case. That girl was so young and seeing her like that is playing on my mind. The man who did this is one sick son of a bitch.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry, ma’am, it just makes me feel useless.”

“It’s fine and I happen to agree.” She reached for her coffee and eyed him over the rim of the mug. “This is where your expertise comes into play. I can see the killer is trying to make a point by the way he displayed the body but why the flowers? Wolfe mentioned it was as if the killer is apologizing. What do you think?”

“He wants to shock and is proud of what he has done but there is regret there as well. As if he is a child being naughty then bringing his mother flowers to say sorry.” His full lips thinned into a line. “This is not why you asked me to dinner. What’s on your mind?”

She had to admit, asking him to dinner had confused him but she wanted to make up for her hostility toward him at the fairgrounds. After all, he did spend every morning working with her to hone her defense skills and knew her weaknesses, but his anger at finding her in a potentially dangerous position surprised her. He should have known she would use her weapon if threatened. She allowed her gaze to linger on his handsome features and wet her lips, not that her feminine wiles ever worked on him. Although, she noticed the way he looked at her sometimes and knew he would protect her with his life. You are a strange man and I like the strong, silent, mysterious type. Ah well, I can dream, I guess.

“Jenna? If you have something to say to me, spit it out.” Kane leaned back in his chair and stretched his long, muscular legs. “I know when you’re worried about something. We’re friends and you can confide in me, even after you tore me a new one.”

“So, what is so important we need a secret meeting tomorrow?” She grinned. “Do I need to erect a cone of silence or something?”

“Have you taken a paranoia drug or something?” Kane gave her a long, considering stare and rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “It’s just a meeting so we can discuss how we can best use Wolfe’s talents.”

“God, you talk a crock of shit sometimes. Do you think I was born yesterday? You two are up to something.” She glared at him. “Spill the beans.”

“Nope. I’m not saying a word. It’s best if Wolfe is here to explain.” Kane reached for his beer. “Talking about suspicions, I’ve often wondered how you discovered this is my favorite brand of beer.”

Oh, you’re good. “I didn’t know. I used my superior intelligence.” She giggled at his eye-roll. “I got the most popular brand from your home state. Why ask me now? You’ve been living in my cottage for over six months. Before you ask, I also worked out the size of your uniform from the details on your driver’s license. It’s not too difficult when you know the height and weight of a man. It’s not as if I needed your bra size, is it?” She sipped her wine. “Stop avoiding the question. You know him, don’t you?”

“Not exactly.” Kane narrowed his eyes, making his forehead crinkle. “I spoke to him on the phone after you interviewed him for the position.” He sighed. “We have similar backgrounds, we both served in the marines, but anything else, he’ll have to tell you.”

Happy to have gained ground, she pushed a little more. “Do you have anything else you need to tell me about?”

“Not really, but as sure as hell, I think you are carrying a trunk-load of secrets. For a sheriff who carries two weapons at all times, you are the jumpiest person I know.” He turned in his seat and his eyes bore into her. “Why are you in Black Rock Falls? And don’t tell me it’s because you absolutely love being sheriff or appreciate the incredibly low salary because you could be earning a hell of a lot more working for the government.”

“Maybe I think working for the government is too dangerous.” She shrugged. “In any case, then I wouldn’t have you to watch my back, would I?”

“Trust me, you’ll be a whole lot safer with Wolfe and me watching your back.” Kane pushed to his feet. “We’ll sort this out in the morning if you don’t mind, ma’am. Thanks for dinner and don’t forget to set the house alarm.” He headed for the door without a backward glance.

She gaped after him, stymied for a few moments, then stood to follow him and bolted the front door. After entering the code to activate the alarm, her attention went to the window. The bright automatic floodlighting around her property illuminated Kane’s strong figure striding along the pathway to his cottage. Her mind went into freefall trying to digest his words. She had interviewed a few candidates for the deputy position, but after reading the other applications, Shane Wolfe shone out like a bright light.