Don't Look Back (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Jenna met his gaze. “Do you really think they’d elect a woman sheriff?”

“I don’t see why not.” He chuckled. “We’ll likely have the usual candidates for you to go against. They try every year, but the townsfolk have issues with all of them. You’d have a good chance. No one here has your track record. You’re an experienced detective from the big city and people want someone to keep them safe. Things are changing and the women in this town want a voice. You might just be that voice, Jenna Alton.”

Jenna ate and thought it over as Deputy Walkers finished a bowl of chili. She glanced at him over the edge of the bottomless cup of coffee. No sooner had she finished her cup than a pot of coffee arrived on the table with more fixings. She took a breath. “So, what are the main problems in town?”

“Before the sheriff died, he had a few calls, mostly from neighbors complaining that they heard screams and fights.” He gave her a long look. “I went out a few times and spoke to the people involved. Heck, I could see the women had suffered a beating but not one of them would say a word against their husbands.” He shrugged. “I took them to one side and told them if they pressed charges, their husbands would be fined or maybe go to jail for a time, but not one of them would cooperate.”

A shiver went down Jenna’s spine. She’d had firsthand knowledge of how it felt to be helpless and vulnerable. If a woman in the same situation had children, it would be worse. With nowhere to go and a husband hell-bent on revenge, no one would be willing to press charges. She shook her head. “I’m not surprised. The potential consequences of bashing your partner are weak in this state. I mean with the first offense set at twenty-four hours to one year in jail and a fine from as little as one hundred dollars to a maximum of one thousand for the first offense, that’s hardly a deterrent, is it?” She rubbed her temples. “Do any of the victims apply for a protective order?”

“No, not a one.” Walters smiled at her. “See you’d be perfect for the job of sheriff. You know the law and would be a voice for the women in town. A beaten woman often refuses to confide in a male officer.”

Jenna lifted her chin. “Men or women can both suffer abuse. For me it would make no difference, same as color or religion. I’m not biased. I see everyone as a person with the same rights.” She leaned back in her chair and looked at him. “But I’m a stickler for the law. No one would slide under the radar and I sure as hell would never be bribed.”

“Sounds to me like we’ve found our sheriff.” Walters chuckled. “Is there anything I can do to help you settle in?”

Jenna shook her head. “Nope, I’m good for now. I’ll go pick up the keys to my house and then come back into town to get a few things from the store.” She stood and dropped some bills on the table. “I’ll see you in the morning and you can bring me up to speed. Thanks for your help. It’s been nice meeting you, Deputy.” She headed for the door.

Twelve

Jenna gave Susie a wave as she left Aunt Betty’s Café and stopped for a second to take in her surroundings. It was a very interesting town, with plenty of stores, a bank, a general store, a surf-and-turf diner. She’d driven past the local newspaper office and had made out signs for hardware, produce, and a beauty parlor. The townhall was an impressive building and she noticed a sign pointing to a library. It would take her a while, but she’d explore and find out what else the town had to offer.

As she headed back to the real estate office, she passed a faded sign advertising a rodeo and another one peeling at the edges reminding people of the Halloween Festival. But her eyes moved to the notice about the upcoming council elections. She had time to get her name down but she’d have to move fast. Pausing at the display of houses for sale in the real estate’s window, her attention riveted on an interesting property. The huge ranch house was her dream home and the property was manageable at one hundred acres. It had a large barn, stables, a corral, and a separate cottage. Fully fenced and surrounded by open lowlands and woods, it looked like an ideal hideaway. She smiled at the price. It wouldn’t make a dent in her bank account.

Taking a mental note of the property name, she pushed open the door and into a wall of cigar smoke. She pressed one hand to her nose and met the gaze of an older man, sitting in front of a computer screen behind the desk. “Mr. Davis?”

“That would be me.” Davis peered at her over his glasses. “I’m assuming you’re Jenna Alton? I have your keys right here.” He pulled open a drawer and dropped a bunch of keys on the desk. “There’s some paperwork to sign. You’re paid up for three months. How long are you planning on staying in town?”

Jenna stared at the cigar smoking in an ashtray on the desk. “Forever, I hope. The rental will be short term. I’m interested in purchasing a property. Could we speak outside? I’m afraid the smell of your cigar makes me sick.”

“Oh, yeah… fine.” He extinguished the cigar and stood. “Is there something in the window that’s caught your eye?”

Pulling open the door and gulping fresh air, Jenna nodded. “Yeah, the O’Reilly Ranch. What can you tell me about it? What condition is it in?”

“The cottage was the first building on the property and built over one hundred years ago, followed by the ranch house.” Davis leaned against the side of the red brick building, his expression animated. “It was fully renovated two years ago and hasn’t been lived in since. There’s power, water, and a generator.”

A sudden wave of concern hit Jenna. “Why wasn’t it lived in and why hasn’t it been sold before now? Is there a problem?”

“Not concerning that property, no, but the surrounding land borders part of the Old Mitcham Ranch. It’s not next door. There’s a property between the O’Reilly Ranch and the snowplow guy. He’s lived there, right next door for ten years, no problem at all. The Old Mitcham Ranch is said to be cursed. Bad things seem to happen there. The kids go there on Halloween to s

care themselves. They say you can hear a hanged man swinging in the barn. The legend is that Mitcham took his own life after his wife was murdered and he haunts the barn.” He cleared his throat. “Stories like that put people off buying a property, which is reflected in the price, but the previous owners never had a problem. They raised two kids and then renovated the property to sell it. They moved to California to be close to their grandchildren.”

Frowning, Jenna considered the situation. The house intrigued her. “So, no one died there?”

“Not that I’m aware.” Davis opened his hands wide. “It’s a beautiful house, big enough to raise ten kids, all new appliances. Plenty of room to spread out and a cellar that goes the entire footprint of the house. The possibilities are endless.” He sighed. “The views spread to the mountains on one side and across the lowlands on the other. There’s good fishing at the river not five minutes’ drive away.”

It sounded too good to be true. Jenna stared at the picture of the house and it called to her. She turned to Davis. “Can you take me out and show me… now?” She lifted her chin. “If I like it, we’ll do a deal today. I’m a cash buyer. Whatever, I plan to buy a place here. I’ll be staying at the rental until I find a suitable house and the paperwork and payment go through.”

“I have a few places I can show you. I’ll grab the keys and lock up.” He hurried inside and was back in less than a minute.

They drove through town, Davis talking like a tour guide, pointing out the best stores for this and that and local attractions. Jenna kept a close eye on the direction they were heading. They drove straight through town, turned left onto a highway, and continued for about ten minutes before passing a group of buildings, another left turn, and then straight ahead. The scenery took Jenna’s breath away. To one side she made out the mountains in the distance, with pine trees marching up the slopes. To the other the lowland spread out, the long grass moving in the wind like an ocean. Flowers of every description spotted the landscape with color.

They stopped at a wide gate with a white arch above displaying a bull’s skull, and Davis climbed out and opened the padlock. The gate opened with a whine and he strode back to the truck, and they followed the driveway through a wooded area and out to about half an acre of open space. The house was magnificent, a typical old ranch house with a porch. Jenna climbed out and turned in a full circle taking it all in. She inhaled the sweet air and looked at Davis. “Let’s see inside.”

The ranch house was just as he’d said, freshly painted, the wooden floors glossy, and the kitchen huge. Jenna walked around absorbing the atmosphere. She had a second sense when it came to danger, but this house made her feel welcome. After exploring the rooms, and liking what she’d seen, she headed outside, scanning the perimeter. “I see they’ve sectioned off the land. I assume they ran livestock?”

“Horses.” Davis puffed along behind her. “The stables are in top condition. The corral maybe needs some attention but not much.”

Impressed, Jenna turned around again and sighed. She couldn’t have ever imagined anything so perfect. Forget any curses, the mind-blowing beauty surrounded her in a warm welcome, to be sure, but the ever-present concern of someone finding her spoiled her delight. Walking back and forth, she mapped out a wide area around the house and buildings. It would be unlikely she’d ever use the land for livestock, and over the past two years, it had returned to its natural state. She could easily erect a high perimeter fence around the house, to prevent unwelcome visitors or perhaps a less noticeable boundary alarm and an electric gate. It would give her enough space for herself, and maybe she’d use the remainder of the land for pastureland but she liked the natural state. It added to the peace. A CCTV display and a good security system were all possible. She’d make it safe. “Okay, show me the cottage and barn.”