Don't Look Back (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Oh yeah.” Rowley dropped into his chair. “It will be a privilege working beside you.”

Epilogue

Now

Relieved to have found the courage to tell Kane what had happened to her, Jenna had talked late into the morning. The story had continued through breakfast and during their chores. With Kane encouraging her to keep going, she’d divulged every last detail. She yawned as the lack of sleep caught up with her in a rush and dropped onto the sofa beside him. “The medical examiner commended me during the inquest and the fire chief was fired for incompetence.”

“What about Errol Dean?” Kane rubbed his chin. “His name hasn’t come up since I’ve been in town.”

Recalling the scene, Jenna swallowed hard. “He took his own life in a motel room the day the inquest findings came down. I still don’t know why Lou killed Carol, but the deaths of Errol’s wife and brother pushed him over the edge.”

“And the elections?” Kane met her gaze. “Did you have the townsfolk behind you?”

Jenna smiled. “I sure did.” She chuckled. “I was very emotional and my knees shook like crazy when I stood up in front of everyone to be sworn in officially.” She shrugged. “It was suddenly real. Part of me wanted to punch the air in triumph, but the other part was screaming at me that I wasn’t ready to protect so many people. My first requisition to the town council was for more deputies and some decent cruisers.” She laughed. “You have no idea how excited I was when your application for deputy sheriff arrived. I couldn’t believe my luck. Finding someone with your experience was a gift.” She grinned. “Then when you showed up wearing your combat face, I thought for sure the cartel had sent you to kill me.”

“I didn’t know what I’d walked into either. First you stuck a gun in my face and then I discovered my cottage was under CCTV surveillance.” Kane shook his head. “You weren’t what I expected, that was for darn sure.”

She looked up at Kane, his face unreadable. Her stomach gave a little twist. How did he feel about her now? She’d had to tell him the truth about her past. It was the right thing to do. “I wanted to tell you about my relationship with Michael Carlos—not that I had any feelings for him at all, apart from disgust. Marrying him was necessary to get inside the cartel.”

> “You didn’t have to tell me, but I’m sure glad you did, Jenna.” Kane pulled her close. “You went to hell and back. I wish I’d been there to take him down.”

Jenna shook her head. “The DEA tried everything to get inside the cartel and failed. Good men died, but they didn’t suspect me… well, maybe toward the end Michael was starting to get suspicious. Well, now you know everything about me—the good and the bad.”

“It sure explains why you’re so passionate about spousal abuse and the PTSD episodes. I’m surprised you could function at all after living that hell.” Kane stroked her cheek. “I can’t imagine what you went through to bring him down. You’re one determined woman, Jenna. I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

Jenna sighed. “Trust me, Michael made my skin crawl and being married to him, even if it was a sham marriage, disgusted me. I felt as if I’d lost another piece of my soul every time I was with him.”

“I can’t believe the DEA expected you to marry him.” Kane shook his head slowly. “He was a psychopath. We had him down for murdering over thirty people. You told me about giving evidence against Viktor Carlos, but your actual mission was need to know. At the time, I never knew your name.” He pulled her onto his lap. “It must have been a nightmare trapped with that animal for over two years. I doubt many people would have made it out alive. You’re special, Jenna, real special. I figure only you could have singlehandedly destroyed the cartel and saved all those kids alone. They should have given you a medal.”

Jenna snuggled against him. “We’ve both suffered to make the world a better place, Dave. It’s what we signed up for. It was part of the job.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t have to sleep with someone or be abused constantly.” Kane turned to look at her. “What he did to you is unforgivable. You should have bailed.”

“I couldn’t.” Jenna shook her head. “Too many lives were at stake, and when I found out about the kids, I had to bring him down or die trying.”

Concerned by the shudder that went through his body, she turned to look at him. “Does it make any difference, between us? Is it a problem that I was with Michael Carlos?”

“Is it a problem I was a government assassin?” Kane took both of her hands and looked into her eyes. “The truth now. Has it ever made a difference to how you look at me?”

Eyes misting, Jenna shook her head. “No, you’re the kindest, gentlest man I’ve ever met. You have a heart as big as an elephant. I don’t care what you did before you arrived in Black Rock Falls. I’m only interested in what I see right now.”

“Exactly. I know you, Jenna. My Jenna, not DEA Agent Avril Parker. Let’s agree to forget the past.” Kane’s expression softened. “We’ve been given a second chance. Whatever happens from now on, we’ll face it together.” He eased her from his lap, stood, and pulled her to her feet. “It’s lunchtime. Let’s eat and then go for a ride and enjoy the sunshine. Duke would love a run in the forest.” He scrubbed his bloodhound’s long floppy ears. “It promises to be a beautiful day and we have all afternoon to ourselves.”

Jenna snorted. “There you go again, tempting fate. I figure we won’t make it through to supper before someone calls nine one one.”

“Ah, well.” Kane squeezed her hand. “You can’t say life is ever boring around here.” He chuckled. “Although, I figure the town sign should read welcome to black rock falls—enter at your own risk.”

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