“I will. Thanks. Are you usually so thoughtful?”
“Ha, most people I’ve worked with think I’m an arrogant pain in the butt.” He led the way to the door. “Sometimes the image has its advantages.”
“It’s all in the image, they say.” She headed purposefully toward his SUV and pulled open the passenger door, then her blue gaze settled on his face. “It’s taken me years to gain respect in Black Rock Falls.” She climbed inside and once he had slipped into the driver’s seat smiled at him. “It must be working. Not many people argue with me.”
Kane drove to her front door and, leaving the engine idling, got out with the intention of opening her door, but she had jumped out and joined him before his feet hit the ground. He followed her to the stoop. “I’ll check inside just to be safe.”
“Thanks, but if anyone broke in, they would have tripped the alarm and it goes straight to my cellphone.” Her lips curled into a smile then she climbed the steps and used her key to open the deadbolt.
Kane noticed the unlit security panel in the hallway at once and dragged her back before she had taken a step inside. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Get back to the car. Don’t make a sound.” He followed her and reversed down the driveway and into his garage. “The generator we used is your backup power for the alarm system, right?”
“Yeah but the front door wasn’t forced.” Alton’s dark gaze flashed to him. “Maybe I forgot to set the alarm. I was in a rush when I collected the supplies.”
“No, the power to the house is off.” Kane stared at Jenna’s house. “When I came to your place the first time, the front light near blinded me. Now the floodlights lining the driveway are the only ones working. Can we get into the house round back?”
“Yeah, I have a key to the kitchen door.” She gave him a long look. “I haven’t opened it for some time. No need.” She sighed and raised a dark brow. “What makes you think the murderer would risk coming here when you live close by? It doesn’t make sense. I’m sure it’s just a fuse.”
Kane waved a hand toward the driveway. “If there’s nothing to worry about, why all the security? Why bug my house? You did this way before anyone showed up slaughtered. If someone else has threatened you, maybe you should give me a name. No one else in this town will be able to help you like I can. You know this by instinct, same as I know I can trust you. We are the same.”
“So I gathered, but if the person who threatened me discovers my whereabouts, then God himself couldn’t save me.” Alton met his gaze and lifted her chin in defiance. “At first, I thought you’d been sent to kill me. After three years, I’d become complacent, and seeing you, in this black SUV, looking like a professional hitman, kind of tweaked my nerves. That’s why I pointed the gun at you after the accident.”
“Ah-huh.” Kane smiled at her to break the tension. “I thought you acted a little unfriendly and I was trying real hard to be a knight in shining armor. You sure you don’t want to give me this guy’s name? I’m not God but I’m the closest ally you have right now.”
“If I gave you a name you’d be implicated. Just drop it. Please.” She chewed on her bottom lip, making it blood red. “I’ve told you more than I should have already.” She indicated toward the house. “I hope it’s not booby-trapped.”
Kane opened his door. “If the place is rigged, we have zero chance of discovering a trip device or spotting anything unusual in the dark.” He dropped his feet to the ground and turned to her. “I’ll do a recon of the perimeter to make sure no one is lurking around, and we can check the house at first light. Get my rifle and watch my back. If anyone is here, they’ll be on this side of the house and using the shadows around the outbuildings for cover.”
“You might as well draw a target on your back.” Alton slid from the vehicle in one smooth movement and flipped open the back door. “I won’t allow you to put your life at risk. I’ll call for backup.”
“I’m not planning on strolling out under the floodlights. Trust me, I’ve done this a thousand times and under fire, but you’re in charge.”
“Okay, I guess combat experience comes in handy in situations like this.”
“It sure does. Come with me and watch your step.” Kane took her arm and led her to the door at the back of the garage. “If someone is out there, they’ll assume by now we’ve gone back inside my house.” He opened the door a crack. “From here you can see the outbuildings. I’m going to be moving outside the floodlit area. If I flush anyone out, you’ll have them covered with the rifle.” He turned to face her. “I’ll call out if I see anyone hanging around. Stay here in the shadows. If anyone comes out of the dark, press your earring and use the rifle. I’ll be back in five minutes.”
Not waiting for her reply, he pulled his black woolen cap down low on his forehead and pulled up the collar of his jacket to cover his light shirt. He eased his way along the side of the garage and moved in the shadow of the barn to the rear of the other buildings. Moving in stealth mode, he covered the distance without seeing anything unusual. When he rounded the last building and had the back of the house in view, a rabbit dashed across his path making as much noise as a steer before vanishing in the undergrowth. He waited, heart pounding, for any sound of movement but it seemed the place was deserted. From the far north corner, floodlights lit the other side of the house clear to the fence line.
Turning back, he retraced his route rechecking the shadows. When he arrived at the garage, he paused just outside the entrance. “All clear.”
“Thank goodness.” Alton moved to his side, the rifle looking huge in her small hand. “Can you drive me into town? I’ll take a room at the motel.”
“It’s late and we’re both exhausted. Stay with me tonight.” Kane took the rifle and replaced it inside his car then closed the door. “I’ll cook while you take a shower and make up the spare room for you.”
“Okay, but I have to borrow something to sleep in. I can chuck my clothes in the washing machine and dry them for the morning.” She gave him a tired smile. “Thanks, you’re becoming my rock.”
He waited for her to come to his side then locked the vehicle. “I hope so.” He followed her to his front door. “Someone has to keep you safe.”
Forty-One
Later that evening, Jenna curled up on the bed in Kane’s spare room an
d allowed the day to settle in her mind. Satisfied and dreamy from the meal Kane had prepared, her thoughts went to him. She smiled, hearing his light snoring rumbling up the hallway. He had acted cold and dominating at first but she had seen another gentler side to him she really liked. She snuggled under the blankets and closed her eyes. As she drifted into sleep, a thought crossed her mind. Who are you really, David Kane?
The following morning after an early-morning workout and breakfast with Kane. Jenna followed Kane to the back of her house. The snow had not been disturbed and watching the way he meticulously checked every possible area for trip wires or sensor pads reinforced her opinion of her deputy sheriff. He moved like a marine and acted like special ops or secret service. She had noticed the tiny scars on his face, much the same as she had after extensive plastic surgery, and he had certainly suffered a head injury. When he came from the shower with his hair damp, the long scar on his scalp was evident. How he had survived a gunshot to the head without any side effects told her he was one tough cookie.
After spending an hour searching the property for any explosive devices, she watched, redundant, as Kane reconnected the generator backup unit to the house and barn. She shivered and stamped her frozen feet. “What now?”
“I’ll check the connector box inside.” Kane placed one large hand on her back and ushered her inside the house. “Where is it?”