Don't Tell A Soul (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Next to the back door.” She followed him down the hallway.

“It’s not a fuse.” Kane’s full lips curled into a smile. “You’ve activated the cutoff switch. You must have a faulty appliance. It’s okay now, so it’s nothing you have plugged in at the moment.” Kane strode into the kitchen. “I’ll get your stuff from the car.”

“I’ll help.” Jenna followed him to the front door. “I bet it’s the toaster. A slice of bread got jammed in it yesterday and wouldn’t come out. I had to pry it loose with a knife and I might have bent something down the hole.”

“Down the hole?” Kane chuckled with obvious glee. “I guess you had the sense to unplug it first?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t use it again before I left.” Jenna stared at him then a thought crossed her mind. “It could be the heater in my bedroom too. It’s been acting up a bit lately.”

“I’ll take a look if you want me to.” He raised one dark eyebrow then headed to his car. “From the setup here, I expected you to be an electronics genius.”

Jenna followed him as he piled the rest of her gear into her arms. “I am, but when toasters and heaters break down, I usually just throw them in the trash and buy new ones.”

“That would be the best option.” Kane hoisted the microwave into his strong arms and closed the car door using his hip.

She moved up the steps before him, liking the way he followed behind her, guarding her back like a human shield. He was certainly different from anyone she had worked with in the past. Sure, he had a mask of professionalism and treated her with respect, but she sensed vulnerability when he let down his guard. She had witnessed his despair after discovering Sarah Woodward’s body; his reaction had been different to the way he handled the body in the barrel. Kane had suffered loss, and she expected it had been recently.

Although he had neglected to mention the circumstances resulting in his head injury, she understood the incident occurred in the line of duty, but she had the strangest feeling he had lost someone close to him that day. She dumped the box of dinnerware on the kitchen table and glanced at him. Strong and dependable, he had protected her with his body in the woods. Maybe he had lost his partner the day some ass clown had shot him in the head. A man like Kane would believe he had failed to safeguard his partner’s back. If that had happened, it might account for his overprotectiveness of her. I guess he’ll tell me in his own time.

“You okay?” Kane’s concerned expression moved over her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She checked the contents of the refrigerator.

“It’s freezing in here. You don’t need a fridge with the heat off.” He set the microwave in place and plugged in the cord. The machine beeped and he took the time to set the clock before turning back to her. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” Jenna took a pair of gloves from her pocket and pulled them on. “Are you looking forward to interviewing Rockford and his friends?”

“Oh, yeah, and I’ll be following up with John Davis as well. He might be trying to cover up something.” Kane scratched his cheek. “I’ll be interested to see if any of our suspects are on the list of locals who own blue pickups. I want to know the whereabouts of our suspects and what cars they drive. Especially Stan Clough.” He gave her a wry smile. “We’re going to be busy, and if we find any proof to connect the murders with the attempts on your life, you know you’ll need to step back and give me the lead? We don’t want lawyers yelling ‘conflict of interest’ and ruining our case.”

Jenna followed him down the steps and climbed into his SUV. “I told you before I am happy for you to take charge of the incidents involving me, and if the two cases are linked, I have no choice but to stand aside.”

“I’m not trying to take over but anyone can see Sarah’s murder was a warning directed at you.” Kane’s blue gaze searched her face.

She stared at him dumbfounded. After seeing him work in the field, his amazing reaction time and ability to keep all the facts of the cases in his mind, he was the best man for the job.

“Okay, but I’m not staying locked in my office like a frightened mouse. I’ll work behind the scenes and direct my deputies to make enquiries. They can follow leads if you’re busy.” She nodded. “Yeah, I could do with some spare time. I still need to chase up the insurance claim for my replacement cruiser. As it’s essential, you’d think the company would push it through for me.”

“Not when it’s part of an ongoing investigation.” Kane gave her a thin smile, slid into the driver’s seat, pulled on his gloves, then started the engine. “They like someone to blame and another insurance company to cover half or all the costs. I imagine the claim will take some weeks. Did you give Rowley the hit-and-run case?”

“Not yet.” Jenna stared out the window. “With everything else that’s happened, my priorities are elsewhere. I just want my car replaced.”

“It’s not like waving a magic wand. It’s a large payout.” Kane’s chuckle rumbled in his chest as he turned the car down the driveway. “Haven’t you ever filed an accident report for an insurance claim?”

Jenna laughed. “Oh yeah, but not for me personally, and nothing complicated like my incident. Mostly rear-enders and theft. You’re correct about the insurance investigator, and as you’re the only witness in my case, I guess they’ll be contacting you sometime this week.”

“The day just gets better.” Kane pulled a face and headed the SUV toward town. “So much for a quiet life.”

* * *

When they arrived in town, Jenna stared at the locked door and dark interior of the Black Rock Falls County Sheriff’s Department office and flicked a glance at Kane. “What’s going on?” She pulled the keys from her pocket and unlocked the main door. “We have people in custody. Where the hell are Walters and Daniels?” She pushed open the door and flicked on the overhead lights.

“I’ll go and check if there’s anyone in the cells.” Kane grunted his disapproval then moved ahead of her, checked inside her office, then continued down the hall.

The door opened behind her and she turned to see Magnolia’s bright smile. “Good morning. Where is everyone?”

“Mornin’ to you, too. You are the first in this morning.” Maggie removed her coat and hung it on a peg by the front door. “No call-outs overnight but Jake is trying to contact you.” She raised both eyebrows as if waiting for an explanation.

Jenna removed her gloves and unzipped her jacket. She refused to gratify Maggie’s unspoken question with an excuse. Exhausted, she had turned off her cellphone last night, and Rowley could not have reached her on the landline. She guessed he had not tried calling Kane to see if she had stayed the night at his place. No doubt I will get the same accusing look from him today. “Did he leave a message?”