Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“I need some answers.” Kane huffed out a long sigh. “Are you really going to turn me out of the cottage in the middle of winter?”

A tightness clamped Jenna’s gut. She kept her gaze straight ahead. He’d found someone to take his dead wife Annie’s place in his heart and it wasn’t her. The thought splashed over her in a tsunami of emotions. “Well, I think it’s time you found a place of your own.”

“But Jenna, it’s my home.” Kane turned in his seat and stared at her. “Why now?”

“Why now?” Jenna stared at the fabric lining of the truck’s cab and shook her head. “It’s all over town, you have an admirer. Having you living in the cottage, working out together, and you eating breakfast with me isn’t appropriate any longer.”

“I meant to tell you about Kim.” Kane backed the truck out of the parking space. “I guess as she showed up

at the office it’s as good a time as any.”

She fought for words. “It’s really none of my business who you see on your downtime, Dave.”

“I’m not seeing her.” Kane almost choked on the words. “Jesus. She’s the last person I want to get involved with. It was funny at first but I figure she’s kinda stalking me.” He flashed her a concerned stare. “I should have mentioned it before but with the caseload, it slipped into the background.”

Jenna caught the tick in his cheek. It always happened when he was concerned or angry and right now, she’d pick angry. “Okay, so you don’t have to move out. How long has this been going on?”

“Since the incident with the men involved in the overdose and kidnap on the mountain.” Kane parked outside the soup kitchen and turned to look at her. “Kim called me later that night—like at three in the morning. She said she was all wound up and couldn’t sleep. She wanted to meet me in the bar for a nightcap. I refused and then all hell broke loose. I admit when she started crying, I caved. She’d been through an ordeal and I thought one drink wouldn’t hurt.” He rubbed his hands down his face. “Oh boy, was that a mistake. She’s been calling or leaving messages since then, maybe ten or more a day. She keeps showing up, like if I drop by Aunt Betty’s, she seems to appear from nowhere and we go through the same routine. She gets all familiar, grabs my arm, and leans against me like we’re going together.”

“You seemed a mite friendly toward her before, and I’ve seen you close down women who try to hit on you.” Jenna shrugged. “Why not use the same tactic on her?”

“That works at first contact.” Kane drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I usually ignore the question or change the subject. In this case, she assumes because I had a drink with her, I’m available.”

Seeing how not handling something so simple was eating him up inside, Jenna considered her reply. “Women aren’t so difficult, Dave. Just tell her plain and simple that you’re not interested. Trust me, in the long run, it’s the kindest thing to do.”

“When she came by today, I made it clear I’m not interested. It didn’t work.” He looked at her. “You heard her.”

Jenna snorted. “I heard you making an excuse for not seeing her. That never works, it feeds the flame of hope.” She looked at him and smiled. “I never thought in a million years I’d see you confused about anything, let alone a woman’s attention.”

“It’s not funny, Jenna. I think she might be dangerous.” Kane let out a long sigh. “She’s exhibiting obsessive behavior. It’s not just the attraction to her rescuer some people develop. This is different, she showed me a side of her today that’s worrying. Her eyes turned mean when you spoke to her.”

“Okay.” Jenna turned in her seat to look at him. “She’s a nurse, so has to work. How come she seems to turn up when you’re alone?”

“Not alone.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. “Just not with you, and if she’s watching me all damn day, it’s because she’s on vacation.”

“So she doesn’t like you being with the ‘Dragon Lady,’ huh?” Jenna took in his serious expression. “This is really worrying you, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Kane’s mouth turned down. “Especially now. I’ve upset you by not telling you.” He cupped her cheek.

Jenna glanced around. Glad no one was walking by, she leaned into his leather-clad palm and stared at him. “Why didn’t you trust me with this problem, Dave?”

“I’m so sorry. I’d never do anything to hurt you, Jenna.” Kane bent and brushed a featherlike kiss over her lips. “Are we good?” He pulled back and dropped his hand.

Overwhelmed by his sudden show of affection, Jenna swallowed hard. “Yes, but now I’m confused.”

“Trust me, not as much as I am right now.” Kane gave her a wry smile.

Jenna squeezed his arm. “You’re a complicated guy, Dave, but I’m starting to figure you out.”

“I hope so.” Kane blew out a relived breath. “One of us sure needs to.”

With effort, Jenna gathered herself and concentrated on the problem at hand. “Now, show me the messages.”

“Sure.” Kane handed her his phone. “Check them out. I was going to block her number but if anything happened, I’d need them for evidence.” He pressed his lips together. “It’s not me, I’m concerned about, Jenna—it’s you.”

Jenna scanned the messages and sucked in a breath. The messages started nice enough and then turned to blaming her for being the reason Kane refused to meet with her. “How much do you know about stalkers?”

“Enough to know she’s stalking me.” Kane pulled his thick woolen cap down tighter over his ears. “They’re people who exhibit obsessive behavior for example, following someone, sending unwanted gifts or messages, showing up at a person’s workplace or uninvited to their homes. Following them, watching them. All these are obsessive traits associated with stalking. I can profile a killer but this is different. Whatever I’m doing it’s making her worse and turning her aggression toward you.” He met her gaze. “I don’t know what she is capable of, Jenna.”