Promises in the Dark (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Black Rock Falls was a great place to live. Everyone they met greeted them and the townsfolk were in high spirits as they made their way in a procession to the tavern. As sheriff it meant a lot to Jenna that the townsfolk accept

ed her and her deputies as normal people when they were off- duty. Once seated, they chatted while waiting for Wolfe and Emily to arrive. Jenna leaned back to absorb the atmosphere of the new establishment. Tables were surrounded by a large polished wood dancefloor and on a small stage, instruments were set out for the band. For now, music drifted through the speakers, hardly recognizable above the chatter inside. The crowded bar ran down one wall and was surrounded by people jostling to order. Her gaze scanned the walls. Framed rodeo posters and elk heads adorned the wood paneling. The place had incorporated the old west flavor of a saloon, with swinging doors leading to the restrooms. She’d planned to wait before ordering, so they could all enjoy their meal together but before the server arrived to take their order, her phone buzzed. It was Shane Wolfe. “Hi Shane, we’re already seated. How long are you behind us?”

“We can’t make it tonight. There was a fire out of Louan, three victims. I’m going to be working on them tonight.”

“Oh, that’s terrible, is there anything we can do to help?” Jenna stuck one finger in her ear to make out what he was saying. “We can stop by after we’ve eaten.”

“No, it’s fine, we have it covered. Have a good night. We’ll talk later.” He disconnected.

Bewildered by his coldness toward her, Jenna stared at the screen. She turned to Kane. “Wolfe and Em can’t make it. He’s working on victims of the fire out of Louan. He’s doing autopsies tonight.” She frowned. “He didn’t say too much.”

“He must be busy.” Kane shrugged and then indicated to the two people being led to their table. “Ah, Jenna. We have company.”

The smile on Jenna’s face froze at the business-like expressions of FBI Agents Wells and Carter. She waved them to the two empty seats. “What brings you to Black Rock Falls?”

“We have a case out of Louan.” Jo looked exhausted. “I’ll explain everything once we order. We haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“We also came begging for a bed for the night.” Carter dropped into a seat beside Jenna, bringing with him the distinct smell of smoke. “We left the chopper at the airport, I managed to get a hangar but we had to cab it into town. No rental cars and it seems all the rooms in town are booked for the summer.” He rolled his eyes. “Even the cabins up at the ski lodge are occupied. What’s happened to this sleepy town?”

Jenna chuckled. “We’ve become the trendy place to stay since the town was featured in a series of crime novels. I’m not sure why people want to risk being murdered but you must admit, if you enjoy all the thrills we offer here and wide-open spaces, this is the place to be. The mayor went all out to cash in on the tourist industry.” She glanced at Kane, who gave her a slight nod. “You’re welcome to stay with us again.”

“Thank you.” Carter tipped up his Stetson and grinned. “Maggie offered us a cell each if we lucked out. She said she’d clear it with you later.”

“Where’s Zorro?” Kane leaned on the table. “I thought you and that dog were inseparable.”

“We dropped him at Maggie’s. He doesn’t like crowds.” Carter frowned. “He wasn’t too happy and refused to eat his dinner. He’s stubborn.”

Concerned for Maggie’s safety, Jenna frowned. “He won’t bite her or her husband, will he?”

“Nah.” Carter waved a server over to take their order. “He’ll ignore them completely and just sit like a statue until I go get him.” He turned to Jenna. “If I die before he does, you’ll have to show him my body or he’ll starve to death.”

Seeing he was deadly serious, she nodded. “I’ll remember.”

The server came to the table and they ordered. Hungry for information on why the FBI was brought in for a housefire, she swiveled in her seat to look at Jo. “So, the case at Louan. Is it anything to do with the fire last night?”

“Yeah but let’s not talk about this now.” Jo straightened in her seat. “The imagery doesn’t sit well with eating.” Her lips quivered into a smile. “The local sheriff is handling the situation and should have some information for us by morning. We’ll discuss the details after dinner and away from this noise, okay?”

“Sure.” Jenna sipped from a glass of water. “It’s been so quiet around here of late, we’ve had time to redecorate the house, well, the house and cottage. My office will be getting an upgrade as well.” She couldn’t help noticing Jo’s usual bright personality was flat. She hoped her young daughter was doing okay. After a messy divorce, the kids were often traumatized. “How’s Jaime?”

“She is doing fine, well, better than fine.” Jo’s smile was genuine and reached her eyes. “I figure not listening to her folks arguing is a good thing and the puppy has made a difference.”

Jenna leaned closer to hear her over the noise. “What did you buy?”

“A Boston Terrier by the name of Beau.” Jo chuckled. “He is the sweetest thing and even Zorro likes him.”

The food arrived and the conversation died as everyone became involved in the meal. Carter and Jo seemed to be more interested in asking Rowley and Sandy about their wedding and recent purchase of a ranch than discussing work. Jenna finished her wine and turned to look at the dancefloor as the band struck up. Under her feet the floorboards vibrated with the stomp of cowboy boots and the next thing, Kane was pulling her onto the dancefloor.

“What’s going on with them?” Kane moved her around the floor. “They seem evasive.”

After some years of trying, Jenna wasn’t very good at the Texas two-step and trod all over Kane’s polished boots. “Oops, sorry. I don’t know but it must be a complicated case if they’ve been called in by Sheriff Tom Crenshaw.”

“Him and his boys couldn’t find a lost dog.” Kane frowned. “A sheriff who only deputizes his sons, isn’t using his brains. It’s an easy paycheck for no work. I mean why does a town like Louan need a sheriff and four deputies? We have you and two, it doesn’t make sense.”

Jenna sighed as the music went into a slower dance. “It’s the smallest county in Montana but the sapphire mine means they have cash to burn. Most of the townsfolk are Crenshaw’s relatives so he gets voted in at every election.”

“May I cut in?” Carter’s voice came from behind Jenna.

“Jenna?” Kane looked at her and raised one eyebrow.