“Yes, ma’am.” Kane’s gaze searched her face for a second before turning to Kim. “I told you, I was just doing my job.” He ushered her toward the front door.
“Dinner then or at least let me buy you a drink?” Kim pouted. “When you’re off-duty and not under the glare of Dragon Lady.”
“I have to go.” Kane stepped away. “Thanks for dropping by.”
“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer, Dave. I’ll call you, tonight.” She gave him a sweet smile, dropped the basket on a chair inside the door, and walked out into the snow.
The wave of jealousy at seeing Kane with another woman rushed over Jenna. She fought to keep it under control and went inside her office. She picked up the pen and added Wolfe’s findings to the whiteboard alongside the notes from the files Jo had sent her. She’d set the other cases up as parallels to what they had so far. She’d been surprised at the wealth of information Jo and Carter had supplied. If this killer was The Sculptor, they would have the chance to take down a notorious murderer. When she placed the pen back in its holder and turned around, Kane was watching her with a puzzled expression. She grabbed her coat and shrugged it on. “We’re going to visit the homeless shelters and show the photographs around, or did it slip your mind?”
“No, it didn’t and I’ve printed up a pile of images of the tattoos to circulate.” Kane crossed his arms. “Do we have a problem, Jenna?”
After waiting so long for him, the thought that he’d found someone else and not said a word had hurt her. Jenna couldn’t meet his eyes. “We won’t as long as you keep your personal life out of the office.” She swallowed hard. “Maybe it’s time for you to find your own place. I think we both need some space.”
“If that’s what you want.” Kane turned to go.
Jenna watched him leave without a word of protest and gave herself a mental shake. She had a killer to catch and her personal feelings would have to be put on hold. After slipping a new statement book inside a waterproof folder, Jenna wrapped a scarf around her face, put on her shades, and pulled on her hat. She collected her things and headed out to Kane’s truck, snagging the gift basket on the way. She’d drop it at the first homeless shelter. They’d appreciate the donation. Slipping and sliding through the snow, she waited for Kane to unlock the Beast and then climbed inside. Kane glanced at her as if gauging her mood and then started the engine but didn’t drive away. She looked at him. “What’s the hold up?”
“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.