“Oh, the road between here and Blackwater is open and my place is on the edge of town, so we’ll be fine.” Kim removed her gloves to fumble inside the medical kit and then straightened. “What did you want me to see?” She pushed something into her pocket and stepped to one side.
Jenna thrust the photograph into her hand. She couldn’t believe her luck. Kim held the image up to the light leaving latent prints.
“I can’t see, it’s too dark in here.” Kim stared at the image and shook her head. “Could you reach in the passenger door and turn on the headlights for me?”
“Sure.” Jenna had what she wanted and would play along.
As she bent inside the door, something sharp jabbed her in the thigh. She fumbled for the headlights but Kim pushed her hard in the back and she fell across the seat banging her head on the steering wheel. “Ouch! What are you doing?”
“We are going for a little ride, Sheriff.” Kim leaned her weight on Jenna’s back, holding her down with remarkable strength. “You’re in my way.”
Another sharp sting in her thigh and her limbs became like Jell-O. Confused, Jenna wriggled to get free in the constricted area but her strength had deserted her. Mouth suddenly dry, Jenna turned her head and stared into Kim’s wild eyes. The effects of a powerful drug had her in its grip and she fought hard to keep her eyes open but the empty floating feeling was dragging her down. She pawed at her weapon only to have it dragged from its holster. Her fingers refused to move and not one sound came from her cry for help.
“You think you’re all that, ordering Dave around, but you fell into my trap. I knew you’d come alone. The rat was too much for you to resist, wasn’t it? You just had to confront me. I knew you were jealous but you can’t have him. He’s mine.” Kim dragged her into a sitting position and gripped her face looking into her eyes. “I’ll make sure you’ll never see him again.”
Panic gripped Jenna but the drug was taking control, dragging her into unconsciousness. I’m in the hands of a lunatic. Her head fell forward and her eyelids grew heavy as darkness surrounded her.
Twenty-Seven
Preacher waited almost an hour before he headed back to his truck, pulling his sled behind him. He took in the scenery, enjoying the way the cold bit into his cheeks. The ice falling from the tall pines stung his face but he enjoyed it. He’d been suitably impressed by his genius and smiled all the way down the mountain roads. He’d planned to drop by the Triple Z Bar to celebrate when fate took a hand once more. As he headed down the highway a woman came into view and he did a double take thinking for a moment he’d imagined her but there she was, as plain as day. She stood on the side of the road, thumb out and waiting for him to give her a ride. He pulled up beside Delores and she opened the door and looked at him. Snowflakes dusted her raven hair and made her more desirable. His heart missed a beat as he scanned her eager face and his attention came to rest on the tattoo of a black tear at the corner of one eye. He heaved in a deep breath, almost overcome with emotion. She was so perfect, he had to school his features to appear less eager. “You look, cold, tired, and hungry. Where are you heading?”
“I hear Black Rock Falls has places for the homeless, so I’m heading there.” She looked at him with a hopeful expression in her eyes.
Preacher smiled. “This is your lucky day.” He pulled his special Thermos from the console and waved it at her. “The shelters are full but my wife and I have two women around your age staying with us. We offer a room and three meals a day for help with the animals. I only have room for one more, if you’re interested?”
“Sure, beats freezing my ass to death out here. Count me in.” She climbed into the truck and took the Thermos with a smile. “Thanks. My name is Isabella.” She poured hot chocolate into the cup and sipped greedily.
He smiled at her, marveling how fate had delivered Delores to him once again. “They call me Preacher.”
Twenty-Eight
Kane had scanned the prints on the parcel and sent the rat’s remains over to Wolfe. He’d updated the files and strolled into Jenna’s office. Surprised to see the chair empty, he headed back to his desk. He’d given Rowley the task of sending the crime scene images of the girl in the chimney to all agencies. Although frozen, her features were distinctive. The snake tattoo curling around her neck and down around her breast, a distinguishing mark. He set about sending the description to the list of tattoo artists across the country. Someone must recognize the young woman.
It was after five when Duke whined and rested his head on Kane’s knee. “Oh, is that the time? Okay, come on, I’ll get you something to eat.”
He stood and walked to the kitchenette, filled Duke’s bowl, and went about making a fresh pot of coffee. He leaned against the counter and stared at the practically empty office. Rowley was chatting on his phone to his girlfriend, Sandy, explaining why he would be late. Kane smiled to himself. Rowley would propose to her at Christmas. It was good to see Jake so happy. With all the murders happening in Black Rock Falls, this small piece of normality was comforting.
“Where are you, Jenna?” Kane pushed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans to stop himself reaching for his phone. He’d looked at it so many times since she left, expecting her to call. He’d pushed away the temptation to call her several times but when she’d left, she’d given him his orders and made it clear she didn’t want him involved. Sure, she’d been angry but was probably down at Aunt Betty’s Café chatting with Susie to get her head straight.
“Has Jenna called in since she left?” Rowley spun his chair around to look at him. “It’s getting late and you’ll miss the snowplow, if she doesn’t get back soon.”
Kane pulled out his phone. “I hope she’s just cooling off; she wasn’t very happy when she left.” He shrugged. “I guess a message wouldn’t hurt.”
We’ll need to leave soon to follow the snowplow, what’s your ETA?
He waited some minutes before the message notification chimed on his phone.
Not sure.
Kane read the message and sighed. He tried again.
If you plan on working the case this evening, I’ll have to go home to feed the horses.
He waited again for what seemed like ten minutes.
Don’t whine to me about your chores, Deputy. Head off and feed your precious horses. I’ll find my own ride home.
Kane read the message and shook his head in disbelief. Jenna had never been darn right nasty. He called her and from the recorded message, he knew she’d refused to take his call. His first instinct was to go and find her but she’d see that as being overprotective. Maybe she just needed some alone time. Perplexed and torn between what he wanted to do and giving Jenna some space, he stared at Rowley. “Seems like Jenna has taken some personal time. We might as well shut up shop. She’s finding her own way home.” He showed Rowley the messages.
“Okay.” Rowley’s eyebrows rose and he cleared his throat. “You know her better than I do but she’s never nasty.” He turned off his computer and stood. “You sure she’s okay? There’s not a cry for help in those messages, is there?”