A vivid memory of Jenna’s kidnapping flashed across Kane’s mind. Her ordeal so terrifying, it had caused PTSD. “No, she wouldn’t just take off.”
His phone chimed a message and he swore under his breath the moment he read it.
If my foal is ill, call the vet. I’m busy.
Kane held out the phone to Rowley. “Someone has Jenna and is using her phone.”
Before Rowley could reply, Kane heard the soft voice of Kim Strickland behind him. He turned to glower at her.
“Hello, Dave, can I join you all? I’m here all on my lonesome.” Kim ran a hand down his back.
Kane shook his head. “No! I’m sorry, Miss Strickland but I’m on duty. Please leave me alone.”
His phone chimed again. It was Wolfe. “I have to take this.” He turned his back on Kim and took the call. “Do you have anything for me, Shane?”
“Sure do, Jenna is in Aunt Betty’s Café.”
Twenty-Nine
The hairs on the back of Kane’s neck stood to attention. He gripped his phone. “She’s not but I am. I’ll call you back.” He disconnected and dialed Jenna’s number.
Behind him Jenna’s ringtone filled the café. Kane leapt to his feet and in three strides had grasped Kim’s arms behind her back, cuffed her, and pushed her over a table. As she screamed abuse at him, he emptied her pockets and found Jenna’s phone. He dragged Kim to her feet, spun her around, and eyeballed her. “Where’s the sheriff? What have you done with her?”
“Didn’t you want her out of your life?” Kim’s astonished expression said volumes. “She treated you like garbage. I threw out the trash.”
Kane’s mind slowed dropping into combat mode. He could see everything clearly and what moves to make. The fob on her car keys was brand new. He stared through the café window and spotted a late model SUV. “That your vehicle out there, the blue one?”
“Yes.” Kim’s eyes filled with tears. “I did it for you, Dave—for us.”
“There is no us. There never was and never will be.” Kane curled his lip in disgust. He’d had enough, and her obsession was going to stop right here and right now. “I’m not interested in you, Miss Strickland. You were in trouble and I helped is all. I did my job and I’d do the same for a dog.”
Seeing the fear in her eyes, he took a step back. Twice now, he’d allowed her to see a side of him he usually kept under wraps. The agent sent to take out targets was a man devoid of emotion, a killing machine. He could have killed the men attacking Kim but he’d made the choice to disable. In the past he hadn’t had that option. Now that Jenna was in danger, he’d allow the machine to take control until he found her.
People in the café were staring open-mouthed at him. The place had become silent, and nobody as much as flinched. Dragging up every last ounce of professionalism he lowered his voice. “Tell me where she is or I’ll throw you in jail tonight.”
“No! She can die for all I care.” Kim’s eyes flashed. “You’ll want me when she’s gone.”
Kane slammed his fist into the table, sending the salt and pepper crashing to the floor. “Who else is involved? Tell me!”
When Kim shook her head, Kane moved up so close to her, he could smell the cigarettes on her breath. His nose wrinkled at the smell. “Provoking me is a real bad move. Tell me where you have the sheriff. Who else is in this with you?”
Ice-cold control slipped over him and he stood a breath away from her. The move was made to intimidate not harm. No matter what the provocation, he’d never resort to hitting a woman—not ever. Beside him, Duke growled deep and menacingly. His floppy skin pulled back to show sharp teeth and his hackles stood up. Gentle old Duke was ready to attack. In his peripheral he could see Rowley rushing forward and he took a step back, his mouth dry. He glanced down at Duke and hardly recognized him by his aggressive stance. “Down Duke, it’s okay.” He patted the dog on the head. He knows Kim has hurt Jenna.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and called Wolfe. “Jenna’s been kidnapped. I have the woman responsible but she’s not saying if anyone else is involved. The Sculptor might have her, Shane. I’ll need you to track the GPS in her vehicle. Jenna is out there somewhere and hasn’t activated her tracker. She’s in trouble.”
“I’m on my way.” Wolfe disconnected.
The next moment Rowley was at his side, his face pale. Kane turned to look at him. “Read her her rights and then book her for kidnapping. Throw her in a cell and see if you can get someone from county to pick her up tonight.”
“Without a warrant?” Rowley took hold of Kim’s arm. “Want me to call the DA?”
“No.” Kane snorted. “She confessed in front of the entire room. I don’t need an arrest warrant.”
“Yeah, I heard her confess.” Rowley turned to Kim and read her her rights.
“Go to hell.” Kim glared at Rowley.
“Tell us where you have the sheriff. If you cooperate the judge will go easy on you.” Rowley sounded sincere. “You’re digging a deep hole for yourself, ma’am.”
“No.” Kim shook her head. “I know the law and you can’t take me anywhere without a female officer. I’ll tell everyone you tried to rape me.”
“That’s not the law but if you’re planning on falsely accusing Deputy Rowley, I’ll arrange for a female deputy to go with you.” Kane turned to where Sandy stood watching, wide-eyed. “I need your help to transport this suspect to the cells. I’m deputizing you.”
“Okay.” Sandy pulled on her coat. “Don’t worry about her. Go find Jenna.”
Anxious to find Jenna, Kane looked at Rowley. “You have your orders. Get her out of my sight.”
“Do you want me to call in Deputy Walters to watch over her until county arrives?” Rowley looked at Kane. “I’ll come with you as backup.”
Kane shook his head. “No time and I need you here, Jake. I’ll ask Wolfe to come with me in case Jenna needs medical assistance.”
“Copy that.” Rowley took his coat from Sandy and shrugged into it. He handed her Kim’s possessions. “Let’s go.” He took hold of Kim’s arm and dragged the abusive woman outside to his truck with Sandy close behind.
Kane went back to the table to grab his coat. He dropped a wad of bills on the table, gave the waitress an apologetic stare, and scooping up Kim’s keys, headed outside to wait for Wolfe.
He didn’t have to wait long, Wolfe’s white truck slid into the space behind the Beast and Kane rushed to Kim’s SUV to open the hood. He paced up and down as Wolfe used his magic to trace Kim’s movements.
“Got it.” Wolfe closed his laptop and shut the hood. “She did a turnaround outside Blackwater. I have the coordinates.” He handed the laptop to Kane. “I’ll grab my bag.”
“I’ll warm up the Beast.” Kane hustled to his truck, secured Duke, and started the engine.
“Wait!” Susie, came to his door. “You forgot these.” She handed him his Thermos and sandwiches. “Go find Jenna.”