Of course, headlights came around the bend in the distance but as the trucks turned, he spotted a gap. “Hang on.”
He slammed his foot on the gas and the truck’s engine roared. He waited until the last second before pulling out. Flying past one truck, two, three as the lights on the other side of the road grew larger and horns blared, he kept his foot flat to the floor. As he passed the fourth truck, he hit the brakes and in a scream of tires the Beast drifted sideways into the gap. He hit the gas again and wheels spinning leapt forward almost rear-ending the vehicle in front of him. Horns blasted all around him as the eighteen-wheeler in the other lane sped by in a rush of wind. Kane eased out to look, and finding the way clear, pulled out again. The Beast’s hood seemed to lift as the tires gained traction and they shot past the remaining three vehicles.
Ahead, the glistening blacktop snaked out before him, a black line through snow-covered lowlands. The moonlight shone intermittent between the gathering clouds changing the snow packed scenery into every shade of gray. Traffic coming in the other direction blinded him with their headlights but he followed the road, watching the signposts flash by. “How much longer?”
“There should be a sweeping bend ahead. At the end look out for a wooded area and a road on the right. That was where Kim stopped for about ten minutes before returning home.” Wolfe turned to look at him. “I can’t see Kim overpowering Jenna. She’s a tall, strong woman but Jenna was armed and can handle herself.”
Kane slowed as they hit the sweeping bend and spotted the trees. He switched off lights and sirens before turning down the snow-covered road and following the deep grooves made by other vehicles. There was no need to advertise the fact they were there—just in case someone was standing guard over Jenna. “I’m not ruling out an accomplice. I wouldn’t put anything past that woman.”
“You may be right.” Wolfe was looking ahead. “I see a truck outside that cabin.”
Kane shook his head in dismay. “Kim told me she had a cabin but that one is posted as a hunting cabin. One of many in this designated hunting area no doubt.”
“So, we may be dealing with a hunter sheltering from the weather.” Wolfe raised one eyebrow. “Maybe we go in silent?”
Kane turned off the headlights as they rounded the bend and the small hunting cabin came into view. He turned off the engine and the truck coasted down the hill and came to rest not ten feet from a silver pickup. “Stay here.” He patted Duke on the head and slid from behind the wheel.
He edged around the other vehicle running one hand over the hood and turned to Wolfe. “It’s still warm. He must have just gotten here.”
Pressed against the rough log wall, Kane turkey-peeked through a window and it was as if he couldn’t breathe. Jenna lay on her back on a mattress on the floor, eyes closed and not moving. A man on his knees was bending over her and easing down her jeans. He heard Wolfe grunt behind him and they both ran at the door. He tried the handle. Locked. Without hesitation, he aimed a kick beside the handle and followed the shriek of splintering wood into the cabin. In two steps, his fingers closed around the man’s coat and he hurled him into the wall. He heard Wolfe crashing in behind him and the sound of fists hitting flesh but Kane’s focus was on one person—Jenna. He fell to his knees and pushed the raven hair from Jenna’s ashen face. He dragged off his gloves and searched her neck for a pulse with trembling fingers. His ice-cold fingers should have gotten a response from her. “Jenna, Jenna.”
No sign of life pulsed against his cold fingertips. Blind fury smashed into him. He stood and turned slowly to stare down at the unconscious man lying in a pile against the wall. He wanted to destroy him and started toward him fists clenched.
“Dave, forget him.” Wolfe headed toward Jenna. “Help me here.”
Kane stared after him, empty, drained of emotion. The machine had taken over again to deaden the pain. “It’s too late, she’s gone.”
Thirty
Kane paced up and down the cabin staring at the inert body of the crumpled man. He wanted him to regain consciousness so he could shake the truth out of him. He swallowed the waves of emotion crashing down over him. It was his fault Jenna had died. It was no different to when Annie died in the car bomb. Two innocents dragged into his world. If Kim hadn’t seen him fight those men or the terrorists hadn’t blown up his car, both women would be alive. He roared and punched at the cabin walls.
“Dave, get over here and help me. Now!” Wolfe had dropped to his knees and was feeling for Jenna’s pulse. He ripped open the front of her shirt. “She’s warm.” He pressed his ear to her chest. “Thank God! She’s alive but only just. Her heart is failing. What did they give you, Jenna?” He checked her eyes. “Opiate overdose. It’s not too late to reverse it. Get my bag.” He tapped Jenna’s face and gave her a shake. “Jenna, wake up. Come on, fight.”
Kane turned and stared at her in disbelief. “She’s alive? But I couldn’t find a pulse.” He fumbled in his pockets for the drug reversal nasal spray. “I have Naloxone.” He thrust it into Wolfe’s hand and heart racing with anticipation, waited as he administered the drug. “It’s too late, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so.” Wolfe administered a second dose. “Breathe, Jenna. That’s it.” His fingers pressed against her throat. “I can feel a pulse.”
Heart thumping in anticipation. Kane stared at him. He needed to do something to help. “I’ll get your bag.”
“Not yet, just wait.” Wolfe sat Jenna up and propped her against his knees. “Come on, Jenna, deep breaths.” He flicked a glance at him. “Talk to her. We must bring her back. The drug will kick in faster if she breathes.”
Kane stared at him, unsure what to say. He raised his voice. “Dammit, Jenna, suck in some air before it’s too late.”
As if in slow motion, Kane stood frozen in time, waiting a lifetime for her to respond but it was only a minute or so before Jenna took a deep breath and another minute or so before her eyes fluttered open. Relief flooded over him as time slipped back to normal. He stared at her pale face and squatted beside her. He took her ice-cold hand and rubbed it between his own. “Jenna, stay awake, keep looking at me.” When she moaned something inaudible, he leaned closer. “You okay?”
“I need water.” Jenna’s voice came out in a whisper and then she frowned. “What happened to your hands?”
Kane glanced down at his skinned knuckles and shrugged. “I had to get through the door.”
“Okay.” She was recovering fast and looked down at her torn shirt and then up at him searching his face. “Have I been…?”
“No, that was me, sorry.” Wolfe frowned and eased out from behind her. “We couldn’t find a pulse. Someone drugged you.”
“That bit I know.” She looked from one to the other. “I’m so cold. Where’s my coat?” She tried to get up.
“You just stay there and take deep breaths.” Wolfe was reaching for his phone. “I’ll call the paramedics. You’ll need to go to the hospital for observation.”
“No way.” Jenna held her head in her hands. “Take blood and do what you do, Shane, but no hospital. I have a string of murders to solve.” She looked up at him. “I’m fine and I’ll get back to solving the murders but right now, I want to get back into town and drag Kim Strickland to jail.”