After Julie told her story and Rio chimed in with his version, Jenna leaned back in the chair stunned. She gathered her thoughts. “You couldn’t tell for sure if it was a man or a woman? Not any clue at all? Any scent for instance?”
“No.” Julie’s eyes looked so big in her pale face. “It was a shadow at best. It was hard to see. The only
glimpse I had was of someone in black, covered from head to foot. They could have been anything from five-seven to five-ten. They were kinda stooped over because they fell over my boots as they ran out the door.” She thought for a beat. “I could hear them breathing. It was real spooky.”
“How long until you arrived on scene?” Kane looked at Rio.
“A minute, I’d say.” Rio shrugged. “I heard a scream and ran out into the hallway. I didn’t see anyone and Julie’s door was open. She was screaming loud enough to wake the dead. The guests were out in the hallway looking at us when she followed me to my room.”
Blinking back weariness, Jenna stared at him. “Why did you go to your room and neglect to search the hallway?”
“I could see both ways when I came out my room. The hallway was empty.” Rio sighed. “I came back here to get dressed and grab some blankets is all. Julie came with me—she didn’t want to be left alone.”
“Whoever did this and murdered Kitty Pandora has a passkey. To move that fast, they didn’t leave by the elevator unless they wedged the door to keep it open.” Kane scrubbed his hands down his face. “Or they ducked into a room close by. Whatever, it couldn’t have been occupied or you’d have heard more screaming.”
Jenna nodded. “I don’t think anyone on the front counter is a suspect, so who else would know which rooms were empty?”
“No one would give out that information.” Rio sighed.
“Then it could’ve been anyone staying on this floor.” Julie shuddered. “When we came back out of Rio’s room, there were people standing at doors staring at us like we were freaks.”
Jenna stood. “Okay, we all need to get some sleep. Head back to your room, Zac. Emily, lock the door behind us and always keep it locked when you’re in here. We’ll talk some more in the morning.” She checked her watch. “Well… make that later today. Sleep late and order room service for breakfast. I’m going to bed.”
Jenna waited with Kane until they heard the lock click on the girls’ door and headed for their room. When Kane slid his card into the lock, they heard Duke growl. She flicked a glance at Kane and pulled her weapon. Flattening her back to the wall, she waited for Kane to push open the door. He went in low, darting to the left, Glock drawn, and she hit the light covering him with a sweep of her weapon. Duke let out a yelp of joy and did his doggy dance. Jenna followed Kane as they swept both bedrooms. The suite was empty.
“Someone has been here.” Kane held out a hand to stop her. “Someone’s been in our room.”
Thirty-One
The rattling of a breakfast cart woke Jenna. She could have slept all day if not for the urgency of the case. The door opened and Kane, fresh from the shower, hair damp like a wet seal, pushed the cart to the bedside. She sat up, pushed the hair from her eyes, and smiled at him. “Oh, how lovely. Breakfast in bed. You do the kindest things. I think I’ll keep you.”
“Maybe I couldn’t wait any longer for you to wake up.” Kane gave her a teasing smile. “My stomach is making so much noise it sent Duke under the bed. He thought a storm was coming.” He chuckled.
Jenna frowned. “Is Duke okay? He didn’t eat any of the cookies the intruder left behind, did he?”
“Nah, I’ve trained Duke not to take food from anyone he doesn’t know. It took some doing, but after talking to Ty Carter, he figured it might save Duke’s life someday.”
Jenna nodded. “It was just as well. They could’ve been poisoned.” She took the cup of coffee from him. “Thank you. I’m famished.” She sipped the coffee and leaned back as he settled a loaded tray of food on her lap. “I’ll never understand how you can function on four hours or less sleep.”
“It was part of my training.” He settled down in a chair beside the bed and rested a tray across his knees. “We went through a little more intense training than you did to make sure we’d endure torture and be able to function under all types of stress.”
Jenna peeked under the plate cover and sighed with delight. A stack of buttered pancakes floating in syrup and a pile of crispy bacon. It was Kane’s favorite, but she’d forget about the calories over winter and indulge herself. Lost for a few moments in the syrupy delight, she nibbled on a strip of bacon and noticed him staring at her. “What?”
“I like being with you but it scares the hell out of me.” He cleared his throat. “I have a confession to make before we head out and tackle this case. I went to DC to visit Annie’s grave before the first snow.” He looked down at his plate and ate slowly without looking at her. “I went to say goodbye. It was something I needed to do.” He lifted his gaze to her. “My life is here now—but that in itself is a problem.”
What’s up now? Overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, Jenna pushed her concern away and smiled at him. “I would have gone with you, if you’d asked me.”
“It was something I needed to do alone, and taking you there would have confirmed my identity if anyone had seen us. Your picture has been all over the media lately, and although I’ve had plastic surgery, we don’t know who may be watching and people will do anything for money.” Kane leaned back and looked at her. “I needed closure so I could move forward with my life, Jenna.”
“I’m glad you told me. That must have been very hard for you.” She leaned over and gave him a sticky kiss, almost toppling her tray. She sighed. “I know I can’t take Annie’s place in your heart—”
“Jenna.” Kane cupped her chin. “It’s not that—I’m just so darn worried about losing you too.” He dropped his hand, looking stricken. “We take down serial killers. Our life isn’t by any means normal. You’d have a better chance of survival fighting beside me in Syria than in Black Rock Falls.”
A rush of emotion hit Jenna and she bit her bottom lip. “Life is uncertain for everyone, and we all walk the tightrope of fate, Dave. Worrying about what might happen is so not you. What was your motto when Wolfe was your handler? Ah yes, ‘One day at a time,’ right?”
“Yeah, but that was different.” Kane shook his head. “I only had to worry about myself most times. At the time, I never thought about dying. Since Annie died, I can see the fragility of life. I put you in danger every day I’m here in Black Rock Falls.”
It was all too true, and concern flowed over Jenna. He’d risked everything to see his wife’s grave. He might have had plastic surgery, but his body shape was distinct and it was common knowledge Wolfe had been in the service. It would only take someone to put two and two together and they’d track Kane down. After all, his fingerprints hadn’t changed. She’d known he’d taken a day and headed off somewhere with Wolfe. She’d encouraged him to spend time with the guys, as most times he never left her side, but she had to admit he’d been very subdued for days afterward. Although curious, she’d not asked what was troubling him. She valued her space and private thoughts, and Kane would be the same.