Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(18)
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Rowley helped her to her feet. “I’ll give you a ride home. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll come back and help Sheriff Alton lock up.”
Jenna nodded. “Yes, thank you. Can you send in Kane and Wolfe before you leave?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley slid one muscular arm around Maggie’s shoulder and led her away.
A waft of aftershave preceded Kane and Wolfe’s entrance. Both men had attended the autopsy then showered and changed before returning to the office. She glanced at them. “Do you have anything we can use?”
“I have a copy of the recording I made at the scene and will have an initial report for you first thing in the morning. The M.E.’s official report will take longer—I insisted on a full blood screen and DNA samples.”
“Was she raped?”
“Yeah.” Wolfe’s forehead crinkled into a deep frown and he cleared his throat. “I’m afraid so. No evidence of semen. Right now, we have zip to find this guy.”
She tried in vain to push the dead girl’s face from her mind and tucked a lock of hair behind one ear. “Maggie identified our victim as Felicity Parker and is really upset, poor woman. I would like you to go and break the news to her parents. They should be home by five thirty.” She handed Kane the address. “I would come with you but I’ll need to remain here until Rowley returns. He has taken Maggie home.” She turned her attention to Wolfe. “I know you wish to speak to me about a confidential matter but I understand if you need to get home to your girls.”
“I’ve arranged to interview the housekeepers this evening. I have three coming over from seven thirty. All can start straight away and one is prepared to live in, which will be the best option, especially since the house has a separate apartment over the garage.” Wolfe smiled but it did not reach his eyes. “I really appreciate the trouble you took finding these women for me and making sure they are suitable candidates.”
Perturbed by his complete lack of emotion, she wondered if working with dead bodies gave him the skill to turn off his feelings. She cleared her throat. “I don’t take chances where kids are concerned. The references checked out and Mrs. Mills I know personally. She is a very kind lady and took care of Duke’s grandkids for two years. He gave her a glowing reference and will give you any information you need to know about her. She is a widow in her fifties and I think you’ll like her.”
“Thanks. I have a nanny cam as well. I don’t trust anyone with my kids.” Wolfe straightened to his full impressive height. “I’ll head home after we’ve spoken to the Parkers. You’ll want one of them to do an official identification?”
“I’ll handle that part of the business. You go home to your kids.” Kane nodded at him then turned his deep blue gaze on her. “I know you have a lot on your plate right now, ma’am, but we would appreciate twenty minutes of your time to speak to you in private. My house would probably be best. If the housekeeper works out, we could go to my house when convenient. It’s safe from prying eyes and ears.” He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “I know you’re upset with me right now but it’s important.”
Here they go again. Jenna’s heart picked up the pace and she lifted her chin. “I’m not annoyed with you at all. Okay, if it is as urgent as you say, I’ll speak with you tomorrow morning at seven at your cottage. Rowley can open up in the morning.” She flicked a stare at Wolfe. “Kane will give you directions.”
“I’ll drop the Felicity Parker case paperwork in here before I go home.” Kane gave her a long, considering stare. “You look tired. Will you meet me for dinner at Aunt Betty’s café? After delivering the bad news, I’d rather not eat alone tonight.”
She shook her head. “Thanks, but not tonight. It’s been a long day and I’m going to spend the evening going over what evidence we have so far, then I need to get some rest to get my head straight. I’ll speak with you in the morning.”
“You have to eat and I’ll be back within the hour if you change your mind.” Kane let out a long, exasperated sigh. “I would really value your company.”
After staring at the paperwork on her desk for some moments, she lifted her head slowly and met his gaze. “I’ll think about it.” She returned to her paperwork, glad at the sound of the door shutting behind him.
The one thing Jenna hated above all else was untrustworthy people. She believed her friendship with Kane was rock solid, but the comfortable feeling she experienced with him was evaporating fast. Sure, she knew he’d come straight from a branch of the special forces, more likely special ops or marines, but they had come to a sort of truce, agreeing not to pry into each other’s past, then the moment a new deputy walks into town, Kane acts as if he wants everything out in the open.
Right now, she had so many bells and whistles going off in her head she could not think straight. After three years of perceived safety off the grid, hidden in Black Rock Falls in wonderful obscurity, the rug had been well and truly pulled out from under her feet. There was no way Shane Wolfe recognized her as Special Agent Avril Parker. After intensive facial reconstruction, the agents she had worked with would not know her. Yet it was obvious Wolfe had discussed something of great importance with Kane.