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The men rattled off the information and she made notes. “I have DNA test kits at the sheriff’s office. It’s painless.”
“You already have our DNA on file.” Lucky shrugged. “The other sheriff took samples from most of the guys in town when a girl from Blackwater was raped four years back.”
“Yeah, we couldn’t leave town for weeks. The sheriff had to send the samples to Helena to be processed.” Storm shook his head slowly. “We lost a lot of money and our ratings that year. Everyone thought we were guilty. It turned out to be her boyfriend, and the girl didn’t want to rat him out.”
“Where can I find old Joey?” Kane turned an ice-cold stare on the two cowboys.
“Most likely in the cattle shed. The building by the main arena.” Lucky ignored Kane and smiled at her. “He’ll tell you what happened.”
“Okay, that’s all I need for now.” Jenna closed her notepad. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
“I’ll see you at the dance.” Storm gave her a meaningful smile. “Or maybe afterward?”
“That is so not going to happen.” Kane’s voice boomed out and he glared at him with such intensity, Jenna’s mouth went dry.
She headed for the door without a backward glance. When Kane fell into step beside her, she sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thanks.”
“Thanks? Have you lost your ever-loving mind walking into a situation alone with two murder suspects again? Have you forgotten how close you came to being raped and tortured by a pair of psychopaths not three months ago?”
She gaped at him. He is becoming overprotective again. “Chill out, Kane. I’m hardly going to forget killing a man who used to be my friend, am I?”
“What is it with you and trusting cowboys?” Kane’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “Did you overdose on Roy Rogers when you were a kid or something?”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Deputy.” She ignored him and kept walking.
“Jenna, stop. Please. What use am I as your deputy if I’m not supposed to care about your safety?” He glared down at her, but despair etched his handsome features. “They had you surrounded with your back to the wall.”
“I was armed and could have taken them down before they made a move, and you know it.”
“Maybe it would have been nice if you’d told me where you were going. I turned my head for a few seconds and you’d vanished. You scared the crap out of me, Jenna. There are ten stable blocks on these fairgrounds. It was only by sheer luck I walked into the right one and heard your voice. If those cowboys were the killers, they would work together. One would get you turned around and the other would sneak up behind you. You know I’m right.” He stormed off toward the cattle shed.
I guess it’s nice to know he has my back. Jenna stared after him. With two ex-military deputies on staff, she had no excuse to investigate alone. He is right. I need to stop acting like I’m infallible and use him for backup.
Nine
Joanne Blunt strolled along Stanton Road enjoying the sun on her face and the smell of the pine forest laced with the fragrance of an abundance of wildflowers. Summer break had to be the best time of the year, and spending time with her cousins in Black Rock Falls during rodeo week would be heaven. No parents to report to, and during the day when her cousins were at work, she could roam around without a worry in the world.
The trails through the forest were familiar, having visited on numerous occasions, and she had all day to visit the rock pool. With luck, she might run into some of the cowboys, who frequented the place in the summer. They always had free tickets and she might find one to take her to the dance. She tucked a rolled-up towel under one arm and strolled into the dense forest. Along the way, she collected wildflowers and tied them with a strand of grass.
At the falls, she noticed a man strolling back and forth as if contemplating something important. Although she did not want to disturb him, she didn’t want to leave either. She had walked some distance to enjoy the falls. Sweat trickled down her spine, and although the water would be freezing, a quick dip to cool off would be wonderful. When he turned and stared at her, she gave him a wave then placed her bunch of flowers in a puddle.
After spreading out her towel on a boulder, she kicked off her shoes, pulled her shirt over her head, and wiggled out of her denim shorts. Underneath she wore a skimpy yellow bikini. Proud of her suntanned body, she liked to show it off; she glanced across the pool but in the short space of time, the man had vanished. She shrugged and sat on the edge of the rock pool, dipping her toes into the cool water.
It was so quiet; apart from the rush of the falls it felt li
ke she was the only person alive on Earth. A strong smell of sweat reached her and she turned to see the man walking out of the trees. He had an amused expression and waved as if he knew her. She waved back. “Nice day for a swim.”
“Yes, it is a nice day, a very fortunate day.” He moved closer and his gaze slid over her body. “Did you come here alone?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, she pushed to her feet and went to grab for her towel. In her periphery, she noticed something in his hand sparkling in the sunlight and a wave of breath-stealing panic raged through her. He has a knife.
Trying to act nonchalant, she shrugged. “My friends are on their way.”
“I doubt it. You’re here to go skinny-dipping with the cowboys.” He chuckled. “You missed them, they were here earlier.”
The way he moved the knife, tossing it from one hand to the other, sent shivers cascading down her spine. She wanted to run but with him blocking the path and the water at her back, he had her trapped. Deciding to bluff her way out of the situation, she gathered up her clothes and lifted the flowers out of the puddle. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to be getting back.”
He ignored her and stared at the posy in her hand, almost mesmerized by the sight of it, then his attention moved back to her.
