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“Perfectly.” Kane met his stare. “We had her covered, but I didn’t account for the bridge collapsing. You were listening on the com, Jenna ordered her to run to me.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, man. You should know I’d never intentionally place any of your kids in danger. You’re like family, and Jenna would rip me a new one if you left Black Rock Falls. She loves those girls like sisters.”
Not sure, for once in his life, how to handle the situation, he waited for ages as Wolfe stared into space, his anger palpable. Beside him, Rowley had an expression of disbelief on his face. Kane cleared his throat. He had to say something to encourage Wolfe to stay. “You have my word, Shane. That used to mean something.”
“Okay.” Wolfe gave him a curt nod. “There’s something you need to do for me before you hightail it up to the hospital to see Jenna.”
Kane opened his hands. “Just say the word.”
“Take a look at the flash drives and call me. I’m not sure I can wait until tomorrow to know if they’re the evidence we need in the Chrissie Lowe case.” Wolfe’s mouth turned down. “If they’re the missing drives, Lyons sure had us fooled.”
The nursing staff at the hospital had been amazing. Once Jenna had the results of her X-ray, they’d helped her out of her wet clothes and she’d showered and washed the filth from her hair. The crack in her wrist was painful but she would get away with only wearing a brace; the bruise on one hip and the other scrapes just added to the assortment of bruises she’d gathered during the week. She had to admire the nurses for asking discreet questions and giving sideways glances at Kane when he finally arrived with her clothes. If she’d been a battered woman, Black Rock Falls General wouldn’t have let her down.
She glanced inside the bag he handed her to find toiletries, a nightgown, slippers, and a robe. “I’m not staying. I’m good to go as soon as I’m dressed.” She waved a packet at him. “They even gave me pain meds.”
“Yeah, I know, but they told me you need bedrest, so this way there’s no arguing when we get home.” Kane sat on the edge of the bed. “I know you won’t have eaten so I’ve ordered Chinese takeout and I’ll drop by and collect it on the way home.” He gave her a long look. “I’m staying overnight in case you need anything.”
Jenna smiled at him. “I’m sure I’ll be fine but I’ll probably hurt all over in the morning.”
“I’d say so.” Kane pushed the hair away from a bruise on her forehead. “I’ll be checking on you every couple of hours during the night. Concussion has a habit of creeping up on people.” He sighed. “I can’t believe you and Em survived the fall. I was expecting the worse.”
“I’m not surprised. I didn’t think we’d survive either. We landed in the bushes and they slowed us down, but I couldn’t stop us rolling back toward the water.” Jenna leaned back and studied him. “You had your battle face in place when you came down the ravine. It’s kind of intimidating, you know. I figured you were going to raise hell and then you calmly dragged us to safety.”
“Is Emily okay?” Kane frowned. “I know Wolfe came by to collect her.”
“She’s fine. She went home hours ago but Wolfe insisted we drop questioning her until the morning. She has a sprained ankle and they put three stitches in her head. She has bruises all over but hasn’t complained and figures her moon boot is a new fashion accessory.” Jenna smiled. “Webber dropped by as well, he’s fine. He’ll have a sore neck and a husky voice for a while though.”
“That’s good. I’m relieved they’re both okay.” He shook his head. “Though Wolfe is not too happy with me for including Emily this afternoon.”
“She’d planned to run there anyway; she does most afternoons. It was only a matter of time before Lyons made a move on her. When Wolfe calms down he’ll realize she could’ve been up there all alone.” Jenna studied his face. Something else was bothering him. “It’s not just Wolfe, is it? Are you mad at me?”
“No, we’re fine. It’s the flash drives that guy gave you, the ones Lyons dropped.” Kane looked away, swallowed hard, and then stared at his hands. “They’re the uncut versions of the videos of the young women Lyons and his teammates drugged and raped. Not a few—twenty, maybe more—and now we have absolute proof who was involved apart from Lyons. The three murder victims and Josh Stevens.”
“So we’ll be making the arrests tonight?” Jenna frowned. “Have you seen Lyons since he arrived here?”
“Nope. I couldn’t get near Lyons. They’re keeping him overnight for observation. Apparently, he was raving when he arrived.” Kane grimaced. “Maybe it’s for the best. I’m not sure I’m the best person to question him right now.”
Jenna gaped at him. He wouldn’t look at her and his back was rigid as if he was on the edge of losing his temper. She touched his arm and taut muscles met her palm. “You look as if you’re going to explode. What the hell is on those files?”
“I’ve only skimmed through a few and they’re very disturbing.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “They made me ashamed to be a man.”
When he wouldn’t meet her eyes, she squeezed his arm. “You’re the most respectful, kindest man I’ve ever met, and you make me feel safe. Heck, you make the whole town feel safe.”
“Do I?” Kane lifted his gaze to hers but only deep sorrow filled his eyes. “Thanks, but right now, I wish I wasn’t a deputy.”
Jenna sighed. “How so?”
“I keep thinking Lyons will get some high-profile lawyer and he’ll walk.” Kane cleared his throat. “We can’t allow that to happen.”
“We have to enforce the law.” Jenna bent to look at him. “Once he goes to trial—and he will—it’s out of our hands.”
“Yeah but I’m not thinking like a cop right now, Jenna.” Kane flicked her a lethal glance. “I’m fighting a primal instinct to go drag that smart-mouthed animal outside and teach him how to respect women—Kane style.”
Fifty-One
Saturday
After Jenna considered everything that had happened on the mountain, she couldn’t discount Lyons as the person responsible for causing at least one of the accidents that had killed his friends. She ignored the ER doctor’s orders to rest and decided to go into the office. Although in considerable discomfort, and bone-weary from Kane waking her every two hours to make sure she hadn’t fallen into a coma, or whatever, she’d already organized two arrest warrants. As usual, Kane had left at daybreak to tend the horses and completed his exercise routine before making breakfast at seven. Not that she complained; in fact, she kind of liked the attention.
She’d remained in her office, updating case files and leaving Kane and Rowley to hunt down Josh Stevens and Seth Lyons. As the case involved serial rapists, she’d made a call to the local FBI office. Cases involving serial rapists went way above her pay grade, and they had people to deal sensitively with victims. She glanced up as Kane walked into her office, showing no hint of weariness. “What do you have for me, Kane?”
