AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No one deserves to be killed in cold blood.”
“Thank you,” she said, and meant it. Jenna still felt the hole in her life where her sister had been.
“Why now? I mean, why did the police come to you now about your sister?”
“New evidence that the robbery was part of a bigger crime. Deputy Granger was bringing all the evidence to his superiors today. There was a lot going on with Becca back then... Anyway, I might have to go in and give a statement, though he hasn’t called to tell me what happened. I’m anxious about it. So...” She shrugged, looked down. What else could she say?
“Jenna—” Lance put his hands on her shoulders “—whatever happens, you have friends—me especially, I’m the cream of the crop.” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “And there’s Josie and Nat and Chris. We’ll all be there for you, you know that, right? No matter what happens, we’ll stand by you.”
She blinked back tears, hugged him. “Thank you. Do you still have Wednesday through Friday off?”
“Yes. I have class Wednesday afternoon—but after that, a late dinner maybe? You can tell me anything. I’m not going to judge you or Becca—I’m on your side.”
“Wednesday then. I’ll cook?” she asked more than told him.
“God, yes. I’m so tired of takeout. I’ll text you. And—if you need to talk sooner, call, okay?”
She nodded. “I will.”
When she walked out of the hospital, Jenna felt a million times better. It helped knowing that she had friends to lean on, no matter what happened with Deputy US Marshal Granger and his investigation.
Jenna was still upset that he hadn’t called or at least texted her about his meeting this morning. They’d been talking almost daily for the last three weeks, and he knew how anxious and worried she was. It wasn’t just her being concerned about Becca’s reputation—though she didn’t want anyone thinking bad about her sister, if Becca committed a crime then she committed a crime. But Jenna knew things that Deputy Granger thought might put her in danger—people Becca had met, things Becca had said to Jenna.
Deputy Granger promised if that was the case, he would protect her. But right now, as she walked into her dimly lit house Monday night, that assurance didn’t ease her fears. She wished she still had a dog, but her longtime golden Labrador Ginger had died last year and she hadn’t had the heart to adopt another. But right now, a dog to sit with was just what she needed.
There had been no phone or text messages from the marshal, but she had avoided checking her email at work. Now she sat on the couch and flipped through her phone to her email app.
No email from Deputy Granger. Everything was spam or junk or not important.
It was ten now, but she wouldn’t be able to sleep if she didn’t talk to him, even if he didn’t have any real news yet. She called him.
After the fourth ring she expected it would go to voicemail, then a voice said, “Ms. Johns?”
It was a deep, gruff, unfamiliar voice. DefinitelynotTommy Granger—he called her Jenna, not Ms. Johns.
“I’m calling for Deputy Granger, is he available?”
“He can’t come to the phone.”
She felt very, very cold. Something was wrong.
“What can I help you with?” the man asked.
How did he know her name?
Caller ID, you idiot.
Why would the marshal give his cell phone to someone else?
“Where is Deputy Granger? I need to speak to him.”
She heard a click, a beep, and then the man said, “Deputy Granger has been working on an unauthorized investigation, and it seems he brought you into it. Perhaps it would be beneficial for both of us to meet and discuss the matter.”
Every warning bell went off in her head. She ended the call.
She would never forget what Tommy told her last week, when he informed her that he was going to his superiors.
“I don’t know how deep the conspiracy goes, Jenna. I’m keeping your name out of it for the time being, but you might need to come in and make a statement. If that is the case, I’ll put you in protective custody. Until then, you’re anonymous. So don’t be scared. No one knows you’re helping me.”
