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Jax listened while she filled him in on what he hoped was the full scope of the situation. When she’d finished, he rubbed an index finger across his bottom lip, his hand on his chin.
Had she reported any of this to the police? He doubted it. If he brought it up, would she stop confiding in him? Most likely. “I can tell you one thing. Neither one of those two guys has a middle name that starts with “B.” Theo’s is Elliot. Travis’ is Jeremiah. If those are initials, it could be some thug Travis hired or somebody else we haven’t considered yet.”
Seyla groaned, running a hand through her hair. “Great. Back to square one.”
“No, it’s progress. Let’s unearth what we can regarding Janet while we’re waiting to hear more about the rest of them from my sources. With what you told me regarding the mud on her boots and returning late from lunch on the day you were chased in the woods, Janet sounds like a solid lead. The fact that she has access to the enclosures, tunnels, and doors lends support to that theory.”
Seyla nodded. “True. She’s here at the fair, manning the information booth and breaking it down at the end of the night. Since she’s storing the marketing stuff at her house, she didn’t plan on returning to the sanctuary. I told the technician scheduled to feed Juniper late tonight that I would take that shift. I plan to go through her desk and computer search history while I’m there.”
“Juniper?”
One side of Seyla’s mouth lifted in an impish grin. “The fox kit that came in while you were at the sanctuary. We named her Juniper.”
Jax crossed his arms. Bit his bottom lip. Part of him was curious to know how the pitiful creature fared. The other part couldn’t determine how to ask without admitting he cared. “So it’s doing okay?”
“Better with each passing day.”
“Good to know. Do you have Janet’s password?”
“Yep. Not a problem.”
“I can go with you.”
So you don’t leave me in the dark.
“Are you sure?”
Was his discomfort that obvious? He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m fine. Not an issue.” He hoped.
“Do you want to leave? We can go right now.”
Her expression brightened, but then she frowned. “No, I made a promise to Jessa.”
“It seems like they genuinely like each other.”
The statement hung in the air for a minute before she said, “Yeah.”
Jax slapped his hands down on his thighs. “Anyway, Matt will be here any minute. We should get out there.” He offered a hand to her. Would she take it? Surprise mingled with warm pleasure ran through him when she did. He helped her to her feet, and they left the tent.
The wind had kicked up, the sky growing darker and more menacing with each passing minute. Ominous clouds hung low above them, promising a severe downpour.
The crowd around them swelled, determined to get in the last bit of fun in anticipation of the coming storm.
A few minutes had passed before Jax realized Seyla hadn’t let go of his hand. In fact, she squeezed it tighter with each step. He stopped to face her. “Are you okay?”
She gulped. Her other hand gripped the opal necklace around her neck.
What was its significance to her?
“I, um, can we go somewhere less crowded? I need some air.”
He texted Matt. After that, they hurried toward the outskirts of the fair.
“There you are!” Jessa waved and jogged over to them.
Seyla dropped his hand like a burning hot lump of coal. The move stung his heart like one, too.
Was she embarrassed of him? Did she know about his past?
