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The name of the company didn’t ring any bells and Jenna frowned. “MVTVN? I’ve never heard of it. What does that stand for?”
“Mountain View TV News, is all.” Leman flashed his white smile again. “So, are we on for tonight?”
Jenna glanced past him and straight into Kane’s eyes. He’d come down the stairs without Jenna noticing. It was obvious from his predatory stare and the nerve twitching in one cheek that he’d heard every word. He’d moved up behind Leman and placed two to-go cups of coffee on the filing cabinet and then leaned against the wall listening. It was apparent from his expression that he didn’t appreciate Leman hitting on her, but jealousy wasn’t in Kane’s rulebook. This was the first time she’d seen him react. His gaze rested on her, and then when he looked back at Leman, his combat face slid into place. Trying not to react, she returned the reporter’s smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Leman. I’m tied up with the FBI for the next few days. Like I said, Deputy Rio will be more than happy to give you a copy of the press release. If you ask him nicely, he might agree to a TV interview.”
“Ah, but I want more than a press release.” Leman leaned closer. “I want the inside scoop of what actually happened and what it was like to be at ground zero when the tanker exploded.” He chuckled. “Come on, Jenna, give an anchorman a break. I’ll make you famous.” His grin widened. “You’ll like me when you get to know me and, with what’s been happening in this town, I need you on my side to give the viewers what they want. Come on. I’ll pick you up at eight. What do you say?”
Jenna shook her head. “It has to be no, Mr. Leman. Like I said, Deputy Rio is our media liaison. I only poke my head out if it’s necessary to give the townsfolk a message or warning. If I was out there all the time, they’d get used to seeing me and I need them to take me seriously. I’m sure you understand?”
“Then forget the interview and just come to dinner. You have to eat, right?” Leman grinned at her like some demented baboon. “And call me Troy, Jenna. We’re going the be friends, right?”
Figuring it was always nice to have the media on her side, Jenna nodded. “Yeah, but I’ll stick to Mr. Leman if you don’t mind, and around here I’m Sheriff Alton.” She could hear Kane’s stomach growling from starvation. He sounded like a huge teddy bear.
“You about ready to go, Sheriff?” Kane handed her a to-go cup of coffee and stared down his nose at Leman but didn’t utter a word.
“Ah, there you are.” Jenna smiled at him and indicated to Leman. “Dave, I’d like you to meet our new media contact, Troy Leman. This is Deputy Sheriff David Kane, my husband.”
“Oh, good to meet you.” Leman’s eyes widened as he tipped back his head to look up at Kane and then held out a tentative hand.
Jenna took the coffee and smiled at Kane’s expression. His gaze moved up and down Leman and settled on his face. He ignored his offered hand and nodded slowly as if deciding which part of him to detach first. When Leman paled, Jenna figured fun time was over and smiled at Kane. “I’m good to go.” She turned to her deputies. “Keep me updated if anything comes in on the hotline.”
Following Kane out to the Beast, she sipped her coffee and waited for him to place Duke in the back seat. “Did you see that guy’s face when I introduced you?”
“Not really.” Kane straightened and shut the door. “I was deciding if I should ignore his hand or risk breaking his fingers.”
“Ha!” Jenna laughed. “You’re jealous. Now you know how I feel when women drool all over you.”
“Uh-huh.” Kane looked at her and shook his head slowly. “I trust you and I’m not the jealous kind, Jenna, but I admit seeing a guy hitting on my wife was a new experience, especially when I had to play nice and not wipe the stupid smile off his face.” He turned to look at her. “Not that I needed to. You handled him just fine.”
Jenna put her arm around him and squeezed. “I kinda like it that you were jealous.”
“Uh-huh, you don’t need me to get jealous to prove my love for you, Jenna.” Kane frowned. “Do you?”
Surprised by his serious expression, Jenna shook her head. “Not at all.”
“That’s good.” Kane chuckled. “I thought I might have to go back inside and bring him into line but now I won’t need to wash his blood from my hands.” He searched her face. “Well, not this time. He knows we’re married, but next time I might not be so accommodating.”
Jenna laughed. “Trust me, there won’t be a next time.”
TWENTY-FOUR
Footsteps coming closer raised the hair on Maisy Jones’ arms. Was the Smiling Man back already? He’d dropped into a routine, coming by to leave her food once a day. Last night, he’d arrived with hot food, towels and a selection of clean clothes—her clothes. The way he’d treated her had startled her and made her aware he was trying to get her to like him. As if! She’d stared at the clean towels and the pile of clothes for some time before venturing into the bathroom to turn on the shower. Water orange with rust had washed the grime from the shower recess, dead cockroaches and rat scat had circled around the drain and vanished in a gurgle. To her surprise, the dirty water had cleared and hot water streamed out. She’d stared all around, and not seeing any cameras, had taken advantage of the chance to be clean again. He’d supplied everything she needed, including a hairbrush and mirror. After, she’d slept in small bursts, waking with a start at any noise.
Hunger had finally woken her and she’d washed her face and walked around. Living in perpetual light and not knowing the time was driving her insane. Hearing the footsteps, she stood, unsure what to do. Had someone come to rescue her or was the Smiling Man coming early today. It had to be a new day, or had she slept longer than she’d realized? She pressed her ear to the crack in the door, listening. Her heart pounded in her ears as the footsteps came closer. She ran back to her room and slid into the shadows just as the door to the massive room whined open and he walked through, casting his eyes over the decaying bodies and then heading straight for her. With nowhere to hide, she edged around the room and sat on the gurney. Trembling as his slow and steady footsteps echoed through the emptiness, she stared at the door. Her questions always went unanswered. He didn’t indulge her with his plans, he didn’t touch her.Why am I here?
The door to the room pushed wide open to allow him to enter. His frightening gaze moved over her and the corners of his mouth curled up to show a flash of white teeth. He always had a smile. Chills scampered down Maisy’s back as he came closer. She gripped the side of the gurney, helpless against an untrustworthy living portrait of a sinister clown: all smiles and hiding a knife behind his back.
“It’s nice to see you clean.” The Smiling Man dropped a takeout bag, placed two cups of coffee onto the counter and stared at her. “This is my way of making life easier for you, Maisy.”
The use of her name startled her. This was a different side to him. Usually, the madness came to the surface and threats tumbled from his lips. She’d watched movies about people like him. He was like two sides of a coin in the same body. He leaned against the counter, and even with the stench of decaying corpses in the other room, the smell of the coffee and food made her stomach clench. “What time is it?” She indicated to the clock on the wall. “That hasn’t worked since I arrived.”
“A little after two.” He picked up a to-go cup and takeout bag and then walked toward her. “I’ll get you a timepiece and bring you food tonight if you agree to do something for me.”
Peering into the bag and seeing the container, obviously untouched since he’d purchased it, she lifted it out. Inside she found hotcakes dripping with butter and maple syrup. A plastic knife and fork wrapped in a paper towel sat in the bag. Unable to stop herself, she dug in, filling her mouth. After swallowing the first delicious bite she looked back at him. “What do you want me to do?”
“First, I need a frontperson to speak to someone I need.” He watched her eat, his gaze following each bite into her mouth. “Do it and you’ll have a more comfortable room. I’ve prepared a better room for you inside this building. This first favor will be a test. The second one will be more demanding, but after that, I’ll release you in time for Christmas.”
Words spilled out of her mouth before her head had thought them through. “What makes you think I won’t go straight to the cops?”
