Chapter 1
One
The day Dave Kane, who had left his job as a special agent and sniper working for the US government, arrived in Black Rock Falls to live off the grid with a new name and face, he never imagined he’d be teaching self-defense to a group of women in the local town hall.
He enjoyed his work as deputy sheriff of Black Rock Falls.
Being married to Sheriff Jenna Alton and raising two sons had never seemed possible during his old life.
Although he drilled the women like a sergeant major and had assistance from the other deputies, he hadn’t imagined how much attention he would get from his students.
He’d made it clear from the get-go that Jenna was his wife, but that didn’t stop some of them from batting their eyelashes at him and making any excuse to get him alone.
Their vehicles mysteriously broke down or they’d heard someone in their house and wanted him to drop by to check it out.
He wondered if he’d become a little oversensitive and mentioned it to Raven only to find that the same thing happened to him on a daily basis.
He’d decided, when this happened, to bring up Jenna’s name as often as possible and keep a running commentary going about how good his two boys were doing—it hadn’t worked.
The self-defense classes had been his idea, and he didn’t want to stop them because in Serial Killer Central, people living alone needed as much protection as possible, and he welcomed everyone to come along.
During their downtime, which of late had been almost every day, they held classes three times a week with two deputies taking the classes.
The classes weren’t only for hand-to-hand combat but also to instruct people on the right way to handle a weapon.
This meant he took groups of people, mostly women, to the firing ranges around town.
Kane stepped away from demonstrating how to escape from a choke hold when a wild-eyed teenager burst through the door. He turned to look at him. “Is there a problem?”
“Yeah, maybe.” The boy held his stomach, panting. “There’s a group of ranch hands bad-mouthing some of the college students outside Aunt Betty’s Café. It’s getting nasty and the sheriff is right in the middle of it, alone.”
“Did she send you for help?” Raven went to Kane’s side, his eyebrows raised.
“Nope, but I figure she needs it.” The boy leaned over, his hands on his knees, gasping in long breaths. “I figure you should come right away before someone gets hurt.”
It would be unusual for ranch hands or students to be carrying weapons in town. Most of the ranch hands had a rifle in their trucks but rarely carried sidearms. He glanced at the class and nodded to the women. It was almost over anyway. “That’s all for today. It seems we’re needed in town.”
“Deputy Kane.” Sierra Lang touched his arm. “Is there any chance you could check the security on my house? Living alone, I’m always worried someone might break in.”
Kane grabbed his holster belt, strapped it on and then took his coat from a chair and shrugged into it.
He dived into one of his pockets for a cardholder and selected a card.
“This is a company that comes to your home and checks everything out. They give you a detailed rundown of what they believe you need to keep your house safe. You’re not obligated to purchase anything they recommend, but it will give you a better idea than I can on what you need.
” He sighed. “I understand that setting up security systems can be expensive, but if you have any problems, please contact the Her Broken Wings Foundation. We have created a fund to assist people to make sure their homes are safe.”
“I can put you on the list for one of our dogs too.” Raven smiled at her as he buckled his belt and checked his weapon. “Trust me, no one would get past them.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate it.” Sierra took the card and pushed it down the front of her bra. She smiled. “I’ll see you at our next class.”
As Kane led Raven out onto Main, they could see the rowdy, loud group spilling out over the blacktop outside Aunt Betty’s Café.
The town hall, where they held the classes, was a short distance from the sheriff’s office, so this morning they’d walked there in the fresh spring air.
He glanced at Raven and they took off at a run, slowing some distance from the crowd to see what exactly was happening.
In the middle of the altercation stood Jenna, both arms outstretched to prevent the men from coming to blows and speaking in hushed tones at the irate men around her.
His dog, Duke, stood beside her, his lips drawn back to show his canines, which on a bloodhound made him appear to be smiling, but the low growl told another story.
Kane took in the situation and relaxed. He’d jump in right away if the men started swinging, but Jenna had earned her respect in town.
He’d never seen her back down from anyone and she fought hard to keep the townsfolk safe.
Her team of deputies ran like a well-oiled machine under her leadership and her record of taking down serial killers was legendary.
Being slightly built and small enough to tuck under his arm, it never ceased to amaze him how lowering her voice to just above a whisper got people’s attention more than when she raised it.
The same thing worked with their sons. They knew that if their mom spoke to them in a whisper, they were in deep trouble.
He placed a hand on Raven’s arm, indicating to him to stand down and wait.
Pride radiated through him at the way Jenna took complete control of the situation.
She didn’t need him or Raven strong-arming anyone.
Kane leaned against a street light, and Raven stood nonchalantly reading the specials at the café.
After a few minutes, the faces on the men dropped to expressions of embarrassment.
Not long after, Jenna twirled her fingers at them, and they turned and the groups walked away in opposite directions.
Kane smiled as she looked up and noticed him.
“We’ve finished the class and we’re starving. ”
“Who sent for the cavalry?” Jenna looked from him to Raven and back. “I had it under control and I didn’t need to pull my weapon either.”
Kane laughed. “I could see that and I wasn’t getting involved. When you drop your voice to a whisper I want to go hide under the table.”
“Oh, stop it.” Jenna slid her arm through his and grinned.
“Yelling never gets anyone anywhere. I learned that from you.” She led him toward Aunt Betty’s.
“I’m hungry too. I walked here to allow Duke to stretch his legs and to get some fresh air.
No cases for me means updating files, checking lists from other law enforcement offices, or cleaning the closets and refilling supplies. It’s boring.”
“Not for long. The storm clouds are rolling in.” Raven frowned. “I’m guessing the weather forecast is right for once. The ground is still wet from the melt. If it rains for a week, it will flood.”
Kane followed Jenna inside, glanced at the specials, and ordered, before heading to their table at the back of the restaurant. When he removed his jacket and sat down opposite Jenna, he looked at her and sighed. “Much as I enjoy training the women, I figure it’s best I leave it to the single guys.”
“Why? I figured you loved it?” Jenna blinked at him. “What else is going on here?”
Clearing his throat, Kane shrugged. “It’s fine when you drop by, but we’re talking about a group of women who live alone.
Yeah, they need help, but it’s clear some of them are also seeking companionship.
To show them the moves to defend themselves, I need to be up close and personal, and to be honest, those women are making it uncomfortable to be around.
The others are fine. When they come on to me like that, I spend all my time talking about you and the boys, but it doesn’t make any difference. ”
“How do you mean?” Jenna’s eyes narrowed. “Suggestive remarks? Maybe they’re joking?”
Kane ran a hand down his face. “I wish. I ignore them but some have started to rub their butts against me during training. I wouldn’t accept that behavior at work, but I don’t like to be rude to them. Heck, I’m a dad and I figured I’m too old to be hit on.”
“You’re not too old.” Jenna frowned. “Men are never too old and you’re only forty-two—that’s in your prime.”
“I’m getting the same and Emily figures it’s funny.
” Raven smiled at the server pouring their coffee.
“If they try that, I get them to work together and keep away. The thing is, it doesn’t stop there.
They figure if they can get us into their homes, they have a chance.
Rio doesn’t mind, and when Agent Carter drops by to help out, he loves the attention. ”
“Well, one of my deputies or an FBI agent would be a catch.” Jenna raised both eyebrows. “But not my husband or Rowley. I don’t figure Sandy would be too happy.” She sobered. “I wish you’d told me before. I’ll support any decision you make.”
Chief Deputy Rio and Special Agent Ty Carter, both being single, didn’t have a care in the world, but Deputy Jake Rowley was happily married with three kids and had declined the offer to train the women, but he had become involved with young men who needed instruction and trained them in a martial arts dojo in town.
Kane nodded. “Thanks. I’ve tried getting the women to work alone but I do need to show them the moves. I guess I should be flattered but I’m not.” He met Jenna’s concerned gaze. “I’ve spoken to Rowley and he figures some of the martial arts instructors would be willing to help.”
“That sounds like a plan. I agree with you, Dave. If the women in the class are making you uncomfortable, I figure you should work with Rowley and the men.” Jenna looked at Raven. “You too, if you feel the same way.”
“Talking about the women in the classes”—Raven sipped his coffee and placed the cup back on the table—“I was expecting Jan Pierce early this morning for a training run with her dog and she was a no-show. She didn’t come to class either.
I’m reluctant to give her a call because, like you, I don’t really want to encourage her.
She seems very needy, but since we started working with her dog, I figured she’d turned the corner and had gotten her courage back. ”
“Don’t worry about it right now.” Jenna sat back in her chair as the food was delivered. “When we get back to the office I’ll give her a call.”
“Thanks.” Raven smiled.
Kane looked at the concerned expression on the face of Susie Hartwig, the manager of Aunt Betty’s, as she hesitated to leave after delivering their meals. “Is there a problem, Susie?”
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” Susie frowned.
“Jan came by for breakfast. She mentioned taking the mountain trail and running to your house. She told me she wanted to face her fears. She’s very excited about getting a dog from you.
” She held the tray before her like a shield.
“Maybe it was too much for her and she went home. Since her grandma died, she’s been jumping at her own shadow, poor woman. ”
“I was expecting her.” Raven rubbed the back of his neck. “I figured she’d changed her mind. She has missed a few sessions. I had Em come along for some of them to keep her company.”
Kane nodded. Raven and Emily Wolfe were dating, but he doubted, as one of the medical examiners in town, she had time to escort frightened women all the time. “Thanks for letting us know, Susie. We’ll drop by and do a welfare check.”
“Thanks.” Susie smiled and headed back to the kitchen.
“Maybe she’s at work?” Jenna tucked into her meal.
“She works from home.” Raven sprinkled crackers into his bowl of chili. “Accountant.”
“Call her.” Jenna sipped a glass of water. “If she doesn’t pick up, we’ll drop by.”
“Okay.” Raven scrolled through his contacts and placed the call. After a few moments, he shook his head. “It goes straight to voicemail. She could be working. She told me she has a separate number for work. Maybe she turned off her regular phone?”
The forest posed a danger for a woman alone. Kane met his gaze. “I sure hope so.”