Chapter Two
Jolene-Seven Years Later
" J o, where are ya?" Nana hollers for me.
I'm in the barn, so I barely hear. Annoyed at the interruption, I finish mucking the stall I'm in, then walk up to my farmhouse to see what Nana is harping about.
I kick off my boots and head into the small mud room just off the kitchen. It's got one of those utility sinks and a small shower tucked in the corner, in case we make a real mess out in the fields. I rinse off my hands before moving into the kitchen, where I'm sure I'll find Nana.
"Took ya long enough," she sasses as she pours me an ice-cold glass of sweet tea. She slides a basket of delectable-looking blueberry muffins my way.
I want to dive in, but if there's any chance Mama made these, I know I'll regret it within the first few bites. Bless her heart; she's an amazing cook, but she can't bake to save her life.
"Oh, just take one already. I got them from a bake sale in town earlier."
"Thank fuck because these look way too damn good not to eat."
Nana smirks as I shove half a muffin in my mouth and let out a loud moan. If Mama were around, she'd be griping about cursing and bad manners—not like it would stop Nana and me.
"I've got a new lead for you."
I try not to look too excited, but I fail miserably.
I used to deny the fact that I enjoy eliminating the scum of the earth, but now I own it. Even so, it's still in poor taste to show glee at the possibility of taking another one out. That said, I've honed my skills, and I make sure that anyone I eliminate truly deserves to no longer exist.
When I took down that creeper seven years ago, something in my brain clicked.
Boomer and his friends had given me a unique set of skills to deal with the worst of the worst. The best?
Who would ever suspect that the sweet farm girl whose family has been here since the town's inception could be a ruthless killer too?
Not only have I maintained my skills over the years, but I've also enhanced them.
I've kept my friendship with Boomer, all the while hiding from him some of my more colorful activities.
I'm sure he would understand why I do what I do since he fought for our country, but I can't put any more people in danger by knowing my dark side.
Boomer visits at least once a year, and every time he's here, we take full advantage of the farm and play war games during his entire stay.
It keeps me on my toes, and I've learned a lot over the years, like how to control my breathing in a heightened situation and how to stalk through the woods without making a sound.
I've also picked up extremely helpful tracking skills.
I can stalk my prey a hell of a lot better than that nut job did me all those years ago.
Not only have I touched up on my physical skills, but I've also become a damn good sleuth. I never cared much about technology, but I've learned to love it. It's helped me get information on targets while ensuring I'm not caught, which is a good thing since there's new blood on the police force.
Beau Calhoun moved to town and joined the force about a month ago. The police department here is still corrupt as shit, and he's low on the totem pole, so he’s future Jo's problem.
The man is fine as fuck, though. Too bad I don't mix business with pleasure.
Can you even imagine? Me dating a cop? Ha!
"Earth to Jo." Nana waves her hand in front of my face, shutting down my musing about the hot new cop in town.
"Are you drunk, or have you spent too much time out in the sun? Your head is in the damn clouds, girl, and I've got some important shit to tell ya."
"I'm fucking hungry, Nana. It's damn near lunchtime, and that measly breakfast Mama prepared this morning ain't holdin' up." I try to keep a straight face, but we both start busting a gut.
In B&B’s inception, we were still figuring some things out when Mama got a scathing review about the breakfast service's "measly" offerings.
Mind you, she had a full spread of muffins, bagels, fresh fruit, dry cereal, and oatmeal, but this asshole didn't find it sufficient.
From that point on, Mama goes all out on a full Southern breakfast spread that the guests love to pieces.
That doesn't mean Nana and I don't love getting her feathers ruffled by reminding her about it every chance we get.
Sucking in a breath to fight off the burst of laughter dying to escape, I blow it out and square my shoulders to get down to business. "What's got you so worked up you called me over mid-chores?"
Nana's eyes form slits as if she's judging whether I'm actually ready to listen or not.
"Just tell me. I swear I'm done with my shit, and I'm all ears."
"Do you remember the Driscolls from way out on the other side of town?"
"Hmm, I think so. I can't recall their names, but they don't come into town much, right?"
"That's right. Man's name is Pete. His wife is Betsy, and they've got two little ones. The eldest just started school, and it's not good from what I hear."
That last bit of information catches my attention. If Nana's bringing up the kiddos, I know what's coming next is not gonna be good.
"I guess the beginning of the school year started out just fine, but the little girl's teacher started to notice things were off."
"Off how?' I cock my head to keep my mind from racing to the worst possible scenarios.
"Well, the little girl wears the same set of clothes all the time, but sometimes she wears the same thing for the whole week. On those weeks, instead of her hair being brushed and neat, she comes to school with a rat's nest and filthy as can be."
"Hmm, so somethin's going on with her mama, at least, if she doesn't have her clean and dressed properly for school. That doesn't necessarily mean the girl’s being abused or even that her mama is. Maybe Betsy suffers from depression."
"Sure, that’s a possibility, but then there's the issue of the bruises."
I suck in a breath of air as a flare of anger spreads through me.
"At first, she didn't have any bruises, but when the teacher started paying closer attention, she started noticing them. The girl's arm also seems to be in a bit of an awkward position, and the nurse is pretty sure it was broken at some point and didn't heal properly."
"What the fuck?" I growl out, my anger too much to contain. "Did she do anything about it?"
"They notified the authorities, but you know how slow-moving they are. And the break could be something innocent. You and I both know not many people in these parts have insurance, especially after the factory shut down. Not everyone can afford a hospital visit."
"That's good and well, but we both know what abuse looks like, Nana."
"I know, Joey." Nana pats my hand, the gesture calming me instantly. "That's why I'm telling you. We know those cows down at the department aren't much good at actual police work, so I need you to do your thing. See what you can find on Pete and Betsy, and we can go from there."
"You know I will, and then some. Do you think we need to get Betsy and the kids out sooner rather than later?"
"I honestly don't know. They stay to themselves quite a bit, so none of my regular sources had much for me to go off of."
"Alright. Find out their address for me, and I'll do some diggin’. But for now, a busy farm never rests for no one, and I got shit to do. Are you headin’ back to the B&B?" I take our plates to the sink and head out the back door, where I pull my boots on.
Nana is hot on my heels.
"Sure am. Figured I'd help Laura clean rooms before we get that group in over the weekend."
"Sounds good. See if that brat will bring me some lunch, will ya? I gotta check the fences, and I don't have time to be fussin' over food."
"I'm sure she won't mind bringin’ you something. That one's a good egg."
"She sure is. I don't know who was luckier when Randy dropped her off on our doorstep."
"Oh, sugar pie, we definitely won the lottery with that girl." With a wave of her hand, Nana turns towards the big house while I return to the barn to grab the stuff to fix the fences.
"Can you shut the fuck up back there, ya big oaf?"
"Sorry, Jo-Jo. This would be a hell of a lot easier if I could use a light," Thatcher grumbles, his deep voice sounding like thunder in the otherwise silent night.
"No, what would've been easier is if you'd have kept your big ass behind, and let me get in and out so I could go to bed at a decent time," I huff in annoyance at my cousin.
The shithead happened to stop by the house, and overheard Nana and me talking about my plan to sneak out to the Driscolls’ property to do recon.
He was pissed I've been trailing Pete all week and have decided I would sneak out to the house when I didn't have any sightings of Besty.
I'm really hoping that's just because Pete has a tight leash on her and that she's not currently beaten to hell and in pain.
"You know I couldn't let you come out here on your own."
"Why the hell not?" I whisper-shout over my shoulder. "I'm the one trained to do this. I can get in and out, and not a soul will know unless I want them to. With you bumbling behind, I can't say the same. Plus, you know how fucking lethal I am."
"Yes, you're a bad bitch we should all bow down to, and all of us close to you know it, but when has it ever hurt to have someone watching your back? Besides, I may not have the training you do, but I'm damn good with my rifle, and you know it."
"Yes, you're a great shot, but it's a hell of a lot different when it's a human instead of an animal at the other end of your barrel," I gripe as I work my way around a particularly pokey set of brambles.
"I suppose you're right, but if they're scum who hit your radar, then I'll be doing the world a favor by taking the shot. Especially if it means I get to keep your ass safe, and Nana and Aunt Lottie off my back." Thatcher punches my arm, the noise slicing through the air.