Chapter 17
David propped himself against the kitchen counter after searching the house for listening devices and hidden cameras and sipped on the caffeine-infused drink that Jennie had made. The coffee—a much-needed boost. He and Brandon had work to do and wouldn’t be sleeping in the near future.
“Who would know or suspect that Tina had your information?” He fought the urge to go to her. They required answers to questions to find the person. If he gave into his craving to comfort her, they’d lose precious time.
Jennie rested her elbows on the table and rubbed her temples. “Kenny, of course.” She dropped her hands. “According to Tina, Levi and Adam both asked about me. Attempted to pry into my life. Tina didn’t budge. She refused to tell them.”
“But in the process, her silence most likely confirmed that she knew.” Brandon leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
“It’s possible.”
“What can you tell us about these two men?” David moved to the table and sat.
“Levi shielded me from Brad on his drunken nights. He’d bring Brad home and put him to bed. Then sit and talk with me.”
“Did Brad hurt you during drinking binges?” David wasn’t sure he wanted to know but asked anyway.
“No. Never. I think Levi didn’t want me to see Brad at his worst.” Jennie lifted a shoulder. She traced the rim of her coffee mug with her finger. “Adam was quieter. He’d go drinking with Brad and Levi, but unlike Levi he seemed angry at Brad afterward.”
“And after Brad died?” Brandon asked.
“Levi was around a lot, hanging out with Kenny. Adam, not as much, but when he did come over, he paid attention to me and helped with Zoey.”
Those two just jumped to the top of David’s suspect list. “Anyone else?”
Her mouth twisted to the side. “Tina told me a while back that according to Levi, Kenny’s new girlfriend hated me.”
David met Brandon’s gaze and gestured to the door.
“I’m on it.” Brandon stood and strode from the room.
He wrapped Jennie’s cold fingers in his hand. “We think you and Zoey should go to a safe house until we can locate the person responsible.”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “As if PSPD has the funds for that.”
“You’re right. We don’t have the funds. But I talked with the captain a little while ago.
He agrees you need to lie low until we put the pieces together.
Brandon’s sister has a secluded cabin by the lake she said we could use.
And the guys at the station volunteered to stand watch on their off hours. ”
Her eyes softened. “You all would do that for us?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t we?” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Please. If nothing else, do this for me. I want you safe.”
She seemed torn with what to do. “I don’t like asking for help.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he muttered.
“Excuse me?” Jennie raised a brow.
“Nothing. So, are you willing to let us protect you?”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I suppose. How would this work?”
He exhaled. “We’d sneak you out of the house and drive you to the cabin. We’ll park a cruiser in the driveway so people will think we’re still watching your house.”
“What about Aunt Emily? I don’t want her in danger.”
“We’ll have random patrols go by the house. I don’t think whoever this is wants anything to do with her. I promise we’ll keep an eye on her.”
She peered at him. “When would all this happen?”
“The sooner the better. I’m guessing this guy is out there regrouping after we stopped him. So, we should have a little bit of breathing room, but not much.”
“I should go pack a few things then.”
He nodded.
Jennie left the kitchen. A few moments later, Zoey stumbled in, sleepy from her nap.
“Hey, Zoey.”
The young girl padded over, crawled into his lap, and rested her head on his shoulder. His heart melted.
“I heard you talking.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. We’re going to a safe house?”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. But I’m scared. What if that man tries to get me again?”
He moved Zoey to one leg and retrieved the rubber bracelet from his pocket. He’d intended to discuss the tracker with Jennie first, but with Zoey’s fear of being taken, he’d tell Jennie later. “I have something for you to ensure that doesn’t happen.” He handed her the wristband.
“What’s this?” She took it and slipped it over her hand.
“That’s special made just for you. It has a tracker in it. As long as you wear it, I can find you.”
“Anywhere?” Zoey’s hopeful tone sent daggers into his heart.
“Unfortunately, not anywhere. But within several miles.”
Zoey stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
His heart exploded into pieces at the love and trust she put into him. “Why don’t you go help your momma pack your things.”
“Okay.” Zoey jumped down and skipped to the kitchen archway only to turn around. “I’m so happy you’re my friend.” She hurried off.
“Me too, little girl. Me too.” There was no denying it. Jennie and Zoey had stolen his heart. Now, if he could be the man they needed and not fail them.
Not long after Zoey joined her mom, Jennie came back into the living room. “I’m ready.”
She plopped two duffel bags and two backpacks by the front door.
“That was fast.” She’d shocked David at the speed of her prepping.
“I learned long ago to be efficient.”
“Let me call Brandon and tell him we’re ready.” David dialed his partner and made plans for the transfer.
Twenty minutes later, three vehicles sat in the driveway along with a police cruiser parked on the street. Brandon had joined him in the kitchen while Randy loaded the car.
“Are you ladies ready?” he asked.
Zoey clutched her teddy bear and nodded.
David jerked to a halt at the sight of Zoey. She’d always carried herself with age beyond her years. But today, she looked like a child.
Jennie hitched her purse on her shoulder and lifted her gaze to his. “I think we’re good to go.”
He blinked away the realization about Zoey and focused on Jennie.
“Here’s the deal. We’ll leave out the back.
Stay sandwiched between Randy and me as we head to the gray sedan next to the garage.
You and Zoey will get in the back and hunch down in the seat.
Once we’re away and I’m sure no one is following us, you can sit up.
Brandon will take the other car. While Randy stays at your house making it look like he’s guarding you. ”
Randy came bounding up the back steps from taking the bags to the car. “Let’s roll.”
Jennie took a deep breath. “Come on, Zoey.”
They hurried to the car and slipped into the backseat while David moved to the driver’s door. He glanced around to see if anyone was watching. He raised his voice to Randy. “Thanks for staying with the ladies, man. I’ll be back later after I finish the paperwork.”
“Not a problem. I’ll take care of them.”
David held his breath hoping if there were ears, the ruse would work. Please let this work.
He scanned the streets as he drove. No one was visible, but that didn’t mean Jennie and Zoey’s attacker wasn’t out there.
He drove to the station and pulled into the parking lot. He headed for the employee-only section and took a left into the impound lot and drove out the rear exit.
Still, no one had followed. “Okay, I think you can sit up now.”
“Are you sure?” Jennie’s voice quivered.
If he could only give her assurance that nothing would happen to either one of them. But he’d been there, done that before and it had turned out tragically.
“I haven’t seen anyone since we left your house.” He glanced in the rearview mirror.
Jennie helped Zoey into her seat and fastened her seatbelt.
Ever since the incident at school, the girl had been quieter than normal.
He glanced in the rearview mirror and found her sound asleep. His eyes widened as he spotted Jennie climbing over the seat and into the passenger’s seat.
“You do know that I could give you a ticket for that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”
“You’re safer in the back.” His tone was a bit harsher than he intended. But the woman had triggered his protective streak.
She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.
“What?” Yup, he’d goofed, but he wasn’t wrong about her safety.
“I don’t like being told what to do. So far I’ve gone with your lead, but please don’t be demanding or keep secrets from me. It leads to dependence and that’s something I can’t do again. You have to understand that.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry. I should have asked or said it differently.” He’d try not to make that mistake again. “But depending on someone to be there for you and dependence because you aren’t capable are two different things.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m on edge and that makes me a bit touchy.” She shifted in her seat and gazed out the window. Several minutes later, she asked, “Will you be there for me?”
He clasped her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “You know I will. You can count on me.” His breath hitched. Hadn’t he said the exact same thing in the past? The times when tragedy had struck. He vowed to himself that things would be different this time.
His phone rang. He released Jennie’s hand and hit the hands-free button. “Whitman.”
“You have a tail.” Brandon didn’t waste time getting to the point.
“What? When?”
“Dark blue pickup truck three cars back. He picked you up about five minutes ago.”
“How did he know?”
“Unclear, but watch yourself.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m about four cars behind him. I’ll try to move up and cut him off.”
“Roger that.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, turning his knuckles white. “I don’t understand. How did he figure it out?”
Jennie clasped her hands together in her lap and glanced in the backseat where Zoey lay sleeping.
“What now, David?”
“We continue weaving through side streets and pray Brandon occupies him long enough for us to get to the cabin without being seen.”
Tears streamed down Jennie’s cheeks. “Why won’t he leave us alone?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing. I think he has a god complex. He thinks that he owns you and anything that’s yours.”