Page 19 of Jina

So much for innocent until proven guilty. Oh, she knew most cops approached their investigations from the opposite viewpoint, presumed guilty until cleared. She usually did too. But that didn’t sit well now that she was the suspect in question.

“Would you like more coffee?” Cole asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Sure.” She dropped her overnight bag on the floor, then sank into a chair, watching as he made a fresh pot. He moved with a lithe grace, comfortable in his own skin. Maybe because he wasn’t trying to impress her. Quite the opposite. She sensed he still loved his dead wife, Renee.

He looked good in a sports coat. Too bad he was the enemy.

“Does your sister work?” he asked, returning to the table. “I only ask because I don’t know if we’ll catch her at home or at her job.”

“Shelly works from home; she’s a medical record coder.” Jina knew that Shelly hoped to work part time after the baby was born since her husband was a physical therapist. “If she’s busy, you’ll have to leave a message. But I’m sure she’ll call back as soon as she can.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He took out his phone and then glanced at a small notebook. It was disconcerting to see her name, number, and address written there along with Shelly’s name, address, and phone number.

No surprise, his call went to Shelly’s voice mail. After leaving a message, he glanced at her. “Do you want to start going through the list of names?”

“Yes, but I need to call my boss.” She gestured to his phone. “Do you mind if I borrow that for a minute?”

“Sure.” He handed it over. She rose and walked into the living room for some privacy to make the call. Thankfully, Rhy answered on the first ring.

“Captain Finnegan.”

“Rhy, it’s Jina. I wanted to let you know that I don’t have my phone. I’m borrowing one from—a friend.” She cleared her throat. “I appreciate you giving me time off work. The shooter who came after me last night showed up this morning and set fire to Mr. Glen Gleason’s duplex. I already spoke to Mitch Callahan but thought you and Joe should know too.”

“Anyone hurt?” Rhy asked.

“We’re fine. We drove Mr. Glen to his daughter’s home in Ravenswood. I, uh, will figure out someplace to stay. Did Gabe Melrose have time to dig into the list of names I sent?”

“He’s just started. I promise he’ll call if he finds something. Do you want me to let Cassidy know? You can probably bunk with her for a few days.”

“I’ll check in with Cass later.” Jina didn’t want to impose on her fellow teammate. Now that Raelyn was married to Pastor Isaiah Washington, she and Cassidy had grown a bit closer. But that didn’t mean Cassidy wanted Jina to live with her indefinitely. Besides, Jina preferred having her own space.

“Keep us in the loop,” Rhy said. “The team is here for you if you need anything. I don’t like knowing one of my cops is in harm’s way.”

“Thanks.” She was touched by his offer. Maybe she was being stubbornly independent, but she wasn’t ready to call for reinforcements. “I’ll let you know.”

“Take care,” Rhy said.

“I will. Thanks.” She ended the call, thinking about Rhy’s suggestion to contact Cassidy, when the phone in her hand rang. Recognizing Shelly’s number, she quickly answered, walking back to the kitchen. “Hi, Shelly, it’s Jina. I’m here with Detective Roberts.”

“Hey, Jina, what is this about?” Shelly asked. “I was shocked to hear this guy wants to talk to me.”

“I know, but here, I’ll let him fill you in.” She handed the phone to Cole.

“Ms. Strom? This is Detective Cole Roberts. If you don’t mind, I’d like to use a video call.”

Jina assumed her sister agreed because Cole ended the call, then started over using the video call app. Moments later, she could see her sister’s face on the small screen. Jina stood over Cole’s shoulder so she could watch the interaction.

“I don’t understand. What is this about?” Shelly asked, her brow furrowed.

“I have a few routine questions for you,” Cole said. “You lived on your parents’ farm until you were a sophomore in high school, is that correct?”

“Yes. We moved after my dad had a heart attack.”

“Do you remember anything strange happening back then?”

Shelly glanced at Jina before answering. She gave her sister a subtle nod, indicating she could go ahead and tell him. The cat was out of the bag now anyway. “Yes, Jina had some trouble with a stalker. He climbed into her bedroom window late on a Saturday night. Jina used our dad’s handgun to scare him off.”

“Did you see Jina shoot him?” Cole asked.

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