Page 30 of Deadly Revenge

Alex cocked her head. “So, you’re thinking Jenna may have experienced some type of PTSD?”

He shrugged. “All I’m saying is that I didn’t see any signs that anyone had been here.”

They both turned as Jenna’s footsteps neared.

“I found it,” Jenna said joining them. “And I’m ready to go to Joe Slater’s house if you are.”

Max eyed her. “You sure you’re up to it?”

“Why don’t you stay here?” Alex said. “I’ll pull Dylan and Taylor to process your house. That’ll give you time to recover, and then you can help with the Slater house.”

“I’m good. They’re slammed with two crime scenes to work. I can process my own house.”

“I have a kit and can help as well,” Max said.

“If you’re sure.” Alex glanced around the kitchen. “Are you planning on staying here tonight?”

Jenna nodded. “There’s no reason not to—so far the break-ins haven’t happened at night. Besides, I’m a deputy—I can take care of myself.”

“I don’t think staying here by yourself is a good idea,” Max said. While he hadn’t seen evidence of anyone being in the house, that didn’t mean there hadn’t been an intruder. “I’m sticking around a few days. I can stay here as easily as the hotel.”

“I can’t ask you to do that ...”

Before he could tell her that she wasn’t asking, Alex said, “That would be a great solution. I’d offer for you to stay at our house if Gram hadn’t hired someone to redo their bathroom while they’re in Kentucky with Dani Collins and Mark and Gem.”

“I don’t know ...” Jenna shook her head.

“Look, I won’t be able to sleep anyway, worrying about you.” Max held up his hand. “I know, you’re a deputy and can handleyourself, but two is better than one, and you have two bedrooms.”

“No” was still written all over her face.

“It would work,” Alex said. “At least for the time being.”

“We’ll see,” Jenna said.

Which sounded like a no. Max didn’t remember her being so independent when they worked together.

Once everyone cleared the kitchen, she gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks for offering to stay tonight, but it won’t be necessary.”

“We’ll see,” he said mimicking her. “Are you sure you’re up to going to the Slater house?”

“Yes, but can you give me a second to freshen up a bit?”

“Sure.”

After five minutes passed, Max frowned. “Jenna?” he called. “You okay?”

When she didn’t answer, he eased down the hall and checked the bathroom. It was empty. “Jenna?”

A slight noise came from the bedroom next to it, and he looked inside. At first he thought it was empty as well, then he saw movement reflected in the mirror. He looked closer. Jenna knelt between the bed and the wall with a screwdriver in her hand.

Max stepped inside the room, his footsteps sounding on the hardwood floor. She gave an audible gasp and jerked upright.

“I called and you didn’t answer.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t hear you.”

“What are you doing with a screwdriver?”

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