Page 37 of Deadly Revenge

“Did you need something?” Jenna was surprised Dylan had allowed her in.

Emma worked her mouth and blinked as she looked away.

Way to go, Jenna. You’ve made the woman cry.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound abrupt, but—”

“It’s all right. The funeral home called ...” She swallowed hard. “Clothes ... I came after clothes.”

That made her feel even worse. “Have they released ...” Why couldn’t she ever say the right thing? “Sure. You want to get Joe’s first?”

“Please. The man downstairs—I forget what his name is—said you needed to look through whatever I take.”

“I do, but that won’t take but a minute.”

“Jenna?” Max called as she stepped aside to allow Emma into her brother’s bedroom.

“Emma came after clothes for the funeral.” She turned to the sister who had stopped at the door. “This is Max Anderson from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.”

“Of course.” Now she looked even more confused. “But why TBI—”

“I’m here on another case and just helping out with this,” Max said. “Good to meet you, just wish it were under better circumstances, and I better get back to what I was doing.”

Emma smiled her acknowledgment. “Guess I better do the same. I’ll get Joe’s clothes and then pick up Katherine’s. I won’t be but a few minutes.” Emma disappeared into the walk-in closet.

She was true to her word and emerged shortly with a dark navy suit and light blue shirt. She laid them on the bed then picked out a tie and socks and shoes. “Don’t know why they want these articles since no one will see them,” she muttered.

Jenna looked up from the desk where she’d been looking through the cubbyholes. “I’ve often thought that.” She returnedsome stamps to the spot where she’d found them. “Is the desk an heirloom?”

Emma laughed. “No, but you would’ve thought it was from the row they had over it when he wanted it in his bedroom. Katherine was fit to be tied. She’d set up an office on the main floor and couldn’t understand why it couldn’t go down there.” She shook her head. “My sister-in-law had definite ideas on decorating.”

“I can see that—the house is beautiful.” Jenna stood and walked to the bed, where the clothes were. There was nothing in any of the pockets, and she told Emma she was free to take them.

“Thanks. I’ll just grab Katherine’s and get out of your hair. Do I bring them for you to check?”

“Max is processing her room. He’ll check them,” Jenna replied. “When is the funeral?”

“Friday, but I wanted to get this behind me. The medical examiner in Chattanooga indicated their bodies would be released Thursday.” She closed her eyes briefly. “There’s just me—they didn’t have any children—so I didn’t see any reason to wait once their bodies are released.”

“I totally understand. Again, I’m sorry.”

Emma started for the door and stopped. “Will you be through with the house today?”

“Hopefully.”

After Emma left for Katherine’s room, Jenna turned back to the desk that Joe Slater had insisted stay in his bedroom. What did he want to keep an eye on? Maybe she’d find an answer in one of the drawers. She started with the top drawer. Stationery and files were color-coded. Jenna was vaguely aware of Emma thanking Max and then thumping down the stairs as she thumbed through the files.

Financial statements. Insurance papers. Health records. Jenna opened another drawer. Notepads. Another drawer revealed ledgers. Still nothing to warrant secrecy. She pulled on anotherdrawer. Locked. Bingo. Maybe. She looked in the cubbyholes for a key. No luck.

“Hey, Max,” she called out. “Do you have a set of lockpicks?” Jenna didn’t expect him to have any, but ...

A minute later, he stepped into the room. “What?”

“Lockpicks—do you have a set?”

“I thought that’s what you said, but why?”

“This drawer is locked, and I don’t see a key.”

A slow grin spread across his face. “As a matter of fact, I do have a set in the truck.”

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