Page 50 of Deadly Revenge

“Why do you think he’s so paranoid?” Max asked.

“Not a clue. And I don’t think anyone in town knows either—it’s a great mystery why he became a hermit.”

Max eyed the dense woods. “He picked a good place for it.”

They worked their way back to the drive. It appeared to be as curvy as the road they had driven to get here.

“How far?”

“Not sure—never been to his house. But it can’t be that far.” She pointed to power lines. “I doubt the power company would run lines more than a quarter of a mile from the road.”

That was encouraging, and after almost ten minutes of walking they rounded a curve and a modest white clapboard house came into view. “Good,” Max said. “I was beginning to wonder.”

“Why don’t you stay here while I approach the house?”

“I don’t—”

The unmistakable crack of a rifle dropped them both to the ground.

25

Max’s weight was killing Jenna. He’d shoved her to the ground and put his body between her and the shooter. A noble thought if she didn’t suffocate. “I can’t move.”

“You okay?”

“I will be once you let me up.” Max rolled away from her, and she breathed again.

Jenna climbed to her knees and retrieved the gun she’d dropped when Max tackled her. Now that the immediate danger was over, she didn’t know whether to be glad he’d wanted to protect her or mad that he thought she couldn’t protect herself. She decided to go with her first impulse. “Thanks. You have good reflexes. You okay?”

“I’m good. Sorry if I hit you too hard.” He glanced toward her. “And I know you think it was completely unnecessary, but I can’t help how I react.”

“That’s why I didn’t take your head off.” She softened the words with a laugh. “I’m assuming our shooter is Mr. Darby.”

“Never assume. Why don’t you call out to him?”

“Good idea.” She stood, and using a tree as a shield, she yelled, “Mr. Darby ... it’s me, Jenna Hart. We talked at the diner today, and I’d like to talk to you again, ask you some questions about Joe Slater.”

“Go away! I ain’t got nothing to say.”

She turned to Max. “I think that settles the question of who was shooting,” she said.

“Yep. Try to reason with him.”

“You don’t know what I’m going to ask,” she yelled. When he didn’t respond, she added, “Three people have died and we think you can help us.”

More silence. Then ... “Told you I don’t have anything to say. You might as well leave.” Determination resonated in his voice.

“I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

She waited.

“You always were a stubborn little thing.” More silence. “All right. You can come to the house, but leave the other officer where he is.”

Max shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

“I’ll be okay. Mr. Darby won’t hurt me.” She believed that with all her heart. The man couldn’t have changed that much from when she was a kid. “I’ll talk him into letting you join us.”

She holstered her gun and walked toward the house. “I’m coming in by myself,” she yelled.

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