Page 3 of Jenna's Protector

Always takeout.

“Yes, Lover Boy,” Forest chuckles. “That’s her. She has a past that might be connected to these disappearances. It’s not an easy story, and it’s something she goes to great lengths to keep hidden,but her insight could be invaluable. More likely than not, she’s going to hate I said anything at all, and when you do bring it up…” He pauses, and it’s as if the world stands still.

There’s something in her past? Whatever it may be, Forest’s tone hints at trauma.

“When you do bring it up, she’s not going to like it. Just be—gentle.”

“You’re telling me she knows something about this case?” Disbelief and desperation churn inside me.

“She might. And, Carter, I’m not kidding about the being gentle part. She’s been through a lot. If you can get her to open up, it could make a difference.”

“Could? How?” I can’t believe Jenna could provide any insight.

She’s just a gorgeous woman who runs my favorite coffee shop. I go there every day, not for the coffee I can barely stomach, but to see her. The thought she could be involved—even in the remote past—in something so horrible is beyond me.

“Why would you think Jenna has anything to do with my case?”

“A few years ago—” Forest’s tone shifts, becoming more serious. “I found Jenna on a dark highway. She was scratched and bruised. Naked. Severely traumatized and physically injured. I brought her to the Facility: it’s a place where we reintegrate those we’ve rescued back into the world. We provide trauma counseling, therapy—other services. She never divulged details from that night to anyone but me. One of those details is… sensitive.”

“Sensitive?” I lean in, feeling the weight of his words.

Forest hesitates, his voice lowering. “Jenna did what she had to do to survive. She was in a situation where she had no choice, and it ended with… With an incident. That incident was never investigated. It needs to stay that way.”

“I hear you, but what does she have to do with my case?” The impact of his words hits me, but I keep my expression neutral, nodding slightly.

“Jenna has information that could be crucial to your case, but you need to understand—pushing her for details about that night or trying to bring up what she’s been through will only hurt her. Thedetails of what happened must stay buried. Focus on what she can give you now, in the present.”

I let out a slow breath, the gravity of the situation settling in. “I get it. I’ll tread carefully.”

Forest’s voice softens just a bit. “Good. Jenna’s been through hell, but she’s strong. She’ll help you if she can.”

“Do you think she can?”

“There are several parallels that should not be ignored.”

“Such as?”

“I’m ninety-nine percent positive that what happened to her is linked to the fate of those girls you’re trying to find. Anyway, after a stay at the Facility, we gave her a new identity. New life. Helped her finish high school. Gave her the skills to live on her own. A business loan to open up that coffee shop.”

“New identity?” What happened to Jenna that made her need a new identity?

“She wanted no ties or connections to that past. If you haven’t figured it out already, you know why I say you need to begentlewith her. I violate a lot of trust in saying anything at all.”

“Then why speak to me at all?”

“Because it’s important, and I know Jenna. She survived something horrible. She would want to help others—in the same situation. I’m operating on anask forgiveness laterpremise telling you any of this. I don’t care if she gets pissed at me. She’ll forgive me, eventually, but I wanted you to know she may not be receptive to the idea I spoke to you. I’ve seen too much and lived through too much. This is worth violating a bit of her trust.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to her. Thanks for the info.” The weight of this new information presses down on me.

“Good luck, Carter. And be careful.”

Max barks, sensing the end of the call. He stands, tail wagging, ready for our daily routine.

“Alright, boy, let’s go see Jenna.” I grab my keys, eager to have a reason to stop in and see Jenna but nervous about how the interaction might go.

Max and I head out to the truck with Max in the lead. Tonguelolling, tail wagging so hard his butt wiggles, Max jumps into the passenger seat with practiced ease. He knows the routine well and gives a little bark as we drive toward Marlowe’s Café.

This is his favorite part because Jenna always has a treat for him.

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