Page 19 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

Her phone vibrated against her glute, and she plucked her device from the back pocket of her jeans to find a text from Calvin.

Stella’s house was broken into. Heading there now. Can we speak soon?

Panic swelled in her chest, stealing her breath. A break in at her sister’s house couldn’t be a coincidence, and she needed to make sure the police knew she’d been nowhere near Stella’s house after her interview with Officer Sawyer. Decision made, she jumped to her feet and typed her response before saying goodbye and running for the door.

I’ll meet you there.

9

Calvin hopped in his truck and headed straight for Stella’s. He’d have to figure out how to get his borrowed vehicle back to the rental place, but that was a problem for later. A police cruiser sat in Stella’s driveway. He parked behind it, shut off the engine, and climbed out the driver’s door. Jenna was already ahead of him, bounding up the front stoop.

How the hell did she get here so quick?

Cruz stood in the doorway and scowled. “I didn’t call so you’d run over. This is a crime scene.”

“What did you expect us to do?” Calvin asked, fisting his hands at his sides. “Besides, Jenna might recognize certain things in the house that could mean nothing to you. She’s an asset here, not a criminal. Let her help. At least right now.”

Cruz sighed then stepped back, allowing them access.

Jenna gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth.

Anger seized him. The place was a mess. Photos ripped from the walls, the glass frames smashed on the carpeted floor. Torn cushions lay in front of the couch. The kitchen drawers pulled open, dishes and silverware dumped from their shelves.

“The whole place is trashed,” Cruz said. “Hard to tell if anything was stolen. I’m not sure Dr. Simon can be of assistance at all in this situation, but what the hell.”

Jenna kept her hand to her mouth and stayed in the entryway. Tears hung in the corners of her eyes. “Why would someone do this?”

Cruz scrubbed a palm over his face. “It looks like someone was looking for something specific and didn’t mind making a mess in the process.”

Calvin’s gut twisted. He’d found something yesterday and returned it to their hiding spot. Maybe someone else had been looking for the same thing. “The cards,” he said, dashing across the living room and down the hall.

Cruz’s boots pounded behind him. “What are you talking about?”

Calvin flipped on the light in Stella’s room and waded through the mess of strewn clothes to the bed. The mattress lay off center, as if it’d been moved, the blankets wadded in a heap at the corner. He dropped to his knees, fished his arm under the box spring, and pulled out a fistful of crumpled papers. He stood and thrust his hand forward. “They’re still here.”

Cruz snatched the cards. “What is this? How did you know they were under there?”

Calvin shrugged. “Lucky guess.”

Frowning, Jenna hovered in the hallway. She crossed her arms over her chest and refused to meet his eye.

Cruz clenched his jaw. “Lucky guess my ass. How did you know these were in the mattress?”

Calvin sighed. “I found them yesterday.”

“You what?” Cruz barked out the question.

Jenna winced and dropped her gaze to the carpet.

“Listen, we had a key. No breaking and entering. Nothing illegal done. I poked around a little and found those cards. Isnapped a few pictures, but as you can see, put them back. No harm, no foul.”

Cruz all but growled as he studied the cards. “These are from flower deliveries. Why would Stella hide them?”

“My guess, so no one found out who was sending them,” Calvin said.

“You should have told me about this.” Cruz waved the cards. “This is evidence. A possible lead that could point to a killer. You didn’t do anyone any favors by keeping this hidden. If you want me to keep you in the loop, you need to do the same with me.” He dipped his chin at Jenna then disappeared down the hall.

Jenna studied Calvin, irritation clear in her blue eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me about those?”

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