Page 35 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

“Hello,” he said, cursing whoever was on the other end of the line, but the call had already gone to voicemail. Calvin winced and pulled back the covers to check his bandage while waiting to hear the message. Jenna hadn’t poked him hard, so no blood seeped through the protective barrier, but a dull pain throbbed around his wound.

Once the phone buzzed to indicate the voicemail had been left, he switched over to listen to the message.

Jenna slid off the side of the mattress and combed her fingers through her messy hair. “Who was that?”

He swung his feet around to land on the cool floor, causing jabs of discomfort to penetrate his side. Bits of fatigue clung to his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to grab Jenna and snuggle back in bed. But that wasn’t an option. “The receptionistfor the law office Stella cleaned. I called yesterday asking to make an appointment with Milo Sholl.”

“Why do you need an appointment with a lawyer?” She frowned and crossed her arms around her middle.

“I don’t. I need to know when he’s expected in. I looked into him last night. On the outside, he’s the poster boy for family values. He’s too shiny. I can’t stop picturing his wife’s Facebook feed. Not to mention some of the stuff I read.”

“What stuff? You never mentioned anything.”

“We were a little preoccupied.” He twisted his lips. “Rumor has it he plans to run for county judge next year. I dug pretty deep in his social media. Unless he’s changed a ton since college, the guy likes to party.”

Jenna furrowed her brow. “A lot of people like to party. Doesn’t make them criminals. And what does that have to do with his career?”

“I found some old photos on past acquaintances’ feeds that were alarming. Comments regarding his bad behavior while drinking. Most of it from other guys, joking around. But a few were from women, calling him out for being handsy or aggressive.” He plucked a t-shirt from the floor and yanked it over his head. “I need to talk to him and his wife. What if he got handsy with Stella? Could have led to an affair. Plus, there’s the church.”

“What about the church?”

“The Catholic church was one of the major clients Stella took on this year. Someone might have some insight. Especially the staff that dealt with her daily.”

“Father Bowman stopped over yesterday to talk about Stella’s funeral. He said he’d get the information of the people Stella was in contact with for her business.” Her voice trailed off and she lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. “I should be handling the funeral.”

The need to comfort her moved him to sit beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You’re doing the best thing you can right now. You’re staying safe and trying to find her killer. Adding anything else would be too much.”

She blew out a long breath. “I choose to believe you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” he said, adding a wink.

Shaking her head, she let out a soft chuckle. “So what else do we need to do?”

A part of him wanted to sit and just comfort her, but he also knew playing a hand in finding out what happened to Stella could offer her closure. “I want more information regarding Dr. Kent. Where he lives, where he works, what he’s been up to the last few years. The first two questions should be pretty easy to find out, the third might be a little tougher.”

“I’ll ask my boss. He might have kept tabs on Dr. Kent after he left the hospital.” She scrunched her toes on the plush carpet then rose. “We need to discuss where to stay. My place isn’t safe, and now neither is yours. Sadie spoke with Mrs. Collins at the shelter, and she said we could all stay there. I think it’s a good idea. Good security, safety in numbers, and Oliver is comfortable there.”

Calvin scratched the new stubble on his chin that he’d have to shave off soon. The idea of staying at the shelter with Jenna made his stomach muscles clench. Especially after waking up with her in his arms. But she was right. They couldn’t stay at either of their places, and no way he wanted her or Oliver out of his sight. “Are you sure she doesn’t mind having us?”

“I haven’t spoken with her, but Mrs. Collins wouldn’t have insisted if she didn’t mean it. Besides, where else would we go?”

“Okay. We should leave as soon as possible.”

“Agreed. I’ll touch base with Mrs. Collins then get Oliver and my things together. You’ll have to find somewhere else for Boo to stay, though. Only service animals are allowed in the shelter.”

He watched her hurry out of the room, closing the door behind her. He fell back onto the bed. He might have survived being shot, but he wasn’t sure he’d survive spending even more time with Jenna.

16

Calvin sat at the large table at Safe Haven Women’s Shelter with a steaming mug of coffee in front of him, although the caffeine didn’t do much to chase away the lingering fatigue. But he needed to swim out of the constant haze surrounding him. Too many questions remained, too much danger lurked in every corner.

Mrs. Collins and Sadie sat on either side of him, Jenna on the other end of the table, with Oliver strapped in a highchair. The toddler chattered to himself and played with little blocks Sadie’s daughter had placed in front of him before bouncing off to help someone else at the shelter.

Calvin trailed the tip of his index finger over the rim of his mug. Mrs. Collins had lived in Pine Valley a long time, and as a sheriff’s deputy, Sadie might know something about recent residents of the town. Just because he was forced from his home didn’t mean he couldn’t gain some valuable information while here. “Do either of you know the Millerton County judge of Common Pleas and Probate?”

Mrs. Collins shook her head. “Not off the top of my head.”

Sadie frowned. “Not personally. Why?”

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