Page 36 of Long Road Home

All the events prior to her getting knocked out rushed back to Kenna’s mind. “Marion had her husband’s head under her bed.” And Pastor Bruce had given Kenna a case number.

Forrest’s brows rose. “Just the head?”

“In a plastic bag,” Kenna said. “It was pretty juicy.”

The sheriff cleared his throat. “She’s a civilian.”

“Yeah, she’s a writer, though. It’s not like they’re normal.” Kenna grinned at Forrest, who chuckled.

Forrest’s interest moved to Gingrich. “Can I see a picture?”

“Why?” Kobrinsky said. “Are you going to write a book about it after you finish the one you’re doing now?”

Kenna figured it would likely be about Marion. After Forrest solved the current mystery she was working on, would she write a book about the kidnapper the police hadn’t managed to catch?

Gingrich said, “This department does not provide information about cases, past or present, to those who aren’t law enforcement.”

Kenna caught Kobrinsky looking at Forrest with a whole lot of longing.Oh no.She glared at him and mouthed,Don’t even think about it.

He just grinned.

Clueless about the deputy, Forrest said, “Maybe the FBI will come here and catch this guy so you don’t have to worry about him.”

“Right,” Kenna said. Not that she was actually worried. And that wasn’t why Forrest thought Jax should be here. They’d talked about that at length late into the night over the past few weeks.

Forrest had lost her family. She didn’t think Kenna should be wasting her time now that she and Jax knew they liked each other. Kenna’s life always seemed to be more complicated than that, but she didn’t like the idea of waiting until things “settled down” for them to see where it would go. But that didn’t mean she was ready to jump in with both feet either.

A relationship was scarier than the worst serial killer she could imagine.

She had no clue where to put Jax’s mother on that scale.

Talk about scary.

If she left Wisconsin now, she’d never find out if Pastor Bruce believed Forrest was in danger. Or who might’ve talkedto him about the accident. If she left, and something happened to this good but lonely woman, Kenna wouldn’t easily forgive herself.

Giving in to the pounding in her head, Kenna bent forward and put her head in her hands. Closed her eyes.I’m supposed to ask for wisdom, right?

Asking for Jax was far too selfish. He needed to live his life. Protection for Forrest seemed less self-serving. Kind of like her need to keep Jax safe, even if that meant him being far from her.

“What happened to the guy who tackled Kenna?” Forrest asked. “Did you get him?”

Kenna lifted her head and leaned back against the couch.

“The deputy raised his gun,” Kobrinsky said. “Apparently, the guy laughed, and ran off.” Hence the sketch artist. Deputy Rayland had seen the guy and lived to tell about it. “They should be done soon.”

Forrest said, “Good, because Kenna needs rest.”

“They’re done. He’s on his way.” Sheriff Gingrich looked up from his phone.

Kenna closed her eyes, trying to figure out how to ask Kobrinsky to get her that file to go. When the artist came in and Kobrinsky said her name, she opened them again.

Forrest said, “Should you be sleeping when you were unconscious?”

Kenna shrugged. “It helps. I don’t have a concussion.”

Kobrinsky handed Forrest the paper, and she held it so Kenna could see.

The man had a beard. Heavy eyebrows. Wispy hair. Maybe in his sixties.

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