Page 48 of Their Haunted Hearts
Thinking of the possibilities, Jenna tapped on her bottom lip. “You did the right thing leaving the trail cam. He might get a delivery biweekly or monthly. It’s a big ranch. Discovering if he is doing something illegal will take time. Check the camera feed and make a note of the time and dates he takes a delivery. If it follows a pattern, we’d be able to use a drone to watch a delivery and if the men are armed again, that might be enough probable cause for a search warrant.” She leaned forward on the desk. “Get at it if you believe it’s warranted. It might take a couple of months to get a case together, but if Withers is hauling drugs into my county, I want him stopped.”
“You got it.” Rio stood. “Winter is coming and crime seems to slow down for a time, and we’ll have nothing but grunt work to do anyway.” He nodded to Kane and left the room.
Jenna smiled as his footsteps sounded down the stairs. “I like it when they think out of the box. It sure makes my job easier.”
“You can say that again.” Kane smiled.
Epilogue
Halloween
The members of the team had parked their trucks outside the sheriff’s department and walked in a group along Main. Jenna couldn’t believe how hard the townsfolk had worked to recreate a Halloween wonderland for the kids. They’d strung twinkling orange and purple lights across the storefronts. Carved pumpkins sat glowing on porches and all around them kids laughed as they dashed from house to house, or store to store, gathering the treats from people in various costumes with baskets of candy. The horror of the previous week had been forgotten and everyone became involved in the evening. As they walked the motion-sensor automatons sprang into action to surprise the children. Witches cackled from porches, and as they passed an alleyway, they heard a werewolf howling in the shadows.
When they’d dressed in their costumes back at the ranch, and Kane had stepped out as the Grim Reaper wearing a ragged black cape, a skeleton mask, and his shoulder holster, Tauri had doubled up with laughter. Tears ran down his cheeks and he rolled on the floor holding his ribs. Jackson just looked at his father and then tried to pull off Kane’s mask. Jenna had to admit that Kane looked the part when he hunched over and walked using a faux scythe, as a staff. Although he’d been hesitant to wear the costume after the horrific murders, the other members of the team insisted that there would be many Grim Reapers wandering the streets and everyone knew that the current serial killer had been locked up. For tonight at least, the town was safe.
As they walked, Tauri and Jaime rushed to each doorway and Kane led Jackson, but soon the little boy grew tired and before they’d walked a hundred yards, he carried the exhausted toddler on his shoulders. Beside him, Carter, dressed as a cowboy, as usual, cracked jokes with the other parents. He carried his own bucket and winked at Jenna every time someone filled it with candy. She shook a finger at him. “You’ll make yourself sick.”
“Not if I share it with you.” Carter grinned and moved back into the crowd. “Look, Tauri, the next place has chocolate. Run, I’m right behind you.”
As Tauri, Jaime, and Wolfe’s youngest daughter, Anna, took off at a run, vanishing in the swarms of children, Jo came to her side. “I’ll stay at the ranch tonight. I’ve had a long day and I’m beat. I’ll watch the kids. I’m sure Raya is exhausted as well.”
“Are you sure?” Kane looked at her. “They’ll all be asleep before long and Raya usually dozes on the sofa until we get home.”
“Yeah, I want to look into John Dimock’s files a little more.” Jo smiled. “He intrigues me. I’d really like to interview him and see how he ticks.”
Jenna bent to pick up a fallen cape and then caught sight of the little girl who’d dropped it. She held it out and the girl ran toward her and allowed her to attach it. “There you go.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Alton.” The child skipped away swinging her bucket of candy.
“We all need to thank you and Deputy Kane for saving our town once again.” A woman, stepped down from the grocery store, smiled at Jenna, and handed her a box of chocolates. “Since you’ve been our sheriff, I sleep better at night.”
Wanting to refuse but seeing Kane’s slight shake of the head, she just smiled. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you.”
By the time they’d reached Aunt Betty’s Café, Jackson was starting to fall asleep. His little cheek rested on top of Kane’s head and his eyelids drooped. Jenna held up her arms. “He’s almost asleep. I think it’s time we called it a night.” She turned to Raya. “Would you mind taking them home?”
“I can take Jaime.” Jo moved closer. “Anna too if it’s easier. I have Jenna’s SUV.”
“Not a problem.” Raya and Jo collected the children and they all headed back to the vehicles.
“We have a short time before the ball starts.” Kane checked his watch and flicked a glance at Wolfe, who was walking behind him with Norrell. “Coffee at Aunt Betty’s?”
“Yeah, sure.” Wolfe followed them inside and they took their usual seats.
It seemed suddenly quiet as the noise from the children and displays was muted when the door closed behind them. They all ordered coffee. Jenna stared at Kane, looking lovingly at a man eating a wedge of pie. “There will be plenty of food at the ball.”
“The problem is you never know what they’re giving you to eat.” Kane raised an eyebrow. “Last year they had boiled eggs that looked like eyeballs.” He shuddered. “Spaghetti that looked like brains.” He stood. “I’m getting pie. Anyone else want some?”
“I’m fine.” Carter pushed candy into his mouth. “I have this entire bucket to get through.”
“We’ll be peeling him off the ceiling before long.” Norrell chuckled. “Carter you’re too big for a kid.”
“You gotta love Halloween.” Carter grinned at her. “It’s my favorite time of the year, well apart from Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving… I guess.”
“Jenna.” Wolfe had on his serious face. “You know Raven is taking Emily to the ball?”
Jenna nodded. “Yeah, and you’ve sent Julie along as chaperone.” She shook her head. “It’s not necessary. Raven is solid. He’s a really nice guy and he’s respected your wishes and waited until Em passed all her requirements to become an ME before asking her out on a real date.”
“I know.” Wolfe gripped his coffee cup so tight his knuckles went white. “I like him but what if he wants to marry her and they move away?” He shook his head. “I want her to be happy but I don’t want to have the family scattered in the wind.”
