Page 33 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
“Why would Rex be pissed?”
Penny sighed. “Because we’d been dating, and he thought we were a couple. I’d always told him I wanted an open relationship. It’s not like I want to be tied down to one person.”
Evan saw the look of disgust on Mckenna’s face. He agreed, but he had to stay neutral. Even play sympathetic if it called for it. Whatever it took to get information from this lady. For now, with Mckenna’s statement and Lily’s, he had enough to arrest her. Then she could go sit in the slammer over the weekend and think about her next career, because she was done teaching. When Evan was done investigating and finding more witnesses to prove Penny had provided alcohol and drugs to minors, she would never teach again. But she didn’t need to know that until he had enough information to get her to admit to her crimes. Had she helped the kidnapper? Evan would figure it out—one way or another.
“Rex was mad, but he got over it. I’m sure. I mean, he understands.”
Maybe by kidnapping two girls and taking his frustration out on them.From what Mckenna and Lily had told Evan, the person who took them, and he was getting more and more convinced it was the same person, wanted control. Penny sleeping with his brother could certainly be a trigger. Evan had known people who had shot others for less. “Then you don’t know if Rex was here all night or not?”
“No, I suppose not. Sorry.” Penny continued writing down names.
Evan stayed quiet. He was certain the blue Jeep following Mckenna was Rex’s. Now Rex had no alibi, and he could have easily framed his brother back when Mckenna was abducted. Or Toby could have realized it was Rex who committed the crime and taken the fall. But based on the interview tapes, Evan wouldbet on the first scenario of Rex framing his brother. He had to find Toby, which would be easy. One call to Keith Warren and he could get the info, but Rex might be harder.
He glanced at Mckenna. Was she in danger? Was Rex coming after her or following her to see what the FBI was investigating? Evan thought about how both Mckenna and Lily said the kidnapper talked about catch and release. Like they were trout and he was fishing. If it was Rex and he released Mckenna, would he be ready to start a new game of catch again?
He didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her. He’d never felt this way about anyone, and he didn’t know if she’d want to be in a relationship with him once she found out about his family and his past at the other field office, but he wanted to try. He wanted to be with her. No one had ever driven him this crazy and made him laugh at the same time like Mckenna.
Evan would do anything to keep her safe.
CHAPTER 21
Mckenna sat in shock after listening to what her former teacher was saying. Why did any of her students ever think she was cool? Now, as an adult, Mckenna realized that they were young and impressionable, and Penny Gardner took advantage of that. All sorts of feelings hit Mckenna from anger to sadness to hurt. She was taken advantage of by someone at the party and years later, Penny didn’t even care. She hadn’t even apologized. And she’d never come to visit Mckenna after her kidnapping.
She felt Evan’s gaze and peered up at him. His expression was inquisitive, and she figured he was probably wondering if Mckenna was okay. She forced a smile toward him but had the feeling that he could already read her better than most. Even better than Cassidy.
The sheriff had an earpiece linked to her shoulder radio and Mckenna could tell she had a call coming in. Then the sheriff stood and opened the door as a deputy came inside. Penny glanced up from her list.
“I want my lawyer,” Penny said.
“You’ll be able to get in touch with him, but no matter what, you’re going to jail and going to spend a couple nights there,” the sheriff said.
“A couple nights?” Penny asked.
“That’s correct,” the sheriff said. “It’s the weekend. You can’t post bail until you get your first hearing, and a judge won’t be available until Monday.”
Mckenna thought the sheriff was suppressing a vindictive smile and she heard Penny mutter some choice words under her breath.It serves her right for what she did to us. Spending a weekend in jail barely seems fitting.
After Penny handed Evan the pad of paper with the names, the deputy who had arrived asked her to stand and turn around. He put cuffs on her and guided her out the door, taking her away. Mckenna let her breath out. She didn’t realize how much she’d been holding it.
“At least she can’t hurt anyone else,” the sheriff said, breaking the silence. “Her teaching days will be over and I’m sure she’ll be serving some time.”
“I’m going to stop by Toby and Rex’s house and see if they’re home. I have more questions for them,” Evan said, facing Mckenna. “And no, you’re not coming to that interview.”
Mckenna was fine with that. Listening in on Penny’s interview had shaken her a bit. Realizing that Penny didn’t seem to care what Mckenna went through or that she’d protected Penny all these years had hit her hard. She needed to process that and coming face-to-face with Toby or Rex wouldn’t help. “I’m okay with that. I need to get to the office and make follow-up calls on other cases. Plus, Mocha is in the car and it’ll soon be too hot for him. Even in the shade. Thanks for letting me come to this interview.”
“I’ll walk you out,” said Evan.
Mckenna trudged to her car. Her feet felt heavy, and some anxiety stirred up inside her.
“Are you okay?” Evan asked.
“Honestly, no,” Mckenna said. She liked that she could be straightforward with him. With her family it had gotten to the point where she couldn’t really share her true feelings. It would trigger anger toward Toby from her father, guilt in her motherfor not being a better parent and overprotectiveness in her sister. Evan seemed to accept her for who she was and how she felt in the moment. “I thought coming with you would be good. That it would make me feel better hearing Penny confess to what she was doing… But hearing her deny everything didn’t really help.”
Evan pulled her into a hug, his strong arms making her feel safe. She trusted him like no one else she’d ever known in her life.
“I understand,” he said.
“You do?”
