Page 4 of Special Agent Jennie

Chapter Four

Kane had a hard time believing that today of all days he could be approached by a daughter he never even knew existed. Rubbing his stomach, he grimaced. Lord, really? I’m questioning your sense of humor here. He gnashed his teeth. I’m just saying… it’s really not funny.

It took him some time to get rid of the gang of freaks so he could check on the girl. Approaching the bedroom, he spoke out loud, “They’re gone. You can come out now and explain yourself.”

When nothing happened, he turned on the light to find the room empty. Surprisingly, sadness overwhelmed him. He sat on the edge of the unmade bed. How could life be so cruel to have sent him such a gorgeous daughter only to have her find out about his activities and believe he could be the monster she must have perceived him to be? How could he blame her?

Of course, she’d listened. He knew it… felt her eyes on him, hating him. Or maybe it was the self-loathing that had filled him so the taste in his mouth had soured, and his heart had crumpled inside… small pieces slicing into his innards like slivers of cut glass.

Just listening to those weirdo crackpots excitedly sharing their disgusting plans had soured everything he held dear. The only “thank God” sensation he had was knowing he’d be putting a stop to them doing much damage.

But that wouldn’t end his involvement. It couldn’t. Not until he could reveal the head commander of the maniacs that they’d set him up here to find. Right now, he had to figure out a way to stop their plans and yet still be a part of their group.

Jesus… and he’d thought he lived a complicated life before tonight. It had just gotten a hell of a lot worse. Now he’d be forced to find Lisa’s mother, Jennie, the girl he’d never been able to forget from his youth. The girl who’d suffered his rejection because he’d been in so much pain that he couldn’t bring her down with him. Instead, he’d decided to leave her and go through his miserable family predicament alone.

He laid back and let his memory of Jennie return. She’d been so beautiful, so full of life. He’d been happy in those days. Happy and filled with dreams.

Then his father and brother had collapsed that magical world into one filled with terror. They’d committed a crime they couldn’t explain away. Knowing the authorities would be on their trail, they took their only way out. Forced to be on the run with them, life had become a nightmare.

It happened the very night he’d come home after spending a glorious day with Jennie at the beach. An afternoon filled with lovemaking, happiness, and laughter. Only to be dragged out to the car, pushed inside, and without any explanation, they hit the road, traveling out of the state. Pretending to sleep and listening to their conversation, he found out that his dad and older brother had gotten into a barfight, and a man had probably died because of their brutality. Now they were on the run.

Being seventeen and filled with righteous disgust and a whole lot of fear of being involved, he’d left them in one of the small towns in Texas, and life after that had been a constant struggle just to survive. Moving on, never settling long in one place, he’d finally hitchhiked to Washington, D.C. where he’d decided one could lose themselves. If he hadn’t met an ex-soldier, turned FBI agent who had no family and a whole lot of love to share, it’s unlikely where his life might have ended up.

He’d been dozing under the awning of a storefront, way back in the shadows when a man had walked past only to be attacked by four youths looking for an easy victim with a full wallet. To this day, he didn’t know why he’d interfered to help the guy out, but with his young strength and the heavy stick he carried for his own safety, he began fighting to help the dude.

Having Kane pitch in had turned the tide. During the battle, it hadn’t taken long to see that the ruffians were just a pack of young thugs looking for some easy cash.

He’d approached the one closest to him with a whack over his back, placing him out of commission. With no time to watch him rolling on the ground, he took on another. A few well-placed strikes from his weapon got the other male’s attention, and he soon put the run on him.

Meanwhile, watching the other man’s moves on the last two had been like watching a fight scene in an action movie. All kicks and dedicated punches to convince the boys they weren’t going to get their way, and the rest of the pack soon abandoned their intentions and ran for their lives.

Bent over to catch his breath, the older man looked up at Kane, a twinkle showing on his grinning face. “Hey, son. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. It was kinda fun.”

“I know what you mean.” Straightening, his hand supporting his back, the fighter arched as if to loosen the kinks and spoke kindly. “I’m starving. You eat yet?”

Noticing the official-looking badge attached to the man’s waistband, Kane felt instantly safe to take up the stranger’s invitation. “I’m always hungry when someone else is paying.” Kane gathered his belongings that fit into a backpack and turned to face the man waiting.

“Good, ‘cause you deserve a steak. And damn rights – it’s on me.” Sticking out his hand, he’d said, “I’m Dave Wardlow.”

“Kane Lambert.”

“A pleasure to meet you, son. Things might have turned out differently if you hadn’t pitched in.”

“No problem, man. I needed the exercise.”

That was the night Dave Wardlow had moved into his universe. From then on, he’d had someone in his corner who cared if he lived or died.

Not a huge man, in fact, Kane’s lean young body topped his by a few inches, Dave had fought like he knew how to handle himself and left Kane speechless at his agility and skill. While they walked to the closest restaurant, Kane opened the conversation.

“You’re no slouch yourself, old man.”

“Hey, who you calling old? Chrissakes, I’m barely fifty, so watch your mouth.”

Picking up on the humor, Kane grinned. “Ruffled your grey feathers, did I?”

“Up yours, brat. Look, I’m too exhausted to take you on after that last workout. What say we just get some hot food in us, and maybe you can tell me why you’re sleeping in a fucking doorway.”

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