Page 51 of Special Agent Jennie

Chapter Thirty-seven

After Kane left the hotel in a rush, kissing Jennie with tenderness and promises, she went home to clean up and thanked the heavens for an empty house.

Both Lisa and Baba would be at work, leaving her with silence and sanctuary where she didn’t have to talk to anyone or face up to her earlier activities. Thinking about her time with Kane made goosebumps break out in places that had her tightening her muscles. Happiness and she didn’t get together very often and now with the emotions swelling throughout her body, she didn’t know whether to laugh out loud… or cry from fear that it wouldn’t last.

Shaking off the negativity, she did a happy dance, grabbed her fresh clothes, and with the music on her phone as loud as possible, she hit the shower, singing at the top of her lungs.

In no time at all, Jennie slipped behind the wheel of her car and headed to the hospital. Wanting to make sure Melena had survived the night without sinking into a slump, she lingered, expecting… or rather hoping to see Kane.

When he didn’t show, she decided to go ahead and make the visit. The girl’s sad demeanor roused the mother in her as she stepped closer to the bedside. “How are you this morning, kiddo? Does it hurt a lot?” Jennie pointed at the bandaged area on the girl’s side.

At first, Mellie looked surprised to see Jennie, but happiness lit her face soon enough. “You came.”

“Damn straight. I was worried about you, honey. I wanted to be sure they were taking good care of you.”

“I’m better now. Once I knew my dad couldn’t come back, as sick as it sounds, I’m relieved.”

“Of course, you are. And it isn’t sick at all… just a normal reaction to dramatic circumstances. Look, Mellie, I know things have been a total disaster for you for many years. No one can wipe out those memories, but from now on, you can make new ones… good ones.”

Melena nodded; her face scrunched up in defeat. “Yeah, but how? What’s going to happen to me now?”

“Do you have other family you can live with?”

Melena displayed her sadness. “Not that I know of. It was always just the three of us. We didn’t have any friends either… Da… Henry made sure of that.”

Saddened, Jennie’s voice broke. “I’m sorry, honey. But we’ll figure it out.”

“Jennie,” Melena appeared shattered and tears started making a trail down her pale cheeks. “I don’t want to be a loser. I’ve worked so hard to get top grades in school, and I have plans to do something with my life. I can’t be a dropout. It would be the end of all my dreams.”

“Look, that’ll be up to you. Just remember this, we won’t let you go until we know that you’re happy with whatever future they set up for you, okay?”

Relief lit her tentative smile. “Okay. When you and Lance are near me, I’m not alone. I’ll remember that.”

“Then we’ll stay close… for as long as you need us.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. Now settle down and get some sleep. You look like you’ve been awake for a long time.” Jennie wiped the girl’s cheeks tenderly and laid a kiss on her forehead.

Snuggling down, Melena smiled into her eyes, and admitted, “I couldn’t close my eyes last night. The nightmares kept me awake.”

“I’m so sorry, kiddo. I should have come then. But I’m here now. And I’ll hang around until you’re sleeping and be back later. I’ll bring my daughter Lisa to meet you. She’s older than you but she has a good heart and makes a fine friend… someone you can talk to.”

“Does Lance know her?”

“Funny you should ask. I believe he does.” Jennie couldn’t stop the laugh from getting loose, and she saw Melena’s face lighten.

“Is he sweet on her?”

“Between you and me, I’m not certain, but maybe if we see them together, it’ll show. It can be our secret.”

“I like secrets.” Melena reached out shyly for Jennie’s hand and once hers was ensconced in the warmth of affection, she drifted off into the first healthy sleep she’d had in years.

***

Next, Jenny headed for the office. Work had piled up and she felt guilty for not responding earlier. Reed had texted her updates on all their latest cases, but a new situation suddenly emerged, a strange one she needed to check out personally. Listening to the call coming in, she made up her mind in a flash.

Another attack, this time on the home of an older Chinese couple, had just been phoned in. Youths had broken into their house, assaulted the people, and vandalized the place. Thankfully, the fellow next door had seen them enter and had called on their neighbors for help.

---