Page 32 of Their Wicked Games

In two minds, Jenna stared at the wallet in her hand. She removed the driver’s license and then pushed the wallet inside her pocket. The wallet was evidence and may contain a clue to why Miles Nolan was walking through dark alleyways at night. She sucked in a deep breath and nodded to Kane. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Suddenly glad of hersheriff’s departmentjacket, she led the way up the garden path and knocked on the front door. When a woman came to the door and stared at her open-mouthed, she held up the license. “Does Miles Nolan live here?”

“Yes, he does, Sheriff.” The woman glanced over her shoulder and then back at Jenna. “I’m his mother. Is there a problem?”

Wishing she could be anywhere else but here, Jenna met the woman’s troubled expression. “Is your husband at home?”

“No, he’s at the office.” Mrs. Nolan pointed over her shoulder. “Miles is in his room. His pa grounded him and he didn’t come down for breakfast, so he’s probably still sulking.”

Heart sinking, Jenna nodded slowly. “We need to speak to you. Can we come inside?”

“Has something happened to Jerry?” Mrs. Nolan’s hand went to her mouth. “Did he wreck his truck on the way to work?”

Swallowing hard, Jenna shook her head. “No, we’re not here about Jerry. Is he your husband?”

“Do you have his office number?” Kane took out his notebook. “I need to speak to him.”

“Yes, of course.” Mrs. Nolan gave Kane the details and then stared at Jenna when Kane walked away to make the call. “What’s this all about?”

Getting the next of kin inside and sitting down was a priority. Jenna moved closer. “It’s about Miles. May we come inside?”

“I guess so.” Mrs. Nolan walked into the hallway and, placing one hand on the banister, looked up the stairs. “Miles, get down here. The sheriff wants to speak with you. Pa is on his way, so move your sorry ass.” She led the way into a kitchen, leaned against the counter, and folded her arms across her chest. “Okay, what’s he done now?”

The remains of a breakfast littered the kitchen table, and the scent of coffee still hung in the air. Jenna turned as Kane walked into the kitchen behind her. They exchanged a meaningful glance and Kane gave her a slight nod. He’d informed the father. Sucking in a deep breath Jenna pulled out a chair. “Maybe you should sit down?”

“Look, just say what’s on your mind.” Mrs. Nolan shook her head. “How bad can it be?”

Bracing herself, Jenna lifted her chin and handed the driver’s license to Mrs. Nolan. “Is this your son, Miles?”

“Yes.” She turned the license over in her hand. “Where did you find it?”

There was no easy way to tell a mother her child had died. Straightening, Jenna stared at her. “On the body of a young man we believe is Miles.”

“That’s impossible.” Mrs. Nolan ran from the room and headed up the stairs. Footsteps ran down a passageway and the sound of a door hitting the wall. “Noooo.”

“Go upstairs.” Kane squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll wait for Mr. Nolan. I didn’t tell him. I just said he was needed at home. I’ll speak to him when he arrives.”

Concerned for Mrs. Nolan, Jenna took a glass from the shelf, filled it with water, and headed for the stairs. She found Mrs. Nolan sitting on an unmade bed, staring into space, a high school letterman jacket clutched in her arms. “Have a drink of water.”

“What happened to my boy?” Mrs. Nolan ignored the water, folded the jacket with care, and placed it on the bed before raising her ashen face to Jenna. “Don’t sugarcoat it. Tell me the truth. Where did you find him?”

Clearing her throat, Jenna sat beside her and pushed the glass into her hands. The woman needed information but not the gory details of her son’s last moments. “In an alleyway, not far from here. Someone stabbed him.”

“Where is he? I want to see him.” Mrs. Nolan trembled but hadn’t shed a tear.

Mrs. Nolan’s cold, matter-of-fact tone concerned Jenna. Was the woman going into shock? Then when she caught a flash of malice in the woman’s eyes, she quickly reassessed the situation. Not in shock, she was angry. “Miles is with the medical examiner and you’ll be able to see him shortly. I’ll be happy to give you a ride to his office, but I think we should wait until your husband arrives.”

A truck pulled onto the driveway and Jenna got to her feet, but not in time to stop Mrs. Nolan from leaping to her feet and dashing out of the door. Following close behind, Jenna watched in dismay as the woman pushed past Kane and flew at a man walking up the driveway.

“It’s your fault.” Mrs. Nolan ripped her nails down her husband’s cheek. “You know how important that party was to him last night. If you hadn’t taken his keys and grounded him, this would never have happened. You killed our boy for not putting out the trash. I’ll never forgive you, not ever.”

Mr. Nolan stared at Jenna, eyes wild. He grasped his wife’s arms and held her away from him. “What does she mean? Has something happened to Miles?”

“We’ll talk to you inside.” Kane took a firm grip of Mrs. Nolan’s arm and led her back to the kitchen. He lowered her into a chair and waved her husband into one opposite. “We found the body of your son in an alleyway close by. He’d been stabbed. I’m so sorry for your loss. Is there anyone I can call? A minister, family members?”

“My youngest is at a friend’s house.” Mrs. Nolan sipped the water. “He’s just twelve years old. I can’t tell him over the phone.”

“Give me the number. I’ll call the family to explain and ask them to give him a ride home.” Kane took out his notebook and pen. “The news is best coming from you.”

---