After informing the stunned and shocked parents of Kate Bright, Jenna decided to leave them in the capable hands of Reverend Jones. The reverend had solemnly informed them he would go with them to the mortuary and help arrange the funeral once Wolfe released Kate’s body. Glad to have the awful business over, she stood. “You have my card if you need to contact me.”

“Dear God, how did this happen?” Mr. Bright gave her a blank look and stared at the card in his hand. “I thought she was safe in her room. Why didn’t I check on her?” He glanced at Kane and anger replaced devastation. “I want to be there when you catch this animal. I’ll tear him apart with my bare hands.” He raked at his tear-filled eyes and body shook with grief. He clasped Kane’s arm. “Tell me you’ll catch this son of a bitch.”

“We’ll catch him, sir.” Kane turned his concerned gaze on her. “Ma’am?”

A flashback of being tied, helpless and in the hands of two killers, hit Jenna like a train. The conversation swirled around her like water flowing down the drain in the sink. The next moment someone gripped her arm. She panicked, wanting to run away, then Kane’s voice broke through the buzzing in her head.

“I think we should call back at another time. We need to leave these people to get some rest.”

She focused on his face and nodded. “Yes, of course. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Just catch the man who did this to my little girl.” Mr. Bright mopped at the tears welling in his red-rimmed eyes. “I want to see her.”

Jenna cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. I’ll contact you the moment the M.E has released her.”

Relieved to be leaving the pain and misery behind, Jenna followed Kane to his SUV. “I hope the reverend will be able to help them cope.”

Jenna noticed Kane stiffen and the tick in his cheek.

“I don’t do religion.” Kane shrugged then his blue gaze moved to her face. “I kill people, maybe in the line of duty but I don’t expect a welcome at the Pearly Gates. I’m paying for my sins every day of my life.”

“It’s not a sin to protect your country or to save a life.” Astonished her iceman had vented his innermost feelings, she gaped at him. “I thought you liked living in Black Rock Falls?”

“Like is a pretty strong word.” Kane snorted in derision and his lips turned down. “A new life maybe, and having you as my boss is a bonus, but I watched my wife die and I live in pain. I’ll probably be stuck here for the rest of my life.”

“Oh my God.” Jenna punched him hard in the bicep and pain shot up her arm. Dammit, she had got close to breaking her knuckles, and Kane only looked at her with one raised black eyebrow. He had not moved an inch. “What the hell is wrong with you? Poor boy, are you feeling sorry for yourself? Want me to buy you a pacifier?” She glared at him. “Pull yourself together.”

When Kane flashed her a brilliant white smile, she gaped at him, speechless, rubbing her throbbing hand.

“That’s the Jenna I know.” He mussed up her hair with one big hand and chuckled. “I thought you had checked out on me for a while before—and next time, punch me in a soft area, or knee me in the groin if you want to get my attention, or you’ll hurt yourself.” He sauntered toward the car.

Running her fingers through her hair, she followed him. “What do you mean by that comment? Are you saying I’m demanding?” She climbed into the passenger seat and turned to see him trying to hide a smile. “What’s so funny?”

“Not a thing, ma’am.” Kane’s full mouth twitched at the corners. He started the engine and turned the SUV for home. “The last few days have been horrific and I’m glad to have you back.”

“I haven’t been anywhere.” The meaning to his words dropped into place and she shrugged. “Okay, yes, I had a few flashbacks. It’s hard not to relate to what the victims went through. I’ve been there, and if you hadn’t arrived, the Daniels brothers would have raped and murdered me. I know they are dead and can’t hurt me. What’s happening to me?”

“We all have a breaking point and you need time to unwind. We have done everything we can for tonight. We can’t compare cases until we get the autopsy results on all the victims. If you want, I’ll write up the case file when I get home and send off an email to Helena to keep them in the loop.”

Jenna sighed. “Thanks. It has been a very long day and I do need to turn off for a while.”

“I’ll take you home so you can take a nice hot shower then why don’t you come over to my place and watch a movie?”

She turned in her seat and looked at him. “No shop talk.”

“I promise.”

The SUV slowed outside Aunt Betty’s Café and Kane held up one long finger then headed inside the store. She glanced up the street and a wave of unease slid over her yet the brightly lit street had a number of people strolling by. Music drifted out the door of the café, and through the storefront window, she noticed Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley at a table in animated conversation. She waited in the car but try as she may, she could not drag her mind away from the murders. There had to be something, some clue she had overlooked.

She turned on the overhead light and took out her notepad, scanning each page with care. She read the interview notes she had taken with Aimee and Kate. Allowing the girls’ replies to her questions to percolate through her mind, she focused on what they had said. Their attraction toward Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley had included Felicity. Would they make a secret rendezvous to meet the men of their dreams? She had to admit she would have walked on hot coals to meet the members of her favorite band at the same age, and these men just happened to be locals. They would have the girls’ trust, and after her unnerving interview, she would not put rape past either of them—but murder?

Cowboys worked on ranches when not traveling the rodeo circuit; they likely butchered livestock. And most men hunted in the region, and blood and guts came with the sport. She had failed to look deeper into the cowboys’ lives. She made a note to ask Rowley to ask the locals. People gossip and he would be the best person to pry information loose.

What else had she missed during the interview with Aimee and Kate? Had she overlooked a small but crucial reference or had she failed to ask the correct questions? She rubbed her temples in an effort to force her mind to work harder. Her attention moved to the computer store sitting in darkness, and a spark of memory ignited like a Roman candle on the Fourth of July. Aimee and Kate said they communicate online. She had the impression they would not use the term if they meant called each other by phone. She assumed the games room they used had a live feed; people often played games against each other. Is it possible the killer is hacking their video calls?