Just as things began to turn dicey between Carla and her parents, Jenna slipped out of her newfound friend’s hospital room. Hearing confessions were not her thing, and being in the middle of chaos was the last place she wanted to be.

Outside the stuffy hospital, she inhaled the clean air. When had the gray sky disappeared? Marlon sat in his cruiser, windows up, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. She rapped on the passenger side window to get his attention, and he jumped. Wonder cop opened the door.

“You’re back so soon.”

She curled her lips. “Didn’t I give you enough time to finish the magazine?”

“You don’t have to get snippy with me. Where to?”

“To HOPEFAL. Just drop me off. I’ll stay with Sam for the rest of the day.” If she needed to go anywhere, maybe Gina could give her a lift.

“You sure?” His fists tightened on the wheel.

Marlon seemed upset that she wasn’t desperate enough to go out with him. Whatever. “Yes.” At least he was a careful driver, which counted for something.

When she entered Sam’s lab, Eric Markowitz and he were huddled over a pile of photographs spread out on the counter.

“I think they’re different,” Sam said, tapping one of the photos.

Jenna cleared her throat. He looked up and smiled. “How did the visit go?”

She shrugged. “Carla’s parents showed up so I split.”

“They came, huh. I’m glad for her sake.”

“Me too.” Ever curious, Jenna stepped over to where the 8x10 glossies were displayed. Bloody shots of a dismembered man were next to photos of Rodrico Evans. “And these would be?” She kept her voice even, pretending she didn’t recognize the lime encrusted man.

Sam pointed to a pile on the left. “Creighton Jackson before he ended up as bones. And these belong to Rodrico Evans who was found mostly dismembered at Ballast Point.”

“Any comparison?”

Sam glanced at Eric who shook his head. “Eric and I have agreed to disagree. I think two different people did the deed. He thinks the same person hacked them both.”

“That’s scary. Do you know how this one died?” Jenna pointed to Rodrico Evans.

Eric nodded. “Most likely shot in the head—which we don’t have. There were no other wounds that would indicate cause of death. It’s the only logical conclusion.”

Somehow the image of Deidra wielding a gun didn’t compute. Did that mean the woman was innocent?

After eating a malnourished snack from the machine, Sam thought a real lunch for them was needed. To save money, they headed back to Jenna’s where he made a ham and Swiss on whole wheat for both of them. The moment they finished their meal, the doorbell rang. Jenna dropped her napkin and froze. Sam held up his hand. “Let me check it out.”

He raced to the kitchen window and looked out. “It’s a woman and a baby.”

“Ohmigod. Maybe it’s Shelby!” Jenna jumped up and winced.

Sam was by her side in a flash. “Take it easy. You sit, and I’ll answer the door.”

The short redhead smiled brightly and introduced herself. “Is Jenna home?”

“Yes, come in.”

With the baby huddled between them, Jenna and Shelby hugged. “Ohmigod. He’s so cute. What’s his name?” Jenna tickled the baby’s belly and beamed when the child smiled.

“Dominick.”

For a split second Sam wondered what it would be like to have a family. The problem with that dream was that he’d never get out from under his debt to afford one. He slipped into the spare bedroom to catch up on some reading while the women chatted. When he heard the visitor’s car door close an hour later, he returned to the living room. Jenna was watching television, looking like a vision in her pink tank top and short shorts. Her hair was the way he liked it, all spiky and sexy. The red marks on her face were fading and, except for her sore ribs, she seemed to be healing well.

She looked up, smiled, and clicked off the television. Lust grabbed him hard as Jenna rose and slinked toward him. He didn’t move a muscle. When she ran her hands down his chest, he grabbed her hands and kissed her knuckles. “I need to shower. Then we can talk.”

The sparkle in her eyes faded. “What have you been doing for the last hour?”

You’re a cad, Bonita. He could have washed up then. “Doing calisthenics?”

“Right.”

After turning on the water, he slipped into the shower, dumped a handful of shampoo on his head and lathered his body. In mid scrubbing, Jenna opened the bathroom door. Even though she’d seen him naked, Sam shifted his body away from the glass shower door. “Jenna?”

“I was getting lonely out there.” She slipped the tank top over her head.

“Jenna, this isn’t a good idea.”

The phone rang. “Aaargh. I’m not getting it.”

“It could be the lab. Would you mind?” Please obey for once.

Jenna shook her boobs, ran a hand over her hips, and smiled. “For you I will.”

Once she disappeared, he turned the water colder and willed his erection to shrink. As he was toweling off, Jenna rushed into the bathroom, her gaze not on his crotch, but rather on his face.

Panic and horror collided on her features. Tears streamed down her face. “My dad’s been shot.”