Page 28 of PenPal Hero

“Yep.” Jackson sounded close to weeping. “Everything that happened was my fault.” He lifted his Stetson and scrubbed a hand through his dark, wavy hair. “If only I’d been a better brother…”

“Not sure I agree with that.” As Holt reached out to clasp Jackson’s shoulder, a thought struck him. “Hey. Have you ever noticed anyone following Bonnie around town?”

Jackson grew still. “Now that you mention it,” he settled his hat back on his head, “sometimes when I’m with her, I get that itchy feeling between my shoulders like we’re being watched or something. Figured it was my imagination.” He gave a humorless chuckle. “Or my guilt.”

“If it’s any comfort,” Holt lowered his arm from Jackson’s shoulder to dangle his thumbs through the belt loops of his jeans, “I don’t think she blames you for anything other than breathing down her neck most of the time. Her words, not mine.”

A faint smile quirked the edges of Jackson’s mouth. “Sounds like her.”

“What about photos?” Holt mulled over the long-range camera person. “Have you ever caught anyone trying to sneak a picture of Bonnie?” So far, no one in forensics had been able to ID the person. Though they’d managed to pull some DNA off the cigarette butt he’d found, whoever it belonged to wasn’t in the system.

“No. Have you?” Jackson gave him a strange look.

“She thinks someone had a camera on her during a team building exercise at the retreat.” Holt gave him the minimal details about their hike to the site and what they’d found.

Jackson turned white. “Has she told the police about it?”

Holt shook his head. “She didn’t think they’d do anything, but she gave me permission to share it with the folks at K&G Security.” He hated bringing them into the conversation, but he felt Jackson might feel better knowing they were on the case. Telling K&G Security was about the same as telling the police, since they were assisting with the case.

Jackson reached for his wallet. “If you need help paying for a bodyguard?—”

“I don’t.” Holt waved away his offer. “I have some friends who work there, and they’re doing me a favor by looking into things.” It was the best explanation he could give without admitting that he worked for them.

Frowning, Jackson shoved his wallet back in his pocket. “Stuff like that can get pricey. If you need me to pitch in, I will. Any time. Just give me a holler.”

“Thanks. I’ll be sure to let Bonnie know you offered, too.” Holt hoped it would give the guy some comfort.

Jackson sighed. “Wait until she’s in a better mood.”

“I can do that.” Holt held back a chuckle. “And I’ll do my best to look after her. No guarantees, of course. She doesn’t answer to me.”

“Or to any of the rest of us anymore,” Jackson grumbled. “Trust me. She’s made that crystal clear.” He raised his hands. “Oldest brother backing off and handing the baton to the boyfriend. Tag. You’re it.”

“Is the fact that I’m dating her gonna be a problem for us?” Holt preferred to be honest about stuff like that.

“Hope not.” Jackson didn’t so much as crack a smile.

“I really care for your sister.” Holt wasn’t sure if that would help his case or not.

“No offense,” Jackson’s voice was flat, “but that ain’t gonna amount to a hill of beans if she turns up missing a third time.”

“Agreed.” Holt straightened his shoulders. “That’s why I brought K&G in on things.”

“Glad to see you’re taking this seriously.” Jackson shook his head ruefully. “Up ’til now, there were days I felt like I was the only one.”

“Not only is the safety of my girlfriend at stake, she works with my sister.” Holt could feel a vein ticking in his neck. “That gives me a whole extra reason to worry.” He hoped with all his heart that whatever danger was dogging Bonnie’s heels wouldn’t bleed over into Alice’s world.

Unlike Jackson, Holt didn’t just have one woman to protect. He had two.

CHAPTER 6: INWARD SHADOWS

August

Holt glanced through his rear-view mirror at the rental trailer hitched to his truck. It was fishtailing a little on the highway every time he tried to drive at full speed. It was probably his fault for failing to evenly disperse the weight of his tools and automotive gear inside the trailer. He was so excited about moving into his own shop today that he’d just tossed his stuff in and slammed the door shut.

“What’s wrong?” Bonnie twisted around to glance worriedly out the back window.

“Nothing. I just need to slow down.” He feathered his brakes. “Got a heavy load back there. Fortunately, we don’t have far to go.”

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