Page 13 of Good Girls Don't Cry

The dog barked and Emily giggled. The dog’s long tail was wagging a few inches from her face. Damp dog and a man that smelled like pine trees. She sighed. It was going to be a long night.

Fourteen

Black Rock Falls

Sunday

Jenna dragged herself out of a dream at the sound of Kane’s voice. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock on the bedside table. It was a quarter after seven. The smell of freshly ground coffee wafted toward her from a cup sitting beside her as she looked up at Kane sitting on the edge of the bed. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier? I need to know what’s happening with Emily and Raven.”

“Trust me, so do I.” Kane sipped from the cup in his hands. “The only problem is we can’t get a chopper up at the moment. The mountain is cloaked in low clouds and visibility is down to practically zero. The moment the sun burns it off, I’ll be heading off with Carter and Wolfe to see what’s happening.”

Wanting to protest, Jenna opened her mouth to say something, but Kane gave her his combat face and she frowned. “What’s that look for? Is there a problem?”

“No, I just wanted to finish what I was going to say, is all.” He smiled at her. “I have good news. Raven managed to get a call out to Wolfe. It dropped out a few times but he said they were fine but trapped by the rockslide. He’s planning on trying to get back alongside the mountain, but he believes the way will be blocked with boulders. I called the mayor and he’s organizing a work crew to get up there and inspect the damage. They’ll have the machinery to clear a path for them and anyone else trapped up there.”

Sitting up and pulling pillows behind her, Jenna reached for her cup. “Thank God they’re okay. So why do you need to head up in a chopper if the mayor is handling the situation?”

“If they can’t get back today, we’ll need to haul them out.” Kane frowned. “We can get the truck later when the road is cleared but they’ll run out of water by then. I figured we could drop them supplies but Carter insists he can’t risk getting that close to the mountain. If they can walk out to a clear area, he can get his chopper in close enough for a rescue. I’ll need to rappel down and bring them up one at a time, including the dog.”

She swallowed hard. Windy conditions high in the mountain made a rescue mission close to the rock face very dangerous. The thought of Kane hanging from the chopper buffeted by the high wind terrified her, and he’d need to do it three times. Her concern must have shown on her face as Kane shook his head slowly.

“Jenna, every time I do something like this, you worry.” He placed his cup on the bedside table and frowned. “You shouldn’t. I’m never afraid. In fact, I enjoy it. I’m very close to Emily, and you know I could never risk her safety with anyone else.” He sighed. “A rescue might not be necessary, but if it is, I’m going. We’ll take supplies as well, just in case we can’t get them out for a time.” He stood and smiled at her. “Breakfast is just about ready. Carter is helping this morning and Tauri is already at the table waiting to eat. How long do you need?”

It never ceased to amaze her how her team worked seamlessly together. Kane had organized a rescue in a few minutes. Impressed, Jenna nodded. “Is ten minutes okay?”

“Ten minutes is fine.” He collected her empty cup and headed out the door.

At the kitchen table, Jenna grinned at Carter, wearing Nanny Raya’s apron and with flour on his cheek. Although the batch of pancakes he’d made were delicious, the added pile of crispy bacon Kane had fried made the meal perfect. She looked at her son. “What exciting things are you doing at kindergarten today?”

“Painting, I hope.” Tauri beamed at her. “I hope Ms. Smith will show us more dinosaur bones. She said she had a movie to show us all about them too.”

“That will be great.” Carter nibbled on a strip of bacon. “One day maybe your mom and dad will take you to visit the tar pits in LA.”

“Uncle Ty is referring to La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.” Kane poured maple syrup over his pancakes. “It has a dinosaur exhibition. I recall seeing mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and many more. I figure it’s a great place to take kids.”

Nodding, Jenna smiled. “I’ll need to have the baby first, okay?”

“Hurry up, baby.” Tauri rested his ear against Jenna’s belly. “He says, blub, blub, blub.”

“It might be a girl.” Kane chuckled. “Would you like a baby sister?”

“I’m not sure.” Tauri stared at his plate. “Girls can be icky. I figure he’ll be a boy like me. Big and strong.”

Jenna’s phone chimed and she stared at the caller ID and shook her head at Kane. It was a private number. She stood and walked into the passageway to take the call. “Sheriff Alton.”

“Ma’am. My name is Edgar Finch. I’m with the work crew checking the damage from the rockslide. We’ve found the body of a woman laid out on a boulder with copper pennies on her eyes. Seems like the wildlife has nibbled on her some. Poor kid.”

Stiffening, Jenna walked back to the kitchen. She went to the pad on the counter and pulled out a pen from a cup beside it. “I’ll need your details and the coordinates. Did you touch anything?”

“No, ma’am.” Finch blew out a long breath. “I can leave two of my men and a truck on the fire road to keep the critters away until you get here. We need to keep movin’. There are people wanting our help. I know you require more details, but no one has gotten too close. It was a shock, seeing her laid out like that. I’ll text you the coordinates, but it’s along the fire road, close to the forest warden’s station.”

Heart thumping, Jenna made rapid notes. “Thank you. I’ll send my deputies right away.” She disconnected and called Rio. “Are you heading to the office? Grab Rowley and head for the forest. I believe someone has located one of the missing girls.”

“Alive?” Rio’s engine roared.

Jenna frowned. She couldn’t be specific in front of her son. “I’m afraid not. I’ll send the coordinates. It’s the fire road close to the forest warden’s office. I’m having breakfast with my son, so I’ll give you the details later.”

“Dead body, likely one of the missing girls. Is someone on scene?”

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