Knock. Knock.
Jennie jumped. Her hand went to her chest, and she spun toward the front door. Sweat beaded on her brow, and her pulse skyrocketed. She closed her eyes and willed her racing mind to settle. Once confident her legs wouldn’t buckle, she stood.
“It’s not him, you coward. He wouldn’t knock.” She padded across the wood floor.
A quick peek through the peephole had Jennie breathing a sigh of relief. Detective Whitman stood with his hands in his pockets.
Ever since the text message debacle, she’d watched over her shoulder. It was ludicrous, really. She’d spent the last six years stuffing her fears into a manageable box. Now that the lid had lifted, she had to get a handle on it again. Thank goodness Zoey had spent the night at Aunt Em’s. Her daughter didn’t need to see her freaking out like this.
She edged the door open. “David?”
“Sorry I didn’t call. Between a stake out and being a twelve-year-old girl, I lost track of time.”
“Huh?” She scrunched her forehead.
“Professional hazard.” The sheepish expression on his face made her smile.
Her mind latched onto his meaning. She leaned against the doorframe and tilted her head. “Is that how you find the predators?”
“One way. Anyway, sorry for not calling.” He glanced around the yard. “Mind if I come in?”
“Now it’s my turn to apologize. Please.” She made a sweeping motion, inviting him into the house. “Make yourself at home. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine.” The man lowered himself onto the couch and studied her. “Are you okay? You seem a bit shaken.”
Did she dare tell him? What if he thought she overreacted? But from everything she’d learned about David, he was nothing like Kenny. He wouldn’t demean her. Wouldn’t hit her. She hoped. “I-I received an email earlier. It…surprised me.” Her gaze darted to her laptop on the kitchen table. “I haven’t opened it yet, but that can wait.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
She ignored his silent question, sat on the other side of the sofa, and clutched her hands together. “Do you have news?” Oh, how she hoped they had the evil man behind bars.
“Some. We think we’ve narrowed it down to two or three guys.”
“Really? How?” Hope sparked. Once they caught the child predator, she’d be able to breathe. At least on that front.
“These perverted men are known to share pictures online through hotspots in store parking lots.”
Bile rose in her throat. Young girls’ pictures online? For others to see? She swallowed. “How do you know it’s them?”
“They aren’t secretive. The SSIDs they use are…let’s just say they’re disgusting at times.”
“Can’t you follow their IP addresses or something?” She was unsure how all of that worked, but she’d heard the term before. Man, she hoped she didn’t sound stupid.
“I wish. They use multiple burner phones. They aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed, but they aren’t dumb either.”
Reality hit Jennie like a brick to the head. Her heart raced, and black dots pricked her vision. She inhaled through her nose and blew out air through her pursed lips. “You mean my daughter’s picture could be out there for every child predator to see?” And what about Kenny? Had this led him to her doorstep?
David tucked his chin to his chest. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Blood whooshed in her ears. Had a mistaken text message revealed her location? One she’d tried hard to keep private.
She stood and wrapped her arms around her waist and paced the room. “This can’t be happening.”
**
“I wish I had a different answer, but I don’t.” Something about this woman’s vulnerability tugged at David’s heart. He physically hurt for Zoey’s mother. He stayed seated and watched her move back and forth across the room.
“I’ve been so careful.” Tears trailed down Jennie’s cheeks. “We love it here,” she whispered.
