“I think all of Brad’s friends felt bad for me. Levi and Adam stopped by Kenny’s and checked on me every week, sometimes more. Not sure Kenny was too happy about it, but he put up with it.”
“Levi and Adam have asked about you over the years, especially this last month. I’ve never hinted that we keep in touch or where you live which didn’t make them happy. They both worry about you.”
“I miss those two. They weren’t only Brad’s friends but mine too.” Tina’s words registered. Jennie scrunched her forehead. “Wait. Why this month?”
“You haven’t heard?” Tina’s eyes widened. “You haven’t, have you?”
“What are you talking about?”
Tina flung her legs over the edge of the cushions and sat up. “Kenny had his parole hearing a week ago.”
The world spun and the lights grew dim. He couldn’t be out. The man had beaten her and left her for dead. If Tina hadn’t found her… She pulled in a ragged breath, “Was he released?”
Her friend nodded. “I thought you knew.”
“No. I’ve had no contact from my old life except for you. I didn’t leave my address with the police either. I hadn’t wanted to take a chance.” She scrubbed her hands over her face.
“Levi visited Kenny in prison over the years, said he’d changed. Felt bad for how he’d treated you. Even had a groupie girlfriend that he was looking forward to being with once he was out.”
“Does Levi believe him? Do you believe him?” Jennie’s stomach twisted in knots. The man who’d almost killed her was back on the streets. Had he found her? Was he the one causing all the problems?
“Not sure on both accounts. Levi seemed to think he still has anger issues so he’s leery of Kenny’s proclamation. Adam on the other hand thought Kenny told the truth.”
Jennie’s heart raced. This couldn’t be happening. She bolted to the door and checked the locks.
“What if it was him at the lake? What if he was the one who tried to hurt me?”
She thought she had more time. Her worst nightmare was on the loose.
Chapter 8
Monday 7:00 a.m.
Cup of dark brew in hand, David inhaled the rich bold aroma and closed his heavy eyelids. The hum of voices and activity of the coffee shop faded into the background. After visiting Jennie on Sunday afternoon, David had spent the evening and all night playing the evidence in Zoey’s case over in his head. But it was the email Jennie had forwarded to him that confused him the most. Nothing pointed to anyone other than a pedophile. So why had the creep included Jennie in the last three of the photos?
There was only one answer. A different person other than the one from the mistaken text stalked the pair.
Then the weekend incident happened. Maybe it had been just an accident, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone hadintended to harm her. His shoulders slumped at the thought. Lack of sleep was catching up with him. During college, an all-nighter wouldn’t have fazed him. But over a decade later, his body didn’t recover as easily.
He took a sip and blinked, bringing the world into focus. His tired gaze spotted Brandon heading his way, appearing as frazzled as David.
David sat his mug on the table. “Hey, partner. You look about as good as I feel. The twins keep you up late last night? Or did you have a hot date?”
Brandon plopped onto the bench opposite David in the corner booth and scowled at him. “You think I have time to date with Katie and Kyle taking up all my energy and brain cells? Those kids of mine decided last night would be a good night to break curfew and waltzed in an hour late.”
David chuckled. “They’re a handful. Always into mischief and sticking up for each other.”
“Yeah, the twins insist on doing things together. They’re even double dating so I can’t get mad at just one of them.” The corners of Brandon’s lips curved downward.
“You miss her, don’t you?” David hadn’t known Brandon’s late wife, Tish, but if his partner’s admiration of her was any indication, the woman had been amazing.
“Every day.” Brandon swiped his hand over his tired face and inhaled. “So, what’s new with the case?”
David placed his hand on the folder sitting next to his placemat and slid it toward Brandon. “Jennie received an email Friday night. Those were in it.”
The waitress sat a mug of coffee in front of Brandon and poured David a second cup.
Once the woman sauntered away, his partner opened the file. He gave a low whistle through his teeth. “Huh. Not what I expected.”
