Wind blasted the rain against the windows as Jenna stood. She looked at Carter. “We should search the house for clues together. There are slickers in the store closet and rubber boots. I figure we’re going to need them.”
“That sounds like a plan.” Carter stood slowly. “I’ll leave Zorro here with Duke. The way poor old Duke is trembling, he’s not keen to go out in a storm. He’ll appreciate Zorro’s company.”
“They’ll be fine in our office.” Kane smiled. “It’s nice and warm in there and there’s food.”
“I need to see Sheriff Alton.” A woman’s voice came from downstairs. “I need to see her right away.”
“You go. I’ll grab our gear.” Kane headed out into the hallway with Jo and Carter on his heels.
Reacting at once, Jenna went to the top of the stairs. “I’m here.” She hurried down the stairs and into the foyer where a distraught woman banged her fist on the counter. Approaching with caution, she held up two hands in front of her in a placating manner. “Why don’t you take a few deep breaths and then tell me what has happened.”
“I believe something’s happened to my friend.” Water dripped off the edge of the woman’s hoodie. “Her front door is open and when I called out she didn’t answer me.”
Jenna led the woman to the back of the office and sat her at Rio’s desk. “What’s your name and the name of your friend?” She pulled a notebook out of her pocket and took a pen from the cup on Rio’s desk. “And I’ll need your contact details.”
“Nici Mans and my friend’s name is Sierra Lang.” She gave their details.
Sitting in a chair opposite her, Jenna made a note of the names. “I recognize you. Aren’t you one of the women who attends the classes run by my deputies?”
“Yeah, and so is Sierra.” Nici’s hands trembled and she frequently stared at the front door as if expecting someone to arrive.
Jenna didn’t hear Kane walk up behind her, but she sensed him being there and glanced at him as he pulled up a chair. “Nici is concerned about her friend Sierra.” She turned her attention back to Nici. “You mentioned going to her house and finding the door open. Can you tell me exactly what happened step-by-step?”
“After self-defense class we all went to Aunt Betty’s Café for coffee and pie as usual. I mentioned to Sierra about the farmers market in Louan today. When it rains, they move it into the town hall and there’s plenty of parking. I said I would drop by and we’d go together in my truck because it’s really safe in wet weather, and we knew that storms were forecast for the next week or so.” She gripped her hands tightly together on the desk, her eyes frantic. “I went by to pick her up at eight, as we agreed, and her front door was wide open. The hallway inside was wet and there were leaves everywhere, as if it had been open for a time. I called out many times, but I couldn’t hear anything at all.” She looked at Jenna and her eyes filled with tears. “I was too afraid to go inside alone, so I ran back to my truck and came here right away.”
“Do you recall if the lights were on inside the house?” Kane leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands in front of him. “It might indicate how long the front door has been open.”
“I’m not sure.” Nici ran both hands down her face and rocked back and forth. “I know what happens in this town to women living alone. There’s always someone out there just waiting for a chance to murder us.”
“Was there any other indication to make you believe she was murdered?” Kane lifted his chin. “For instance, a foul smell?” When Nici shook her head, he glanced at Jenna and raised one eyebrow. “Okay, while you have your eyes shut, I want you to imagine you’re at the front door looking into the house and seeing the leaves and the dampness in the hallway. Are the lights on or off?”
“The lights are on.” Nici dropped her hands and looked at him. “I recall seeing the reflection of the hall light in the puddle of water just inside the door.”
Jenna stood. “We’ll drop by to make sure nothing has happened to Sierra. I want you to stay with our office manager, Maggie. She will take your statement. I want you to try and recall every little detail you can about going to your friend’s house. Did you see any other vehicles on the road? Did you see any people hanging around? Did anyone follow you? Write down anything that might be relevant in the statement and wait here until we return.”
“Okay.” Nici stood. “I’ll feel safer here.”
“We’ll have one of the deputies follow you home and check your house to make sure it’s safe before you go inside.” Kane smiled. “Maggie will make you a hot drink, and if you’re hungry, just let her know. Hopefully, we won’t be too long.”
Taking Nici by the elbow, Jenna led her to the front counter and lifted the flap to allow her to go inside Maggie’s office. She explained the situation, and Maggie immediately took charge of Nici and made her comfortable. The rustling of slickers caught her attention and she turned to see Jo and Carter waiting for her. Carter had a set of rubber boots in each hand, and beside him, Jo carried slickers over one arm. She smiled at them. “Thanks, we will be taking a little detour before we go to Jan Pierce’s home.” She went on to explain. “I know the area. It’s only about ten minutes away.”
After changing her boots and pulling on the slicker, Jenna made her way back through the office and out the back door. They all climbed into the Beast, and the interior of the truck filled with the crunching of the slickers as everyone got comfortable. “We have another member of the self-defense group in potential danger. I hope this isn’t the theme for a serial killer. All those women are from different walks of life. Some are married, some live with their parents, and others alone.”
“Well then, let’s hope nothing has happened to Sierra.” Jo sighed. “When you get a group of people who don’t otherwise socially interact, the possibilities of whodunit are almost endless. All these women likely come from different social backgrounds, had different upbringings, and were thrown together because of fear. The various circles of people around each one of these women would take us a year to investigate.”
Visibility dropped to almost zero as the storm sucked the light from the day. The windshield wipers fought against the heavy downpour and a splattering of ice. A ferocious wind gouged its way through the forest and tossed debris across the road. It was as if they were following a hurricane. Although safe inside the Beast, Jenna jumped when a large tree branch smashed against the passenger side window. Behind her, Carter swore under his breath and then apologized. She dragged her gaze away from the blacktop and turned to smile at him. “I figured that was coming right through the window. This is one of those times I’m glad that Dave insisted on bulletproof glass when he ordered this vehicle.”
“Me too.” Carter pressed his hat down firmly on his head. “I hope you can drive right up to the front door, Dave.”
“I’ll do my best.” Kane turned into a driveway.
The trees and bushes bent and swirled as they drove along the gravel road. Long branches slapped against the Beast, as if trying to impede their progress as they drove past. Jenna glanced at Kane. “I’m sure glad it isn’t Halloween. This place is spooky enough in spring.”
As luck would have it, the driveway went right to the front of the house. Jenna stared at the porch steps leading to the open front door. Lights shone from the windows, a good indication that whatever happened had occurred the previous evening. She pulled the hood of the slicker over her hair and, bending forward to avoid the wind, slipped out of the vehicle and up the porch steps. Even under the shelter, wind and rain whipped around her, making the slicker billow out. Kane, Jo, and Carter followed close behind and they stood each side of the front door peering into the hallway. The front door swayed back and forth, making a slight groan. Why hadn’t it slammed shut during the storm? Raising her voice to be heard against the wind, Jenna cupped her mouth. “Sheriff’s department. Sierra, are you inside? Call out.”
She waited a few moments, trying to hear over the howling wind as it battered tree branches against the side of the house. No sound came from inside and the hairs on the back of Jenna’s neck stood to attention. Something was terribly wrong here. She could feel it, as if someone were telling her not to go inside. “We are coming inside.”
Kane and Carter drew their weapons and eased through the front door. Jenna and Jo followed as they cleared each room on the ground floor. Lights shone through every room as if Sierra had turned every one of them on when she came home. In the kitchen a purse and phone sat on the kitchen table beside a set of keys. Apart from the scratching of branches against the house and the rattle of shutters, no other sound came from within. Jenna turned and touched a full pot of hot coffee on the counter. She indicated for them to move forward and go up the stairs.
