Page 57 of Savannah Heat
“I’ll do anything you say to get out of here.” Jenna wondered just what her next move would be.
Chapter Twenty-Four
What seemed like an hour but was actually just a few minutes later, Anna brought in a tray and gave Jenna a wink. “Got you the good coffee here.”
“Thanks Anna. I really appreciate your help. I won’t forget it.” Jenna looked at the tired policeman. “Well, Detective, won’t you join me for some tasty hospital food?”
“No thanks, but I’ll find some coffee to go and order a car for you. We need to assign you an officer for at least the next twenty-four hours until this case becomes clearer.”
“Thank you, detective. That’s very kind. I was already wondering how I would look to the neighbors showing up in scrubs, but arriving in a police car on top of it, well, I’ll be the talk over dinner tonight.”
The detective grinned. “I can get you an unmarked car but can’t help you with the clothes. Where will you be staying? I have to log that in the report, you understand.”
After Jenna gave him the address of the townhouse, she realized she couldn’t get in unless Dan showed up. She had no keys and no purse, which meant no credit cards to pay for a hotel room. Her head began to hurt again.
The detective left her to eat and get her transport to somewhere set up.
Jenna looked at the tray Anna brought containing cereal, fresh fruit, milk, juice, and coffee. She tried to eat most because she knew she needed her strength. Days like this made her want to change her name, move to Scotland, and hide out in the Highlands in her dad’s old house, away from the world.
Jenna was beginning to feel better, her head clearing, and the pounding had settled down to a twinge now and then, when the door opened. “Dan! Where have you been? Are you hurt?”
Dan came over to the bed and kissed her on the forehead. “Long story for later. Are you all right? I’ve been looking for you everywhere! And what in the hell were you doing outside, and why take Marta’s necklace?”
“Well, taking your questions in order, Yes, I think I’m okay now. Someone enticed me outside with that note from Brock I showed you, and a fake one, I’m still assuming. Then a gun was in my back, and a man’s voice telling me they would kill you unless I got the necklace off Marta and brought it back in seven minutes. He said his partner had a gun on you. I couldn’t see you when I went in to collect the necklace so assumed they did have you held somewhere. I did the necessary and returned outside on time, but the minute my foot hit the ground, someone grabbed me and took the necklace. They stuck a needle in my arm and left me in the dirt. I woke up in the grass near the gazebo. I have no idea how I got there.”
Dan shook his head. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
“Detective Jensen is here somewhere; he’s off to find a policeman to take me home. My clothes are ruined, but more importantly, he thinks they might come back for the real necklace and maybe for me, too.”
“Oh, so you must have told him some of our back story.” Dan frowned.
“Oh, don’t look so worried, Dan. I was not so out of it I’d tell it all. I did a background summary, and then told them about our theory concerning Harper and Gail and why they were here. They are offering protection for the next day or so. I’m pretty sure Sal Amato was who held the gun on me and gave me the shot.”
Dan sat on the side of her bed and took her hand. “It figures. I can’t find Harper. I’ve looked everywhere I know to look. I think someone was waiting, and they took off last night right from the party with the necklace no doubt. Not sure about Gail. I have no proof she was in on it.”
“The detective said Gail Wells seems to be missing, too. Oh, I forgot to ask about Brock. Do you have any news?”
Dan shook his head. “No, I think he was a dead-end. He was just someone to amuse Harper for a little while. She was grooming him in case she needed him for something.”
Jenna gazed at Dan and put a hand on his leg. “You’d better get out of here unless you feel like being grilled by Detective Jensen, or maybe you rather get it over with. I know he is looking for you.”
Dan nodded. “Yeah, I might as well do it now. I don’t want him pulling me out of my warm bed and dragging me down to the precinct.”
An hour and two cups of coffee later, Detective Jensen gave the okay for Jenna to go back home with Dan. He would send an officer along behind them.
Dan assured him he would watch over Jenna and secure the townhouse.
Since the senator made no formal accusation, the police didn’t hold her or Dan for further questions, but they warned them to stay put and not to leave town without letting them know.
Dan pulled the car around to the ER door, getting as close as he could get because Jenna was in borrowed scrubs and had no shoes.
The nurses gave her some shoe covers for her feet, and she left, mourning her ruined dress now in a plastic bag.
Dan was not successful in hiding his amusement as he watched her as she tiptoed across the concrete to the rental car.
The officer tasked with following them home opened the door for Jenna and tipped his hat the same as if she was wearing jewels and a mink. If he was amused, he didn’t show it.
She was still a lady, and he was still a Southern gentleman.