Page 48 of Speechless
Turning, he pried open one slat on the kitchen blinds, and cursed under his breath. “Sarah, take Jenna upstairs. Don’t panic, don’t upset her, but get her upstairs and keep her quiet.”
“What is it? Who’s here?”
“Now, Sarah. Ask questions later.”
He didn’t need to turn his head to verify she’d obeyed. The tone of his voice conveyed the urgency he tamped down. With a steel spine and hard eyes, he watched Caleb step from his official police vehicle, straightening his leather jacket, adjusting his weapon on his belt, setting his hat firmly on his head. The picture of a small-town sheriff on duty.
It was the big black SUV parked at the curb worrying Connor most. If Caleb’s tan-colored jeep saidlawman, the hulking black beast screamedgovernment lawman.
“Jesus Christ, he brought the feds in,” Connor muttered, hands fisting on the counter. “Why the fuck is he such a prick?”
A lone man disembarked from the SUV, suit pristine without any adjustment from the wearer. Standard dark glasses, concealed weapon—not so concealed to Connor’s eye, and the guy checked his phone before he slammed the door closed, striding across the lawn to join Caleb.
“Daddy?”
Connor spun, finding Jenna stood in the doorway, clinging to Moose with one arm and holding the jamb with her free hand, knuckles white. Behind her, Sarah was tugging at the wide-eyed woman, her own eyes just as wide. Hers, though, carried far more awareness of the situation.
“Go upstairs with Sarah, baby. Everything’s fine.”
Her hand migrated to her mouth, thumb slipping between her lips to suck.
God bless a babygirl.
He crossed to her, took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose. She was trembling, and it gutted him he didn’t have time to soothe her. Not without exposing her to Caleb and his new best friend.
“Promise?” she mumbled around her thumb.
“Promise,” he agreed, hoping to high hell he could keep it. He urged her to go with Sarah, counting down seconds in his head. Ready for the knock on the door, he told her, “Do as Sarah tells you, baby. She’s got you.”
His shoulders dropped with relief as she let Sarah usher her upstairs and out of sight. He heard the click of his bedroom door closing an instant before the expected hammer of a fist on wood drove a spike down his spine.
Showtime.
Making them wait gave him satisfaction. He counted two minutes before he stomped to the door and yanked it open. He welcomed them with a scowl, and maybe just the barest hint of a snarl. “Guess I should be thankful you knocked.”
Caleb’s jaw tensed. “Let’s not get on the wrong foot straight out of the gate, Connor. This is a friendly visit, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep up with the attitude.”
“Friendly visit?” he scoffed and used his body to block the door. “Turning up unannounced with a fed in tow is friendly? Fuck me, Caleb, I’d hate to see what you do with your adversarial connections.”
“Just let us in, Connor. There’s been a development in the investigation. Not something to be discussed in the open,” Cal stated flatly. “The FBI is involved as you can see.”
Connor nodded slowly. Brother or not, sheriff or not, he wouldn’t allow an armed stranger to waltz into his home on faith. “Identification. Both of you,” he added, glaring at Caleb. “Jenna’s off-limits. Check your guns at the door.”
“Doctor O’Malley, I value your concerns.” For the first time, the fed spoke. He held out a tanned hand, a silver watch around his wide wrist, and offered his I.D. without hesitation. “My name is Cyrus Hadley, I’m the Special Agent in charge of the investigation involving Jenna. I understand there’s some family conflict between yourself and Sheriff O’Malley. I’d like to reassure you the sheriff is here as a goodwill gesture, and he won’t be interfering with our meeting today.”
Didn’t like that one bit, Connor decided with a glance at his brother. Good. Caleb needed a slap down off his high horse now and then. He took the identification, studied it carefully. Determining it looked correct, he handed it back to Hadley. “Thanks. Doesn’t change my mind about Jenna, but thanks.”
Straight white teeth flashed in a smile while keen blue eyes gave Connor a thorough once-over. Hadley’s dark hair was short, almost militarily, with not a strand out of place. Overall, a good-looking man with impressive bone structure and from what Connor read from his body language, confident in his job.
“Show the doctor your badge, Sheriff. He has a right to demand identification.” Hadley spoke quietly, eyes still on Connor. “Is Jenna on the premises?”
Connor’s gaze hardened. “She is. She won’t be present for whatever conversation you have in mind, Agent Hadley. You’re bigger than me, Agent, fitter and stronger, no doubt, under that suit. But you try anything, I’ll haul you out of here and kick your ass down the drive back to that gas-guzzler parked down by the curb. Understand me?”
“Sweet Mother of Christ, you can’t threaten an FBI agent, Connor.” Caleb closed his eyes and groaned.
“Can and am. If he’s not a complete asshole, he’ll understand.”
Hadley held his hand up to silence the spluttering response from Cal. “Not once in my career have I had sole charge of a surviving victim from a case as...disturbing as this, Doctor. Can’t say I’ve ever wanted to; it’s a huge responsibility and quite honestly, I prefer the dead. Caring for victims takes a depth of character I don’t possess; I’m a hunter at heart. But I would like to think I would be as emphatic in my defense of my charge as you. I’ll offer my word I won’t demand anything of Jenna unless absolutely necessary. Meeting her today would be helpful; I’m going to be in town a while and she’s a vital part of my investigation. It’s inevitable she’s going to make my acquaintance at some point.”