Chapter 1

ONE

PRESENT TIME, MONDAY

Spring in Black Rock Falls was a special time for Sheriff Jenna Alton. As the landscape changed from a blanket of white and the land came back to life after a dormant winter, she snuggled behind her husband, Deputy Dave Kane, and sighed with delight as their baby kicked Kane’s back. The baby was strong, and once the first tiny flutters arrived, they’d quickly moved into noticeable kicks. They’d tentatively started to discuss names, being too scared beforehand in case anything happened to their precious bundle. As a couple, they carried the burdens of totally different past lives and the threats that went with them. Her time as DEA Agent Avril Parker had vanished after cosmetic surgery, a new name, and being placed in witness protection after bringing down a cartel. Kane on the other hand was still considered an active government asset, although his appearance had been dramatically changed, as had his name, but his time as a black ops sniper and later as a Secret Service agent protecting POTUS meant he carried a bounty on his head. He’d been forced to leave Washington, DC, after a car bomb killed his wife and unborn son and left him with a metal plate in his head. An empty coffin had been buried and the headstone held the name of the person he’d once been. A name he wouldn’t reveal to anyone, not even Jenna.

After trying for over a year to start a family, they’d adopted Tauri, a beautiful boy with Native American bloodlines that linked him to their good friend Atohi Blackhawk and Kane’s wife Annie’s ancestry. They’d loved the boy the moment they’d laid eyes on him and he’d become a light of their lives.

The weather was still freezing and frost coated the windows. The thought of getting up for work made Jenna snuggle under the blankets.

“I can feel our baby insisting I get up and do my chores.” Kane chuckled. “I know you’re awake, Jenna. I can feel you wiggling around behind me.” He slipped out of bed. “Why don’t you go to the bathroom? I’ll put on the coffee and make you a decaf before I muck out the horses.” He bent down and kissed her. “Okay?”

Jenna looked into his deep blue eyes and smiled. She still couldn’t believe they were married. “You trying to win the best husband award this week?” She giggled. “Trust me, no one comes close to you.”

“Well, thank you, ma’am.” Kane grinned. “It’s nice to be appreciated.” He headed for the kitchen.

It was five after six, and Tauri would sleep until seven. She could set her clock by him. At five years old, he was big for his age, taller than most by a head and as bright as a button. He could speak two languages and Kane was teaching him Spanish. Being multilingual was another one of Kane’s attributes and he spoke maybe nine or more languages. She’d lost count. Apart from being skilled in too many ways to mention, Kane’s six-five frame and two hundred seventy pounds of muscle made him stand out in a crowd. As a father he was incredibly patient and caring. In her heart, Jenna understood he wanted a mess of kids, but for now they’d be content with two, and if more came along, the more the merrier.

She used the bathroom and decided to have a shower. When Kane came back it would be the first thing he would do. By the time she came out, her coffee, in an Aunt Betty’s Café travel mug to keep it hot, was sitting beside the bed. She sipped as she dressed when her phone buzzed. It was the 911 service patched through to her phone. “Sheriff Alton.”

“I’m sorry to trouble you so early, Sheriff. This is Jud Lime. I’m with the flood watch. The river broke its banks overnight and Main is flooding. Not deep enough to hold up most folks but we believe the melt has unearthed some graves, somewhere high in the mountains. We have bodies floating in the river. There are two and they look old and wrinkled. They’re fully clothed and one is wearing a college jacket.” He took a deep breath. “Two of my team hauled them out and carried them to dry ground. We’re not sure who to call to deal with them.”

Frowning, Jenna picked up a pen on the bedside table and took down the details. “I’ll call the medical examiner. He’ll be along as soon as possible. Can you cover the remains and have someone stay on scene with them? I don’t want people to start panicking.”

“Not a problem. We’ve just taken over this shift. We’ll keep watch to see if any more come along. We’ll be relieved here at ten, so you have plenty of time.”

Thankful for the mayor’s flood plan for this year, Jenna sighed. “Thank you. I appreciate it. One of my deputies will be along soon and I’ll call Dr. Wolfe right away. He’ll get his team out to collect the bodies.” She stared at the clock. “Let me know if any other bodies show.” She disconnected and called Shane Wolfe, the medical examiner and Kane’s handler, to explain the situation.

“Okay, we’re just about through eating breakfast. Give me a second.” In the background, Jenna heard him speaking to his daughter Emily. “I know you’ve been working all night, so it’s up to you.” He paused for a beat. “Ah, Jenna. I’m on my way with Emily. She figures even after the midnight shift she can manage another hour or so now she’s eaten. Catch y’all later.”

As usual, Wolfe moved into action without delay. He and his daughter Emily, currently in her first year of residency at Black Rock Falls General and an ME in training, lived only minutes away from the river and would get there well before she could. She disconnected and called Chief Deputy Rio to take over in her absence. She finished the call as Kane walked back into the room. Their dog, Duke, a bloodhound, came into the bedroom, turned around three times in his basket and collapsed with a long sigh. Jenna looked at Kane and explained the situation. “I’ll get Tauri ready and start breakfast while you’re in the shower.”

“Drink your coffee, and then get Tauri ready.” Kane stripped off, dropped his clothes into the hamper, and headed for the shower. “I’ll cook when I’m done. Rio can handle things until we arrive. Wolfe will be there. We have time to feed our son before we leave.”

Reluctantly, Jenna nodded. She liked to be in the action, but Tauri came first and she had a fine team she could trust. Although delegating jobs she could do herself had always been a problem, her mothering instinct usually kicked in. She smiled. “I’ll call Nanny Raya and tell her we’ll be dropping Tauri by early this morning. You’re right, of course, but if it’s a murder, I’m in boots and all.”

“You’ll always be the sheriff, Jenna.” Kane smiled at her over one shoulder. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”