The birds were singing as Jena closed the door behind her. The warm Florida air contrasted sharply with the cool Ohio mornings she was used to. The color of the maple trees was replaced by the rustling of the palm trees in the soft breeze. Closing her eyes and tilting her head toward the sun, sadness washed over her. Soon, custody would be settled for Andrea and the house would be put on the market. Jena would be free to return home. So, why was she dreading it? She should be happy to leave a place that reminded her of all she had lost.
With the stretching out of the way, Jena jogged through the neighborhood. She was determined not to clutter her mind with unhappy thoughts, but to enjoy the scenery.
A horn sounded behind her and she jumped to the curb—so much for a pleasant jog. She turned to find a shiny black pickup following her.
“Wanna ride?” the driver yelled at her.
“Hi, Aunt Jen!” screamed a little girl from the front seat.
Not sure if she was relieved or furious, she attempted a neutral reply directed to her niece. “Hi, Andrea. What are you doing with Uncle Chase? I thought Mrs. R. was bringing you home.”
“Since Mrs. R. has the day off, I thought I’d bring her home,” Chase offered.
Every time she turned around he was in her face. Trying to hide the sarcasm she replied, “That was so nice of you.”
“I don’t mind helping out.” The grin confirmed he was challenging her.
The sudden ringing of Jena’s phone startled her away from a reply. Looking down she saw the caller ID and her mouth went dry.
“Hello,” she answered quickly.
“I’m attempting to reach a Miss Jena Shea,” the voice replied formally.
“This is Jena Shea.” Glancing at Chase she saw the concerned look on his face.
“Miss Shea, my name is Detective John Burrows with the Clearwater Police Department. I would like to ask you a few questions regarding your sister’s accident. When would be a good time to meet?”
“Do you have news?”
“No, ma’am. I’m sorry, just some routine questions before we close the case.”
Close the case?
They haven’t found her yet. How could they close the case?
Jena’s eyes darted in the direction of Chase’s truck door slamming. In seconds he was at her side, concern etched in his forehead.
She attempted to keep her voice steady. “Detective, I’m on my way home now. Any time would be fine.”
“How about a half hour?”
“Sure, I’ll be there.” She pushed the end button on the phone exhaling worriedly.
“What was that about?” Chase asked immediately.
“A detective from the Clearwater Police. He wants to ask me some questions.”
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Giving in to his protective ways would have been so easy, but she wouldn’t allow herself. “No, thanks, it kind of defeats the purpose of a jog.”
“It looks like your purpose has been attained,” Chase finished with a wink. “Let me be there for this.” His voice turned serious.
She considered refusing, but she was too nervous to face this alone. “Okay. I’ll meet you and Andrea back at the house.”
The jog back gave Jena plenty of time to think. She created horrible scenarios, sure the detective’s visit wouldn’t be a pleasant one. He was giving up. She would never have a body to bring home. Her mind raced. How would she convince him to keep searching?
Her mind switched to Chase. Why did she agree to let him in on the meeting? She didn’t
need
him there. His presence made her uncomfortable, but he had cared for her sister too. Andrea’s uncle had a right to know what was going on. That was all there was to it.
Jena approached the house and her internal argument ceased. The truck parked in the driveway was empty. He’d let himself in. Her blood boiled at the thought. While she was living here this was her home. How dare he assume he could come and go as he pleased?
She entered the kitchen to find Chase pouring himself a glass of iced tea. “Where’s Andrea?” she asked sharply.
“Upstairs, in her room. You sound mad.” He took his tea to the table and sat.
She rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. “Chase, how did you get in the house?”
“Through the door.”
The grin he threw at her only infuriated her more. “The door was locked.”
“I have a key, remember?” He paused. “What’s the big deal?”
She made every attempt to keep her voice steady. “The big deal…is that I live here right now, and I would appreciate if you didn’t let yourself in.”
“Sure. Okay.” Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out his keys and began removing the key from the ring.
“That isn’t necessary. You might need it after I go home…if the house doesn’t sell before I leave,” she added. Jena ignored the flash of anger that crossed his face. “I’m going to get a shower. Will you let the detective in if I’m not down in time?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be too forward.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, she escaped upstairs, silently berating herself for the onslaught of emotions he caused in her normally sensible self.
Chapter Six
Chase stared at the wall, deep in thought. Jena was still planning to move back to Ohio. He couldn’t imagine his life without Andrea in it on a daily basis. Yes, he survived without Jena, but this little girl had him wrapped around her finger. This was his brother’s daughter and he had vowed to take care of her always. His emotions teetered from hopelessness to anger. He couldn’t lose Andrea. He didn’t want to lose either of them. The depressing thought was interrupted by the back door swinging open.
“I thought it was your day off?” he asked solemnly.
“Hello to you, too.” Mrs. R. hung her purse on the back of a chair and made her way to the sink, turning the water on to wash her hands. “Some detective called and wanted to ask questions.”
He smiled slightly at her snippy tone. “He called Jen too.”
“Did he now? Where’s she at?” she asked while joining him at the table.
“Shower.” The knock on the door drew his attention away from the conversation. “Aren’t you going to get that?” Chase asked.
“My day off,” she replied evenly as she turned in her chair to dig something out of her purse.
“Great. Don’t move. I’ll get it.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
He opened the door to find a suit on the other side presenting a badge. He was older than he expected. “Come on in, Detective. I’m Chase Reiss, Jasmine’s brother-in-law.”
The detective held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Reiss, I’m Detective John Burrows. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Call me Chase, and thanks. Have a seat. Jena will be down in a minute, and Mrs. Reynolds is already here.”
“Good, good,” the detective followed.
“Detective, this is Ellen Reynolds. She’s Jasmine’s housekeeper.”
“Ma’am,” the detective nodded in her direction.
“Ellen,” she corrected. “Ma’am will get you kicked in the shin.”
“Don’t want that, now.” He chuckled.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Chase offered.
“No, I’m fine.” Detective Burrows sat down and opened a spiral notebook.
Jena entered the kitchen looking like a frightened child. Chase wanted to jump up and protect her from whatever was coming. Knowing she would never allow it, he remained seated.
She approached the table and held her hand out in greeting. “Detective, I’m Jena Shea, Jasmine’s sister.”
The detective stood and gave his condolences. “I just have a few questions. This shouldn’t take long.”
Jena sat to Chase’s left. Watching out of the corner of his eye he could see the slump in her posture. If this got out of hand, he would throw the detective out. She had been through enough.
“As you all know, Mrs. Reiss’ yacht was found adrift by the Coast Guard. The boat was undamaged and there was no sign of a physical struggle.”
Jena sighed and Chase absently reached for her hand. She quickly pulled away and placed her hands in her lap.
The detective continued. “We have two eye witnesses that have stated they saw your sister leave the marina with a man. Would you know who this might be?”
Chase rested his arm on the back of her chair careful not to touch her. He wanted to send a clear message to the detective Jena was not alone in this.
“No. I have no idea. I hadn’t talked to my sister the week of her death.”
“Did she mention a boyfriend? Any name?” he pushed.
“She told me she was dating someone. I think his first name was Trevor. Maybe it was Trent. I don’t know.”
Jena’s distress was obvious. The confidence was missing in her voice. He decided to take over. “Detective, do you think this person was involved with whatever happened to Jasmine?”
“There’s no reason to believe that. There’s no physical evidence. I would say this was a swimming accident. Drowning. Sharks possibly.”
Jena drew in a sharp breath and Chase eyed her. The color left her face, and her eyes filled with unshed tears. He resisted the urge to take her in his arms, reassure her and erase the horrible images she must be seeing.
“So what is it you’re needin’ from us?” Mrs. R. interjected.
“We’ve been unable to contact this man’s next of kin. We have no name and nothing to go on.”
“I’m sorry,” Jena said softly, “I don’t know anything that would help you. Jasmine only mentioned him in passing during one of our conversations. I never met him.”
“Well, I can tell you I’m just the housekeeper. She didn’t go blathering to me about any boyfriend.”
“What about her daughter?”
“Sorry, Detective, you won’t be talking to our niece.” Chase’s voice turned icy.
“I understand. Would you keep your ears open? Here’s my card.” He handed one to each of them. “I appreciate your time. I wish I had more to offer you.”
“I’ll show you out,” Mrs. R. said sternly.
“Thank you. Again, I’m sorry.” He nodded in their direction as he followed Mrs. R. out of the kitchen.
“You okay?” Chase asked quietly as he watched Jena stare into her lap.
“I’ll never be okay,” she replied hoarsely. “She never mentioned anybody to you?”
“No. I never even got a name. Maybe we should ask Andrea.”
“Don’t even think about it,” she glared at him. “There’s no point in upsetting her. It won’t bring her mother back.”
“There’s a family out there, Jen, who doesn’t know where their son is…brother…Maybe he was a father.”
She stood suddenly, her face full of anger. “I can’t… I won’t concern myself with someone else. My priority is my niece. I’m sorry for their loss, but it’s not up to me to make it right. If you say one word to Andrea, I swear…” her voice trailed off and she exited the kitchen without warning.
Mrs. R. returned, her eyes wide with surprise. “Okay. I nearly got plowed over by that girl. What did you do now, Chase? She ran past me so fast her shadow couldn’t keep up.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “Nothing, I swear.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” her eyes narrowed.
“I brought up asking Andrea and Jena went nuts.”
“Do I need to write you a script? You stick your foot in your mouth more than food.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a gift,” Chase muttered.
“You have the receipt?” she asked putting her hands on her hips.
“Funny.” Chase walked to the sink and washed out his cup when a thought popped in his head. “Why did you show him out the front door?” Did she know something she wasn’t telling them?
“I had a few things I wanted to say to him…privately.”
“Such as?”
“It wouldn’t be private, now would it, if I told you?”
Chase’s suspicions were interrupted when Andrea burst through the kitchen door.
“Missy, you just took ten years off my life,” Mrs. R. exhaled loudly with a hand to her chest. “What is it with you people?”
“Sorry. Hey, when are we leaving? Can you get me some chocolate when we go to the store?” Andrea asked hopefully.
Chase cast a questioning look in Mrs. R.’s direction.
“Figured I’m here already. You ready to go, Andrea?” she added quickly.
“Yep. Bye Uncle Chase.” Andrea ran around the table, giving Chase a peck on the cheek.
“Yeah, be good,” he replied while giving Mrs. R. a “What are you up to?” look.
Mrs. R. grabbed her purse and snipped at him. “Use your time wisely, young man.” The door shut behind them leaving Chase in the house with Jena…alone again.
****
Jena read the letter for a second time and quickly stuffed it in the envelope. Why would Jasmine do this to her?
The whoosh of the kitchen door startled her. She rolled her eyes when Chase entered. “What are you still doing here?”
“You could at least pretend you’re happy to see me.”
“I’m a lawyer, not an actress.”
“No, not an actress,” he agreed. “What in that envelope has you so upset?”
“Why would you think I’m upset?”
“Jen, it’s me you’re talking to. Let me help you.”
“You’re the problem,” she huffed as she dropped onto the couch.
“Okay…” he drawled sitting next to her. “What’s in the envelope?”
She hated the way he latched onto something and wouldn’t let it drop…she hated how her nerves danced across her skin whenever she was around him…and the way she noticed his bulging biceps when she was in the middle of a crisis. All he did was make her nervous and on edge. Jena wished she had the same ease around him she had so many years ago. There was nothing she couldn’t share with him. Her hand tightened around the envelope.
“Jen?”
He was going to find out anyway. She handed him the letter and watched as he read.
His forehead wrinkled while looking at her. “What’s this about?”
“Did you read it?”
“Yes,” his voice rose. “It’s a bunch of lawyer mumbo jumbo.”
“We have joint custody of Andrea,” she blurted.
“Yeah. So?”
He wasn’t getting it. Rubbing her hands up and down her face, she sighed. “I live in Ohio. The logistics will be a problem.”
“Move here. What’s one more lawyer in Clearwater?”
“My life is in Ohio.”
“So, you just assumed you would get full custody?”
She answered him with silence.
“She’s my niece too, and I’ve been a constant in her life.”