Page 67 of Double Obsession

Jenna brought her hand to her mouth. “Dad!”

“Shh,” he said. “At least it isn’t a gun. But if you can’t be calm, I need you to wait in the car.”

She could be as chill as her sister—probably. She caged the swirling emotions in her gut as Stacie, who was rarely ever obedient, nodded and retraced their path.

Their father inched his way back to the window and bent low.

Jenna stood still while her wildly pumping heart sent a deafeningwoosh wooshto her ears. Perhaps terror made her half-witted and sentimental, because some silly, romantic part wondered if Hunter might hear her heart thumping and know she was near.

“Christ,” her father yelled before darting for the back gate.

Jenna chased after him. Within seconds Stacie had caught up, and the three of them were sprinting across the patio to a sliding glass door. Two dogs pressed their noses against the glass and barked.

“Do we need to break it?” Stacie asked as she grabbed the handle.

Jenna was certain that her sister’s bottom lip jutted out when the door slid open without them having to heave the grill through it.

Her father removed the gun from his waistband and motioned for them to get behind him.

****

Jenna knelt between the shaking dogs and comforted them with long strokes. She pressed her nose into the shivering Border collie and inhaled. The pup smelled faintly of Hunter’s musky aftershave, endearing the animals to her.

Although everything in the kitchen shined as if brand new, the counter was littered with dirty dishes, and a lit cigarette smoked from a bowl being used as an ashtray. A frowning Stacie stubbed it out.

With the meticulous exterior and attention to detail in the interior design, it wasobviousthat Hunter kept his place immaculate, and Arkansas Buchanon had left a trail of filth.

Her father stood in the doorway leading to the basement. His muscles quivered as he steadied the gun in his non-shooting hand. It wasn’t fear causing the twitch because the man had nerves of steel. Despite having an arm in a sling, he was a superhero. On the other hand, Jenna could barely breathe from overwhelming anxiety. If her father hurt himself further, she’d never forgive herself.

“Arkansas Buchanon,” he called, then waited. “I’m a friend of your Grandma Louisa’s.”

“She’s got a knife,” hollered a raw but familiar voice.

Jenna popped to her feet. “Hunter?”

Stacie wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Hunter Stone?” her father called down the stairwell.

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay?”

“Barely.”

Now was not the time for blubbering. Jenna swallowed.

“Arkansas, can you answer me?” her father asked.

“Shut up. Shut up!” a woman screeched.

“My name is Bob. Arkansas, can you put the knife down so I can come down there and help you?”

“Gashpasto!”

“What?” Jenna whispered.

“Christ!” Stacie said “She’s incoherent and speaking gibberish.”