Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) (12 page)

JENNA
sat motionless in the chair on the front porch, her head lowered and her body slumped. She could hear the police cars racing down the road to her house, she could see them stop and the officers jump out of their cars, but to her, it was all a blur.

She could hear Alex talking to the police, but it was like a distant dream. Dead… murdered. She heard those words over and over again and each time they were spoken they were like daggers straight to her heart. Desperately trying to erase any signs of her mother’s blood, she rubbed her hands on her pants until they were raw. She couldn’t believe this was happening. How was she supposed to survive without her mom?

“Jenna,” Alex said as he knelt down beside her on the porch. “These men need to ask you some questions. Do you think you can answer them?”

Jenna raised her head, wiped her tears and looked at Alex. “I’ll try,” she replied, although all she really wanted was to be left alone.

“Ms. Jensen, I’m Detective Emmit. I’m sorry for your loss,” the detective told her as he knelt down beside her. “But, I need to get some information from you so we can catch your mother’s murderer.”

Jenna shook her head; there it was again, the word murder. If only they knew who
really
killed her mom. But, only Alex and she knew that; and if they even attempted to tell the truth, they would surely be locked up in a loony bin; or worse, accused of killing her mother themselves.

The detective turned toward Alex. “I’m sorry, but it’s procedure to question a witness alone. You’ll need to excuse us until we are done.”

Alex turned toward Jenna as if to see if she was all right with being left alone.

“It’s okay, Alex, I’ll be fine,” Jenna told him as she sat up straight in the chair.

“Are you sure?” Alex asked glancing at the detective, then back to her.

“Yes.” Jenna took a deep breath knowing this wasn’t going to be easy as she watched Alex turn to leave.

The detective stood up. “Please stay out of the house until forensics is finished,” he told Alex, and then turned toward Jenna as soon as Alex was off the porch and out of earshot.

“Jenna,” the detective started. “Alex tells us you were both in the woods when your mother was attacked. Is this true?”

“Yes.”

“What were you doing?”

“I was reading.” Jenna watched as the detective wrote something in his black book.

“What happened when you got back to the house?”

Jenna lowered her head, tears swelling up in her eyes. “When Alex and I came out of the woods we noticed the back window was broken. I stayed in the yard while Alex looked in the window.”

“And what did Alex see?” the detective asked as he continued writing.

Jenna wiped away a tear with her trembling hand. “My… mom,” she mumbled turning her face away from him.

“I’m sorry, I know this is hard for you,” Detective Emmit told her, his eyes filled with empathy. “But, we need to know exactly what happened when you entered the house so we know what you touched or moved, and if anything is missing. It will help up figure out what fingerprints are the suspects.”

Just thinking about it tore at her heart. She held back a fresh batch of tears and took a deep breath. “To be honest, it’s pretty much all a blur.” Jenna looked at her still stained bloody hands. “The only thing I remember is holding my mom’s body and checking for a pulse. The next thing I knew, you were coming down the road.”

“Do you remember seeing anyone around the house lately that didn’t belong?”

“No, not that I remember.” Jenna wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m sorry, that’s all I can really tell you.”

The detective closed his book and put it back in his jacket pocket as a tan suburban came speeding down the driveway. The driver slammed on the brakes inches away from a police cruiser. “Thanks for your help, Jenna,” the detective said as he followed the suburban with his eyes. “If you remember anything else, please give me a call.”

The detective handed her a card and stepped off the porch as her mom’s boss, Stan, climbed out of the suburban.

Jenna pulled her legs up onto the chair, wrapped her arms around them then rested her head on her knees as Alex came back onto the porch.

“Jenna, Alex, I just heard what happened. I’m so sorry,” Stan called as he ran toward the porch.

“Hold up,” Detective Emmit said to Stan as he blocked his path to the porch. “Can I help you?”

“Erin used to work for me,” Stan replied. “I just heard what happened and I came as fast as I could to check on the kids.”

“Do you have any idea who would have wanted to hurt Ms. Jensen?”

“No, I can’t imagine who could have done this. Everyone loved her.” Stan ran his hand through his dirty blond hair. “When I heard it over the scanner I assumed it was a robbery gone wrong.”

“From what Alex has told us, it doesn’t look like anything is missing. So, we have to assume whoever did this, did it with the full intent on hurting Ms. Jensen and nothing else.”

“I’m sorry, I wish I could help,” Stan said shaking his head in disbelief. “But, like I said I can’t think of anyone who would want to hurt her.” Stan gestured toward the porch. “Can I go check on the kids now?” he asked.

“I have a few more questions for them, but you can be present for them so go ahead.” The Detective followed Stan onto the porch.

Stan took the steps two at a time and knelt down beside Jenna. “I’m so sorry to hear about your mom,” he told her. “If there is anything I can do please let me know.” He turned toward Alex and stood up. “I have plenty of room at my house; you both can stay with me as long as necessary.”

“That’s actually the last question I have for you two. Do you have any other family we can contact?” Detective Emmit asked.

Alex glanced at Jenna who still had her head on her knees. “No,” he said. “We never knew our father and our mom was an only child. Both her parents passed away before we were born.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I’m going to have to call Child Protective Services to place you with a foster family until a more permanent home can be found for you both.” The detective pulled out his cell phone.

“Hold on,” Stan interjected. “There’s no need for you to call them. I’d be more than happy to look after the two of them. I have plenty of room at my house. You can call your Captain and tell him Stan Bernard is willing to take the kids. He knows me personally and can vouch for me.”

The Detective turned toward Jenna and Alex. “Is this okay with you?” he asked.

Alex nodded, and then glanced at Jenna who didn’t even seem to know anyone had asked her a question. “We know Stan well enough to be okay with that.”

“Give me a minute to get it cleared.” The Detective started to dial his phone as he walked away.

“I want to stay here,” Jenna whispered as she finally lifted her head.

Stan looked at Jenna. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think you’d be better off at my house.”

“No,” Jenna insisted. “I’m not going anywhere. And, nobody can make me.”

“Well, it’s all set. Jenna and Alex can stay in your custody,” Detective Emmit said coming back onto the porch. “Just make sure to get in touch with me if you need anything or if either of the kids remembers something.”

“Sure will,” Stan said holding out his hand.

Detective Emmit shook Stan’s hand. “Forensics is finished, so you can go back inside to get your belongings,” he said to Jenna and Alex.

“Thank you,” Alex said as Jenna stood up and went into the house without even acknowledging Detective Emmit had said anything to her.

“Again, I’m sorry for your loss.” Detective Emmit walked off the porch and headed toward his car.

Alex and Stan followed Jenna into the house. They found her lying on the couch holding one of her mom’s sweaters.

“You know, I should really insist you come to my house,” Stan said. “But, if this is where Jenna wants to stay for the time being I’ll allow it. But, just for a few nights.”

“Thanks. We appreciate it. And, don’t worry.” Alex grabbed a blanket off the chair and covered Jenna with it. “We won’t be a burden for long. I have a friend a few towns over we may be able to move in with.”

“Hold on right there,” Stan exclaimed, a warning cloud settling on his features. “I was serious when I said I’d look after you both. And, that’s exactly what I plan to do. So, I don’t want to hear any more of this leaving talk. Think of yourselves as my kids now.”

“Okay,” Alex said. “But, only if you’re sure?”

“I’m positive,” Stan assured Alex as he glanced at his watch. “But, right now I have to get back to the diner. I’ll stop back later to see if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Stan,” Alex said as Stan turned to leave.

“You’re welcome,” Stan replied, smiled a slight smile then left.

“Jenna, are you okay?” he asked.

Feeling utterly miserable, Jenna closed her eyes and moaned. “Please, leave me alone,” she mumbled from under the blanket.

“Believe it or not, I do know how you feel. My mom was murdered too. I just don’t understand why God keeps punishing us like this. We’ve never sinned against him, so why try to hurt us?” Alex sat down on the couch. “I know you want to be alone. But, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll just sit here quietly in case you need anything.”

Jenna sighed. Still gripping her mom’s sweater close, she sat up then laid her head down on Alex’s lap and closed her eyes. She knew the decks had been stacked against her since the day she was born, but at least she still had Alex.

DESPAIR
spread across Jenna’s face as she watched her mother’s oak coffin being lowered into the cold damp ground of the Lake View Cemetery. A slow steady rain continued to fall from an overcast sky that mirrored Jenna’s heartache. Knowing it would mask her tears she welcomed the rain.

The soft-spoken, short, round minister finished his sermon that Jenna hadn’t heard a word of, and blessed the coffin for the last time. He paused as if saying one last silent prayer then walked over to Jenna and Alex.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” the minister said to them. “Just remember she’s in a better place and will be looking over you.” He smiled a weak smile, bowed his head and then walked away.

Jenna reached over and grasped Alex’s hand. At this very moment, she desperately needed him. Without Alex, she would be lost.

She took a deep breath as Alex gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and held it tight as the handful of mourners each offered their condolences and made their way to their cars.

Jenna wiped away the warm droplets of tears with her trembling hand. She didn’t know how she was going to manage without her mother. She had been her best friend and the only other person, besides Alex, who knew the secret that kept her from living a normal life.

“I’m sorry Mom. I… should… have… been… there,” Jenna stuttered as she collapsed to her knees and tossed a white rose onto the coffin followed by the first shovel of dirt. Her mom loved white roses. She’d told Jenna once they reminded her of her father.

Jenna closed her eyes hoping that when she reopened them her mom would be sitting on her bed telling her it had all been a bad dream. But, bad dream didn’t even come close to describing it. It was more like a horrible nightmare that she would have to endure for the rest of her life.