Protecting Jenna (NCIS Series Book 8)

by Zoe Dawson

“Yeah,” he whispered against her hair, Kai’s urging him to be professional clashing against what he felt for Jenna. How much he wanted to be with her. “It does.”

  Later on that night, after they had eaten, and Jenna had reluctantly gone to bed without him, Austin contacted Drea.

  “I can’t believe you’re still there,” he said. “Was that a temporary job or indentured servitude?”

  “I’m just trying to squeeze every last minute out of these clues. I’m mad I missed something.”

  “Yeah, join the club. Talk to me about the crime scene.”

  “We analyzed the blood,” she said wearily. “But unfortunately, no hits in any databases. No fingerprints. No other DNA.”

  “Damn.”

  “Yeah, but when we catch him, we’ll have him dead to rights.”

  “I like your thinking. What about the envelope the tickets came in?”

  “There’s no post office mark on them. They were deposited directly into the mailbox. The sender tried to cover it up with a stamp, but it’s clear it was hand-delivered. Also, there’s no return address. No fingerprints either, and it’s ordinary envelope stock.”

  “The tickets—”

  “Ahead of you. They were purchased with cash, no way to trace who bought them.”

  "How about camera footage?"

  "A dead end. The camera was busted, so no footage. Maybe it was the killer who tampered with it. We don’t know. It’s impossible to find out who made the transaction and what window they were bought at, but someone went to a lot of trouble to get Sarah out of the house. Why?”

  “Both times the lights were turned off. He wanted to kill her in the dark.”

  “Yeah, I thought about the fact that he could have killed her in the library but didn’t. Made me think there were parameters to the murder. Like darkness and—”

  “Strangulation.”

  “Yeah,” she said quietly. “Jenna doing all right?”

  “She’s spooked and grieving about the fact that she feels responsible for her cousin’s death.”

  “That’s understandable, but you tell her for me that he’s the asshole. He’s the one that killed Sarah, not Jenna. Tell her we’re going to get him.” She sighed.

  Austin smiled and nodded. “Good night, Drea. Get some sleep.”

  “Okay. If I come up with anything, I’ll call you. And Austin?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You get some sleep, too. Getting overtired isn’t the best way to protect her.”

  “Roger that.”

  After he hung up with Drea, he called Kai’s cell. Her voice was drowsy when she answered.

  He filled her in on all the details Drea had uncovered, and he was relieved that the director agreed that Jenna was a priority for NCIS. She was a direct link to discovering the murderer.

  “What’s your next step?” Kai asked.

  “I want to go to DC and interview her ex-husband, Robert Webb.”

  “All right, I’ll contact the Navy Yard and get you some backup. Keep me posted.”

  After checking all the windows and doors, Austin made up Jenna’s pullout sofa bed, his thoughts going around and around and over the clues. He agreed with Drea—getting sleep was important. He closed his eyes and just as he drifted off, Jenna’s cry brought him fully awake.

  His gun, already locked and loaded on the side table, was in his hand when he burst through her door. But she was in the throes of a nightmare. He set the weapon on her nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Jenna,” he said softly, clasping her flailing hands in his.

  She fought him, then her eyes popped open.

  “You’re having a nightmare,” he whispered.

  “Austin,” she breathed and went limp with relief. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck. She wouldn’t let him go and protested when he tried to release her. Giving up, he folded down onto the bed and pulled her against him. He gritted his teeth.

  Damn, this was going to be so freaking hard.

  Chapter Ten

  When Jenna woke up the next morning, the sound of the shower going in her room made her gaze go directly to the open bathroom door and the frosted glass where Austin’s gorgeous, muscled body made a tantalizing silhouette.

  She watched him reach up and wash his hair, the breadth of his shoulders taking up most of the available space, his biceps rounded and fuzzy through the glass. When he rinsed, the outline of his wide chest tapering down to his lean waist and tight butt made her sigh. The man was put to-get-her.

  The water turned off and the glass door opened. Austin stepped out and Jenna watched him grab for a towel and start to dry off. About halfway through the process, he froze when he met her gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly, then when she just stared at him boldly, a small smile curved the corner of his mouth.

  His gaze intent, he wrapped the towel around his waist. His eyes were a steady gunmetal gray, and the flutter of reaction climbed into her throat. It had been so much easier when she had taken the brazen move and slipped into bed with him. But now that he was guarding her, she wasn’t sure how to proceed from here, how to handle the awkward silence and her own uncertainty—or his stillness. She gripped the covers, unable to think of a thing to say that wasn’t either Come here or I want you.

  “You know the way you’re looking at me doesn’t help, Jenna.”

  “Then you shouldn’t be so darn beautiful, Austin.”

  He snorted and turned to the sink. “You make cooling it seem like a very distant concept, babe.”

  She sat up in bed as he lathered his face and started to shave. She couldn’t remember one moment in her marriage where she’d been enthralled with Robert enough to just watch him shave.

  She shrugged. “You’re the one who wants to cool it, Austin. I want to see where this could go.”

  He rinsed, dipping his gaze down to the sink, then he gave her a sidelong glance. “Afterward, when I’m not responsible for your life. When this is resolved, and we can move forward without a threat hanging over your head. I was told to be professional, and Kai is right.”

  “Kai?”

  “My very perceptive and awesome boss.”

  “Oh.”

  He bent down and rinsed off his face, then came into the room. “I know this isn’t optimal. Do you want someone else to handle this instead of me?”

  She stiffened and her head jerked up. “No!”

  The tension left his face as he walked over and slid his finger under her chin, his thumb caressing her jaw. “Then cut me some slack, Jenna. I’m dying here, too.”

  She curled her hand around his wrist and smiled softly. “Good. At least this isn’t one-sided.”

  He crouched down and said, his face now serious, “No, this isn’t one-sided in the least.”

  He smelled like citrus and spice, a heady combination that she was now associating with Austin. She reached out and ran her hands through his damp hair. “You are so noble. Why do you have to have so much integrity?”

  He chuckled and rose. “You’ll need to call your boss at the library. Let her know that you’ll be out of town for a few days.”

  “Why? Where are we going?”

  “To DC. I’m going to interview your ex-husband.”

  That froze her insides into an ice block. The thought that Robert could have been involved in murdering her cousin, wanting her dead, it was so surreal. He’d seemed so milquetoast about their relationship, at least as long as he’d been in control of it. She had to admit that she’d seen the flare of anger in his eyes more than once before he masked it. God forbid Robert should raise his voice.

  “You should get going and get packed. We’re leaving in two hours.”

  Austin went back into the bathroom and closed the door. She was apprehensive as she pushed the covers back, got out, and started to make the bed. She’d really fled DC in desperation, the unhappiness of her failed marriage and her empty life making her long for more. It had all seemed so overwhelming and moving here, even
temporarily, had been good for her. She’d found family and a job that she loved.

  But she wasn’t going back to hiding her head in the sand. She’d have to face whatever came, regardless of Robert’s possible involvement or how she felt about Austin. She couldn’t say it wasn’t ironic that the man she had considered having an affair with all those years ago was now confronting her ex-husband about whether he’d made a premeditated decision to end her life. She bit her lip. That did sound like a man who considered her his property, no matter how their marriage had ended.

  When Austin came out, he helped her make up the rest of the bed. “How many days are we going to be there?”

  “Two, one to talk to him and the next day for me to do any follow up. While you’re there, you can get Sarah’s will and maybe we can go out to Arlington Cemetery and you can see the plot they have available, and lock that in so you can bring Sarah home when the time comes.”

  She folded her arms across her chest and nodded. “It’s a practical trip.”

  He looked delectable in a pair of charcoal-gray pants tucked into black, flat-soled, military-inspired lace-up boots and a simple cranberry pullover that looked like it was as soft as cashmere. The leather gun harness was buckled around his chest. He reached for his weapon on the bedside table and tucked it into his holster with the ease of a man used to handling something dangerous. “It is. I want you safe, Jenna. I’m going to make sure that happens.”

  She came around the bed and threw her arms around him. “You are so thoughtful and sweet, Austin.”

  He held her close, the feel of his hard body and firm grasp making her feel safe. He always made her feel so safe. “But I’m really glad you’re armed and mean.”

  He chuckled. “Get going, sweetheart. I’ll make us something to eat while you’re showering.”

  Jenna headed toward the bathroom and took her shower.

  Before long they were at the airport, and Austin took the extra step to get his gun through security, but it was a very smooth process, with him showing his badge and presenting a special code.

  Once they were on board, the flight took off on time. After landing in DC and hailing a cab, Jenna gave the driver her town house address. They were soon inside. Austin set down their baggage and said, “I’m going to get the lay of the land both inside and out. Then I have an appointment with your ex in about an hour.”

  There was a knock at the door, and Austin walked over and looked out the side glass panel. Satisfied, he opened the door and a tall, very good-looking man stepped through. “Hello, I’m Special Agent Beau Jerrott from the Navy Yard. Your boss, Agent Talbot, requested backup.”

  Austin reached out and shook Beau’s hand. “I’m Agent Beck.” Beau turned to Jenna, and she clasped his warm hand. “Jenna Webb,” Austin said.

  “Pleased to meet you, but sorry for the circumstances.”

  He had a sexy Southern drawl to go with his stunning features. She noticed there was a ring on his finger and wasn’t surprised this hunk was taken.

  “So, you’re Amber’s former teammate?”

  “Yes. How is Amber?”

  “She’s doing great, happily married, and one of the best people I’ve ever met.”

  “I know about the marriage. I was at her wedding. I thought you looked familiar.”

  Austin nodded. “I was just about to check out the area and the house. Want to come along?”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Beau turned to her. “Lock the door after we leave.”

  She complied as they started going over the property. She took their luggage upstairs and settled Austin’s in the spare room, even though she wished he were sleeping with her—and more. Much more.

  As she looked around the room, she felt strange, like she didn’t belong anymore. Like the woman who had lived here had somehow passed on. She closed her eyes, thinking that was truer than not. She had moved on. Being with Sarah had given her confidence to look for a job, then she’d excelled at it. Sarah gave her the courage to continue.

  She thought about Dustin again and how enthusiastic he was about reading, then she thought about the fact that the library couldn’t afford any events because of the budget.

  Maybe she could do something about that. Robert had known a lot of movers and shakers in DC. While she was here, she might look into how she could do something to help raise funds. She’d never thought of herself as someone who was bold enough to run around asking people for money, but after being an ambassador’s wife, she sure had the connections and the determination.

  The more she thought about it, the more she was hooked. She picked up her cell phone and looked through her contacts. Elise Sonnet. She was definitely a go-to personality. She was involved in DC high society, would have some ideas on who to talk to and how to get this going. She would have planned a visit with her while Jenna was here. Elise and Tom were such good friends of her father.

  She pressed Elise’s number and got her voicemail. “Elise, this is Jenna Webb. I’m back in town for a couple of days and was hoping to have a chance to meet with you. Call me back when you get a chance. Thanks, and hope you’re doing well.”

  When she came back downstairs, she pulled her laptop out of its case and went into the office located off the living room. She settled behind the mahogany desk, opened up the lid of the computer and started typing.

  “Jenna?”

  “In here,” she called out and soon the two men materialized in the door frame.

  “I’m heading out for the appointment. Beau will stay with you.”

  “Okay, thanks. I’ll talk to you when you get back.”

  He nodded, then left.

  Beau sat down in one of the leather chairs and said, “What’s got you so interested with that fire in your eyes?”

  “I’m thinking about fundraising.”

  “Oh, that’s worthwhile. What kind of fundraising?”

  “For libraries and literacy.”

  “Really worthwhile. Hey, you might talk to Piper Kaczewski. She used to be a senator here, but moved out to San Diego to be with Dexter, a Navy SEAL. You should ask Austin about her. She does fundraising. I bet she could help.”

  “A former senator? I’d say. Thank you for that information.”

  “Sure. Amber keeps me up to date about all the goings-on in San Diego. She loves it there.”

  “It’s a beautiful city.” She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

  “All right, I’m going to check out the house and take another turn around the grounds.” He paused in the doorway. “Austin mentioned that you had some errands to run, too.”

  “Yes, I do. Thanks for babysitting me.”

  He nodded. “You bet. NCIS is here for you, ma’am. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Her cell rang as soon as the front door closed. She saw it was Elise.

  “Jenna, darling! It’s so good to hear from you. I missed you bunches when you went out to California. I would love to get together. How about dinner?”

  “That would be wonderful.”

  “I have a dinner party tonight, so that will be wonderful to have you attend. How many should I expect?”

  “Three.”

  “Wonderful. Tom will be thrilled to see you, as well. I’ll see you at six sharp.”

  “We’ll be there, and thank you so much, Elise.”

  She was back to DC, back home, but it wasn't pleasant, nor any kind of homecoming. They were back to see if her ex-husband—the man, whom she'd been with for twelve years, had tried to murder her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Austin parked at the curb and turned off his engine. He thought briefly of Jenna alone with Beau, but Amber trusted him, so Austin would trust him, too. He stepped out of the car and faced Jenna’s ex-husband’s estate. The thought that she had lived here twisted through him. For six years, while he was finding his way after the Marines and pissing his fiancée off by choosing NCIS over her, Jenna had been living in a loveless marriage as a trophy wife.

  Georgetown, a
neighborhood populated by the upper stratum in DC society, was quiet. The ambassador lived in a cold, narrow, three-story, modern-looking white house. The lawn was manicured with white stones on either side of the walk and very few plants.

  Tall hedges lined the backyard and when he looked at the upper floor, a curtain flicked. He pocketed his keys and walked the concrete path to the front door, which was also white.

  When he got to Webb’s front door, he lifted the brass knocker with a lion’s head and let it drop. Compared to this sterile, almost vacant place, Jenna’s home reflected her warm and generous personality. What did this home say about her ex-husband’s nature?

  After a few moments, the door opened and a woman said, “May I help you?” She was as austere as the residence.

  He flashed his badge and said, “Yes, I’m here to meet with Ambassador Webb.”

  Her smile was tight. “He prefers to be addressed as Mr. Webb now that he’s retired.”

  Austin nodded, and she stepped aside to allow him into the house. The foyer was as grand as the entrance, with a grandfather clock that chimed three times. The smell of lemon polish hung in the air; the surfaces, including the wood floor, gleamed.

  The maid held out her hand for his coat; he shrugged out of it and she walked to a hall closet and tucked it inside. “This way,” she said.

  He followed her down the hall, passing the posh, furnished living room, and Austin stopped dead. Over the fireplace was a portrait of a much younger Jenna, looking exquisite in a beautiful blue dress that brought out her eyes, and long, dark hair, a stunning combination. The woman cleared her throat, and Austin turned to find her frowning. They continued on, passing an elegant dining room and stylish powder room. She turned toward a set of wooden doors and slipped through, halting him with her hand up.

  She disappeared. Moments later, the doors opened. Bookcases covered the walls from the twelve-foot-high ceiling to the polished pine floor. Here the scent of the ambassador’s expensive tobacco was strongest, the furniture polish an undertone to leather chairs and the faint, musty-sweet aroma of books. An ornate mahogany desk dominated the floor space. Behind it, an entertainment center held shelves of sophisticated stereo equipment. But what caught Austin’s attention were the number of photos of Jenna displayed in frames dotted here and there in the bookcases, with one on the desk next to the humidor, a tray of correspondence and an immaculate blotter.