Mirror Image

Jenna winced at the way Claire shrank away from him, clearly afraid.

“Where’s your phone?” he demanded.

“In my pocket, but it’s shut off, see?” The teen pulled it out and showed him the black screen. “I keep it off so no one can track it.”

“The phone can be tracked, even if it’s shut off,” Jenna said, peering over his shoulder.

He took the phone, turned it on and scrolled through the recent numbers. “There don’t seem to be any calls made in the last twenty-four hours,” he muttered.

Jenna lifted a brow, not sure why he thought there would be. Claire was hiding secrets, but the stark fear in the girl’s eyes was all too real.

“Jenna’s right. The guy who’s after you can track you by pinging this phone,” Griff said grimly. “We have to get rid of it, for your safety and ours.”

Claire winced but didn’t protest when he pulled the battery out and tossed the phone in the trash.

“Come on. We need to get out of here.”

“Tell me what happened,” Jenna demanded. “Who was shooting?”

“I suspect it was the same guy who attacked you.”

“Why?” Jenna asked.

“I saw a car rolling slowly down the street with its lights off. I heard a similar car engine earlier when we were sweeping your yard right after the attack. When I confronted him, he opened fire.”

“He actually tried to kill you?” Jenna felt sick, knowing that she’d inadvertently put Griff in danger.

Claire gasped and went even more pale than normal. “We have to get away! Please don’t take me to the shelter, either.”

Jenna wavered, second-guessing her earlier decision. It might be better to keep Claire with her. And right now they needed to get far away from her place. “Okay, pack up the food. I’ll grab some clothes and toiletries.”

“I’ll take care of the food. Just hurry,” Griff urged.

Jenna ran upstairs with Claire close on her heels. “I can help,” she said, although Jenna suspected the real reason Claire followed her was because she was still afraid of Griff.

“Here, wear this,” Jenna said, tossing a dark sweatshirt at her. “Then head into the bathroom to grab toiletries.” Jenna picked up a duffel bag and started stashing clothing inside. Claire was thin, but Jenna made sure to toss in enough clothes for her, too, including a belt so the jeans wouldn’t fall off her slim hips. Within minutes Jenna had everything they needed, and they returned to the kitchen to find Griff waiting impatiently.

He was holding a tinfoil-covered plate, and when she approached, he took the duffel from her fingers and slung it over his shoulder. “I’m going to drive around to the alley. I need you and Claire to wait near the back door until you see me. Keep your weapon handy.”

Jenna nodded. “Okay, but be careful.”

Griff gave a curt nod. “I honestly believe they’re gone. For the moment.”

Jenna silently agreed and shut off all the inside lights as she followed Griff to the front door. Once he slipped through the opening, she shut the door and slid the dead bolt home.

She returned to the kitchen, where Claire waited, looking dwarfish in the oversize sweatshirt.

“Come on. Stay close,” Jenna said. She tucked Claire behind her as she opened the back door. Gun in hand, she peered into the darkness, waiting for Griff to arrive.

Jenna took her time scanning the backyard for any sign of the assailant. She agreed with Griff that the guy probably wouldn’t return anytime soon, but that didn’t mean she was going to take any unnecessary risks. Especially if the guy was really after Claire.

The sound of a car engine grew louder, and she tensed, making sure the vehicle was Griff’s. She spotted the light rack running along the roof and let her breath out in a soundless sigh of relief.

He paused in the alley, waiting for them. Jenna knew it was time to move. “Keep close behind me,” she instructed Claire. “We’re going to stay in the shadows as much as possible.”

“Okay,” Claire whispered, curling her fingers into the back of Jenna’s denim jacket.

Jenna led the way outside and skirted the patio to make her way through the backyard. Claire hovered so close, she accidentally stepped on the back of Jenna’s shoe, causing them both to stumble a bit.

They reached the alley without incident. Jenna yanked open the back passenger door for Claire, making sure the girl was safely inside before sliding into the front seat beside Griff. The moment she closed the door behind her, Griff hit the gas.

“Where are we going?” Jenna asked when Griff made several turns, first heading in one direction and then switching course to head in another. “I suppose you’re taking us to the police station?”

“I should, but I’m not willing to do that yet. Not until I understand what’s going on.”

Jenna could barely hide her surprise. Griff always followed the rules. “A hotel, then?”

Griff shook his head. “We’re heading to my place.”

His place? She tried to hide her shock. “Don’t you think a hotel would be safer?”

“No. I believe the guy shot at me because I’m the one who interrupted the assault on you, but there’s no way he could know my name or where I live. I have a spare bedroom that you and Claire can share.” He paused, then added, “Besides, it’s almost dawn and we need sleep. In the morning we’ll use my computer to start investigating the mess that we’ve stumbled into.”

Jenna couldn’t argue his logic, even though the thought of going to Griff’s place was unnerving. She was capable of taking care of herself and Claire, but considering the fact that Griff was now in danger, as well, he was right to encourage them to stick together.

She glanced back at Claire. “Are you okay with the plan?”

Claire nodded. “As long as you’re there with me,” she said in a quiet voice.

“I will be,” Jenna promised. She turned back around. “All right, then. I guess that’s settled.”

Griff drove for several more miles, then doubled back, before pulling into his driveway. He parked in the garage, and Jenna waited until the garage door closed before unbuckling her seat belt and pushing open the door.

She looked into the back, surprised to see Claire’s head propped against the window, her eyes closed as if she’d finally given in to the exhaustion that plagued her. There were pizza crumbs scattered across her lap, indicating she had helped herself to some leftovers. Jenna was relieved the girl had food in her system.

For a moment Jenna simply stared at her, wondering about this young woman who looked so much like her.

“Need help?” Griff asked.

“No, thanks.” Jenna pulled herself up short and opened the car door, shaking Claire awake. “Come on. We need to go inside.”

Claire blinked in confusion, but nodded. She struggled to get out of the car, managing with Jenna’s help to stand on her own two feet.

Griff led the way, flipping lights on as he went. Jenna was curious about the place her boss called home, but tried not to be too nosy.

“The first door on the right upstairs is the guest bedroom, and the bathroom is across the hall,” he said. Then he frowned when he realized Claire was sagging heavily against Jenna. “I was hoping we’d get some more information out of her tonight.”

Jenna shook her head. “You’re the one who pointed out it’s almost dawn. She’s not going anywhere. It’s better for her to get some rest.”