Mirror Image

Jenna let out a huff but then nodded. “Right. Food. I’ll throw in a frozen pizza.”

The way she hurried into the other room made him think she was anxious to get away from Claire. Honestly, he understood. He’d heard that they all had a double in the world, but he hadn’t really believed it.

Until now. The physical similarities between the girls were eerie.

Claire was subtly inching away from him, rubbing her hands over her arms. He grabbed an afghan off the sofa and tossed it to her. “Wrap up. You’ll feel warm soon.”

She nodded and did as she was told, huddling into the blanket as if she could disappear inside. He raked a hand over his short hair.

Now what?

“Do you live in the Milwaukee area?” he asked.

Claire shrugged but didn’t answer. She was looking at him as if he was an ogre, so he tried to soften his harsh features.

“Listen, we’re not going to hurt you, okay? We just need to understand what’s going on. Jenna was brutally attacked a few hours ago and we need to know why. Are you in town with someone?”

Claire slowly shook her head from side to side. When she finally spoke, her voice was so soft he had to strain to hear her. “I came on my own. Took a bus from Chicago.”

Chicago? He found it hard to believe this tiny slip of a girl came ninety miles with nothing more than the clothes on her back and a crumpled piece of newspaper in her pocket.

Being a runaway was looking more and more likely. Especially since she seemed to be afraid of him.

Because he was a cop? A man? Both?

She hadn’t seemed afraid of Jenna. In fact, he was amazed the girl had gone out of her way to purposefully find Jenna.

But how?

“Do you have any identification? Anything to prove who you are?”

Claire shook her head again, easing toward the opening leading to the kitchen.

“Okay, why don’t you tell me how you found Jenna?”

She shook her head and darted a glance toward the door. He bit back a sigh of frustration. How could he get this girl to trust him?

“Pizza’s in, should be ready in a few minutes.” Jenna looked at Claire. “Come into the kitchen. I think you owe us an explanation, don’t you?”

The enticing aroma of pepperoni, cheese and tomato sauce filled the air, and Claire was practically drooling with anticipation. But then she hesitated. “I need to use the bathroom to wash up.”

“Sure. It’s down the hall to your right.”

“Thank you.” Claire slipped away, leaving Griff and Jenna alone in the kitchen.

A strained moment stretched between them.

“Do you think it’s possible you’re related to her in some way?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“I don’t see how, although I guess she could be a cousin. I don’t know much about my father’s side of the family.”

Griff lifted a brow. “I don’t think cousins share that kind of resemblance.”

Jenna scowled at him. “Listen, this isn’t your problem. It’s mine. There’s no reason for you to stick around. I can handle this from here.”

“Funny, I was thinking we should take her down to the station, maybe check her fingerprints for missing persons.”

“Why? The only crime we’re aware of is trespassing.”

“That we’re aware of is the key phrase, don’t you think?”

Jenna’s chin thrust forward stubbornly. “Plenty of time for all that later. Right now she needs food, warmth and shelter.”

Griff didn’t like the idea of leaving Jenna here alone. The girl was young and looked harmless, but that didn’t mean much. He knew only too well that looks could be deceiving. His parents were proof of that. Innocent people had trusted them with their life’s savings when they shouldn’t have.

Then he focused on her last word. “Shelter. That’s a great idea. Why don’t you take her to Ruth’s?”

“Lately her place has been running full,” Jenna pointed out. “Although I guess I could call to see if there are any openings.”

“No!” Claire said from the doorway, looking so pale Griff feared she might crumple to the floor at any moment.

“It’s okay, Claire,” Jenna said in a soothing voice. “We were just trying to think of ways to keep you safe.”

“I’m safer here with you,” the girl protested. “I don’t want to go to a shelter.”

Griff tried to stifle a weary sigh. From the compassionate expression in Jenna’s eyes, he suspected she wanted to give in to Claire’s wishes.

“I won’t force you, Claire. We’ll be fine,” Jenna assured him. “She can hang out here for what’s left of the night.”

“Oh, yeah?” Griff wanted to shake some sense into Jenna. “What if that guy shows up again to finish what he’s started?”

“Stop it—you’re frightening Claire,” Jenna admonished him. “Besides, I doubt he is going to come back. And if he does, I’m armed and will call for backup.”

He stared at her, trying to find a way to convince Jenna that keeping a strange teenager in her home wasn’t smart. “You don’t know Claire isn’t involved in this,” he finally reminded her. “If you’re letting her stay, then I’m staying, too.”

Jenna looked taken aback by his declaration, but to his surprise, Claire nodded. “That’s good.”

Good? He frowned. “Why? Do you know something about the guy who attacked Jenna?”

Claire shifted uncomfortably, looking guilty. “I’m afraid so.”

He knew it! “Start talking,” he advised in a gruff voice.

Claire swallowed hard, her gaze darting between him and Jenna. It was several long seconds before she spoke. “I think that guy attacked Jenna by mistake.”

“By mistake?” Griff echoed in surprise. He’d never expected her to say something that crazy. “What makes you think that?”

Claire licked her dry lips. “I managed to escape from them, so I’m pretty sure they’re looking for me.”