let you know they were positive,” Yale said. “The young lady is Jessica Silverstone, daughter of Jenna and Oliver Silverstone. The blood we found using the luminol in the basement of their home proved to be both Jenna and Oliver’s blood. And… some of Roger Wentworth aka Roger Everton’s blood. He was probably wounded when he killed the couple. Their daughter was right.”
Anna listened, not saying a word, her jaw clenched tight.
Bjornolf wrapped his arm around her shoulders, grateful that Yale hadn’t revealed the gory details in front of Jessica. “What about the DEA agents? Any word on what happened to them?”
“They were checking into allegations that William Wentworth was dealing in illegal drugs. Their investigation led them to the Christmas tree farm. They were in the house at some point or another. We didn’t find any of their blood there, but they appeared to have been caught as soon as they entered the house. The only place they had been was the front foyer. I almost missed smelling a vague hint of their scent there. If you came in the back door, you might have missed it, too.”
“We did. Did Hunter tell you what Jessica heard when she was home sick from school that one day?”
“Yes. The time corresponds to the approximate time of death. Both of them were shot several times. They bled out before their wolf’s healing abilities could come into play.”
Anna took a deep breath.
“I’ve informed their families. Not the kind of news anyone wants to hear at Christmastime, but they need closure. William and his family had an alibi for that time. They were with you in the Amazon.” He took a deep breath. “You have the hardest job—giving the news to Jessica.”
“What about Everton’s condition? Any word?” Anna asked.
“Intensive care still. He had a heart attack. He’s in a coma. So no questioning him yet.”
They said good-bye, and Anna looked at Bjornolf. “I should have aimed better.”
“Hell, Anna,” Bjornolf said, taking her into his arms. “You were drugged, and he intended to shoot and bury you. If you’d hit somewhere less vital, I might not be holding you here now.”
“You’re right. I just wish they could have interrogated him and learned what all this was about. As to Jessica, she has to be told. I hate being the one to tell her. She’ll want to know the truth, but it comes at a price.”
“If you want me to…”
Anna shook her head. “She knows my parents were murdered. So I kind of have a connection.” She hesitated, her gaze drifting to his chest.
He kissed her and hugged her tight. “I know, Anna. I don’t want you to be sad about any of it any longer.”
She sighed and gave him a small smile. “I don’t want to be, either. I want this first Christmas to be really special. And it will be,” she said with determination, dragging him into the kitchen. “If we get to cooking.”
They should have known that something was wrong when the kids didn’t come home for dinner on time. Not when Jessica and Nathan had proved how responsible they could be. Not when they were just doing some last- minute shopping and most places were already closed for Christmas Eve.
“I’m worried about them.” Anna turned off the oven.
Bjornolf glanced outside at the dark and the snow falling. “The mall’s closed by now.” He tried to get hold of Nathan by phone again.
Anna left another message on Jessica’s phone. A text message back from Jessica made Anna’s heart leap.
At farm. Getting stuff. Be quick and home soon.
What would they be doing at the farm? Getting more of her clothes? Or something else?
Dottie, Jessica’s adoptive mother, was still unaccounted for.
Concerned that someone else was using Jessica’s phone, Anna called Jessica and got her message machine. “Jessica, answer the phone.” Jessica had to hear her voice and know it was Anna.
But Jessica didn’t respond.
Anna shook her head at Bjornolf’s quizzical look.
“Maybe they’re just fooling around,” Bjornolf said, rubbing Anna’s arm. “Nathan told me he’d meet her at the house when her parents were away. They might have wanted to get away from us for some privacy. They’re young.”
“Maybe,” Anna said, but she still didn’t think they’d be that irresponsible when they all had planned on having a nice dinner together.
“If we go to the house to check up on them, there’s no telling what we might find. On the other hand…” Bjornolf said, his words trailing off.
“They could be in trouble,” she finished for him.
“We’ll leave a message to let them know we’ve gone out to the farm in case they arrive here, and we miss them somehow.”
Anna was already headed for the bedroom. “We’re going armed,” Anna said, breaking into his thoughts as she jerked on a white turtleneck and switched her blue jeans for white to blend in with the snow.
“Absolutely.” Bjornolf called Hunter to give him a heads-up in case there was trouble, while he and Anna strapped on knives and guns and headed out to the Land Rover. “We don’t know if there’s any problem. We’re on our way to check out the farm.” Anna had already called Hunter about Yale’s conversation, so he knew what was up with that.
“I’ll get Finn to notify the troops. Don’t get yourself and Anna killed, Bjornolf,” Hunter said with a stern warning. He meant for them to wait for backup.
“There may be nothing to it. Just a couple of parents worried about their teens,” Bjornolf said as he glanced over at Anna.
She was tense and ready for a fight.
“I hope so. But wait for backup,” Hunter said again. But he knew that Bjornolf and Anna couldn’t wait. Not if the kids were in danger.
They drove a little slower than they wanted because the roads were icy. Anna kept trying to call Nathan and Jessica with no result.
Bjornolf said, “We’ll park outside the fence.”
“We’ll keep to the trees until we reach the back side of the house. You got your lockpicks?” she asked, but then patted her pocket. “Forget it. I have mine.”
“Text Jessica and tell her the food’s getting cold, so we’re going to go ahead and eat. If someone else has her phone—”
“Incoming,” Anna said as he parked the Land Rover next to the fence. She read the message: Flat tire. Tow truck coming. Later.
“They’re in trouble,” Anna said.
“Or this is a setup, figuring we’ll assume they’re in trouble and come to help them.”
Anna texted back. Got a flat where? At farm, or on the way back?
They answered. Farm. We’re fine. Take 2 hours. Roads bad. Get there when can. Eat.
She called Hunter and told him the messages they’d received. “We’re going in.”
Bjornolf leaned over and kissed her mouth. “Keep low until we get close to the house.”
The chain link rattled as they climbed the fence. They both ran at a crouch through the trees.
Gunshots rang out inside the house, and Bjornolf and Anna forgot stealth. At a dead run, they headed for the back of the house.
When they reached one of the basement windows, Bjornolf made Anna stand back while he got a look.
Helen Wentworth looked like a crazed woman as she waved a gun at Dottie Everton, who was seated on one of the couches. Dottie was glowering at Helen, her face splotchy with anger. The kids were sitting nearby. Nathan’s arm was wrapped protectively around Jessica. There were small-caliber holes in the sofa only inches away from Dottie. Helen started to pace. The kids looked pale faced.
Nathan saw Bjornolf out of the corner of his eye, turned his attention more fully on him, and sat up a little taller. Bjornolf shook his head, indicating for him to look away. Nathan did and squeezed Jessica a little. She
