Free Night Prey by Sharon Dunn Page B

slapped a magazine back on the coffee table. “Someone cut a hole in the barn and took my turkey vulture.” Agitation colored her words.
    â€œOh, Jenna.” He rushed to her where she kneeled on the floor. “I’m sorry about the bird.”
    Jenna stared at the ceiling. “What am I supposed todo? This place is hardly high security. Am I supposed to get the volunteers to walk the grounds twenty-four hours a day?” Her voice broke. “Who would take a stupid turkey vulture anyway? They are the ugliest things on earth.”
    Jenna’s eyes were glazed with tears. Keith squeezed her forearm. Her voice had trembled with fear and sadness. This was about more than the loss of the bird. She felt violated, vulnerable.
    Keith swallowed hard to quell the ire he felt for whoever had done this to her. He brushed his hand over her soft hair. He waited until he could speak without showing his anger. “Please consider keeping Jet here. He’s a good watchdog.”
    She pulled back from him, seeming unaware of his request. “This has to have happened because of that threat. I’ll just do like they say and stop looking around on your grandfather’s ranch. You and the sheriff can figure it out.”
    He doubted that would stop the vandalism. These guys were ruthless and determined to hurt her. “Jet can just stay in your house.” That way at least she would be safe. Though she had not been threatened directly, the boldness of an intruder coming onto this property in broad daylight made him wonder if the level of violence might escalate. “He’s a quiet guy—he’s only going to bark when there is a good reason to.”
    She gathered more papers off the floor. “I’ll be okay.”
    â€œWouldn’t it be better to have the birds a little ruffled rather than have something happen to them?”
    â€œI appreciate the offer, but it just won’t work.” She slammed a magazine on top of another.
    Keith tried to loosen the tightness through his chest by taking a deep breath. He couldn’t just leave her here alone unprotected. “Maybe we can get the sheriff to patrol by here.”
    â€œMaybe.” Lost in thought, Jenna traced her collarbone with a narrow finger. “The deputy will be here in a minute.” She blew out a huff of air. “I’m sure this will provide a good laugh for them. Silly Jenna and her kidnapped bird.”
    â€œI don’t think they will treat it like a joke. Too much has happened. It’s got to be connected. Someone who would go to these extremes has something to hide.” Anger flared anew in his muscles. The only way to end this—the threats and the fear and the trespassing on Gramps’s land—was to catch the people who were doing it.
    â€œThanks for your vote of confidence.” She slumped in a chair. “Why were you stopping by here, anyway?”
    â€œCraig Smith bought a bull from Gramps. I told him I would deliver it.”
    A faint smile lit up Jenna’s heart-shaped face. “This is a little out of the way from Craig Smith’s ranch.”
    Heat rushed to his face over her realizing he’d come here to check on her.
    There was a soft rapping at the door. Keith strode across the carpet and opened it. The deputy stood at attention. His face was flushed as if he had been running. Jenna came up behind Keith.
    The deputy rubbed his Adam’s apple. “I found your bird.” His tone indicated that it wasn’t good news.
    Jenna gasped. “Where?”
    â€œOn the road up here. It was…uh…hung in a tree. Whoever did it wanted the bird to be seen from the road. I don’t need to see a picture. I could tell it was a vulture.”
    A faint moan escaped Jenna’s lips.
    Keith rubbed Jenna’s arm. Already, her gaze indicated that she was staring at some unseen thing in the distance. He knew that look. He’d seen it in the eyes of