Page 50 of Jenna's Protector
Max tilts his head, his tail thumping against the floor. He stands, shaking out his fur, and trots out of the room. He approaches Jenna, nuzzling her hand, and the tension in her shoulders eases. A small smile tugs at her lips, the first smile since this briefing began.
I turn back to the briefing. Jenna’s sketches, the ones she pouredher heart and soul into, are spread out on the table. The faces may have changed, erased by Sentinel, but the landscapes and the buildings have not—those are the key.
Jeb points to a sketch. “This looks like a warehouse district. Lots of places to hide, lots of room for illegal activities.”
Rigel nods in agreement. “Just gotta locate it, but we should start there, see if anything stands out. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”
The room falls silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. We’re nowhere close to cracking this case. I fear another girl will be taken before we make any headway.
It’s a heavy weight on my shoulders.
I glance back at the hallway, catching sight of Jenna and Forest. They’re still talking, but Jenna’s posture has changed. She’s standing taller, her shoulders squared. Whatever Forest is saying, it’s giving her strength.
Jenna is the strongest person I know, a survivor in every sense of the word. She’s facing her demons head-on, and that takes a kind of courage most people can only dream of.
I turn back to the table, my resolve hardening. With the might of Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists, I might find who took my four missing girls. Hopefully, before Sentinel adds a fifth and a sixth to the list.
“Jeb, can you snap pictures of all the buildings Jenna drew? Got a response from my dark web contacts, and they’re eager to begin.” Mitzy is a flurry of activity. Her fingers fly across her keyboard, her eyes glued to the screen. The monitor's glow illuminates her face, casting an eerie blue light across her features.
I push back from the table, my chair scraping against the floor. The sound is harsh, grating against my nerves. I need to check on Jenna and make sure she’s holding up under the weight of all this.
She looks up as I approach, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Max stands diligently at her side, enjoying a little neck scratch courtesy of Jenna. The urge to pull her into my arms is overwhelming.
“Hey,” I say, my voice soft. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Just… It’s a lot, you know?” Jenna takes a shaky breath, her fingers curling into Max’s fur.
“I wish I could make this easier for you.” The lump in my throat makes it hard to speak.
“Don’t be sorry. I want to help. I need to help.” She shakes her head, and a stray lock of hair falls across her face. “If my sketches can bring those girls home, it’s worth it.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” The words slip out before I can stop them, my heart laid bare in the space between us.
“I’m just doing what anyone would do.” A blush stains Jenna’s cheeks, and her gaze drops to the floor.
“No, you’re not. You’re facing your demons head-on, and that takes a kind of courage most people can only dream of.”
Jenna looks at me, her eyes searching mine. For a moment, the rest of the world falls away, and it’s just us, suspended in this fragile bubble of understanding.
The team’s chatter inside the briefing room breaks our moment. Reality comes crashing back in, and the weight of the case settles heavily on my shoulders once more.
“I should get back in there. There’s pizza if you want it?” I clear my throat, stepping back.
“Honestly, I’m not hungry.”
“Will you be okay here with Max for a bit?”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine. Go do what you need to do.” Jenna’s fingers tighten in Max’s fur.
I hesitate; the urge to stay with her wars with my duty, but the case calls, and I can’t ignore it. With a final nod, I turn and head back to the team, my heart heavy with the knowledge of what we’re up against.
Back in the briefing room, ideas bounce off the walls as Blake and his teammates dig deeper into Jenna’s sketches. Each revelation sparks another lead to chase down.
Mitzy’s dark web contacts are already working their magic, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the resources and expertise that Guardian HRS is bringing to my case.
But as much as I want to dive in and lose myself in the hunt,Jenna needs me more. She’s been through hell today, reliving her worst nightmares for the sake of this case. The least I can do is make sure she gets home safely.
I catch Ethan’s eye across the table and give him a nod. He understands immediately, waving me off with a silent “go.”