“It’s a work in progress.” Puffing out a sigh of resignation, Jenna touched the bandages covering her face and winced. She didn’t do lying in bed all day and was forever slipping out of bed to stare out of the small window. But if she moved around too much, the doctor came in and gave her a shot. Being controlled in such a way did nothing for her mood. “I hope you’re right. The bandages come off today and I get to see Jenna Alton.” She lifted her gaze back to him. “Have I taken the identity of a dead woman?”
“Nope.” The marshal sat down in the chair beside the bed. “You’ll be supplied with all the documentation you require. When you’re ready to leave here, we’ll escort you to the airport and then you’re on your own. There’ll be a vehicle waiting for you in the airport parking lot and a place to stay that’s paid up for three months. You’ll have a bank account with a decent balance to cover you until you get a job. There’ll be no checking in, no contact with the department. You’ll be virtually alone, but in truth we’ll keep an eye on you from afar.” He smiled. “It’s all up to you now, Jenna. Study hard and get well. You have six months to get back into shape and then we’re setting you free. Good luck.” He stood and walked out the door.
Suddenly feeling very alone, Jenna stared after him. “I’m going to need it.”
Later in the day the doctor came and removed the bandages. He looked at her critically. It was the look doctors gave people that hid all their real feelings, and Jenna’s stomach rolled. She lifted her chin. “Well, do I look like Frankenstein’s monster?”
“No, you look really good. Younger, of course. I’d place you at around twenty-two. Your eyebrows are a little higher and the nose a little shorter. I’ve lifted your eyes in the corners to give them a slightly different tilt. I can assure you, once the swelling has gone down, and the hairdresser has come by to add the finishing touches, you’ll be happy. No one will recognize you now.” He indicated to the bathroom. “Go take a look.”
Jenna slipped from the bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom. She took a deep breath and peered at her reflection. A stranger looked back at her. Not even her eyes were the same. Although, she had to admit, she liked the new person. The doctor had turned back the years and the worry lines had vanished. Her skin looked refreshed and younger. All the scars on her face where Michael had hit her were gone. Each time she’d looked into the mirror, they’d been a constant reminder of his power over her. Now with the scars gone, maybe one day, she’d forget he’d ever existed. She shuddered. No, she’d never forget how she’d suffered by his hand, helpless to fight back. She stared at the new, confidant person standing before her. Tough and resilient, this woman could stand and fight alone if needs be. No, Jenna Alton would never allow a man to hit her and get away with it. She’d fight back whatever the cost. She’d take the seven years the doctor had taken from her appearance and make good use of them. Heading back into the room, she smiled at the doctor. “I kinda like Jenna Alton, but I’m not sure if I can handle not being blonde. The upkeep will be murder.”
“We’re thinking shoulder-length black. The current swept-up long blonde style is too much like your old life. It’s almost a signature of how you looked before. Think less high-class fashion and more country. You’ll be living with mountain men and miners. If you arrive looking like a city girl, they’ll get suspicious and you’ll be treated like an outsider.” He glanced at her hands. “Trim the nails. No polish. You’re not undercover. I’m to inform you that someone will drop by as soon as you’re healed to start training you. You’ll need to get your hand-to-hand combat skills back to normal. Two years undercover has made you soft. You’ll be out on the rifle range, getting your eye back in. They want to make sure of your proficiency over a wide range of weapons. They want you in top condition before they let you go. Think of it as a mission, and if you succeed, the payoff is a great new life. It’s a nice town filled with good people, Jenna. They need someone like you. Go and help them.”
Mind spinning with the possibilities and pitfalls, Jenna nodded. “Okay, not that I have any choice, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
Eleven
The weeks of training had been torture. Jenna had grown weak during her recovery and the fifty-or-so-year-old man of steel with features carved out of stone sent to retrain her was relentless. He’d changed her body shape completely. Building muscle had given her a sculpted appearance that enhanced her. Not too much muscle, but enough to round her bottom and give her the strong thighs she’d always admired on female athletes. Her strength had increased substantially and she’d gained techniques for defending herself she hadn’t learned at Quantico. After Jenna bid farewell to the medical team and actually got a flash of a smile from her trainer, a US Marshal had seen her onto a flight to Black Rock Falls. The so-called small backwoods town had an airport, a large hospital, a college, and everything in between, ice hockey teams, football teams, and a place for the rodeo circuit. In fact, it seemed the town was not only prosperous but expanding at an incredible rate and was a well-known tourist destination. From the window of the aircraft, the scenery had taken her breath away. Tall black mountains dusted with snow rose up around the town like a circle of protection, and below, pine trees covered the terrain as far as the eye could see. Waterfalls, rivers, and lakes spread out in abundance, glistening under an endless azure blue sky. The sight filled her with a calmness she’d never experienced before. Black Rock Falls called to her as if it was her special place. She had the strangest feeling of going home.
From the moment she left the airport and headed for the parking lot to search for the rental they’d supplied for her, the scent of the forest caressed her on a light breeze. She could sense the lingering taste of winter and the familiar smell of snow. Her many skiing holidays came back in a rush of memories. She’d so loved the mountains and here they surrounded her in a protective hug. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she followed the signposts into town. It was bigger than she expected. After pulling over to add the address of the real estate office on Main to the GPS, she followed the instructions. She needed to drop by to pick up the keys to the rental house in town. The real estate office stood out with its slightly tattered bunting waving in the breeze and she pulled to the curb and climbed out. Exhausted from the flight, she leaned against the vehicle, and her attention went straight to a welcoming sign depicting a slice of steaming apple pie on a red plaid plate and the name aunt betty’s café.
The smell of good coffee and baking drifted toward her on the air. As if pulled by a magnet, she crossed the road and went inside. A long glass counter displayed pies and other delicious treats. Behind on the wall were glossy posters of every meal on offer and to one side of the counter hung a blackboard with the day’s specials. The diner was bigger than she expected and the majority of seats were already taken. She glanced around at the spotless tables, all with red and white plaid tablecloths, surrounded by wooden chairs with seats worn down from many visitors. To her surprise, the customers looked at her and smiled. She headed for the counter and sighed in delight. The delicious aromas pouring out from the kitchen had her hooked in an instant. Only excellent food smelled that good. She smiled at a young woman with the nameplate susie.
“How can I help you?” Susie gave her a bright smile. “New in town?”
Jenna nodded. “I just arrived and I’m here to stay.” She glanced at the display of photographs of the many items on offer. “I’m famished. What do you suggest?”
“Well, everything is good. We have fresh bagels and the best peach pie in the state.”
Mouth watering in anticipation, Jenna nodded. “Bagel and cream cheese, and I’ll have a slice of that pie. Coffee as well, please.”
“Go and make yourself at home. I’ll have it ready before you know it.” Susie disappeared out back.
Jenna looked for an empty table just as an old deputy walked into the café and headed for a seat toward the back. She glanced at him and smiled. “Would you be Deputy Walters?”
?
??That would be me.” The old man smiled at her. “Can I be of any assistance, ma’am?”
The lie would begin with this man and Jenna hoped she had her story straight. “I’ve just arrived in town. I was going to drop by the sheriff’s office in the morning. I’m Jenna Alton. I was a detective out of Baltimore. I asked my captain to contact the sheriff here. I’m looking for work in law enforcement.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting someone so young.” Walters eyed her critically. “Your boss said you’re a hotshot gold-shield detective. Why did you leave?”
“I’m almost thirty and I left because of a messy relationship breakup.” She sighed. “I needed to get a long way away and make a fresh start and I chose this town.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Walters leaned back in his seat as Susie arrived with her meal and poured coffee for her and Walters.
“Oh, I see you two know each other.” Susie smiled at Walters. “The usual?”
“Yeah, thanks, Susie.” Walters waited a beat and looked at Jenna. “Do you mind me sitting here with you for a time?”
Jenna shook her head. “Not at all.” She cleared her throat. “Is there any work available?”
“There sure is.” Walters nodded his head wisely. “I need help. Since the sheriff died, I’ve been on my lonesome. Can you drop by the sheriff’s office in the morning? I’m acting sheriff and can swear you in as a deputy, but as you’re new in town I should take you over to meet Mayor Rockford. I figure you’ll fit into this town just fine.”
Interested, Jenna nibbled at her bagel. “Okay. That sounds perfect.”
“As a deputy, you’ll get to know the townsfolk firsthand.” He gave her a slow smile. “Truth is, we need a sheriff. I’m close to retirement and my arthritis is so bad I couldn’t chase down anyone if my life depended on it. And my eyes aren’t so good either. We need new blood, and with your experience, once the townsfolk get to know you and you do a bit of campaigning, they’ll vote you in as sheriff. You’ll need to get your name down before the closing date and then you’ll have time to campaign. I’ll walk you through the process in the morning.”