Page 93 of Chasing Justice

“How’s that?” Jenna asked, her cheeks flushed red from crying.

“Tell me who your father is getting information from in the sheriff’s office.”

“I have no idea. My father would never tell me.”

“Then tell me, where’s my grandfather? What did you do with him? I know you took him.”

“I’m not a monster.”

Maya gritted her teeth. “I never said you were. I just want to know why you took my grandfather and where he is.”

Jenna sighed. “Your grandfather is at the compound. I left him there when I was trying to escape.”

Many choice words came to mind. Maya didn’t know where to start. Her fists balled up, but she quickly opened her fingers. Punching Jenna wouldn’t change anything, and Maya would be in big trouble...but she wanted to. She wanted to let go of her grief. Her anger.

Use these feelings to go to battle and find Pops.

Maya was ready to ask Jenna more specifics about the exact location of her grandfather at the compound, but she was interrupted by the sound of gunshots echoing through the valley.

“There’s one more thing,” Jenna said. “I rigged the compound with bombs. I wanted to make sure my father had nothing left.”

“Youarea monster,” Maya said, as a mixture of anger and fear flowed through her, increasing her already high adrenaline.

“No. I’m someone who has nothing left and nothing to lose.”

Chapter Forty-Nine

Maya started sprinting, dragging Jenna faster. Juniper trotted by Maya’s side.

“Son of a bitch, slow down,” Jenna said, with ragged breaths.

“I’m done listening to you now that I know your plan is to kill Pops.”

“At least I told you.”

“Yeah, you’re a real hero. Thanks a lot. Now quit talking and move faster.”

“You’ll never make it in time.”

“Shut up and get your ass moving,” Maya said. She needed to get to her grandfather. Josh would’ve waited for backup and be responding with the other deputies, but her grandfather could still be in the compound. Jenna had rigged bombs, probably on a timer, so they would explode after she had escaped. That had been her plan all along.

Jenna had intended to kill her entire family. And Pops.

“Tell me where the bombs are and how to stop them,” Maya said.

“No.” They came over the rise and Maya forced Jenna down the hill. Gunshots echoed off the mountainsides.

The gunshots only added to Maya’s irritation and worry. Would Josh hear the shots fired and go in? Was he the informant and if so, would he kill Pops? She had to get back and find Pops. She didn’t care how injured Jenna was. Jenna had brought this on herself. Running on a broken fibula wouldn’t kill her.

“Hurry up,” she said.

“I’m doing my best,” Jenna said. Maya heard impatience in her voice, but she didn’t care.

Juniper stuck to Maya’s side as they all came into the area where the temporary command post was set up. A young deputy stepped out of his vehicle. She scanned the area for Josh but didn’t see him. Crap. He was probably already responding because of the shots fired.

“Help me out here,” Maya called out to the deputy. He came jogging over when he saw that Maya had Jenna handcuffed. “I need to get her into a cruiser, and she needs medical attention. Nothing life-threatening, but she will need to go to the hospital. Who’s in charge right now?”

The deputy grunted in acknowledgement and waved over a couple paramedics to help him out. He pointed out another deputy over at the makeshift command post. Maya stepped back as the deputy and paramedics took over and began taking care of Jenna. She hoped Jenna would continue to cooperate and maybe they could strike a plea deal. But, for now, they needed to evacuate the area and end this standoff.