Jane Doe's Return by Jen Talty

of looking for your sister’s killer. We’re looking for the man who raped and murdered those girls. Even if they are one in the same, that is immaterial, as is Jane Doe.”
    “But she might be able to help.”
    Shauna stood and faced him. “While you say you want to protect Jane Doe, just talking to her could bring her out in the open, reveal her identity. If what we believe is true, if this is the same guy and if he finds out who she is—” Shauna blinked, “—then he’ll kill her. Can you live with that? Because I know I can’t.”
    “I doubt he knows who she is, or he would have gone after the one person who can nail his ass. What happened to those instincts of yours?”
    “Call these womanly instincts, but I doubt Jane Doe wants to be identified.” Something flickered behind her eyes. “Besides, what would the bureau do with us if we got caught trying to find a woman’s rapist who technically has been sitting in prison for years? We need to focus on the caseload we have. The victims we can tie to a killer, not the one that haunts you.”
    “Jane Doe holds the key to our caseload. We need to find her. And we can do it on our own time.” Travis turned and entered the house. The one time he thought he had someone in his corner, thinking his way, she turns on him. Figures.
    Well, he would make sure she came around to his way of thinking, she had to. She was too damn smart not to.
     
     

Chapter Five 
     
    Shauna lingered on the porch trying to enjoy the sunset against the shimmer of the crystal-clear lake. A few boats hummed along the shoreline like a picture on a post card. But there was nothing picture-perfect about this situation. She feared her job would be on the line if any of her superiors knew she was ‘The Jane Doe’ in a case that involved her partner’s dead sister.
    A loud shriek, followed by a splash and a roar of laugher brought her attention to two teenagers frolicking about in the water. Letting out a huge sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to remember the happy times in her childhood. But there were none.
    “Hi.” Kamy’s squeaky little voice danced in her ears.
    “Hi.” Shauna smiled as the little girl climbed up on her legs. The brushing of Kamy’s soft skin felt warm against Shauna’s cold memories. This child had the world at her hands and love in her heart.
    “Mommy says you’re pretty. I do, too,” Kamy said as she settled into Shauna’s lap, smelling like peaches.
    “I think you’re much prettier than me.” Shauna batted Kamy’s nose.
    “There you are.” Kim slipped through the patio door. “You can’t just walk off like that, baby.”
    “I’m not a baby!” Kamy pouted.
    “You’re my baby. I hope she wasn’t bothering you.” Kim scooped up the little girl.
    “She’s no bother. I enjoy her company,” Shauna said.
    “She is full of sweetness, that’s for sure.” Kim lifted Kamy into her arms and gave her a big smooch on the check. “Let’s go get cleaned up for dinner.”
    Shauna stood and stared out over the water, concentrating on the soft roll of the water crashing against the shore, instead of the heartache she felt deep in her soul.
    “I’m sorry for my outburst.” Rita appeared at her side.
    “Don’t apologize.” Shauna looked into the same intense eyes Travis had and swallowed.
    “Travis is a very passionate man.” Rita rounded her shoulders. “He’s also very stubborn.”
    “I’ve noticed.”
    “May I ask you a question?” Rita touched Shauna’s hands. She nodded, trying not to tremble. How could she stand here, look this woman in the eye and not tell her.
    Because to tell her would probably destroy her .
    “Do you think Jane Doe could help?”
    Shauna broke out in a cold sweat and she was sure her face drained of all color. “I’m sure if Jane Doe knew anything, she’d find a way to help.” On some level, Shauna wanted to scream, I ’ m right here. But what good would that do? She couldn’t ease their pain, or