Page 85 of The Rookie's Second Chance

The cruiser skidded to a halt in a cloud of dust just outside the ranch. I was out before it fully stopped, my gun drawn, ready for whatever awaited me. My only thought was Kayla. I had to find her. I had to save her.

And with that single-minded determination, I charged toward the ranch house, the other officers at my heels. The stakes had never been higher, and failure was not an option. Kayla's life depended on it.

I stormed into the ranch house, my pistol drawn and ready. Behind me, a squad of officers followed, their faces set in grim determination. We moved swiftly, clearing each room with practiced efficiency. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat a silent plea for Kayla's safety.

The house was eerily quiet. Room by room, we searched, but there was no sign of Kayla or Mandy. We were all on edge, anticipating the worst at every turn.

Then we hit the living room, and everything changed. A cloud of concrete dust hung in the air, coating everything in a fine, gray layer. It was clear a struggle had taken place here. My eyes darted around, scanning for any sign of Kayla. A small patch of blood on the floor caught my eye, and my stomach turned. Was it Kayla's? Or Mandy's?

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, crouching down to examine the blood.

Suddenly, one of the officers burst into the room, urgency etched on his face. "Jake, there are tire tracks outside. Looks like someone peeled out of here in a hurry."

I stood up, my jaw clenched. "Can we follow them?" I asked, hope flickering in my chest.

He shook his head, a grim expression on his face. "They lead to the main road. No dirt or gravel there to keep track of the tracks. We've lost them."

A wave of frustration washed over me. We were so close, yet so far. I felt helpless, and that was a feeling I despised.

"Damn it," I cursed, running a hand through my hair. I needed to think, to plan our next move. But all I could picture was Kayla, in danger and alone. My heart ached at the thought.

Without another word, I pulled out my phone and dialed Lexi's number. She needed to know what was happening. As the phone rang, I braced myself, knowing that this call would bring more worry. But she had to be informed. She deserved to know.

I stood amidst the dust and silence, waiting for Lexi to pick up. The ringtone echoed in the empty room, a stark reminder of the urgency and gravity of the situation. We were running out of time, and every second counted.

The phone rang twice before Lexi's voice came through, sounding anxious. "Jake? What's up?"

“I need to know if there was ever anything off about Mandy. Anything at all," I said, my voice tight with urgency. I held the phone close, every muscle in my body tensed as I waited for her response.

"What? No, why?" Lexi's voice crackled through the speaker, confusion and concern mingling in her tone.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Look, I don't know how to say this, but... I found evidence at the house. It looks like Mandy might have killed Garrett back in college. And her dad, a cop, might have covered it up."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Oh my God, Jake, are you serious?"

"Yeah, I am," I replied, my grip on the phone tightening. "And there's more. It looks like she's taken Kayla. I need to find her, Lexi. Anything you can remember about Mandy might help."

There was a pause, a heavy silence that seemed to stretch on forever. "I'm coming back," Lexi finally said, her voice firm.

"No, Lexi, it's not safe," I protested, panic rising.

"I brought this monster into our lives, Jake. It’s my responsibility to help fix it," she insisted, her voice laced with determination.

I wanted to argue, to tell her to stay put where it was safe. But I knew it was pointless. Lexi was as stubborn as they come. "Fine," I relented, my voice heavy. "Just be careful, okay? We don't know what Mandy is capable of."

"I'll be back in a few hours," she said. "Hang in there, Jake. We'll find her."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see it. "Okay. Thanks, Lexi." With a heavy heart, I ended the call.

As I stood there, phone in hand, frustration washed over me. Lexi was on her way back, but a few hours could be too long. Every second counted, and Kayla's life hung in the balance.

I pocketed my phone, my mind racing with what I'd just learned. Mandy, the woman who had seemed so harmless, was now our prime suspect in a twisted game that had gone too far. And Kayla, the woman I loved, was her latest victim.

I glanced around the dust-filled room, the traces of the struggle a grim reminder of the danger Kayla was in. I had to find her, and fast.

I knelt among the concrete dust, my heart pounding as one of the officers pointed out something glinting on the floor. It was a bracelet, a delicate silver chain with a tiny heart charm. I recognized it instantly – the bracelet I'd given Kayla back in high school. She'd started wearing it again recently, a symbol of our rekindled relationship.

The chain was broken, lying discarded among the chaos. If Mandy had taken Kayla, there was no telling what she might do to her. My hands trembled as I picked up the bracelet.

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