Page 110 of Deadly Revenge

Jenna groaned. They’d lost them. There would be no answers now.

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Jenna caught Max’s eye as the men prepared to trek to the tree where the dogs had a raccoon treed.

He joined her. “What’s up?”

“I’m worried about my dad—he never misses one of these. If you want to stay, I’m sure Sam will drop you off at the house.”

“No, I’m ready.” He lowered his voice. “I think we’ve gotten all the information we’re going to get tonight anyway.”

“I agree, and thanks.” She waited while he told Sam they were leaving, a little amazed at how well Max had fit in with her family and friends. That was rare. Russell County people tended to be standoffish with outsiders.

They used their lanterns to light the way back to the SUV. “Enjoy yourself?” she asked.

“I did. Lewis has been trying to get me to go coon hunting with him for ages, and next time he asks, I think I’ll surprise him and go.”

“Good. You’ll need a dog.”

“I don’t think so. I’m only planning on one time.”

She laughed. “You’ll need a dog—coon hunting gets in your blood.” Then Jenna sobered. “I don’t understand why my dad wasn’t here or why he’s not answering my texts.”

“Let’s go find out.”

The house was dark when Jenna pulled into her dad’s drive. She could barely see Max’s frown in the dimly lit SUV. “Do you think he’s asleep?”

“He could be—Sam said he was tired when he came in from work.” She fished his house key from the console. “I’m still going to check on him.”

When they entered the back door, she flipped on the kitchen light and called out. There was no answer. Maybe he’d fallen asleep in the recliner in the den. Except the house had an empty feel to it.

She took a deep breath to calm her roiling stomach. In the hallway, she called once again, then stepped into the den and flipped on the overhead light.

Her hand flew to her throat. “No.”

Signs of a struggle were everywhere. A floor lamp had been knocked over, tables were overturned, and the newspaper her dad read every evening was scattered on the floor. She picked up a broken mug—his favorite. She stared at the broken pieces and wanted to cry.

Max got out his phone and made a call.

“Alex Stone.” He’d put it on speaker.

“I’m at Randy Hart’s house,” Max said. “There’s been a struggle and it looks like someone took him.”

“I’ll be there in ten.”

Jenna scanned the room. “Why?” she whispered.

“Has to be one of two scenarios,” he replied. “Either the person who killed the Slaters and Nelson, or...”

The other option drained blood from her face. Jenna reached for something to steady herself with. “Sebastian.”

“But why? And how did anyone get in?”

Jenna stared at Max, trying to decipher his words over the roar in her ears.

No! She didn’t have time for a panic attack. Jenna filled her lungs with air and forced her attention back to the room, searching for anything that would give her a clue to who took her dad.

She pulled out her phone and snapped pictures while sirens wailed in the distance.

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