Page 114 of Love Me Fearless

A black Ford Explorer is parked facing the house, making my heart tick into my throat.

“Is that Jeremy’s?” Luke asks.

“Don’t know.” I think back to the searches where Jeremy and I crossed paths, but I didn’t exactly memorize the make and model of the cars.

Jeremy’s goofy hang-loose sign flashes through my mind.

How could he act like we’re friends?

More cop cars fill in behind us down the driveway. Everett skids to a stop behind the Explorer, blocking it in. Luke parks in the center, and Zach swings around to the left side.

Luke steps from the vehicle, removing his gun from his holster. Using his door as a shield, he points his gun at the front door. Everett stands from his vehicle, drawing his weapon just as Zach jumps out, gun drawn. He and Everett exchange a nod, then Zach stalks to the back side of the house.

Everett and Luke lock eyes for a moment, then Everett walks toward the porch.

From the two windows flanking the front door, both covered in thin, lacy curtains, there’s no movement. The only sound is the shifting of gravel under Everett’s boots as he moves and the distantshusshof cars on the road.

I know Everett’s being cautious, but I want him to kick down the fucking door.

Moving swiftly, I slip from the car.

“Hutchins,” Luke warns.

I ignore him and move to behind the Explorer, using it as cover. I follow the length of it, and crouch in front of the bumper, giving mean unobstructed view of the front door and a partial one of the woods crowding in behind the house. What if he’s keeping her in some shack back there? What if he’s hurting her?

Why didn’t I take Captain Greely’s offer for that Glock?

Everett thumps on the door then presses his back against the house. “Jeremy Fisher?” he calls out. “It’s Finn River Sheriff’s Department. Open up.”

The doorknob turns with a squeak and Jeremy appears behind the screen. I watch him take in the vehicles filling his driveway and Luke standing behind his open driver’s door, weapon ready.

“What’s this about?” Jeremy asks. His hands are out of sight, making my pulse pound in my temples. What if he’s holding a gun?

“We have a warrant to search the premises,” Everett says, nodding to Luke. “I need you to step outside.”

Jeremy pushes open the screen door and takes a step onto the porch.

“Are you alone in the house?” Everett asks.

“Yes.”

Liar.Or maybe he’s got her somewhere else.

“We’re going to have you wait in the back of the squad car,” Everett says, sliding his pistol into the holster. Zach comes around the opposite side of the house, gun fixed on Jeremy. He shakes his head at Everett—meaning no sign of Ava yet.

Jeremy flashes his palms. “No problem.”

Everett and Luke usher him toward Zach’s cruiser. I vault onto the porch and slip inside the house.

“Ava!” I call out, my heart thumping.

The square living room contains an easy chair and matching couch with a coffee table between them and a TV on a stand in the corner. The lacy curtains covering the window match the white lace covers on the backs of the furniture, the kind a grandma might use. There’s a smell in here I can’t identify—mothballs or medicine.

I move to the kitchen. Faux tile vinyl flooring warped and stained a dingy yellow. Off-white appliances that look like antiques.Another window with a lacy curtain. “Ava!” I call out again, pausing to listen, but I hear only the hum from the refrigerator and the muted chatter from the radios outside.

Zach slides in behind me. “Hutch, you need to stand down. Let us handle this.”

“She’s here.” My gut is telling me so, but what if it’s just wishful thinking? What if we’re mistaken and we’re looking in the wrong place? What if we’re wrong about Jeremy?

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