Page 62 of Among the Innocent

“There are a few abandoned farmhouses in the opposite direction,” Leah suggested. “He could be crashing at one of them.”

And they could be walking into a trap set by a very cunning murderer. Dalton’s instincts screamed to take her back to the station.

Leah placed her hand on his arm. “I’m coming with you.”

Dalton looked into her green eyes and tried to hide his fears as he slowly nodded.

The tow truck arrived to take Henry’s patrol car back to the station.

He and Leah returned to the SUV and turned around. Ethan pulled out behind them.

Dalton hit the mic. “Let’s split up. There are several roads coming up, and we don’t know which one he may have taken.” They’d relayed the description of the vehicle out to every law enforcement agency around. Dalton just hoped they found him before he ditched the car. “We’ll take this first one. I’m calling in the tribal police to assist. If you spot anything, hold back and wait for backup. I repeat, wait for backup.”

“I copy you, Chief.”

This case had once again become personal for all of them. One of their own had been hurt.

He slowed his speed according to the rough road. “What’s down this way?”

“A few deserted houses. More down the many roads that cut through the county.” Leah blew out a sigh. “In other words, he could be anywhere.”

Dalton spotted an old farmhouse coming up on the right. “Like this one?”

She leaned forward in her seat. “Exactly. I don’t see the car.”

A small, garage-sized building peeked out from behind the house. “He could have hidden it.”

Dalton stopped out front. He faced her. Couldn’t hide his misgiving. “Stay here and lock the door.”

Leah shook her head. “I’m not letting you go in there alone.”

He ran a hand over his eyes. “Fine, but—”

“I know. Stay close.” She smiled gently before climbing out.

Dalton carefully closed the door to keep from making too much noise. A search of the garage proved it was empty. “Let’s check the house,” he whispered. “I’m going in first, and that’s not up for debate.”

Her smile reminded him of things he’d written out of his life after Allison.

The door stood slightly ajar. A sign someone had been there recently. Leah saw it too. Dalton eased the door open with his weapon and stepped inside.

The room was small and dank. Wallpaper peeled off in sheets. The smell alone was noxious. A mattress had been slung in one corner. Fast-food wrappers were scattered all around. Something lay on the mattress.

Dalton and Leah approached slowly. A small gasp escaped from Leah when she spotted a handful of instant photos that had been left deliberately for her to find.

The killer had taken them when she had no idea. In front of her house with Dalton on the day they’d found the necklace. At Beth’s house the day of the murder.

“He’s been watching me,” she murmured. The fear in her eyes scared him.

“We need backup right away. And I want to get CSI out here. Let’s leave this to them.” He’d feel safer with her inside the SUV.

Dalton stepped from the house with Leah against his side.He’d barely taken a step when something hard slammed against his head. He dropped to his knees. The world around him blurred. Another blow sent him sprawling against the ground. As darkness closed in, all he could think about was Leah.

“Dalton.” Leah whirled toward the attacker, her weapon drawn. John anticipated her move and slugged her hard. Her eyes watered. He took advantage and snatched the weapon from her hand and tossed it out of reach. Then he took out her Taser and shoved it into his pocket.

“Hello, Leah.” His voice washed over her. He grabbed her and hauled her against him. “I’ve been anticipating our day together. Have you?” Something cold and familiar touched her neck. Revulsion rose in her throat. The knife.

He pulled her around to the side and into the woods. She noticed something hidden in the trees. A car. Small. Blue. Like the one Henry had identified.

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