Page 64 of Among the Innocent

A couple of houses were off in the distance.

“If he heads toward those, the owners could be in danger.” Dalton hit the radio on his shoulder. “We’ve found the car.” He gave the dispatcher the location and requested the fire department on site. “Leah, maybe you should—”

She gave him a “you’ve got to be kidding” look. “I’ve been through far worse. And you’re hurt worse than I am.”

The reference to the attack that had started everything became a grim reminder of the enemy they chased.

The three spread out, searching for evidence of the killer’s intentions.

“Footprints.” Leah pointed to the set that veered off to the left toward a wooded area beyond the pasture they were in now. “He came this way.”

Dalton radioed in their location to dispatch. “Where are the tribal police?”

“They’re close, Chief,” Sylvia assured him. “Stay safe.”

“Ethan, wait here for them. We’ll continue searching for the perp.”

As he and Leah entered the woods, a prickling of unease lifted the hairs on Dalton’s neck. The thick trees turned the bright sunshine beyond them to dusk.

As they eased through the thick foliage with their weapons drawn, Dalton was aware of every little sound around them. “Where does this lead to?”

“There’s a neighborhood in this direction. We’re close to Marge’s house.” Her worried eyes met his.

“Sam’s with her now. I’m sure she’s fine.” But he understood that the coincidence was a little too much for Leah to be satisfied.

They exited the trees into a quiet neighborhood.

“He probably hopped a few fences and then disappeared into the rest of the foot traffic around town,” Leah told him and scanned the backs of several houses.

So far, the killer was like a ghost. He’d reappeared after ten years, and yet he’d left not a trace of himself behind at any of the crime scenes.

The pain in his head continued to throb, and he struggled to stay focused.

“I have no idea which way he might have gone from here,” Leah said, but she pointed up ahead. “We’re only a couple of blocks away from Marge’s home.” She glanced around at the summer foot traffic in town. “Do you think he’d come after her to get to me? If he killed Ellis—”

What happened to Ellis didn’t make sense. Still, they couldn’t afford to dismiss anything.

She hugged her arms around her waist. “This is the last thing Marge should be facing right now. There are days when she doesn’t even remember Ellis is dead. It breaks my heart to see her like this.”

Marge’s back gate stood open slightly. He grabbed her arm. “Hang on.” He pointed to the gate.

Leah wrenched her arm free and rushed through the gate and up to the porch. She tried the door. It opened easily in her hand. She glanced back at Dalton with a terrified look before unholstering her weapon.

Dalton did the same. They proceeded carefully inside.

The back of the house opened into a laundry room. Followed by the kitchen.

Dalton stopped to listen. Voices came from somewhere within. A TV perhaps?

Leah pointed to Ellis’s office and he nodded. Together theyeased toward the room. She reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

Marge sat in the recliner Leah had told him belonged to Ellis. She must have heard them enter because she jerked toward the door and their weapons.

Her hand flew to her throat. “Leah? Oh my word. What on earth is going on?”

Leah quickly holstered her weapon and went to Marge. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

“Of course,” Marge managed, though she seemed agitated. “Why are you here and why do you have your weapons drawn?”

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