Page 77 of Among the Innocent

Dalton indicated the cut on her throat. “Let me take a look at that.” He clasped her hand and led her to the kitchen and onto the closest chair. He brought a damp cloth over and carefully cleaned the blood from the wound before inspecting it. It was almost right on top of the original one.

“It’s not so bad,” he assured her. The wound was about an inch in length and had barely broken the skin’s surface.

“Thanks,” she said once he’d applied some antibiotic ointment. She held up trembling hands. “I can’t believe he was so brazen.”

“I’m just relieved you’re okay.” Dalton sat beside her and gathered her cold hands in his. “How’s Marge?”

“Terrified,” she choked out. “This is the last thing she needs.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

Dalton’s cell phone rang, and he picked it up off the table. “It’s Sam.” He answered the call.

“We’re still searching, but it looks as if he might have gotten away.”

“Unbelievable.” Dalton shoved a hand through his hair. “He used something to knock Leah out. We don’t know how long she was unconscious. In other words, he had a head start. Keep looking. We need to find this guy.”

“Sure thing, Chief. If he’s still around, we’ll get him.”

“Thanks, Sam.” Dalton glanced up as Marge entered the kitchen, anxiously searching the room for her daughter.

“Oh, Leah...” Tears flowed from Marge’s eyes.

Leah scraped back her chair and rushed to the woman’s side. “You’re safe. He’s gone.”

Marge touched Leah’s throat as the tears rolled down her face. “He hurt you. He hurt my baby girl.”

“No, it’s just a scratch. It’s not like before.”

Her mom’s nervous hands fluttered all around. “But he wants to.”

Leah gathered her close. “Maybe. We’re just not going to let him.”

Marge wept in her arms. After everything her mother had been through, Leah wished she could be spared having to go through this, but this was just another part of John’s game. Making those around her suffer.

A knock at the back door startled Leah. Her nerves were on edge, and Dalton noticed.

“It’s probably Sam.” He went to answer the knock.

Both Sam and Ethan came inside. “We’re still looking, but it isn’t good,” Ethan said. “My guess is he had a vehicle. Patrols are canvassing every street around the neighborhood. We’ll head back out now and help with the search. We just wanted to update you in person.”

“Thank you both. Keep me posted.”

Dalton knew it was no longer safe for the women to stay here. He went back to the kitchen, where Leah and Marge talked quietly at the table.

“I think it’s best if we move you and Marge to another location until this is over.” He expected pushback from Leah, but Marge rejected the idea immediately. “I won’t leave my home. No, sir. Not under any circumstance.”

Leah clasped her mom’s hands. “It won’t be for long. Just until we catch this man.”

Marge pulled her hands free and jumped to her feet. “I won’t leave. Don’t ask me again.” She stormed from the room, leaving both Dalton and Leah watching in shock.

“I’ll go after her,” Leah said.

“I’m sorry about upsetting her. But you and I both know it’s not safe to be here after what happened.”

Leah touched his arm. “You’re right, but her doctor told me being at a place that’s familiar helps with the memories. Change is hard for her.”

With a resigned sigh, Dalton placed his hands on her shoulders. “All right, but I want as many law enforcement officers as we can spare here with her at all times.”

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