Page 91 of Among the Innocent

Twenty

Multiple police cars streamed down the highway leading to the house Scott Garner had told them about. Leah knew the place well. She’d been called out on many disturbances there. She exited the car and moved to the front of the cruiser where Dalton waited. The rest of the group pulled in behind them.

“According to the county records, the house has been vacant for years,” Dalton told the officers gathered. “Our people have had numerous calls here in the past. It’s a known drug house. Be careful and watch out for each other. Sam, you’re with Leah and me. The rest of you take the back. Let’s go.”

They headed toward the house. Not a sound came from inside.

Leah pulled in a breath as Dalton tried the door. It opened freely. She exchanged a troubled look with him before he entered first.

Quiet snatches of conversation drifted their way. The back door opened seconds after they entered. Officers poured in.

“This way.” Dalton pointed to an adjacent room. Inside, half a dozen people were seated. The place reeked of weed.

“Put your hands in the air,” Dalton ordered.

Several people tried to run. Others gave in peacefully. The raid was over in a matter of minutes.

Leah shined her flashlight around the faces of the men gathered. None were John. “He’s not here.” Her stomach clenched at yet another setback in a long line of them.

“He knew Scott would give us the location.” Dalton looked around the dismal interior and shook his head.

“What do you want us to do with these guys?” Sam asked.

“Run their names. If they’re clean, let them go.” He motioned Leah outside. “You know what today represents. Nothing that’s happened to date has been a coincidence. What’s his next move?” Dalton watched the men being led from the house. “What will be his grand finale?”

Leah shivered at those words. “I don’t know, but I’m scared, Dalton.” She hated admitting the weakness.

He brushed her hair from her face. “It’s okay to be scared. It will keep you on your toes. You’re not in this alone, Leah. And I’m not letting you out of my sight for a second.”

She slowly smiled.

“You’ll always be safe with me.” Dalton clasped her hand in his. “Soon, this will all be over. And I hope...” He didn’t finish. What wasn’t said filled her with a hope she hadn’t had in a long time. Was it possible for two people who had suffered so much to move beyond the darkness?

Sam headed toward them, and Leah stepped back.

“There are a couple of folks who have outstanding warrants. The rest are clean. We’ll take these two to the station.” He crooked a thumb behind him.

Dalton nodded. “Thanks, Sam.”

“You think he expected us and cleared out?” Sam asked.

“That would be my guess. Unfortunately, he could be anywhere.” Leah glanced back at the run-down house. There was a purpose behind everything the killer did. Which meant he chose this house for a reason. Probably because no one here would ask him any questions. He’d found Scott and used his addiction against him. Leah thought about where it all began. “The barn. This all started in my family’s barn.”

“We have people watching it.” Dalton held her gaze. “You think he’d still go there? Even with someone watching it?”

“I don’t know, but it holds a special memory for him.”

“Sam, ride with us.” Dalton motioned several of the other officers to follow. Once they reached the cruiser, he radioed the patrolmen watching Willa’s family at the safe house. “Everything okay there?”

“Yes, sir. We checked with the family before they went to bed.”

“Okay. I want you to make sure Willa is still there.”

“Copy that.”

Dalton floored the accelerator and raced through the night. He turned onto the road leading to Amish country. Once he reached Leah’s old homestead, Dalton slowed to turn.

“Chief, you there?” It was one of the officers watching Willa’s home.

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