Page 38 of Seeking Evil

“Maybe he left it somewhere and they walked in?” Cooper’s suggestion made sense.

Obviously, Irv was worried about getting arrested. He must have found out from his wife about the FBI being in town and believed they’d learn his secrets.

Jack’s phone rang, and he stepped outside.

After a thorough search of the barn, there was still nothing pointing to either woman having been here.

Zeke’s frustration grew.

Jack ended his call. “Get this. Irv used to drive a tow truck. He claimed it was stolen recently.”

“A tow truck.” Zeke couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it earlier. “A tow truck would allow the kidnapper to haul the victim’s car and no one would think much of it.”

“We were looking for a trailer or possibly another person,” Jack said with a frustrated sigh. “With a tow truck, the suspect could handle everything by himself.”

“Do we believe Irv when he said it was stolen?” Hannah asked.

“Right now, we can’t afford to believe anything. I’ll have Deb check to see if there was a report filed.” Zeke called it in.

“Let’s go back to the station,” Jack said. “I’d like to sit in on the interviews.”

“What about the woods behind the place?” Zeke didn’t want to leave any stone unturned. “We can’t leave until we check them out.”

Jack slowly agreed. “Zeke’s right.” No one said what they were thinking. This was a waste of time.

Zeke entered the woods flanked by Cooper and Hannah. Jack and Deputy Drake spread out. They’d cover a lot more ground this way.

A text message came in from Deb. “Irv never reported the tow truck missing.” Either he’d lied or he didn’t want to call undue attention to himself and his nefarious crimes.

What did they hope to find out here? Something tying the doctor to what happened to Sierra?

“We’re close to the mountain range, aren’t we?” Hannah struggled slightly with the uphill climb.

“We are,” Drake told them.

“You okay?” Cooper worried about his wife. Being a heart transplant patient, Hannah had to watch what she did.

“I’m okay. Just a little winded.”

“Why don’t you hang back?”

Hannah tossed her husband a disapproving look. “Babe, don’t fuss.”

Cooper held up his hands. “You’re right.”

Zeke watched his sister and Cooper together and wondered what was broken inside him that he couldn’t have that with Sierra.

“What’s that?” Jack pointed to something past the trees.

“Looks like a vehicle.” Zeke reached the clearing with Jack. An older model tow truck was parked in the clearing. Zeke noticed the tracks leading up to it. They seemed fresh. “It’s been parked here recently. Could Irv have driven it and lied about it being stolen?”

“Possibly. But we can’t dismiss that our suspect might be staying close by.” Cooper immediately drew his weapon.

“You’re right. Be careful,” Jack warned his people as they followed the makeshift road.

In the distance, a vehicle’s engine fired.

“He’s getting away.” Zeke ran toward the main road with the others in tow. By the time they reached it, there was no sign of the vehicle.

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