Page 43 of Seeking Evil

The door to the house was locked.

“Take it,” Jack ordered, and Zeke turned and slammed his foot against the back entrance. The door splintered open. Zeke stepped into the house, and a growling noise coming from the living room grabbed his attention.

A Rottweiler charged him. Zeke stepped outside and closed the door.

“Now what?” Zeke held onto the knob as the dog tried to tear through the door.

“Let me go around the front. I’ll get the dog outside.” Cooper jogged around the side of the house. A few seconds later, the front door gave way. Zeke and everyone hurried inside and slammed the door shut. Zeke tucked a chair under the handle.

Cooper came through to the kitchen. The dog barked aggressively at the front of the house. “That was close. I felt his teeth on my backside.”

Zeke laughed despite the situation. They’d deal with the dog once they were finished.

“Patrick’s questioning Florence again.” Megan read the message off the phone.

“Either she’s just as guilty as her husband and they’re both involved in this, or she has no idea what he’s been up to.” Jack glanced around the tiny kitchen that looked as if the couple had left in a hurry. There were dirty dishes in the sink. A coffeepot half full that had been turned off. Breakfast food on the table.

“Let’s spread out. Hopefully, we can find some hard evidence to tie the couple to what’s happening.”

“I’ll take the living room.” Zeke went to the small living room and looked out the window at the dog who continued to growl. When it spotted Zeke, it tried to break through the window. Zeke closed the curtains. He loved dogs, but this one either hadn’t been treated well or he’d been taught to act this way.

He took stock of the room before searching. There was a sofa and a couple of chairs. A wood stove to heat the house. No sign of any other type of heating. A ceiling fan for A/C.

A well-worn coffee table and a mismatched end table that held a lamp. A stack of old magazines dating back years.

He finished canvassing the living room in minutes. The hall closet was stuffed full of coats and shoes. Boxes that held photos. Nothing of any value, and nothing that tied Irv and Florence to kidnapping.

“There’s no basement,” Cooper said once they finished with the house.

“Where are all the things they took?” Zeke asked, remembering what Florence said. “Where’s the jewelry and silverware that was taken from Flannigan’s place?”

“Good question. Maybe they have a storage container. I’ll see if I can find out.” Megan brought out her phone. “Patrick said that Florence confirmed the truck was parked in front of the house when they left this morning.” She finished reading. “Florence said that Irv had taken the Lexus the day before. She followed him home in the truck. They planned to go to Flannigan’s house for items to steal and then get out of town.” She glanced up. “Maybe they left the things they took in the Lexus.”

Cooper shook his head. “Zeke and I looked inside both vehicles parked in the garage. They were empty.

Megan’s phone beeped. “Florence says they have a unit at the U-Store-It business.”

“Let’s go check it out.” Jack looked out the living room window. “Dog’s coming in as soon as I open the door. I’ll set out food and water for it before I slip outside.”

“We’ll head out back.” Zeke waited until Jack was ready to let the dog in before he and the team stepped outside. He shut the door behind them.

As soon as Jack opened the front, the dog raced inside and Jack slipped out.

“I hate to call animal control, but the dog can’t stay here without its owners. Maybe Patrick knows someone who can take the animal.”

Once they arrived at the storage business, a search of the storage unit confirmed the items Florence mentioned taking but nothing further.

“This was a dead end,” Zeke said as they pulled back up to the station. “They’re not involved.” The search had proven that in his mind.

“I agree with you. And we have nothing to tie the couple to the kidnappings.” Cooper got out once they parked.

As soon as they went inside, Deb told them Doc was there. “Patrick’s about to start the interview. He wanted to wait until you all arrived. I’ll let him know.” She started down the hallway.

Zeke and the rest of the BAU team slipped into the room with the two-way glass to watch.

Dr. Flannigan, a distinguished man in his seventies, had a thin frame. His silver hair was cut and styled perfectly. Keen blue eyes reflected interest but not concern.

Deb stuck her head into the room and nodded without speaking to the doctor, which appeared to pique his interest.

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