Page 72 of Seeking Evil

Zeke leaned his elbows on the table as he listened. “Any idea who this boy was?”

Patrick shook his head. “No one was ever identified. No one at school could corroborate what Tillie said, and the girl told police Colleen refused to share her boyfriend’s identity.”

Zeke’s exhilaration drained. “So the boyfriend angle was a bust.”

“Looks like it.” Patrick passed around pages from the file. “The stranger theory seemed to be the one that was most promising. Unfortunately, it never led to anything, and the case went cold.”

The photo of the teenage Colleen reached Zeke. He stared at the young woman’s smiling face and wondered what had happened to her. Was Colleen’s case just some strange coincidence and not related to Sierra’s disappearance, or had their suspect been active in the area for a long time?

*

There was only one thing Henry could think of to do. What he should have done long ago. He drove to the home he’d shared with Maggie, but the history of his ranch went much deeper than Maggie. His first love had once lived here. Until she’d fallen victim to T.

Henry bought the house later, after he moved back to the area. His goal was to bring some good back to the ranch. He’d bought horses because he knew Colleen loved them and wanted to have bunches of them. For a time, he’d succeeded . . . until T wrecked everything.

Henry reached the front of his house and parked. He knew without a doubt it was time to put an end to T’s dark legacy even if it meant T’s life.

Inside the house, images of his life with Maggie were everywhere. He walked around the living room weeping as he remembered those happier times.

“I’m sorry, my love. This can’t be helped.” He carried in the gas cans from his vehicle. Starting in the living room, Henry poured the strong-smelling liquid around the room then moved through the house until all the containers were empty. The basement he left untouched. He wanted his girls to be found. Wanted their truths to be known.

Henry tossed the final can aside and went through to the kitchen, his hand hovering over the doorknob leading to the basement. He had to do this before he lost his courage.

Henry purposely opened the door and stepped onto the landing. Gripping the railing, his labored steps reflected the weariness in his body and his heart.

Without a doubt, Henry knew Sierra and Dawn had gotten away. Truth be told, he was glad. They’d soon reach someone who could help them. It would be over for him and T by then.

He crossed the basement to the room that T referred to as a playground. The thought sickened Henry.

Henry unlocked the door. The young woman whose name he didn’t know cast terrified eyes his way.

“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She didn’t believe him.

As he reached her side, she shrank away.

“I’m going to take the gag away.” Henry gently removed the scarf T had tied around her mouth.

The woman stared up at him. “Please, don’t hurt me.”

“I’m not going to. I’m setting you free.” Henry went to work on her wrist restraints. Once they were free, she rubbed her bruised skin. He stepped down the table to her ankles and removed the restraints there as well.

She jumped off the table. Her legs were so weak she hit the floor.

“Oh, no, no. Please, don’t be afraid. Let me help you up.” Henry went over to her and lifted her up. “I’m going to take you to the police station. I want you to tell them everything.”

She jerked free. “Why would you want to take me to the police? They’ll arrest you.”

“It’s what I deserve. What T deserves.”

Henry ushered her from the basement and upstairs, closing the door behind them.

Her eyes widened at the strong scent of gas that permeated everywhere.

At the front door, Henry reached inside his pocket and removed the lighter he’d picked up in town, lit the flame, and tossed it into the living room. He hurried the woman into his car.

Before he had the chance to get into the driver’s seat, the living room caught fire with a whoosh. Soon, room after room became engulfed.

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