Page 67 of Higher Notes

Or in plain sight…

“We all know the first twenty-four hours are crucial. We’ve got to find something.” Sikes was frustrated and he wasn’t good at sitting still. I was terrified of what Gabe may be enduring. Paul clearly wasn’t of sound mind.

“With the darkness setting in the challenge just increased tenfold.” Fizzbo typed away as he spoke. “PD and Sherriff are switching over to night shift.”

“Why don’t you stay here, and Snipe and I will go out.” Sikes growl wasn’t missed by Fizzbo.

“Stand down, soldier, and remain here protecting your family as ordered.”

Both our phones chimed at the same time.

“Downstairs! Now!”

We barreled down the stairs and scared the hell out of Dana, Jason and the twins.

“What is it?”

“One of the outdoor cameras was triggered.”

“Sikes, Snipe, you take the upstairs and I’ll secure the lower perimeter. Snipe, if you can get on the roof, do it. Dana and Jason, secure yourself in Nicole’s room.” Having Fizzbo know the layout of our house proved beneficial. Nicole’s room was surrounded by interior walls so there was only one window. “Make sure the curtains are drawn and keep the lights off. Stay away from the window.”

Sikes and I each picked up a twin and ran up the stairs then secured them in Nicole’s room and proceeded to check the others. There was no way for me to get on the roof without an exterior ladder so Sikes and I each took the farthest rooms apart. He was in our master suite while I was on lookout in Dana’s room.

I wished I’d had the forethought to take the night vision goggles out of the safe downstairs because I couldn’t see a damnthing. It didn’t help that our subdivision was surrounded by wooded acres.

Great backdrop for the house, not so great security wise.

What were we thinking by picking the farthest house back?

Fizzbo: Per Sarge, they hitched a ride up toward this area then disappeared again. Notified Mill Creek, Bothell, Everett, and Lynnwood PD along with the sheriff’s office.

Thank fuck he was all over that.

Sikes: Think he’s hiding out in the woods behind the house?

My skin itched to get out there and find him.

Fizzbo: Possibly. Sarge and Frogman are ten minutes out.

A lot could go down in ten minutes. Our past lives had shown us that much.

Fizzbo: Report.

Sikes: Nothing noticeable from the west wing of the house.

Me: Nothing noticeable from the east wing of the house.

Fizzbo: Copy that. He’ll come soon if it’s money he’s after.

Chapter Nineteen

Jason

“Jase,” Mom whimpered. I did my best to hold her and the twins. The four of us were curled up beside the tiny princess’s bed.

“He’ll be home soon.”

Sleeping tonight wasn’t an option for either of us. Paul wasn’t a great man twelve years ago and I didn’t dare imagine how much worse he’d gotten. Gabe was a smart kid, though, hopefully he kept his eyes and ears open, and his mouth shut.

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