Page 47 of Let Her Live

Fiona felt her heart jump. "They could be at that spot."

Jake nodded. "Let's go."

***

The forest was alive with flickering lights and shadows, punctuated by a wild menagerie of creatures rustling through the trees. A tangle of trees and vines shifted in and out of view, illuminated by bright streaks of moonlight that cast eerie shapes in the shadows.

Fiona couldn't help but feel nervous as Jake shone his flashlight through the woods, leading them down a path that would lead to the river. If the boys were looking to recreate the side they'd had earlier, then it was likely they'd have found a spot near the water where they could camp and fish freely without having to worry about any park rangers.

Humid and dank, the air carried a sweet aroma of rain, dewy earth, and decaying plants as they walked. The air buzzed with a cacophony of croaks and chirps, howls and roars, and everything in between. The slightest rustle of leaves was met with the hooting of owls while the call of frogs slithered through the air. The drone of cicadas filled the night sky, creating a blanket of sound and energy. Out here, Fiona knew it was possible to encounter many kinds of dangerous animals—especially at night.

But any fear she had was overshadowed by the crippling knowledge that the most dangerous thing lurking in these woods was, potentially, human.

Maybe they were wrong, and maybe Frank Barber was the killer. If that were the case, then it was still a win because Barber was locked up. But strangely, on the drive over, Jake had received a call from the officers watching him. The hospital staff confirmed that Barber didn't have any drugs or alcohol in his system. Odd, Fiona thought; why was he acting so out of his mind if he was sober? Had he always been like that?

Regardless, they couldn't risk not looking into this. Chris may have been a bad seed, but he didn't deserve to be murdered by a deranged serial killer.

"I think I see something ahead," Fiona said, breaking the silence. Jake shone his light where she pointed, and sure enough, there was the glimmer of a fire flickering in a clearing.

"I think those are them," Jake said. As they moved closer to the fire, Fiona made out the shape of a lanky young man. Jason—one of the boys from earlier.

They emerged from the woods, startling Jason. He looked at them with shock before his tense posture relaxed. Sure enough, they had their fishing gear out and their tent set up.

But Chris was nowhere in sight.

"It's you guys," Jason said, his face illuminated by the fire. "What are you doing here? You're not gonna kick us out, are you?"

Jake held up his hand in peace. "Jason, right? We're looking into a different matter entirely. It's fine. Have you seen Chris?"

"Uh, not for a while," Jason said. "He said he was going to hang a leak somewhere, but it's been like, thirty minutes. I guess he had to go number two."

Fiona's heart sank. Jake looked at her, both of them sharing a knowing look.

"Jason, when was the last time you saw Chris?" Jake asked, his voice anxious.

"Like, thirty minutes ago, as I said," he replied. "I haven't heard him yell anything either. To be honest, I was about to go start looking; I was a bit worried." Jason frowned. "Why? What's going on?"

"Which way did he go?" Jake asked.

"That way," Jason said, pointing north. "You gonna tell me what's up?"

Fiona swallowed hard. She had to tell him, but her tongue felt heavy and dry. "We think Chris is in trouble. It's possible he's hurt, or worse."

"What?" Jason's face contorted, his eyes glowing with fear. "Why? What're you talking about?"

"Just… get in your car," Jake commanded. "Lock the doors, and don't let anyone in."

"Wait, seriously?" Jason said, but Jake and Fiona were already jogging past him.

"Just do it, Jason!" Jake shouted as they began to jog. "There could be a serial killer in these woods!"

And then they were off. If Chris was hurt, then they couldn't waste time on this kid. Jake and Fiona ran through the dense forest, Jake using the light of his cell phone to try and guide them. As they went, the landscape shifted, thick trees mixing with sparse marshland.

She saw Jake out of the corner of her eye, his frame dark against the blackness of the surrounding forest. Fiona followed him through the thicket, her heart booming in her chest. She could hear her breath coming in pants,terrified they were about to find the worst—another person with their life lost under Jake and Fiona's watch.

They pushed on.

CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE

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