Page 64 of Sheltering His Second Chance

Casp Hyles lived in a camper on his aunt’s land. No lights were on behind the windows and the place looked abandoned, but that was nothing new. Old cars, machinery, and furniture cluttered the yard.

“I don’t think he’s home,” Bend said. “Something’s not adding up. I surveilled this kid and found nothing that would make me believe he’s killer.”

“Maybe he knew you were watching him and walked a fine line? Maybe that’s why he had Jamie grab the goods,” Raven said.

Bend shrugged. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

“We’re not doing any good just sitting here.” Raven slipped out of the truck.

Bend caught up to him as they approached the porch made from wood from an old barn. “Relax. I know what this means to you but we have to follow procedure. Got it?”

Raven sighed.

Bend’s lips thinned. “If you can’t handle that then go back and sit in the truck.”

“I can handle it,” Raven muttered.

Bend knocked but as they suspected, Casp wasn’t home.

“Damn,” Raven bit out, stretching his gaze through the darkness. “What do we do?”

Bend leaned over the rail to check the contents of buckets sitting on the ground.

Raven knew if this bastard could attack two women, he certainly could be dangerous enough to play with bombs. Without thinking of the repercussions, Raven hit the rusted door handle and the metal went flying. Bend twirled around. His gaze narrowed in on Raven who shrugged. “Well, looks like the place has been broken into so we don’t have a choice but to investigate.”

“Hold up,” Bend grabbed Raven’s arm. “Anything we find in there can’t be used in court unless we have a warrant.”

“Bend, tell me you want to wait until this kid shows up? How do we even know if he will? He could be long gone.”

With a long, ragged sigh, Bend took out his gun, holding it in one hand and his flashlight in the other. “Listen, keep your gun holstered and let me lead the way.”

“Agreed.” Raven didn’t need his gun.

“Let’s go.”

Quietly, Bend stepped inside the camper first, feathering his light over the room. Raven followed. The place smelled like a dumpster. Old pizza boxes, empty beer cans, and cigarette cartons covered every available space.

Raven shone his light inside a glass of curdled milk.

“Doesn’t look like he’s been here for days unless he’s just a piss-poor housekeeper.” Bend opened the refrigerator door and flew back. “Fuck! I won’t get that rotten smell out of my nostrils for days.”

“Hey, look!” Raven called his brother over. He spotlighted the cluttered top of a desk. “Does that look like a necklace and hair tie to you?”

“Most certainly does.” Bend took a picture. He flashed the dim light on things in nearby a box…fertilizer, gunpowder, and hydrogen peroxide. “Looks like our boy’s a chemist.”

“Jackpot.” Raven sensed his brother’s concern. “What?”

Bend rubbed his cheek on his shoulder. “I’m not sold.

“I’m not saying this fellow isn’t our guy, but he certainly is brazen leaving this shit laying out,” Raven said.

“You’re feeling what I’m feeling, aren’t you?”

Raven started to answer but a creaking sound outside made them pause.

A second later a silhouette in the doorway appeared. “What the fuck!” It was Casp.

Bend turned his gun on the kid. “Sheriff’s Department. Don’t move!”

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