Chapter 45

ERIC

I studied the photo Russell Jameson handed me, then gave it to Alex. "This was taken three days ago."

Alex's jaw clenched. "He must have been standing in the trees beside the house."

The photo was taken the day we hiked to the cave. We were walking across the pasture, each wearing a backpack of supplies.

Russell handed me another photo. "The latest telephoto lens can take images from a quarter mile away. The chance of you seeing Chapman was slim at best." He looked at Alex. "Has your security system picked up anything over the last few days?"

Alex shook his head. "Nothing that concerns me. But I only have motion detection cameras on the driveway and around the buildings. The property's too big to secure the entire boundary."

The alarm on Alex's cell phone beeped. He looked at the screen, then at me. "The front door alarm has been activated."

My stomach tightened. "Riley told us he wouldn't go outside."

"It's probably nothing, but I'll check the security cameras anyway." Alex opened his laptop.

The first images of the barn and the house were clear. "There." I pointed to Sherlock. He was standing in front of the veranda.

Russell walked around the table and studied the live feed. "He's waiting for something."

My cell phone beeped. I read the message, then quickly typed a reply. "Riley's going outside. He thinks Sherlock wants to go to the bathroom, but he won't leave without him. I've told him to stay inside."

My heart leaped as I watched what was happening.

Alex leaned forward. "What's he doing?"

I grabbed my hat. "He's going with Sherlock. We have to get back to the house."

"Wait," Alex said. "There's no point rushing home. Riley could be back before we start the truck."

I took a deep breath. Everything inside me was screaming to leave, but Alex was right. "Okay. He gets five minutes. If he's not back by then, we leave."

Russell picked up the phone on his desk. "While we're waiting, I'll see if we have any highway patrol units out that way."

While Russell was on the phone, I silently watched the monitors. After what seemed like an eternity, I picked up my phone. "This is crazy. I'm calling him."

Alex looked up from his computer. "Call the satellite phone. He'll have limited cell phone coverage."

I paced back and forth as I listened to the ring tone. "Come on, Riley," I muttered. "Answer the phone."

A cell phone beeped.

My gaze shot to Alex.

"It's not Riley." Alex rapidly typed something onto his keyboard. "A white SUV has driven through the main gates." He turned the computer toward Russell. "Here's the license plate. I don't recognize the vehicle."

I grabbed my jacket and headed toward the door. "Give the troopers my cell phone number. Tell them to call me when they're close to Alex's property."

Russell was already dialing a number on his phone. "Shall do. Be careful."

Alex followed me out of the office. As we tore down the corridor, I tried to think rationally. But a nagging fear deep in my gut made me break into a cold sweat.

I hadn't listened to that feeling once before, and it had cost Mike his life.