Chapter 56

ERIC

I parked my truck in front of Riley's side of the cottage just as Russell's vehicle pulled up. Alex's truck was already there, and crime scene tape stretched across the front yard. My heart sank. Something must have happened to Riley.

"Eric!" Alex rushed toward me, panic in his eyes. "The police won't let me into the cottage or around the lake."

Beside me, Sherlock tensed. I stroked his head, trying to reassure both of us that everything would be all right. Alex had called me on the way here, repeating Riley's cryptic message.

I attached Sherlock's leash to his harness, trying to maintain a semblance of control. The grim expressions on the police officers' faces were all too familiar. My heart clenched. Something had definitely happened.

"Russell will know what's going on." I strode toward the black SUV that had stopped beside my truck. Meeting the detective halfway, I asked, "Where's Riley?"

Russell nodded at Alex. "You both need to come with me. We've set up a command center in Eric's side of the cottage."

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead. I breathed deeply, trying to stop the panic threatening to overwhelm me. Alex grabbed my arm. "You need to sit down."

"I'll be fine."

"I've heard that before," Alex muttered. With Russell's help, he half-walked, half-dragged me to the cottage.

"Sit here," Russell said, pulling out a chair.

Alex poured a glass of water and set it in front of me. "Drink this."

I couldn't drink. My throat was too tight. "What's happened to Riley?"

Russell sat beside me. "We don't know. The officers who were first on the scene have searched the house and the land immediately around the cottage. Riley and Jaydon aren't here."

All I could focus on was that Riley wasn't dead. If we wanted to find him alive, we needed to act fast.

Russell placed his hand on my arm. "What we do know is that there was some kind of incident in his kitchen. There's blood on the back door and on the kitchen floor. It's not enough to have killed someone, but it is a significant amount. A team of officers is searching the area between the cottage and the lake."

"Why do you think he headed toward the water?" Alex asked.

"An officer found fresh blood on the trail leading to the lake. If it isn't Riley's, it'll be Jaydon's." Russell focused on me. "We're doing everything we can to find both of them."

I looked down at Sherlock, then back at Russell. "Can we try?"

The detective shook his head. "That wouldn't be a good idea. The K-9 unit is on its way."

"We're racing against the clock. We'll have even less time if Riley's injured."

"That doesn't mean we cut corners."

"Sherlock spent five years in the K-9 unit. I worked with Mike and the other handlers. I know enough about tracking to do a sweep of the area." When Russell still didn't look convinced, I added, "I know this area. Let me help."

"You're too involved."

"Riley could be bleeding to death and we're splitting hairs about who can search for him."

Russell pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But as soon as the K-9 unit arrives, you and Sherlock leave the scene."

I pushed back the chair. "I'll need access to Riley's side of the cottage. We need a piece of clothing so Sherlock has his scent."

"Remember to take an earpiece," Russell warned. "I want to know where you are at all times."

I didn't care what I had to do. There was no way I'd leave Riley on his own with a serial killer.