Page 70 of Hard Rain

Axel looked over.

“I’ll take the back.”

Axel huffed a short laugh but gave a quick nod.

They split automatically.

He hated letting Whip out of his sight.

But splitting up did have its advantages.

Axel climbed the porch steps and knocked.

Nothing.

He knocked harder.

Still nothing.

The knob didn’t turn.

Locked.

“Sissy? U.S. Marshals. We have some questions for you,” Axel called through the door.

Nothing.

He circled the trailer, checking windows as Whip emerged from the opposite side.

“Nothing on my end,” Whip said.

“Same. Locked up tight.”

No movement.

No vehicle matching the truck’s description.

Across the road, an older woman stepped onto her porch, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“You boys looking for Sissy?”

“Yes ma’am,” Whip said and eased the jacket aside to show her the tin star clipped to his belt.

“Have you seen her?” Axel asked.

“Couple hours ago.”

“Know where she went?”

The woman shook her head. “She said she had errands. That’s all I know.”

“When do you expect her back?”

Another shrug.

“Could be tonight. Could be tomorrow. Depends on what she’s into.”

“Was she alone?”