Page 130 of Forever Gone

His reply came through a wash of static. “Cleared Carol’s place. Still a few minutes out.”

“Continue to this address. Suspect vehicle is a silver Honda Civic parked at the curb. Approach without lights or siren.”

“Copy.”

Three minutes could be longer than Deb had.

Selena pointed toward the east side of the house. “Kelly, circle around and cover the back. Tell me if you see movement.”

Kelly nodded once. “I’ll stay on the radio.”

They separated at the drive.

Selena crossed the front lawn without using her flashlight. The dining-room curtains had not been drawn completely. As she approached, a shadow passed behind them and disappeared toward the rear of the house.

She stopped and listened.

Nothing followed.

At the porch, Selena climbed the two wooden steps and pressed herself beside the doorframe. The brass handle rested at shoulder height. No damage marked the lock or jamb.

She knocked hard.

“FBI. Deb Mosley, call out.”

The dining-room light vanished.

A second later, every other light in the house went with it.

Selena tightened her grip on her weapon.

“Carol Fen, we know you’re inside. Move away from Deb and come to the door.”

Something struck the floor beyond the hallway.

A soft scrape followed.

Selena tried the handle.

The door opened.

She stepped back, surprised by the lack of resistance. Carol had either left in a hurry or wanted her to enter.

The latter felt more likely.

Selena raised her weapon and pushed the door wider with the toe of her shoe. “FBI. Show me your hands.”

No one answered.

The smell of cooked food reached the porch. Wind moved the curtain near the dining-room window, though the glass appeared closed.

Selena crossed the threshold.

Her left shoulder brushed the wall as she found the light switch. She pressed it twice. Nothing happened.

The power had been cut.

Selena drew the compact flashlight from her belt and held it beside her weapon. The beam traveled over a sofa, a low cabinet, and framed prints arranged along the wall. A wine bottle stood on the dining table beside two plates. One chair had been knocked backward.