Page 17 of Tanner

“We don’t know,” TJ said. “Right now, We’re assuming it’s Tanner. Savannah’s whereabouts are unknown.”

“He left with Savannah after CPS involvement. You mentioned foster, so maybe he ran because he didn’t want anyone to take her.”

“I think that.” TJ nodded.

“If he’s come back…” Miles licked his lips, stared at the folder then back at TJ. “He left with her to keep her. If he’s back, then my guess would be she is too.”

Miles’ stomach tightened. “If it’s Savannah and she’s been with him this whole time—”

“Then we keep it calm,” TJ cut in. “We don’t roll up like it’s a raid and spook him. Because if he bolts with Savannah, then we’re chasing him, and something could go wrong.”

Miles didn’t argue because he understood TJ’s point. “Quiet and without causing a scene,” he murmured, his eyes still on the sheet of paper.

TJ pointed at the paper. “I want you to go out there. Confirm it’s him. Confirm if Savannah is there. Check the conditions. Is the house safe? Is there food? Heat? Power?”

“It won’t have power,” Miles said automatically. “Utilities would have been cut years ago.”

TJ nodded. “So, if Savannah is there and it’s cold in there, that matters. If there’s no food or heat, that matters as well.”

Miles kept his voice even. “And if he refuses to talk?”

“Then you keep it calm. You don’t push him into a corner. And you call me from your truck, not the cruiser.”

Miles tapped the edge of the paper. “What do you want me to do if Savannah is there and there are no papers?”

TJ’s jaw hardened. “You don’t use that word in front of him. You don’t say CPS unless you have to. You don’t set him off where he grabs Savannah and runs again.”

Miles nodded slowly. “Got it.”

“If this turns into a safety issue, you do what you have to, but I want the first contact to be as smooth as possible.”

Miles folded the paper and put it back on the desk. “Any weapons history?”

TJ snorted. “Not that we know. Tanner was a kid and he wasn’t in trouble. But someone living rough can pick up anything.”

Miles stood. “Alright.”

TJ stood too. “Miles.”

Miles paused at the door and looked back.

TJ’s voice lowered. “Don’t spook him. Make this about Savannah.” TJ fidgeted, which was unusual for him. “Look, I’ve been through something like this when Cody went missing then came back. Take it slow.”

Miles held his gaze. “I will.”

“Call me when you’re on scene. Park down the street if you can.”

Miles opened the door. “Got it.”

Grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair, he headed out. As he stepped into the reception area, Dee asked, “You going out there?”

“Yeah,” Miles replied.

Dee nodded. “Be careful.”

***

The drive out to the Fernsby place took less than ten minutes. He didn’t use the main road once he got close. He cut through a side street and slowed as he turned the corner. The Fernsby house sat back from the road with a narrow yard. The grass was patchy in some places and overgrown in others, the porch steps sagged slightly, and the windows were dark.