Page 86 of Abandoned

She had to get out of here. She wanted more memories with Will.

All of the memories with him she did have gave her the confidence she needed. Without a doubt, she knew he loved her. He would look for her, but he’d first need to know she was missing. And how would he know where to look? “Jesus, direct him here.”

In the passenger seat of Logan’s squad car, Will gripped the door handle as Logan whipped into the mobile home neighborhood where Miley and Brett lived. They’d pinged Zara’s phone here. Will prayed that she was inside teaching Miley more sign language and that Brett had not gone serial.

Logan wove through the neighborhood.

As they caught sight of Miley’s single-wide, Will spotted Zara’s car. “There she is.”

Barely waiting for Logan to park next to Zara’s car, Will sprang out. He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.

No answer.

He knocked again.

Still nothing.

He tried to peek in the blinds that weren’t quite shut all the way. Zara’s purse was sprawled on the ground.

He knocked one more time. “Her purse is on the ground. Probable cause enough?”

Doug, who was exiting his unmarked police sedan, nodded. He and Remington came up the steps behind Will.

Will drew his gun and announced himself. “Hazel Hill Police. I’m coming in.”

He tried the handle. It was unlocked. He pushed the door open and entered the mobile home.

“Miley? Zara?”

Nothing. The living room and kitchen were empty. A lamp, a few books, and a pair of throw pillows were on the floor. Had there been a struggle?

He pointed for Logan to clear the back end of the trailer.

Miley had a little boy. Was he still here? Will remembered the night they’d responded to the domestic call. Corbin had been hiding in the closet. Maybe he was there again.

Will cleared the other bedroom and bathroom before entering Corbin’s room. Will kept his firearm out but close to his holster.

“Corbin? Are you in here?”

A tiny sound came from the closet.

Will slid the door open. He popped his Glock into its holster and held his arms open to Corbin. “Hey, buddy. Are you okay?”

Corbin nodded and jumped up and into Will’s waiting arms.

Will scooped the boy up and held him snugly. “It’s okay, bud. Do you know where your mom and Officer Zara are?”

Corbin’s arms tightened around Will’s neck.

“Corbin, buddy, I need you to tell me if something is wrong.”

The boy loosened his grip and looked Will in the face. “He’s gonna kill them.” He reburied his head against Will.

“Brett?”

Corbin nodded against Will’s shoulder.

Will took him out to the living room and sat on the couch with him. “Did you hear him say anything about where he was going to take them?”