Page 73 of Israel

After nearly twelve excruciating minutes, Jesse came back. “Got it,” he said breathlessly. “Your psycho is Greg Malone. Born and raised in Wichita, then his family moved to Topeka when he was in high school. Shit,” he added.

Israel’s stomach clenched. “What?”

“They moved to Topeka after Greg was suspected in the disappearance of a female classmate. There was never any evidence to tie him to it, but the police always thought it was him. He was—”

“Obsessed with her,” Israel finished in a growl.

“Yeah,” Jesse said.

“So where does that get us?” he asked. “Does his family still own a house or any property here? Somewhere he’d take Ashley?”

“Working on it.”

There was another excruciating wait. Then Jesse said, “Malone has an uncle still living in your area,” he said. “Used to own a small trucking company; went on disability a couple of years ago. I got a house and a small industrial property—looks like a warehouse. The problem is, they’re on opposite sides of town. I’m sending you the addresses.”

“I’ll take the warehouse,” Israel said instantly. “He might have her in the house, but an unused warehouse is more private, easier to clean up.”

“If he’s thinking this is a relationship, wouldn’t he want to take her home?” Harrison asked.

Israel thought about it, but shook his head. “My gut tells me the warehouse,” he said. “No neighbors to see her, or wonder what’s going on. But in case I’m wrong, I need somebody at the house.”

Harrison nodded. “Okay,” he said. “I’m on it. If she’s there, I’ll get her out. I sure as hell can take one psycho human. Even if he is using some kind of shapeshifter magic.”

“Yeah,” said a voice from the doorway. “And when were you going to tell us about this whole crisis?”

Israel turned to see the Malsueño brothers filing into the trailer, their black eyes glittering with anger.