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The doorknob clicked and turned. She opened the door.
He stepped inside and pulled her into his arms. Relief that she was with him washed through his soul. “What happened? Why did you scream?”
She stepped out of the embrace and grabbed his hand. She pulled him to the back of the house.
In the kitchen, a lit lantern sat on the counter. “That’s weird.”
“The lantern isn’t the weird part.”
They went closer. A note. He instinctively put his arm across Chloe’s shoulders and drew her close as he read the note.
Chloe Jacobs.
You were too late.
You will pay.
You will find out what it’s like to die.
Alone.
The word alone was bigger than all the rest. Scrawled with an angry hand.
Josh pulled Chloe tighter against himself. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I have to call Gabe,” she whispered.
Josh pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the note. “Yes, but from the car. I might have seen someone outside.”
“And get the bear spray.”
“I’m beginning to think I need to listen to my brother-in-law and actually conceal carry.”
“Gabe’s going to say the same thing.” She pulled a little white canister from her pocket. “But I do have my mace he gave me for Christmas.”
Chloe called Gabe, and they walked to the car. Josh scanned the area continuously, but no more shadows emerged.
In fewer than ten minutes, Gabe arrived in his squad car, along with another one.
Taking Chloe into his arms, Gabe spoke to Josh. “I’m glad you came with her.”
A few minutes later, Gabe’s best friend, Darius Buckley arrived. Buck and his partner were detectives for the Knoxville Police Department and would investigate.
The police found no one snooping around or any other clues.
Just after ten, anything that could be done, was done. Josh leaned close to Chloe. “Do you still want to go hiking?”
With wide eyes she turned to him, her face mere inches from his. “I sure don’t want to go home and contemplate who might want me to die alone.”
“Hiking it is.” His heart soared. He’d keep her safe. She wouldn’t be dying on his watch.
Chloe ran up the stone steps along the path. It might be only twenty-eight degrees, but the mountain air was refreshing and invigorating. She loved the Appalachian Mountains, especially the Smoky Mountains. As much terror and tragedy was held in the woods, there was also a sense of God’s presence in nature that she couldn’t deny. The beauty He’d created comforted her soul as long as she didn’t dwell on the past.
Josh chuckled behind her.
She whipped around. “What?”
“Oh, nothing.”
