AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Josie looked around, noting a broad gravel driveway that snaked up from between more trees and then sprawled into a flat area almost double the size of the cabin. An old Toyota Highlander sat on one side and a pale El Camino on the other. Now the helicopter was overhead, hovering, its spotlight on the cabin’s front door. Its rotor wash kicked up leaves, dirt, and gravel all around them. Before Josie could say or do anything else, the front door opened, and a man stepped out. He was bare-chested, save for several tattoos that Josie couldn’t discern from where she stood. Sweatpants hung low on his hips. He looked up at the helicopter, one arm shielding his eyes from the spotlight.
Luke pulled a reluctant Blue to the side as Josie approached the steps, shouting to be heard over the ’copter. She wasn’t sure if he heard her words but as soon as he took in her clothing and the gun she held, he threw his hands up. Leaving his front door ajar, he moved slowly down the steps to where Josie stood, keeping both palms aloft.
“What’s going on?” he shouted.
Up close she could see that at least some of the tattoos on his chest and arms were crudely drawn and in black ink. Prison tattoos, most likely. His torso was sculpted and lean. Beneath piercing blue eyes, his jaw was strong and square. Josie estimated him to be in his late thirties, early forties.
“Are you the only person here?” Josie asked.
He nodded.
“There’s no one in the house? No one else?”
“No one. Just me.” He looked over at Blue, who stared up at the open doorway as if there was a treat on the other side of the threshold, if only he could cross it. Josie’s radio squawked. Gretchen was sending the marked units positioned closest to their location. Their ETA was five minutes.
“Detective Josie Quinn, Denton PD. We’re searching for a missing girl. Our K-9 unit followed her scent here.”
The man raised a brow. “Here? You think there’s a girl in my house?”
“What’s your name?” Josie asked, still speaking loudly to be heard over the helicopter.
“Henry Thomas,” he said.
“This is your place?”
He nodded. “Can I lower my hands?”
“Keep them where I can see them,” said Josie.
He lowered them to his sides and looked around, from the helicopter to Luke and Blue.
“Do you live here alone?” Josie asked.
“Yes.”
She gestured behind them, at the Toyota and El Camino. “Who do those belong to?”
He gave a little smile. “Me.”
“Both of them?”
“You can check the registrations, but yes. The El Camino doesn’t drive. Hasn’t moved from that spot in months. I’m restoring it.” He pointed to the Toyota. “That is my everyday vehicle.”
“Any pets inside?” asked Josie.
“Not unless you count the fieldmice I can’t seem to get rid of.”
Blue and red emergency beacons strobed through the trees from the direction of the road. The end of the driveway wasn’t visible from where they stood but within seconds, two marked units pulled in, one behind the Toyota and one behind the El Camino.
Henry said, “You want to have a look inside?”
“We need your permission to search the premises,” Josie said.
He nodded. “You have it.”
She pointed to one of the marked units where the officers were spilling out. “I’m going to have to ask you to wait over there with one of my colleagues.”
He nodded and walked toward the officers. Josie signaled for one of them to stay with him. Luke moved closer, Blue at his side, eyes fixed on the door to the cabin. “Can we go in?” he asked.
