Emily was nimbler, picking her way along the trail with ease. She was a starter on three different teams at school, carrying a natural grace that eluded Sarah.
The other end of the path was cloaked in shadows. The sun didn’t break through the branches. There was enough light to see a large man standing at the other edge of the path. Coming toward them. There was something in his hand, but Sara couldn’t tell what it was.
Em said, “We need to get help.”
“See that guy? What if he has Heidi?”
“What if we can’t stop him?”
Sarah said, “We can’t leave her. It might be too late by the time help comes.”
“Hey you!” Em yelled.
Sara watched the man squat down and throw something over his shoulder. At first it looked like a large doll but Sara realized it was Heidi. That mop of curly, brown hair. Her breath caught in her chest; lungs felt paralyzed.
Heidi wasn’t moving.
The man turned and went deeper into the woods.
Sara followed, Emily beside her. She didn’t know what they’d do if they caught him.
Seven
“You sure you’re okay?” Jenna said, standing in Maria’s kitchen.
Maria was seated at the table. She had a bottle of Great Lakes porter in front of her. There were two patrol cars in her driveway and the boys were out canvassing the neighborhood, knocking on doors and looking for her creeper.
Tim was leaning against the counter, arms crossed. He had on a Captain America t-shirt and baggy gym shorts, his standard sleeping attire. He was chewing his thumbnail.
“It was the person from the mansion,” Maria said. “I’m sure of it.”
“Guy from the mansion,” Tim said.
“We never saw his face. Can’t assume.”
Jenna said, “It’s a good bet though.”
“I’m going to fuck him up if he comes back,” Tim said.
“Let us handle it,” Jenna said.
“I’ll handle it how I want.”
“Easy Tim. It’s all good.”
Tim said, “It’s not good. My girlfriend gets threatened and I’m supposed to just stand around?”
Maria sensed his pride was hurt; he was supposed to be the protector, at least according to society’s rules.
“Maria knows you’ve got her back,” Jenna said.
“Damn right I do,” Tim said.
The forensics guys were currently outside swabbing samples from the blood on the house. They’d take their photos of it. It would be up to Tim or Maria to go out and hose it off the house. That was something people didn’t realize: once the crime was over, you were left with the mess. Cops and crime scene guys didn’t clean up blood.
“You need anything else?” Jenna said.
“I’m good. I’ve got the Glock at the ready if he comes back.”
“He’d better not come back,” Tim said.
Tim was itching to prove himself again. “We’ll be ready for him, right babe?”
He nodded.
“You kids get some sleep,” Jenna said.
Someone knocked at the door. Maria got up, went to the door, and saw the chief standing outside. This time, his hair was combed and he wore a short sleeve plaid button down with cargo shorts. Maria opened the door.
“How you doing?” the chief said.
“I’m doing.”
“Mind if I come in?”
“Actually I need some air, can I come out?”
“That works.”
She stepped out onto the porch.
“When did you get here, boss?”
Dylan said, “About twenty minutes ago. Don’t suppose you got a good look at this guy?”
“He had a hood. And he was fast. Gone by the time I got my Glock.”
“I’m going to have Warsbaski sit out here tonight.”
Maria said, “I can handle it chief.”
“I know that. But you need to rest, get some sleep. You can’t do that if you’re worrying about every little noise you hear.”
“He must’ve seen us at the old house and followed me,” Maria said. “He’s goddamned slippery.”
“We’ll flush him out,” Dylan said. “Rest easy.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
“Go for it.”
“Talk to Bill Meyers. He was the detective that investigated the disappearances in oh-three. Might have something for you.”
Maria raised an eyebrow. “Do you think it’s the same guy?”
“Don’t know. But talk to Bill. I’m having a presser in the morning. I’m going to suggest a curfew. And we’re working overtime. No days off.”
“Can you enforce a curfew?” Maria said.
“Don’t think I’ll have to. People are scared, especially the people that lived here during the last round of murders.”
“I’m going to get him,” Maria said.
“I have faith,” Dylan said, and turned to leave.
She saw the patrol car at the end of the driveway and felt slightly resentful. Didn’t need someone to watch after her.
If he came back, she’d be ready for him.
1968 – Mary
Mary was getting nervous; they’d gone deep into the woods and there was no sign of her sisters. Her anxiety wasn’t helped when she heard a short, high scream. It was impossible to tell how far away the screamer had been. All she could think of was Heidi. “One of them’s in trouble.”
“We’d better hurry,” Dean said.
The two of them hustled down the trail. If something had happened to her sisters, Mary would never forgive herself. Even though she hadn’t officially been tasked with watching them, she still felt responsible. It had been that way ever since Mom had left.
Please let them be safe. Maybe it’s just a twisted ankle or broken arm.
Somehow she knew it was worse than that.
Sarah had to stop and catch her breath when the caves came into view. A fire burned in her lungs. She bent over, hands on knees. Emily, the star athlete, was barely winded.
“C’mon,” Emily said. “He went into that first cave. Suck it up. It’s our sister in there.”
Sarah felt a pang of guilt for stopping to rest. The man had
