Page 65 of Scorched

Mounting dread pressed against his chest. The explosion in the high school hadn’t been an accident. The firefighters might not know that yet, but Paul did. It had been a diversion. A chance for someone to lure Elise away from the grounds, maybe even kidnap her.

Without a cell phone, Paul had only one choice; he had to get to Elise’s house. Worst-case scenario, he’d find Melissa and a telephone. Best case, Elise had gotten tired of waiting for him and had gone home. He’d find her there tucking Luke and Brandon into bed, kissing them good night, just like every other night. Just like normal.

This day had been anything but normal so far; why should that change now? Paul inched his truck around the emergency vehicles and out into the street, where he slammed the gas pedal to the floorboard.

The two miles to Elise’s little house on Highland passed too slowly and filled him with terrifying possibilities. What if Elise had been taken by the killer? What if Melissa and the boys were hurt? What if Paul was too late?

Even without a firm suspect, Paul couldn’t believe the Dakota Strangler had survived the fire and flood. His gut told him to look elsewhere. But who wouldwant to hurt Elise and why? The witness had reported a black SUV leaving the bridge access road. An image of a black SUV popped into his mind as clearly as if he’d seen it. And he had, but where?

Then he remembered. One had been parked next to his truck in the parking lot of the Bureau building the day this all began.

Paul shook his head. No, it was just a coincidence. There were hundreds of black SUVs all over San Antonio.

Could someone in the Bureau have gotten the information of Elise’s whereabouts? Someone who knew how the witness protection program worked.

He skidded around the corner a block away from Highland Street and almost ran into Melissa on foot, waving at him from the sidewalk.

Jamming his foot on the brake, he slid to a halt, popping the automatic door locks open.

Melissa slid in, rain dripping off her jacket onto the seat, breathing hard, her face screwed into a scared frown. “Luke is gone.”

“What?” The bottom fell out of Paul’s stomach. Luke was a bright, active little boy with an imagination and charm that had endeared him to Paul. He’d be proud to have such a little boy as his son. “How did that happen?”

Agent Bradley shrugged, shaking her wet head. “I don’t know. One minute he was there, the next, he was gone.”

“Does Elise know?” How would she react? God, sheneeded someone to be with her. Paul needed to be with her.

“I called her as soon as I realized he was gone. She came within fifteen minutes.”

A cold tingling sensation began at the back of Paul’s neck and snaked its way down his spine. “Where is Elise now?”

“I left Elise and Brandon at the house while I searched the neighborhood. I called the police, but they’re tied up at the school fire. Geez, Paul, why haven’t you answered your phone?” She took a deep breath, her brown hair hanging in lank, wet ropes along the sides of her face. “I lost the kid, Paul. I can’t believe I lost the kid. It was just like you said, he slipped out the back door when I wasn’t looking.”

Paul took the corner onto Highland Street too fast for the rain-slicked road. The rear tires fishtailed on the slippery surface and straightened.

Light shone on Elise’s porch, but that didn’t make Paul feel any better. Not until he saw Elise, Brandon and Luke all standing in their living room, safe, well and happy, would he feel better.

Mel’s red truck stood in the driveway. Alone.

“Oh, God, her car’s gone. I shouldn’t have left her.” Mel jumped from Paul’s truck before it came to a complete halt and ran for the house. Paul wasn’t far behind and caught her as she reached the door. It was unlocked and easily swung open when given a gentle push.

Lights blazed from all the rooms in the house, but it stood eerily silent. A few toy cars littered the floor, lying neglected and forgotten.

Paul ran from room to room, knowing before he completed his search that he wouldn’t find them. He’d let Elise and her boys down. He hadn’t been there to stop a crazed killer from taking them from their home.

“What now?” Melissa stood by the door, her face glum, her lips pressed into a tight line.

“Ms. Johnson!” A voice drifted through the open door. “Ms. Johnson?” The sound of light metal clashing against concrete was followed by Elise’s students, Kendall and Alex, bursting through the door.

“Where’s Ms. Johnson?” Kendall blurted, then sucked in a deep breath. Her hair clung to her cheeks in wet strands and water ran in rivulets down her jacket onto the tile entrance.

“She’s missing,” Paul answered, his tone as flat as his heart.

“Oh, no! We were afraid someone might hurt her.” Kendall pulled at Alex’s coat. “Give them the disk.”

Alex frowned and jerked away from Kendall’s hands. “Let me unzip my jacket, will ya?” He ripped the zipper down and a DVD fell to the floor.

“What’s this?” Paul grabbed the disk.

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