Page 33 of Special Agent Anastacia

Dave interrupted. “It would, except now I remember the rest of the story. The scandal over the sale. The day before he died, old Mike cashed the check from the sale and got $60,000 dollars in big bills. Then he came back here and a few hours later they found him dead.”

“Dead?” Nash’s shock was apparent before he added, “Right, I remember you told us.”

“Yep. Deader’n a doornail.”

Ana’s cop-brain kicked in. “Any sign of foul play?”

“Nope. None at all.”

Nash broke in with the question needing to be answered. “What about the money?”

“It was gone. Disappeared. We checked with Sadie and George, even the movers that arrived with them. They all swore the same thing… no one had seen the money.”

Chapter Twenty-four

With the daylight beginning to ebb, Ana knew they should make a move soon. They’d waited long enough without seeing any movement, and her worry over Hanna began to consume her. The inaction drove her insane.

Putting into words what had been blasting through Ana’s mind, Nash started. “We can’t just sit here and wait for something to happen. The girls could be in that house, in trouble, and so could Mrs. Roddam. I need to know.”

Dave stopped pacing and came back to where they were watching the house. “Me, too. I’m antsy. Got this feeling we need to get down there.”

Without another word, Ana began to prepare alongside Dave. Taking the smaller of the vests, she removed her sweatshirt and didn’t so much as flinch while standing there in her white lacy bra. When she saw the shocked male faces, she chuckled. “It’s the secret girlie part of me. I like nice undies. So sue me.”

While she talked, she continued to velcro on the safety garment and then replace the sweatshirt, stretching it away from her body so the vest didn’t show. Next, she replaced her gun in the back, shoving it into the waistband of her jeans.

Before she could move, Nash stopped her. “No way you’re going down there. I am.”

He saw her shift into a fighting stance and kept his voice steady but firm. Making them listen, he shared his point of view. “Look, it makes more sense.” When she jerked away, he spoke louder… quicker. “I’ll drive up in the truck, and they’ll see the forestry emblem. I even have a jacket in the back with my crests to prove who I am. And I can show them ID if they ask. I’ll warn them about the hazards we’re facing in the area, tell them I’m going door-to-door in the neighborhood. It’s legit, and they’ll believe me. I can get an idea of who’s in the house that way, right?”

He read Ana’s growing interest in the expression she didn’t try to hide. Finally, hesitantly, she nodded her agreement. And Dave, by clasping his arm, and smiling, he gave his permission. The following words he spoke low were meant to be taken seriously. “Be careful. We don’t know what’s going on down there. I sure as fuck don’t want your death on my conscience, got it?”

“Yes, sir, I will. Don’t worry. You’ll be able to see me from that spot there.” He pointed to where they’d spent the most time. “If I need you, I’ll signal.”

Obeying an impulse she didn’t question; Ana went with him to his truck. Knowing the danger he might be walking into left her mouth dry and swallowing impossible. Before he slid inside the vehicle, Nash gently put his hand on her cheek, sliding it to the back of her head, his fingers lifting her hair. He stared into her questioning eyes. And she could see his surprise when he madeout her glazed stare, beseeching him to be careful. Her voice came out throaty with emotion. “Stay safe.”

“You, too.”

They didn’t speak any more words, but their eyes flashed all kinds of messages that left Ana reeling. God help her… the man mattered more than she’d realized. Her chest tightened. Fear for his safety overwhelming her. Her eyes watered as the visions of what might happen flooded into her head. And her fists clenched in total frustration.

Because holding him back or clinging to keep him with her wasn’t an option, she struggled to swallow her objections. God knew as well as she did, it was her job to deal with dangerous situations…. not his. As much as her heart wanted him to be safe, her brain knew his suggestion made sense. He’d have the best chance of approaching without setting off any alarms. And right now, the last thing they wanted to do was to make Smirnova nervous. If the girls were with him, and she had to believe they were, then all they could do was pray they were alive… as well as Carly’s mother, Hattie Roddam.

Minutes later, Ana watched as Nash drove up to the front of the older, two-story cabin with it’s newly painted gray walls and red rose bushes out front. Dave passed over the binoculars, and she watched as the tall good-looker strode to the front door and rang the bell. While he waited, he pretended to smell the flowers, but Ana suspected it was his way of glancing inside the big window.

Moments passed and nothing happened. They observed him banging on the door and calling out this time. Still, nothing. Finally, he walked to the back of the house where he found another entry and repeated the knocking and shouting. Nothing at first. Then Ana saw him hesitate and stop to listen. Abruptly, he waved them to come and standing back from the door, he kicked it in like an actor in a movie drama.

Both her and Dave were in the cop car in seconds, driving like a bat out of hell. Braking sharply, spitting rocks, they both jumped from the car. With Ana in the lead, they joined at the back of the house where they’d watched Nash disappear.

Before she could mount the outside porch, Dave grabbed her arm. “Hold on in case we need backup. Don’t know what’s happening inside.”

“Okay. Hurry. I’ll wait to follow.”

She watched Dave disappear inside and made her way over to the nearest window to see what she could make out. Seconds later, Dave appeared, looking mad as hell. “There’s a pigsty inside, like the one we found at Sadie’s. Blood too. But no bodies.”

Nash joined them, disgust plain on his face but mixed with unease. “I swear I heard something. Sounded like a human cry. It’s why I went inside. I just knew someone needed help. Hell, in my job we see it all the time. That sensation I get when I know I’m close to a victim was so real.”

All three understood what he meant because they’d had similar experiences. Before anyone could say anything, Nash’s head lifted again. Now, Ana heard it too. Dave, seeing their expressions, shook his head, exasperation clear in his words. “I don’t hear nuthin.”

Nash patted his arm and started in the direction where the sounds might have come from. “What’s over there?” He pointed at a smaller building.

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