Page 100 of Three Girls Gone
“Did anyone go around back? There might be a more accessible window on the rear side,” she said.
“Officers checked that out. No window,” Malone said. “The man door on the side has one, but a blind is covering the glass.”
They didn’t even know if this creep was home.
Time slowed down to a cruel pace. With each passing minute, Amanda became more anxious. After ten minutes, SWAT officers came out the front, and most headed back to their vehicle. The team leader started walking toward them. She, Trent, and Malone helped bridge the distance.
“No one’s inside, but we found some disturbing things. There’s a room in the basement with a padlock on the door. We broke it, and there’s a child’s bed in there with some stuffed toys and a play kitchen.”
Amanda grinded her teeth. Her insides were pulsating.
The SWAT officer added, “Some girls’ clothing was in the closet and a pair of unicorn pajamas on the bed.”
“Eloise.” The girl’s name fell off Amanda’s tongue, but she didn’t give herself much time for sorrow. She turned to Trent and pulled out her phone. “We need the results on that number.”
Malone held up a hand, and the SWAT officerangled his head.
“What number?” Malone asked her, and she told him about the lease agreement and her call with Briggs.
“Let’s hope it turns out to be the break we need,” Malone said.
“I want to go inside now,” she told Malone.
“I get that. But just so you know, Crime Scene is on their way too.”
She nodded and received his unspoken caution, even if it didn’t need communicating. She could go in but had to be careful of what she touched to not contaminate the house any more.The crime scene.It was also likely the scene of Hailey’s murder.
Just that thought had her moving toward the house, ready to strangle this Wilcox bastard.I’m coming for you, you son of a bitch!
Trent’s footsteps sounded behind her, but she kept her pace fast and steady.
She gloved up and put booties over her shoes before entering the home and heading toward the basement stairs.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Trent asked from behind her.
“I need to.” She didn’t understand the compulsion herself. An internal urge nudged her forward, as if by being there, she’d be brought closer to Eloise. She wasn’t given the chance to save Hailey Tanner, and she wasn’t failing Eloise. That girl had been taken on her watch, and she would make this right.
She reached the last step and let her instinct guide her. The basement was finished, and she walked through a family room to a doorway at the other end. This area housed the furnace, water heater, and laundry, but beyond that, another opened door led to a smaller space.
The sight of pink bedding made her head spin. She thought she was prepared to see this room… She reached out to the doorframe to steady herself as her legs became weak. Being here brought back the nightmares served up by a case they worked in February. Three months ago, but the imagery was still fresh. Though, she didn’t think she’d ever forget that creepy house with its hidden room of horrors.
“Amanda.” Trent reached out for her as her legs buckled.
She held up her hand, regaining her balance. “I’m fine.” She wasn’t. They both knew it. But surely, he must be having a bit of déjà vu himself. How these deviants could continue to draw breath after snuffing out the innocent was beyond her.
She let out a roar and drew back a fist to punch the wall. Trent caught her arm in the elbow.
“Just let me,” she hissed at him.
“No. It’s not going to help anything. It’s just going to hurt you and contaminate the scene.”
She was heaving for breath, consumed by rage.
“Amanda,” Trent whispered. His soft tone drawing her back from the brink. “Save your fist for his face.”
She met his eyes. “You always know the right thing to say.”
He dipped his head. “We will get him. And Eloise.”
