Page 30 of Final Approach
“What the—” The voice came from the bedroom a split second before a figure appeared in the doorway. Hoodie, baseball cap pulled low over the ski mask that covered his face, dark clothes. She registered that just before he barreled out of the room and shoved past her.
“Hey!”
He kept going into the den, then the kitchen and out the side door. Kristine bolted after him.
The sirens sounded close, but not close enough. She raced after him. “Federal agent! Stop!” She figured it was a waste of breath, but at least she could say she identified herself as law enforcement.
He raced down the road, past the trailer park, and into another neighborhood. He zipped across someone’s front yard and disappeared into the back. Kristine followed him, heart and feet pounding the same rhythm.
The sirens grew louder and she searched for the intruder, but it was too dark. With too many places to hide. The neighborhood had middle-class houses with well-kept yards. Trees and bushes lined the edges. He could be anywhere.
She stopped, panting a little from the mad dash, and listened, gripping her weapon, ready to face any threat. But all she heard was the commotion at the Brown home. She finally gave up and jogged back to the scene, badge plainly displayed, weapon tucked out of sight, empty hands at her sides. She didn’t need to alarm anyone already on edge about a reported intruder.
Just as she reached the curb, Andrew pulled to a stop next to a cruiser. He climbed out and showed his badge. The tense officers relaxed a fraction. Andrew spotted her and hurried over to her andthe officers now approaching. She told them about the intruder and pointed in the direction he disappeared.
“We’ll search,” the taller one said, “but he’s probably long gone by now.”
“I know.”
They took off and she turned to Andrew.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
He tilted his head toward the house. “I don’t suppose you looked for the money while you were getting Mrs. Brown’s things.”
“I plead the fifth. And you can’t search for it either because CSU is gone and the intruder is a whole new case.”
“Ah, but I had someone stop by the hospital to get written consent.” He looked at his phone. “Yep. I’m good.”
“Well, well. Mr. Prepared. That was fast.”
“We’re on a time crunch to figure this out.” He frowned. “Although it seems like the crime scene unit would have found it if it was here.”
“Seems like.” She shrugged. “But the fact that I walked in on someone trashing the place says they think there’s something worth looking for here too.”
“Good point.” Andrew nodded toward the house. “You wanna grab her stuff while I take another look?”
“Sure. Bring a flashlight if you have one. The power’s off.”
“Got one in the trunk, but let me make a call and see if I can get it turned back on.” He connected with someone and two minutes later hung up. “It should be on shortly. Lead the way.”
THEPOWER WAS RESTOREDalmost immediately, thanks to his contact with the power company, but even with the help of Thomas Edison, his very thorough search of the rest of the house turned up nothing. Andrew led the way out into the single garage. Thunder rolled in the distance.
“That doesn’t sound great,” Kristine said behind him.
“Just the promise of a soggy night.” And he really wanted to be home in his cozy little rental before the sky opened up. He hated storms. But business first.
To his left was a door that led to the backyard, a refrigerator against the wall next to it, and shelves and cabinets. “It’s neat. Everything in its place.”
“Maybe that will help you make short work of the search,” she said.
Together, they scanned the area, with him moving items, opening containers, checking every nook and crevice they uncovered. The ceiling again, the floor, the walls. No secret compartment or hiding place. Nothing in the freezer.
Next, the attic.
Still nothing. Not even mice or any other kind of vermin. At least there was that to be thankful for.
