Chapter 143

ZAIN PUSHED THE PASSENGER door to the SUV open before it came to a complete stop. The rain was puttering out, just a few drops here and there.

"Where is she?" he asked the first uniform he saw.

"House is empty," the officer said, brows drawn down, no doubt wondering who the hell he was.

"Detective Bowman." Max was right behind Zain, flashing his badge. "Did you search the house?"

"Yeah, bottom to top." The officer hooked his thumbs in his belt. "No one's inside. Front door was open when we got here. There's a car in the garage. We're starting to sweep the property now. There's five acres to cover."

Zain turned, peering into the trees.

Either she was out there somewhere, or she was already gone.

Zain went to the stairs and peered at the ground. The flagstone path leading to the front door wouldn't tell him any secrets. He picked his way out, searching what he could see of the ground for some sign, but the hard rain had washed any traces of her passing away.